Three weeks at home: Remembrance and Gratitude

 Remembrance and Gratitude

I’ve been trying to write this final blog post since I got back.  It’s been three weeks.   I didn’t know what I wanted to write.  I needed some time to think and experience and reflect.  I also needed some time to sleep, heal, and recoup.  

I want to say thank you.  To Joe, for all of the things.  To everyone who kindly contributed to my well-being.  You brought me peace.  Elaine, Jeff, Deb, Rebeca, Ivette, Marie, Pauline – Thank you so much!  If I missed anyone, I am no less grateful.  I also want to give thanks to everyone who lifted us in prayer, who intervened for our whole group in prayers of safety and love over us.  The folks at Sighted Moon, each and every one of you, for following along and caring so much. 

It’s easy to write too much.  It’s been a common theme of feedback in my writing experience, so I try the best I can to be brief.  I wanted to talk about so many things.   I decided I was going to focus on 3 three things – the three most important experiences of my time there.

       The actual Land of Israel!

WWhen I went to Israel in 2016, it was autumn.  It was beautiful, in a desert kind of way - the entire land was brown and dry, and the weather was California hot.  I spent a lot of time in the city, so I saw very little of the actual land.

T  This time, it was spring and it was delightful!  I was almost always out in the land, driving somewhere, visiting somewhere, scrambling up some hill or creek bed, and seeing the wonderful greenness all around us.  The wild barley and wheat are eye-poppingly green, and the wild oats jiggle like tiny bells.

Joe picks on one friend who stopped to examine every rock.  I was worse with the flowers, trees, and animals….and sometimes the rocks.  I spent a lot of time with my phone asking what this plant or bird or tree was with image search. 

 I found every kind of flower.  Everywhere!  Daisies, lupins, wild irises, little pink flowers and little red flowers and tiny little yellow sprigs of joy poking out from among the rocks.  Yellow mustard flowers, and hordes of anemone. 

 

During this trip, I talked to tiny flies, beetles, and millipedes, and every single dog I came in speaking range with, even the ones at the airports sniffing my bags.

 

The sea was amazing.  Some of my best days there were padding along the surf, picking up seashells at the seashore and talking to the pigeons.  Sometimes we got back in time, and I hustled over to the beach to watch the sunset.  

It was just so beautiful in spring.  I pray I get to see the land in every season!

2.       The people under fire

Everywhere we went, people were gracious and kind and caring.  They were happy we were there.  They invited us to their homes.  They dined with us, prayed with us, and educated us.  They answered our incessant questions in pretty good English.  They embodied grace under fire. 

 People exhorted us to encourage one another, to pray for the peace of Israel, and to help ourselves to as much as we could eat, whenever there was food.  I think it would have been much more frightening if the people hadn’t been so considerate, and so generous in their giving of advice, encouragement, and kindness. 

 

Almost everyone we saw asked us what we were doing there, and we told them.  We came to search for the barley.  We came to bless Israel.  We came to see the land and visit the sites.  We came because it’s Israel!

 Sitting in the bomb shelter again and again we came to know the neighbors who lived nearby.  Not everyone has a shelter in their home or apartment. I shared shelters with every kind of person.   When the loud pops happened overhead, we collectively cringed.  But every time, after the alarm was over, people went back to work, back to their workout, back to their dog walk.  Life is worth living, and they were going to live it for as long as they could. 

 My travel companions were also such a blessing to me.  Thank you to each and every one of you who came, who stayed, who put up with my many faults.  This was unlike any experience I could have imagined, and there you were with good humor, a willing spirit, a strong arm, a generous gift.  The kindnesses offered were too many to number.  I’m very used to walking through this life mostly alone.  Thank you all for being a part of one of the most meaningful experiences of my life.   May YHVH bless each and every one of you, and your families,  for your kindness toward this widow.

 

3.       Our Red Heifer ceremony. 

It makes no sense this would make such a difference for me.  There’s no temple, no priests, no mikvah, and we’re a bunch of dumb Americans, Canadians, and South Africans.  The cold spring water hurt me – all three times I got a headache, the two final times I had terrible debilitating migraines. I know we were just “playing” at doing the ritual.   Practicing,if you will.  But it was very important to me.

 

Because the Father was clearly blessing us.  Because so many things fell perfectly in line.  Because YHVH heard me, and answered my prayer.  Perhaps because YHVH was honoring my obedience, and touched me and healed me.

 I have struggled since Storm died.  People go around throwing the words “spirit” and “oppression,” and it all sounds mystical and spooky.  Perhaps grief and trauma are spiritual oppression's.  I just know that my life has been a slow-moving train wreck for a while now.   Everything in my life is too hard, so complicated, and even up to the morning when we headed up the hill to Ein Lavan, I was struggling with problems I could not solve.  

 I knew in my heart I was going to be mikva’d (baptized) before I left for Israel.  I knew as soon as Joe said he was going to do the red heifer ceremony and invited me to participate that I was going to do this ritual.  At first, it was just biblical curiosity.  A desire to do the things of the Bible - much like the feasts and festivals – rehearsals for the future.  I had hoped it would bring me understanding and a deeper relationship with the Bible and with my God.  When Joe asked, I told him I had hoped that the red heifer ritual might lift my grief, and I prayed to the Father for this.

  I can’t pretend to fully understand it or how it works mechanically.  I can only tell you   that I lived it.   The stated reason in the Bible for this ritual is cleansing from touching a   dead body or being in the room with one, and some other cleansing.  It’s a physical   cleansing.  But as I did some research in the matter, the symbolism is also one of spiritual   and emotional cleansing.  Letting go of my grief, literally chopping off 11 years of sorrow and pain, became a spiritual and physical releasing of that whole life.

 My life has been somewhat lacking in rituals, mostly due to my own decision making.  But this ritual written in the Torah – it mattered. I am healing in a way that I have never felt.  

 Whatever happened, something shifted.  Some weight has been lifted.  Some change has come upon me.  There are so many changes – my sleep has returned, and along with it, my ability to dream.  I feel energetic and competent.  I feel like I can get things done.  I feel like I have a grip on things.  It’s been a really long time since I’ve felt like I had a grip on anything.  Praise you, Yah!!

 I hope I have many more blogs to write about Israel in the future.  I enjoy writing, and it has really been a pleasure to have this blog be read. Thank you, Reader, for sharing along with my trip.  It's been my joy to share with a live audience.  

 

 

Airports - Repentance - Welcome Home

 Airports - Repentance - Welcome Home
03/16-03/18/2026  Sunday - Tuesday 

Total miles traveled to date: 17,651

Steps taken past three days: 23,214

Steps taken to date: 179,267 (Approximately: 74.7 miles)

Details: Amman Airport to O'Hare to Hotel to O'Hare to Portland to Home

Total miles traveled past three days: 8026

One of my favorite authors, Erma Bombeck, wrote a book called,

"When You Look Like Your Passport Photo - It's Time to Go Home." 

 

That's a fact.

As I write this, I am sitting in my comfy chair in my cluttered little home.  It was a journey getting here, and  I am so grateful to be home.  I arrived home about 2 in the morning on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.  Thank you, Ian, for the late night ride home.  The journey involved 3 buses and about 3 total hours of driving, two airports and two flights.  We spent the weekend at a hotel near the airport. Ultimately, we were on the airplane for 13 hours.  It was a long flight.  If you've ever taken a long-haul flight - I'm sorry, but also - go you!!  It's an endurance sport, for sure.  

Journey to Amman

When we left Jordan, we could see that our US destination, Chicago O'Hare, was possibly having bad weather.  When we landed it was wet and stormy.  Shortly after I sat down to dinner to pass my 3 hour layover, my flight was cancelled.  I got into a hotel.  My flight was pushed back from 9:44 the next day - an entire day! Then later, then still later, but after four gate changes we were only an hour delayed.  In all, I spent 13 hours in the airport and it took almost 5 total calendar days to get home.  

Before making a confession, I want to be sure I'm giving credit where it's due.  Mitzi did an excellent job organizing everyone's travel, providing us information as we needed it, making all of the arrangements, and guiding us all through the complexities.  She was patient, and helpful, and knowledgeable, and I'm grateful for all of those things.  I want to be clear that I am only speaking about my choices, and my own responsibility in deciding things for myself. 

What did I learn from this? I should have stayed in Jerusalem for the Sabbath.  I can see that now. It wasn't that I made a wrong choice, as there is safety among brethren and I wanted to continue adventuring instead of sitting on the phone or computer booking travel on that Friday, but there was a better choice.  I spent the money I would have spent anyway, and I am perfectly capable of making my own travel arrangements.  I ultimately paid for transportation and for a hotel, all of which I would have done regardless. Two other friends, a couple, were traveling out on the Sunday, and I could have gone with them to Amman airport. I would have completely missed the O'Hare weather, and would have gotten home a little later than planned but would have gotten home the same day I ended up getting home. Of course, it's always easy to see things looking backwards.  

I'm certain the Father gave me that time at the hotel and the airport to chew my nails and stand at the window and watch the snow and pray.  I slept only a little, and had to check out by noon, so I knew in advance my wait at the airport would be a long one.  In that time, I was able to admit to Him, and now all of you, that I should have stayed through the Shabbat in Jerusalem, and trusted Him to get me home.  When the Father makes things hard, there's usually a reason.

The Father was faithful to stop the snow and stop the wind and even make it slightly warmer than expected so our flight took off, and I even slept a little on the short, 4-hour flight home. In fact, everything went more smoothly and felt better after confessing my mistake.  

One fun thing is I finally got stamps in my passport.  Israel issues a short-term little paper card visa, to be sure one is not harassed after coming to and fro from Israel.  Jordan gave me two actual purple stamps!

Once home, I unpacked a few items, took a ridiculously long shower, and cuddled dog and cats before finally taking myself off to bed.  I slept - got up and did a few things, and went back to bed.  Got up and walked the dog, did a few things, then back to bed.   I was so exhausted - yes from the trip, but also from the many nights interrupted by alarms, and the constant need to sleep light in case there's an alarm.  It's draining, and I encourage you to continue to pray for the people of Israel living under these threats every day. 

Reunited!!

I came down sick almost as soon as I got home.  I was able to work one day - with plenty of sniffling and tissues, but the Friday when I woke up for work my illness was in full-blown ick mode.  I'm sure I caught this illness on the plan from Jordan as a few of my fellow travelers also experienced illness.  I'm positive it's another consequence of not exploring all my options and taking the "easy" path.  May YHVH help me to always hear His voice in the chaos - because sometimes it's hard to hear through the noise.

As I lay in bed recovering, I came to know that I need to move forward with my dreams for Bridge to Zion.  I literally have no idea where to go from here - how to raise the funds, how to bring interest, how to even get started.  But a lovely friend reached out and suggested I make a presentation.  I have all the photo collages I made and many more photos, and I may be able to tap into the photos and perhaps videos of others.  I know it seems contrary to try to start this up during a war, and I may very well completely fail yet again.  But having gone and seen the barley for myself - having seen that it literally grows everywhere - like grass in Oregon, I know the depth of understanding that comes with in-person experience.  The agricultural year follows the seven feasts so perfectly, I know it may only be able to be experienced first-hand in order to feel the blessings of YHVH's miracle in the land every year.  I have many friends who would visit Israel if they could afford it, and I believed prophecy has already told us who will win this war. Creating a presentation and asking for funds are in my skill set - and I can leverage them to bring my dream to life. If you feel lead, please pray for my success.

  If YHVH wishes it to be so, nothing can stop it.  

I intend to write one more blog for this trip and to lift up some thanksgiving for people who blessed me with funds or prayer.  May YHVH bless them for blessing this widow. I want to explore  some of the blooming flowers all over Israel,  along with as a short exploration of some of our animal encounters. Thank you for your patience while I recovered from my trip.      

 

 

Day 16 & 17 - HaYovel - My Promise - Purity Ceremony - Jordan

 Day 16 & 17 - HaYovel - My Promise - Purity Ceremony - Jordan
March 12-13, 2026 Thursday & Friday 

Total miles traveled to date: 9,625

Steps taken past two days: 27,462

Steps taken to date: 156,053

Details: JTowers to HaYovel - Ein Lavan to Bet Shean border crossing to Amman Jordan

Total Miles Driven past two days: 306

I just wanted to share a little video about our experience in Jerusalem, and how we started almost every day.  Turns out we are right next to a construction site where they are converting a building to luxury apartments.  Every morning around 7 am, this starts:   

Thursday, we went to HaYovel, a wonderful organization that supports farmers and creates an environment for others to visit Israel and work the land.  They started based on the premise of Isaiah 61, which says that the stranger (foreigner) will come to work the vines and trees in Israel.  Volunteers come from around the world and visit their vineyard in Samaria and work the land while they tour.  You can find out more about them, and contribute or sign up, here: https://serveisrael.com/

This was a wonderful experience.  We were able to meet Tommy and Sherry, and several of their adult children.  We toured their facilities, including their new visitor center, still under construction.  We enjoyed a lovely lunch under the trees, and then settled ourselves into the gathering room to enjoy coffee and a discussion about the miracles that are happening right there in the land.  We also saw huge chunks of shrapnel that have fallen around their farms. 

This is also the place where The Israel Guys record their podcast.  I was delighted to find out that The Land of Israel guys were also there doing an interview! Israel Guys Podcast I was pleased to meet Ari Abramowitz some years ago when he came to talk in Salem.  I also follow their posts and podcasts, and I was hoping our team would get to meet them both, and we did!  Find out more about what they do here:  The Land of Israel Network.

Iran and Lebanon lob their bombs at the cities and population centers.  They do not necessarily aim for strategic targets, but instead deliberately aim for families and civilians.  The bombs are shot down most of the time out in the wilderness, over places like HaYovel.  Because of that, the danger there is not explosions, but falling debris.  They have not experienced a single injury – but they do collect up the pieces and have them on display, one of which was a huge tank which fell almost totally intact.  

One small piece of  shrapnel

 We made our way back to the city, and we each did our own thing.  In my case – I kept the promise.  I CUT MY HAIR!!  It feels so amazing.  I know I overpaid for the haircut, and it’s only an OK haircut, but it looks better than if I had done it myself.  I love how fun and curly it is, and I feel like I lost weight!  Shawna came with me for moral support and pictures, for which I was grateful.  After, I bought here dinner again at our favorite pasta place – this time with bread!!

 During this time, our flights were being rearranged.  We had decided to travel out of Amman, Jordan, as our other flights were cancelled, and I will eventually need to get home.  More on that to come.  I want to say a huge thanks to Mitzi, who not only helped us rearrange our flights and find accommodations, but she also made all the arrangements, tolerated a minor tantrum on my part, and simplified the process for each of us.  We are mostly flying out at the same time, and arriving in Chicago together, and then we will divide up to our individual destinations.  I will be getting home much later than I anticipated, and that’s frustrating, but I will still be home, which I am grateful. 

Friday morning dawned early.  Joe wanted us to be able to Mikvah and complete the modified red heifer ceremony this morning before we got on the bus.  There's a lot we cannot do perfectly in this ceremony - there are no Aaronic priests here, and no temple, and no official mikvah.  We are using the beautiful Ein Lavan spring, which is shockingly cold, and we are doing it in faith and obedience in the hopes Yehovah will honor our willingness to obey. 

I have no photos.  It seemed like a private moment  - one that didn't need pictures.  I dipped, and then Joe sprinkled me and made me realize something.  He pointed out that I had cut my hair the day before as if I was letting of the past, that it's symbolic, and he blessed me with a prayer for healing of my grief.  I can't say I felt an immediate burden lift - but I definitely felt blessed in that moment. Then I dipped again.

As soon as my spine touched the water, another migraine started.  Migraines are one of the things I hope to be healed from, but apparently today was not the day.   I went back to the apartment for a quick nap, but it was time to load the bus to Amman.  This was by far the most torturous bus ride I have ever taken.  As we reached the crossing into Jordan, Anita worked a miracle.  She brought me some oils and some lotion, and literally nursed me with them essential oil.  I don't know the name of it but it almost immediately made me feel better!  Thank you so much, Anita!!

The journey to Amman was eye-opening.  This is a country I've never visited.  Getting across the border was a process.  We had to buy a ticket across, and then go through passport control, then board a bus that took us about half a mile.  Then we had to pay an entry fee, and more passport control, then get our Visas.  Then in chaos and craziness, we boarded the charter bus, and started toward Amman. 

I had no idea how high we would climb to reach the airport.  It took over 2 hours, winding down main highways that would be considered side roads in Oregon.  The area is utterly beautiful!  I know that pictures from a moving vehicle are hardly ever good pictures, but I hope you enjoy them anyway.  

 Tomorrow we board our planes back to America.  We are coming into Chicago, and the weather doesn't seem great.  We covet your prayers for getting home.

I am going to make one more appeal for assistance.  I had my budget for this trip well planned, and tried to stay within it, but these extra flights and other expenses has pretty much blown that up.  I could use your help, friends.  Some of you have already blessed me, and I thank you so much, and I pray over each of you that Yehovah blesses those who bless the widow.   

 Below is the information to my Venmo, Cashapp, and Paypal.  You can also reach out to me on Facebook Messenger.  If you feel lead in your heart, I appeal to you to give.  Thank you!

Venmo: @Rose-Treasure

Cashapp: $RoseTreasure42

Paypal: rose.treasure@outlook.com

I will post one more blog - about my adventures getting home from Jordan and about the flora and fauna of Israel - which I enjoyed so much!

Thank you so much for reading, my friends!  I have been so blessed to write this.  Shalom from Jordan!