To start off, again, thank you all for the support, the prayers, the emails and calls and messages. It was an interesting night last night. IDF jets and drones relentless in strafing the sky. All night long. It provided a sense of security to know we have some extra angels up there. Still, we didn’t get to bed until after 2 and sleep came in fits.

This morning, the air is thick and dusty… the wind blowing in the dust from all the tanks. I feel like the morning after 9/11 as we begin to see photos posted all over the internet of missing people. People and IDF that have been killed. It’s heart wrenching. Huge numbers of people are in the hospital. I received a text that my doctor has been called up, and that he will refill prescriptions by text, but all appointments canceled. Also an update that hospitals are now being used for emergency. If you are in labor and can opt for a home birth….”Call the Midwife.” Honestly it feels like we’re living in a miniseries. As they say here, “Khai b’seret” or life like in a movie.

We’re beginning to get more numbers in…over 800 killed. 267 young people at a peace concert were among the first slaughtered. Bodies desecrated and looted. Over 2550 in hospitals, still unknown number of hostages. The IDF is currently securing the border and hunting down terrorist infiltrators both from Gaza and Judaea/Samaria (the West Bank). There are still pockets to be cleared out and houses and apartments to be checked, home by home. That is the main focus. There was a major outbreak of violence last night in East Jerusalem with incendiary devices set off as well as gunshots, etc. I still haven’t heard the latest. There’s only so much news and so much gruesome images I can process for a time-

Besides, there was major work to be done. It started with us and two other couples from the States. I had gotten requests from reservists in need of supplies. My friend found out about other supplies needed and a drop off station in our city. John and I were prepared to go up to the main soldier drop off in the afternoon (way up North), but this was even better. We scoured “zol stores” (cheap bargain stores like Big Lots in the US) for toothbrushes, toothpaste, wipeys, lip balm, sunscreen, deodorant, feminine hygiene products. John went to the pharmacy for masks (heavy dust!!!). Then to the camping store and bought 20 pairs of military boot socks. And I went to the groceries and minimarkets for gum, sweeties, coffee packets, sugar, crackers and chocolate spread (a huge thing here), six packs of water. When we got to the drop off, there were a good amount of people unloading things. Old military uniforms and boots. Lots of foodstuffs. Even soups, muffins, casseroles, breads, cookies and brownies, sandwiches, tons of homemade items. It seems everyone who isn’t enlisted has gotten on board. Gino and Della, if you are reading this, we speak of you so often… but now!!!! We remember the same types of things for the soldiers in Iraq or Afghanistan, and of course, Operation Shoebox. So we had great experience.

Not allowed to film inside, but there were so many volunteers! Sorting the donations into like piles and boxing up in cartons to take to the trucks. From there the things would be unloaded and given out as needed. This was all so familiar to us, except that everyone was speaking Hebrew. Our other friend had another Israeli moment. He spotted a jeepload of reservists stopped along the freeway waiting to pick up their friend. Moti stopped to ask if they needed anything, anything at all. They responded that mats to put under their sleeping bags would be great, but they had no way to get them. He said, “wait here for a while. I’ll be back.” moti went to the camping supply store which was open, and bought 10 mats at cost. the owner threw in an additional 5 no charge.” Of course, the soldiers were incredulous, elated and very grateful.

Schools are closed. Most stores except essential stores are closed. There is much uncertainty, but we prepare for the worst and pray for the best.Many of the agricultural workers have been mobilized. 100,000!!!! Let that sink in. 100,000 have been called up. The older people are patrolling the cities to help out those in need and to keep watch. They are working in logistics and filling in for the younger people who are called to the front. The only younger men we’ve seen are newly arrived Ukrainian immigrants and teens not quite old enough to be enlisted. The situation in the North is still explosive and unclear.

I walk around in a daze, over pouring coffee into my mug and adding mangoes to my green salad instead of the fruit salad. Putting away dirty dishes and washing the clean dishes. go figure – But we are well. We are safe. We are blessed. We are thankful. It really helps to have a sense of humor. John cracks Monty Python jokes about the Peoples’ Front of Hizbulla, the Hizbulla Peoples’ Front, the Popular Peoples’ Front of Hizbulla. It breaks up the nerves as the missile barrages from Gaza into the center of the country are still nonstop and my phone gets the red alerts by the second.

OK I’m back after taking a couple hour break to catch up on news and emails. To answer a couple questions:

• We have no “escape plan.” Please look at a map. Where would we go? Airport has closed due to missile barrages. My husband is singing, “No place to run, no place to hide.” We think it’s hysterical, truly funny.
• Yes. We have TP and plenty of PB. We’re still American. Not hoarding, but well supplied.
• No. We did not deserve this. We are not occupying (as John says, ‘we’re just renting.’ Sorry more dark humor). My dear, for the absolute most accurate coverage of the Palestinian Israeli situation I urge you – and everyone- to watch The Israel Guys. Zak & Josh Waller are Christians living in Samaria (West Bank). They have no skin in the game. They reporting is fair and balanced and above all else, truthful. they are amazing
• And to further respond. We have not committed war crimes. Israel gave up the Gaza Strip for peace under the Oslo Accords in 1993-95. Since then the place has become a hell hole under Hamas. Israel supplies them with electricity that goes unpaid. We let 17,000 Gazans cross into Israel EACH DAY under day passes for work and medical treatment. The Erez Shalom border crossing (which was bombed out, all the guards slaughtered) is used to transfer tons of humanitarian aid each day.
  

That’s all the retorts for today. Please excuse any snarkieness on my behalf. But I do want to give you all out there a Hebrew lesson. This is so important that you understand this. There is a word in both Hebrew and Arabic. It is a Biblical word, first used in Genesis. Genesis 6:11 in fact. Way back in the times of Noah

ותשחת הארץ לפני האלוהים ותמלא הארץ חמס. The earth became corrupt before G-d; the earth was filled with violence/lawlessness.

The word for violence and lawlessness is HAMAS. THINK ABOUT IT.

I’m back again after another short break and Instagram post. checked the news situation again and am sick. mad. disgusted. Hamas has begun beheading IDF soldiers. I heard from my son and he is safe thank G-d. Time for another break.

300,000soldiers have now been called up. we kind of know there will be a major incursion. It feels like the lull before the storm.At least up here.I fear I sound like Durin now (sorry. Tolkien fan). But we will be hunkering down and we are well prepared. We speak forth Psalms 121 and 91. In each and every generation they have risen up to annihilate us, and the Holy One, blessed be He, rescues us from their hands. I need to go again for awhile and come back when I am in a better frame of mind…..

It’s amazing what a nice shower, some makeup and a meal can do. Speaking of meals: “Rachel Edri, an elderly woman from Ofakim was held hostage for over 15hours by a group of 5 militants. ‘Sweetie, you look pale, you need to eat,’ she recounts telling the terrorist in charge and offering them a full meal. When the Israeli commandos stormed the house, the 5 militants were stuffing themselves with cookies and were immediately killed.’It wasn’t a tactic. I just figured hungry men are more dangerous so I wanted to feed them’ she says. Rachel is now a national hero and also the subject of countless memes on Israeli twitter as she is compared to Yael who killed Sisera the Canaanite general.

On a more serious note, we have heard Jerusalem has been under continuous missile attack today. Mourners trying to bury their dead, including a lone soldier from the UK, Nathaniel Young… had to duck and cover during several sirens. We now know that Israel has just cut off all water and power and food deliveries to Gaza. yes, we had been supplying them. We hear the IDF will be starting a full siege soon, whatever that means. There are now hundreds of Israeli captives there to be used as human shields. this includes Americans (9 at least) who were visiting; Nepalese agricultural workers (18); Philippino care givers (23?) and at least one German.

We are safe. We are well. We are prepared in as many ways we can think of. And we are in deep appreciation of all your prayers and support. And we had the most gorgeous sunset tonight followed by a short rain shower. Both were nothing short of glorious!

One other request. I know many of you are concerned for ur safety and want the latest news. If you are living in Southern California, please do not try to contact my daughters. They are busy and I want to tell them the best of all possible news myself. I don’t think they read my blogs? Thanks so much for your understanding.