Dumplings make you feel warm just thinking about them

18 Adar
Shmuli moved his treasures into the barn last night. Today, he has decided to move into Club Or's office. I wasn't sure about that, but Shmuel said he could. He assures me he will be back in the barn before I know it but it's best he finds out why the animals live so close to us. It's true, they keep us warm. The barn wall is very thin and the heat from the animals makes quite a difference on cold winter nights. They are outside in summer or the temperature would be unbearable. It's handy not to have to go too far for dung to put on the fire when it's cold out too.

Rivkah and I set about cleaning out the vegetable store today.That always means it's a soup day as we use up things that won't keep. Rivkah did a good job cutting out the bad bits and chopping so we had a fine vegetable soup with herb dumplings for supper. There's something about dumplings that makes you feel warm just thinking about them. I'm sure you know what I mean!

via Posterize

Chorazim ask KfarGanot for help

29 Shvat

It's Shabbat and we are so thankful for it. Despite the laundry, I was ready in good time. We had a restful evening with the men discussing Torah while I saw to the children and listened as best I could. As we were getting ready for synagogue this morning, a stranger knocked on the door looking for Sextus. He was very out of breath but managed to communicate that a man in Chorazim had been hit by slabs from a roof brought down by the wind. Sextus grabbed his bags and left straight away, shouting his apologies as he went.

It all happened so quickly. Chorazim sending to KfarGanot for help!
"It seems there are still people needing a good doctor after all!" commented Shmuel as he closed the door.
"Indeed," replied Rabbi Moshe, "And I'm sure there always will be. When that young man realises that and just what we have in Yeshua, he will be free to be himself I am sure."

via Posterize

something amias about the way the world works

27 Shvat

I am beginning to think there's something amiss about the way the world works. Why is it that in winter there is much more washing when the climate makes it most difficult? The water outside is inclined to freeze over at worst and at best is so cold it makes your fingers ache and on top of that there is nowhere to dry anything because of the rain! I have even had to resort to drying work clothes in Shmuel's workshop...he's not using it at the moment.He's working on the terraces with Shmuli, it's very muddy work.I hope I can get back to my journal properly when all this extra work is over.

via Posterize

Sextus is troubled

23 Shvat

Rabbi Yeshua stayed with us nearly two weeks on and off. Shmuli seemed disappointed that he would not be sleeping at Yoshi's any more. Shmuel and I were late to bed last night and we sat sipping some mulled wine, Sextus wandered in saying he could not sleep. I think I mentioned that he was concerned that his medical practice was suffering. He said he had not made much money over the last few months because he had lost his best customer, Miriam of Migdal, and was now afraid of losing the Centurion too. Our own fortunes have improved considerably since Yeshua came into our lives, it never occurred to me his presence could have the opposite effect. I did not realise he had sold his home to fund his stay with us. He reluctantly confided that all he presently owned was in his purse and medical bag.

Sextus is teaching in school, he didn't ask for payment, though he could have done. The boys are learning Greek more thoroughly than any of us ever did. He is an excellent teacher. Perhaps he could teach other children in the town, Shmuel suggested. He supposed he could, but it isn't his first love. Perhaps he should go back to Rome, he wondered? We would miss him. I felt sorry for him. He is such a gentle soul, not rugged like a farmer or a soldier. I think we have persuaded him to wait for better weather. I doubt the storms we get this time of year make traveling in winter either practical or pleasant. I would love for him to come to Yerushalayim for Pesach. We shall have to see if we can persuade him.

via Posterize

A man must have an excuse to have chicken soup

21 Shvat

The men have been busy inspecting and repairing the terraces today. I made Shmuel and Shmuli promise me there would be no repeat of last year when my son got hurt and ran such a fever. They promised they would be careful, but Shmuel observed as they were getting ready, that we have a live in medic these days and besides, a man must have an excuse to expect extra portions of chicken soup sometimes!
Soup I can do. Worry, I'd rather not. Would he take extra care if I made chicken soup, I asked. He winked and told me not to become a scolding wife. At that I chased them both out of the kitchen with my broom.

Did I see my husband turn at the gate and pull a silly face at me? I can't be sure, but I hope the rabbi wasn't looking!

via Posterize