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Sunday in Israel is the first day of the week. Everyone is bustling about doing errands and going to work–quite a site. The week has started.

I returned the rental car back to the agency. I think this is the first time I have driven in Israel in all the times I have been here. Someone has either driven us, or we have been with the TV crew or on the tour bus. Verrry interesting. Remember, the new statistics are out and 253 people were killed on the roads so far this year. I was a little nervous driving, but pray and all is well.

Will and I decide to go to the old city again. I want to talk to some of our friends down there and get their opinion about what is going on. We go to Blue and White Art Gallery and visit with Udi and Israel. Udi’s family were one of the first families in the old city. He owns the art gallery and is an artist himself. His work is in the Israel Museum and most of the Prime Ministers have his art. He is off to a meeting, so we have very little time to talk, but he is most optimistic about the war. We talk to his assistant Israel and he too thinks Israel will win.

Off to the Quarter Cafe, one of my favorite places to eat in Jerusalem. The best potato latkes ever. And don’t even get me started about the chocolate cookie. Alon (his name in Hebrew means Oak) says it is not a war, but a battle. I liked what he said. He too feels that Israel will win. We eat, we visit…

Our next stop is to Shorashim and a visit with Moishe. He writes an internet newsletter that is worth reading. They are religious Jews and like what Zola has done for Israel. Moishe says it will be OK. Israel just needs to finish the job this time. We are all in agreement.

Will and I have a few errands to run downtown. That means Ben Yehuda street. I have not seen so many people in a long time. They are everywhere. We are looking for some electronic equipment and go to several shops until we are directed to a shop in a basement. It has everything we need. It is like we are real people and not just tourists! Sorta like a speakeasy. I almost felt like we should need to give a password to get in.

I ended up staying at a B&B in an area called Baka this visit. It is a ten minute walk from Will’s place and is just what I need. People always ask me if it is safe in Israel. I walked home from Will’s Saturday night (or rather Sunday morning) at 12:30am by myself. Would I do that in the States? NO way. But I was not the only one walking at that time of the morning, nor was I the only woman on the street. Zola always said that Israel is not a country with crimes against persons, but a country with terrorism. The people here are all related to each other.

I take a Sunday afternoon nap and get ready for dinner with Will and Zvi Rivai. Zvi is our head tour guide. He is a walking encyclopedia of information. He knows history and the Bible. He just got back from the States Wednesday—speaking in some churches. We visit and talk about the “battle.” He too says that Israel can declare victory when they finish the job. That seems to be the thought here—stay and finish the course. I love what Golda Meir said: “We will not commit suicide so the world will speak kind of us.” She understood that the world does not like Israel.

I got a sweet email from Merry Ann. They had not heard from me in a couple of days and were concerned that we were OK. Thank you for the prayers.

Will and I head North today. We spend a quiet Saturday in Netanya on the beach. If I had not watched the TV or read the newspaper, I would not know that any kind of “War” is going on in Israel. Haifa is about 2 hours, by car, from Jerusalem. Netanya is about an hour away.

Daily life goes on. Netanya in bustling with people everywhere. It, too, is on the Mediterranean. It just does not look like any trouble is going on here. People are swimming, surfing, eating, and walking around the town–generally doing what they would normally do on any other day.

As the sun sets, we head back to Jerusalem. The roads are crowded with cars, but we arrive safe and sound.

Will is sending pictures.

It is Friday and Shabbat (Sabbath) will begin at sundown. I will say it again, I love watching Shabbat happen. Everyone is hurrying around getting their errands finished, their homes are getting clean and the best meal of the week is being prepared. Flowers are bought on Friday for the Shabbat table. I love seeing the flower stalls set up on Friday. The flowers are beautiful and they are wrapped so lovingly with colored tissue and ribbon. They can be bought for around $5. It feels like a great preparation for the coming of worship. Is my heart ready for worship, not just on Saturday but everyday. There is an excitement all around. At about 3pm, things start shutting down and everyone is heading home or to a hotel. The candles are lit at sundown and family and friends celebrate the Shabbat. It is a great visual for me.

We are heading South today. Will has us going to Hebron, the Rafah border crossing near Egypt, and Sderot. Here are the statistics: This year to date, 253 people have been killed in car wrecks in Israel. About 60 have been killed by rockets. So, I think I will put more steel between me and the other drivers. Last weekend we had rented a really small car. It could fit in the back seat of most American cars. This weekend, I am feeling the need to be a little safer, so we have rented an SUV.

We stop in Hebron to see the cave where they say Abraham is buried. It is the first time I have been in Hebron. The Jews and Arabs share the site. The Muslims worship on Friday and the Jews worship on Saturday. Actually, the Jews go to the synagogue every day. My friend, Kathleen, sent me an email saying she was praying Psalms 91 over Will and me. I read it here and my spirits soar.

We head to the Rafah crossing at Egypt. We get as far as Kerem Shalom where we see the Army set up, so we wonder if it is OK to be here. No one stops us, so Will gets out of the car and starts taking pictures and video. I am getting out of the car when an Army jeep comes out of nowhere and tells us that we cannot go any further. They also want to know who we are and what are we doing there. I am thankful Will can speak Hebrew (whew).

No problems and we are back on our way to Sderot when we hear that a rocket has hit Zikim. We change plans and head for the kibbutz. We are the first journalists on the scene. As we get to the gate, it is closed, so we go toward the Mediterranean Sea (Zikim is on the Sea). Will decides to try again to get into the kibbutz and as we approach, another car is coming out of the kibbutz gate and we go in.

We end up interviewing Ron, the head of Zikim. The kibbutz is about 80 families and is so quaint—lovely flowers and a great view of the Mediterranean. Ron tells us that really nothing has changed since the disengagement from the area. Rockets come almost everyday. I cannot imagine living that way! This time, two young boys are slightly injured but no one is killed. Will takes pictures and video of the damage. He also takes a picture of one of the boys that has been injured. His leg is wrapped in a bandage—the boy has come back to the scene after being treated at the hospital. We hear outgoing artillery and watch as the young boy heads to the safety of his parents.

It is late afternoon and we head back to Jerusalem. Taki, Will’s old roommate and friend, joins us for dinner at another Sushi restaurant. This time in Jerusalem. It is delicious and we enjoy Shabbat.

It is a beautiful morning in Jerusalem. Will ended up in Kiryat Shmona yesterday with two others from Bridges for Peace. They delivered cases of green beans, powdered milk, diapers, canned pasta, etc. The army soldiers were so excited to get the food. They will distribute it where it is needed most and the best part is that everyone knows it is from the Christians. What a witness. Zola always quoted “witness… use words if necessary.” No words needed there.

The Bridges for Peace group also went to Kiryat Shmona about 30 minutes after a rocket had hit. Will saw a rocket up close and wanted part of it, but thought better of picking it up. Whew! They also traveled up to Metulla. A very long day, but well worth the effort.Check out WorldNetDaily. They are always on top of things. Joseph Farrah is an Arab believer, so he gives a fair look at what is going on from the Arab view. The Israeli soldiers were helped by the locals in Bint Jbail. They told WorldNetDaily that they were not and did not want to be part of Hizballah.

I have heard that CNN is taking a vote on whether Israel is at fault and if you support her. Please vote on this. Why are we surprised at the unbeliever? Any lie will do when it comes to the liberal media.

I am outraged at Kofi Annan‘s voice at the UN casualties. I like the way the Jerusalem Post editorial today, said it:

The bitter irony is that Annan himself reported to the Security Council back in January 2001 that the UNIFIL had completed implementation of the part of its mandate requiring it to help Lebanese authorities resume control of the area vacated by Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000. If he was right, the IDF would not now be operating against Hizballah, and absorbing mounting casualties. And four UNIFIL workers would not be dead today.

Who does Annan think he is? Where is Annan’s UN and the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1559?! The IDF had been in the area earlier with loudspeakers telling everyone to leave! The Israeli Army gives up an element of surprise each time they do this, but they don’t want to kill people. They want the terrorism to stop.

Let me remind you again, we are in a Spiritual war! Read Ezekiel 36-38.

Israel gets it from both the Arabs and the left-wingers. The Arabs say that Israel is weak because of the Six-Day War. Where is Israel’s might? Israel should have beaten them in less than the two weeks it has been. Of course, now the talk is about land. It is never about land. Give me a break. Why does anyone think that Shebaa Farms are the issue? That is all Israel has done—give up land. Is there peace in Israel because of it? NO. Again, the Arabs want six million dead Jews! The left-wingers are saying that Israel is using too much force. Do you see Satan at work here? You bet. We have to stay strong with our beliefs and with Israel.

Zola’s answer to the Arab/Israeli conflict was terrific. He said “if the Arabs would wake up and decide not to bomb or kill anyone, then there would be peace. And if they did that the next day, then there would be peace. And so on…” I am here in Israel thinking how to solve this war, but Zola was right. No more terrorism and there would be peace. I know who is in control of my life. There is a Jewish joke about the Feasts. It goes “They tried to kill us… We won… Let’s eat!” Think about it. They are trying to kill us, we will win, and we will eat with the King. Amen.

We are going out to Joni and Stu‘s home for dinner tonight. They live in Anatot, outside of Jerusalem. ZLM has helped support their village. Stu has interesting opinions on this war, so it will be good to talk with them.

The grocery store was fun. I had to guess what was tomato sauce, but I got it right. I also have to walk to the apartment because we do not have a car, so I have to watch how much I can carry. Sometimes, that is funny too. It’s an “if my friends could see me now” moment. We had a late pasta dinner. It tasted pretty good.

Today, I navigate the laundry. They get upset with me there because I do not use a large—and I mean large—machine. I leave the dirty clothes with them and they do the work, but they think if they can cram everything into one large machine, it is better. I know they think, “Americans, what can you do with them.” I have to give them my name, so I just tell them I am Will’s ema (mother). What a little Hebrew can do…

It is Wednesday and Will is headed up North with Bridges for Peace to deliver some care packages. They will deliver them to the Army and then the Army will distribute to those in need. You can help by donating to Bridges for Peace. Another way is to send Pizza to the soldiers. Check out pizzaidf.org. I have sent pizza thru them before and I know the soldiers would appreciate hearing from Americans how much we support them. SuperSol is selling–at cost–food packages (70 and 100 shekels) and delivering them at their own expense. I have tried to get to the web site but it is in Hebrew (and requires Internet Explorer). The Israeli spirit is alive and kicking. The people really pitch in and help each other. There are ads in all the newspapers volunteering rooms at no cost to anyone from any of the areas hits by the rockets.

Remember that Will and I saw the BBC up in Nahariya? Read Andrea Levin’s article in the Jerusalem Post “Be Flippant, and Never mind the Facts.” It’s a wonderful article about how the BBC is always biased against Israel. Nick Thorpe seems to have little regard for any facts. He even goes to say that “everyday more and more land is taken by Israel.” I can only shake my head and hope I do not run into him. “Don’t mess with Texas.” Try and get to Joel Rosenberg‘s web site–really good.

On a more interesting note: Yesterday, 650 French Jews made Aliyah to Israel. Liraz Berdugo said, “It’s not fair to come just when it is nice and good.” I know how she feels.

Thank you again for all your prayers. We can certainly feel them.

I went to the Cardo this morning. Does the war stop one from shopping? I also prayed at the Western Wall. Lots of people there. I had to really inch my way down to the wall. I just needed to physically touch the wall. Probably more people at the wall than I have seen in a long time. Someone once said, “there are no atheists in the fox holes.” Israel needs to keep praying. We all need to keep praying.

Remember that Haifa is a mixed city, with both Arabs and Jews living side by side. How can other Arabs fire rockets knowing that they could hit some of their own people. I am always amazed that I am amazed. And when was the last time a nice homicide bomber or any other Arab bomber sent leaflets warning that their army was coming and to please get out or someone could get hurt? I am always amazed that I am amazed!

The most absurd item in the newspaper today is that Abu Mazen is promising to help release Gilad Shalit. He is the Israeli soldier kidnapped by the terrorist group led by Abu Mazen! Abu Mazen told Secretary of State Rice “to pay attention to the suffering of the families of about 10,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails–some for over three decades.” Can anyone really believe this? If Abu Mazen really wanted to help, he could release Gilad anytime. What a guy!

Life goes on and I am off to the grocery store. Always an adventure. I try and look like I know what I am doing. ALL the labels are in Hebrew. I pick up things and look for English. Sometimes it is a guess what I am buying, but hey, what an experience. In the grocery stores here, you have to bag your own stuff. I always think everything is a discussion in Israel. “Is this the right price?” “Why are you buying that?” “Is this the only size?” All this is taking place at the check out. And on we go.

I was getting on the bus yesterday (standing room only) and handed the driver the correct amount of money. He had not said two words to anyone else, but turns to me with his Hebrew and asks something. Of course, I have to say “English please.” It turns out he wanted to know if it was round trip, please get my receipt. Zola used to say that a certain bus driver would wait for him and then just as Zola got on the bus, the driver would peal out, causing him to stumble. It is just so Israeli. I love them! It is never dull!

It is Tuesday morning in Jerusalem, and I am trying to digest all the news that I have watched since returning here. Fox News still seems to be the most balanced. Forget CNN and the BBC—what a bunch of junk! Again they are blaming the Israelis for this mess. I did not want to watch the news this past weekend so that we would not be biased in any way. Will and I wanted to tell our own story. Please see the upcoming September Levitt Letter for our article.

I have been asked about tourism here in Israel. While we were in the Tiberius area, we saw few tourists. We felt safe and, in fact, we were safe. As for tours, most tours, including ours, do not go into risky areas. I encourage all to come to Israel to show their support for her. She needs us now. God is always in control. I could just as easily be injured in the streets of Dallas.

Zola would always say “How many are dead? Count.” He is right. There were two killed in Haifa when we were there. I wonder how many die in car accidents each day. [Editor’s note: According to the Federal Highway Administration, nearly 43,000 people died in 2004.] We feel that God has blessed Israel and the causalities have been few. The first “street” hits occurred on Monday. We noticed as we traveled on Saturday and Sunday that the rockets had touched none of the highways or streets. Again, God taking care of His people.

We saw in the paper that Abu Mazen did not want to meet with Secretary Rice before if she came to Israel. The real reason is that she did not want to meet with him. Any lie will suffice for an Arab politician. It seems now that Abu Mazen’s tune has changed. Anything to save face.

Why would anyone send $150 million to help Hezbollah? Some will say it is aid for the poor Lebanese people. What about aiding the Israelis that have been hurt and their economy that has been hurt?

If you get a chance, then see what the Omega Letter has to say today! Jack is right on as usual. Also please check out Charles Krauthammer’s article. The good guys need to take down Hezbollah once and for all. This is not just about Israel; it is also about the U.S. Remember, as Israel goes, so goes America. The Arabs want all who do not believe in Islam to be dead! Do not forget it!

Speaking of idiots, Pat Buchanan is our friend who recommended that President Reagan get out of Lebanon when our Marines were killed back in the ’80s. Thanks again, Pat. We could have taken out Hezbollah then and today’s dilemma would not be happening. The Arab nations saw our withdrawal then as a victory for them. America is so slow sometimes to understand.

I have many thoughts on this past weekend. I want to write everything down so quickly. I don’t want to forget one thing.

Of course, the first thought is that we are in spiritual fight for our lives. The devil uses whatever and whenever he can. If Lebanon had not accepted the terrorist Hezbollah and supported them, the Lebanese people might have had a chance at a life. But the Lebanese government did nothing and the terrorist stepped in and took over.

Writing and looking back at the weekend is sad. Iran started it by telling Hezbollah to make a little trouble so that the heat would be off them and they could continue to build their weapons. So, Hezbollah started a little trouble, except they picked on the wrong guy. Israel is also sending a message to Iran—Back off.

Next weekend we head South.

I am thinking we will be the only people at breakfast, but there is an American. We talk about what is going on. He was with a group digging and touring. The students have all left because their parents made them go home.

We get on the road—still no traffic. We are off to northern Israel along the Mediterranean coast. We drive to Rosh Hanikra. It has cable cars that go to a grotto. It is closed and no one is around. No one. The roads have few people on them. This is Sunday, the first day of the week—a business day. There should be more people on the roads. We see TV cars everywhere and Israeli tanks and military cars and transports, but few passenger cars.

What a gorgeous view of the Mediterranean Sea—just beautiful. We do some filming and we are on to Nahariya. It reminds me of an European sea side town—so quaint. We find some businesses that had been hit by a rocket on Saturday. I am hoping Israel finishes these terrorists. We film and take some pictures. The BBC is there with all their “war gear” on. Will and I look at each other—we wear nothing. Will is tempted to ask them how they will make Israel the enemy in whatever they are filming.

We drive on to Haifa. As we enter, the traffic is tied up. We discover that a rocket has exploded about an hour before we arrive—two killed. We take an hour-long detour to an observation point and get out to take some pictures and do some filming. We get back to the car and discover that in our zeal, we had locked the keys in the car! Will and I just keep saying, we will laugh about this later.

The observation point is gorgeous and there is a breeze, so we wait. We notice a guy wind surfing. Sirens are going off and he is wind surfing. I love the human spirit.

About three hours later and three sirens later, the car is opened and we go close to the shore to see one of the first rockets attacks. We met Lenny, who shows us the BB-like pellets from inside a rocket. Will finds one. We interview Lenny and he thinks this war is all PM Olmert‘s fault. Go figure. But Israel is a democracy and he has a right to his opinion.

We are heading back to the car when a rocket goes off and we head to the bomb shelter. My first trip in a bomb shelter! There are about eight of us and everyone is so nice. There is a fan and some water and everyone waits.

About 10 minutes later, we head out but, we hear another blast. This time, Lenny and Will race to where the attack happened. They are the first on the scene. I am bringing up the rear. I just cannot run as fast as a 30-year-old. Will gets terrific pictures and video. No one is killed, but 14 are injured. Later, we hear that 13 rockets were fired that day on Haifa.

We finish and head back to the car and to Jerusalem. We stop in Herzliya because Will has heard of a sushi place there and we are hungry. We have not eaten all day except for breakfast. We find the sushi place and it was wonderful. We finish and drive to Jerusalem.

We are the only ones at breakfast. Will has our day planned out and off we go. Our first stop is Safed. There is no one on the road. I still think, “OK, it is Shabbat.” There is no one on the road.

We find an apartment that has been hit by a rocket and Will takes pictures. We ride around and decide to move on to Kiryat Shmona, but we see fire back from Highway 90 and we set out to investigate. Will is really good about investigating—he is on it. We find the fire and more pictures and video are taken. Will interviews one of the firemen.

It is lunch time and we stop at a gas station to eat. Nothing is open. Will asks the owner if he is scared and he shrugs. Not so much.

Now we are on our way to Metulla, way up in the North. It is so beautiful up there—beautiful mountains. We see the good fence. I do some filming from there and we meet a nurse and interview her. She is not leaving. It is funny, because five houses down from her, they are packing and leaving. Will and I laugh and wonder how much the real estate is now. Then we see some more fires and we head toward Misgav Am.

We are taking about a block from Lebanon. The kibbutz is gorgeous and the views are stunning. I can understand why people live there. Will is taking pictures of the fire and an artist invites us up to the kibbutz to see—and be interviewed about what is going on there. Wow, we go! We sit on his patio and have coffee.

Then the loud speaker says to go to cover. We do not move. The artist says it is OK—and it is. The Israeli’s are sending artillery at Lebanon and Lebanon is sending rockets to Israel. All in all, I have to say it was one of the most frightening moments of my life. I lived, but I am impressed with anyone who stays there. The sounds of the firing are chilling. Am I so naïve to believe that there should be no war?

Will had to find where the artillery was firing from and he did. Everyone in town knew where they were. But, they would not let him film them. We find another group and they OK us to take some pictures of Lebanon, and we do.

Back to Nof Ginosar. We shower and meet some friends for dinner on the Sea of Galilee. Wonderful fellowship being with Brooke and Rachel. The sirens go off again and they are a little scared. I just smile. Let me tell you about scared. Off to bed.

We are on final approach to Tel Aviv and I see sailboats in the Mediterranean Sea. It doesn’t look like there’s too much action to me, but we will see what is going on.

Will picks me up and we head to Nof Ginosar to spend the weekend. There is very light traffic. I’m thinking “well, it is close to Shabbat,” so maybe no traffic because of that. We arrive at the kibbutz and all is well with them. They had not been hit by rockets as I had heard—close, but no cigar.

It is very quiet, so we ask where everyone is. They are gone. We are two of about 30 tourists in the hotel. 25 of them are praying for peace. They came especially to give peace a chance. We eat dinner and head to bed. Will will have an itinerary for us tomorrow.