A different kind of Sunday

Instead of being at Grace in Timonium this morning, we were at the self-serve laundry in Jerusalem washing dirty clothes. It was surprisingly painless as the machines were very efficient and the woman working there provided change and even sold soap powder. Being that it was next to the grocery store, I could throw in the clothes and run upstairs to food shop. With the afternoon free, we decided to venture out closer to home today as we had to be at church at 5 p.m. We ended up near the Russian Compound and found an Underground Prisoners Museum where we spent several hours. If you enjoy history, this is a great place to visit. The museum starts with the Ottoman surrender to the Brits and follows the history of the British Mandate in Palestine up until the establishment of the state of Israel. It details the actions of the underground resistance fighters - terrorists according to the Brits but Freedom Fighters according to those wanting Israeli statehood. The men and women who were captured were imprisoned in the Jerusalem Central Jail and it is their stories that are told in the museum (the old jail.) Their actions included blowing up part of the famous King David Hotel in 1946 where the British command was head quartered. After a supper of a falafel wrap (actually very good) from the market, we set off for our church service at King of Kings congregation - only a 10 minute walk. If we had closed our eyes, we could have imagined we were at Grace as many of the songs were so familiar and we could even see Reid or Bobby up there playing drums. Some of the songs were The Everlasting God, Lord, You Have My Heart, and Blessed Be The Name. Made us feel right at home. The pastor was very good and everyone was having such a good time with the music and preaching, it ended up being a 2 hour service. Don't know if that is the norm.

Back to Saturday: we walked into the Old City just to get the "lay of the land" - we had no agenda or intent to sight see. Therefore, we just walked and walked and walked. Larry says 5 miles, I say 25 (Linda and Mel, remember DC.) So many people. the aroma of exotic spices in the air, vendors trying to sell, and of course, all that on the backdrop of the most holy sites for three religions. It was amazing and we can't wait to go back. On the way home (of course we walked), I found THE DOLLAR STORE or rather the 4 SHEKEL STORE. That was fun as we found some bins to put "stuff" in to free up space in the closet..., I mean apartment. Tomorrow work starts again and I am flying solo this week. Larry and Vern are working at the DC as well painting a ceiling and misc. work. Thanks for all the e-mails and messages, we LOVE hearing from you and if anyone has SKYPE, let us know. It is the greatest - we have talked to our kids/grandkids often - and it's free. Carly and Ella try to kiss us through the monitor. We love it.