Shalom, Shalom! Much to report, very little time to do it in. I will begin with our Purim 2009 Saga. There was much mixed emotion and spiritual warfare with this one year mark that came and went with Purim 2009. Our hearts and minds were thrust back to last Purim, and throughout all the preparations especially in the media, and meeting with first responders, we had an emotionally and spiritually difficult month leading up to the holiday. I personally had flashbacks, and broke down in tears once after a particularly real flashback. Fear began to attack me, and it nearly overcame me several times. David was also very conflicted and upset, and Ami as well, went through a trying time of discouragement, as he had believed that his injuries would more or less have healed completely by one year.
PURIM 2009
What amazed me however was Ami’s apparent total lack of fear and trauma concerning Purim 2009. The youth group that I lead have taken over the tradition of doing a Purim play every year, and holding it at a certain house of believers, with all congregations in town represented, and everyone who used to go to a congregation, or who wants to be a believer in attendance. It’s a grand event, and one that I shunned this year and didn’t want anything to do with. The kids however, kept on pressing Ami to be a part of the play, and although he resisted at first, and I presented them with all kinds of difficulties, like the fact that we weren’t even going to be in town on Purim, they were undaunted and pressed on. Ami finally capitulated, and they planned the party and play for when we would get back, the day after Purim.
Even though Purim this year began on Monday the 9th, which was erev Purim, or Purim eve, and which took place on March 20 last year, the kids celebrated in school on the 8th. I had wanted to be out of Ariel by the 9th, but Ami had a big basketball game on the 8th in the evening, and so we had to leave on the 9th. Ami surprised us on Saturday evening by going to a hairdresser and returning with bright orange hair! ( kids dress in costumes for Purim, and this was his version of a costume) The next day he went to school, and had a great time, participating in all the festivities at school, and returning late in the afternoon. I was amazed at the health of his soul and spirit, and for not letting the enemy steal from him the joy of Purim.
AUSTRALIAN RADIO, DEAD SEA, MS CLINIC
That same afternoon, we had the Australian Broadcasting Company come over to interview us for Australian Radio. I so much wanted to say hi to my four boys in Melbourne, but they wouldn’t let me!! Anyway, we were interviewed, and they reacted to us very favorably. We had a very clear chance to explain our beliefs as Jewish believers in the Messiah, and to describe what the Lord has done in our lives through this very difficult year. Ami was also interviewed.
The next day was Purim eve, and even though I had dreaded that day, I awoke with a deep sense of peace and well-being. We packed and set off to a lovely hotel at the Dead Sea, where we were joined by our daughter, her husband and our grandson, Rani. We had three delightful days of rest and relaxation, with good family time and fun with the baby, who is 13 months old now. We even got to babysit when his Mom and Dad got messages.
Back to Ariel, and the next day I had an appointment at the MS clinic where I’ve been treated since 1999. At this point, I go to see them twice a year, but it had been a whole year since I’d been there because of the terror attack. Everyone in Israel turns into family at some point or another, and so it was a great reunion. They had seen the Uvda report, and my doctor said - the main thing that I saw was that you were walking well! They take a whole hour for the checkup - we talk at length about any new developments, medications, etc., and then they do a check up. My doctor said that my condition has not progressed at all since last year, and that considering what I had been through this year, (his words) it was a miracle that there was no progression. I agreed , and I told him that God had been very good to me on this front, and had given me the strength to endure 5 months in the hospital. All the doctors came into the office at that point, and they were all amazed. I praise the Lord for the witness to these doctors of Yeshua’s healing hand on my life, living with MS. It has been a miracle.
STEWART WHITMORE
Then on Friday, we got to meet Stewart Whitmore, a man from the U.S. who has been praying for Ami all year and has a powerful testimony. We had erev Shabbat dinner together, and he spoke in our congregation tonight. You see, in 1998 he tried to take his life by putting a gun under his chin, and shooting, but he survived the experience. He said that in the last split second before the bullet blew off his face, he cried out to God for forgiveness, and the Lord heard him, and he lived. He was in an extremely isolated area, but someone found him, called for an emergency helicopter which airlifted him to a hospital, in which there were two new surgeons who had just learned the latest in reconstructive surgery. After 17 surgeries to reconstruct his face, and after coming to the Lord through the experience, he has traveled to many countries in the world and given his testimony. Unbeknownst to us, there was a couple who had never been to our congregation before, whose son-in-law had committed suicide last year, and who were greatly comforted by his testimony.
On the 18th, this Wednesday, we will God willing have a meeting with the hand surgeons in Tel HaShomer hospital to discuss with Ami where to go from here. Please pray for wisdom, and continued miracles, in Yeshua’s Name.
Psalm 13: 5-6
5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Leah
PURIM 2009
What amazed me however was Ami’s apparent total lack of fear and trauma concerning Purim 2009. The youth group that I lead have taken over the tradition of doing a Purim play every year, and holding it at a certain house of believers, with all congregations in town represented, and everyone who used to go to a congregation, or who wants to be a believer in attendance. It’s a grand event, and one that I shunned this year and didn’t want anything to do with. The kids however, kept on pressing Ami to be a part of the play, and although he resisted at first, and I presented them with all kinds of difficulties, like the fact that we weren’t even going to be in town on Purim, they were undaunted and pressed on. Ami finally capitulated, and they planned the party and play for when we would get back, the day after Purim.
Even though Purim this year began on Monday the 9th, which was erev Purim, or Purim eve, and which took place on March 20 last year, the kids celebrated in school on the 8th. I had wanted to be out of Ariel by the 9th, but Ami had a big basketball game on the 8th in the evening, and so we had to leave on the 9th. Ami surprised us on Saturday evening by going to a hairdresser and returning with bright orange hair! ( kids dress in costumes for Purim, and this was his version of a costume) The next day he went to school, and had a great time, participating in all the festivities at school, and returning late in the afternoon. I was amazed at the health of his soul and spirit, and for not letting the enemy steal from him the joy of Purim.
AUSTRALIAN RADIO, DEAD SEA, MS CLINIC
That same afternoon, we had the Australian Broadcasting Company come over to interview us for Australian Radio. I so much wanted to say hi to my four boys in Melbourne, but they wouldn’t let me!! Anyway, we were interviewed, and they reacted to us very favorably. We had a very clear chance to explain our beliefs as Jewish believers in the Messiah, and to describe what the Lord has done in our lives through this very difficult year. Ami was also interviewed.
The next day was Purim eve, and even though I had dreaded that day, I awoke with a deep sense of peace and well-being. We packed and set off to a lovely hotel at the Dead Sea, where we were joined by our daughter, her husband and our grandson, Rani. We had three delightful days of rest and relaxation, with good family time and fun with the baby, who is 13 months old now. We even got to babysit when his Mom and Dad got messages.
Back to Ariel, and the next day I had an appointment at the MS clinic where I’ve been treated since 1999. At this point, I go to see them twice a year, but it had been a whole year since I’d been there because of the terror attack. Everyone in Israel turns into family at some point or another, and so it was a great reunion. They had seen the Uvda report, and my doctor said - the main thing that I saw was that you were walking well! They take a whole hour for the checkup - we talk at length about any new developments, medications, etc., and then they do a check up. My doctor said that my condition has not progressed at all since last year, and that considering what I had been through this year, (his words) it was a miracle that there was no progression. I agreed , and I told him that God had been very good to me on this front, and had given me the strength to endure 5 months in the hospital. All the doctors came into the office at that point, and they were all amazed. I praise the Lord for the witness to these doctors of Yeshua’s healing hand on my life, living with MS. It has been a miracle.
STEWART WHITMORE
Then on Friday, we got to meet Stewart Whitmore, a man from the U.S. who has been praying for Ami all year and has a powerful testimony. We had erev Shabbat dinner together, and he spoke in our congregation tonight. You see, in 1998 he tried to take his life by putting a gun under his chin, and shooting, but he survived the experience. He said that in the last split second before the bullet blew off his face, he cried out to God for forgiveness, and the Lord heard him, and he lived. He was in an extremely isolated area, but someone found him, called for an emergency helicopter which airlifted him to a hospital, in which there were two new surgeons who had just learned the latest in reconstructive surgery. After 17 surgeries to reconstruct his face, and after coming to the Lord through the experience, he has traveled to many countries in the world and given his testimony. Unbeknownst to us, there was a couple who had never been to our congregation before, whose son-in-law had committed suicide last year, and who were greatly comforted by his testimony.
On the 18th, this Wednesday, we will God willing have a meeting with the hand surgeons in Tel HaShomer hospital to discuss with Ami where to go from here. Please pray for wisdom, and continued miracles, in Yeshua’s Name.
Psalm 13: 5-6
5 But I have trusted in Your mercy;
My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
Because He has dealt bountifully with me.
Leah