Update Overload!

Middle East Adventure...Part 1

You may think the silence on the Woodruff Blog is because I subscribe to the old adage, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all"!  That couldn't be further from the truth.  I firmly believe, "If you don't have anything nice to say,  you should say something TRUE!!"....... I have plenty of True stories to tell.  Some nice, and some not so nice.  So many anecdotes to BLOG in fact, that I've become a bit overwhelmed.

So, that's my only excuse for silence...I've been overwhelmed lately.  Sometimes I can accomplish epic tasks without thinking twice...Just recently I whipped up 200 cupcakes and the Ceremonial birthday cake for the Marine Ball, while simultaneously planning and hosting a dinner party for several couples... No biggie!  Other times, small feats are akin to climbing Mount Everest....  I practically need Sherpas and an oxygen tank to traverse the distance from my bed to the closet to put away laundry.  Small tasks such as changing from normal clothes to PJ's (or vice versa), turning on my computer (to write a blog post), or simply walking to the other room to get myself a drink can be more than I can handle.  At times I will lay in bed and freeze all night because of the effort required to pull up my duvet.... Frankly, I'd stay in bed all day if it weren't for the need to relieve my bladder...and the three crazy kids who need to eat. Clearly, we have established that I am LAZY and that is my only excuse!


This dad has the right idea!  He's not lazy...he's just conserving his energy!....I'm Lazy



 

Rather than tell you one or two really good stories, I'm just going to post a bunch of random pictures to sum up a few of the things we've been up to....maybe later I will back track and fill in the blanks with the exciting (sometimes gory details)...Don't count on it though because I am currently having difficulty conjuring up enough motivation to find the TV remote.

Isreal

Sitting on the wall on the "Mount of Olives" overlooking the Dome of the Rock and Old Jerusalem.

 

We walked up and down the streets of Old Jerusalem following the 14 Stations of the Cross (a Catholic tradition during Lent to commemorate the Passion of the Christ).  We followed the path of Jesus from his condemnation to his crucifixion and resting place. 

The Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus and his disciples prayed the night before his crucifixion.  The ancient olive trees in this Grove are estimated to be over 1000 years old producing beautifully textured wood and olives (a staple in the Middle Eastern diet).   Over the years, the olive has been the symbol of peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, power and purity.  It's leafy branch has long been a symbol of peace....a perfect setting for the final Supplication of the Prince of Peace.

 

 

 

Borekas- A middle eastern pastry filled with Cheese, Veggies, Olives, yummy Sauce etc.! We selected a few different varieties from the display and they were promptly heated in a brick oven until the cheese melted and oozed out.... just like the American "hot-pocket" minus the diarrhea and self-loathing that follow.....and the filthy microwave of course.

 

 

 

Bethlehem-  Church of the Nativity-  There was no room in the Inn, so I guess Jesus was born in the basement of this fancy, ornate church!!!  Visualizing the humble birth of Christ in a stable was a bit difficult with the gold leafing,  massive tapestries, and gaudy jewel-incrusted light fixtures that were built over the sacred location.  Take all the décor away, and you had a setting fit for the birth of a King.   

 

The Wailing Wall-  Also known as the Western Wall as it was the West wall of the temple that was destroyed

 

Jews may often be seen sitting for hours at the Wailing-place bent in sorrowful meditation over the history of their race, and repeating often times the words of the Seventy-ninth Psalm .Psalm 79 . On Fridays especially, Jews of both genders, of all ages, and from all countries, assemble in large numbers to kiss the sacred stones and weep outside the precincts they may not enter.

Notes and prayers shoved into cracks of the Wailing Wall.

Golgotha, Skull Rock, or Calvary-  The crossroads where Jesus Christ was crucified between two thieves.  This picture shows the eyes of the "Skull", but the bottom of the rock (the Skull's mouth) has now been destroyed by the construction of a bus station. 
 

The  Garden Tomb- "He is not here, for He is Risen"

 



Easter Weekend could not have been more appropriately spent than at the Empty tomb of our Lord and Savior. 

Well, this was hardly a dent in all that we have been up to, so I will vigilantly Blog every night until I get all caught up!  That is of course unless there happens to be something good on TV, I'm too tired, my nails need to be painted or I allow myself to be distracted by any number of potential hobbies I could develop in the next 24 hours.  Stay tuned!!