One should have Peace with every situation……

HASHEM is my shepherd, I shall not lack. In lush meadows He lays me down, beside the tranquil waters He leads me. Psalms 23:1-2
This psalms of David’s has kindled a spark of hop in countless human hearts throughout the ages. David teaches us how to accept the “unacceptable” situations. There are times when we must struggle mightily against adversity and carry on the battle even agains superior forces. But……there is also time for surrender, a time to realize that the fight is futile and that we must accept our lot in life, however disappointing it may be.  
Over the years there have been many people come and go in my life. After all, that is life, right? I’ve had to stay good bye to so many people that I love and care for. I’ve been thinking a lot about my mom lately and I just needed to share with you all what is in my heart. My mother was a kind gentle woman, that is, until you did something to one of her kids. Well, I’m not sure I was loved as my brothers and sister was. You see, when my mom died she told my grandmother to take care of her kids, she named each of them one by one. I was not one of them. I asked my grandmother why didn’t my mother name me? Her answer to me was she just forgot…..how does a mother “just forget” one of her own kids.  
I’ve been looking, all my life for someone to replace to “love” that mother gives to her children. When is it ok to “accept” that which you can not change? And more to the point, how do you accept it?

Today You Become A Nation….

I am always looking for things to study and help me grow as a Jew.  It has been over two months since my conversion.  I’ve felt somewhat lost and empty.  You see, before, all my time was spent in learning and knowing how to live my new life.  Now that I have completed the lessons, I did not know what to do with all the free time I have on my hands.  Someone once said to me, “you will never stop learning”.  Yes, I know this but what to study??????

Before, I had a set group of lessons each day now I can study as I please and I often don’t know what to study.  My husband ask me, what are you passionate about?  I said, living with chased (kindness).  I strive never to commit a chillul like HaShem.  I find it hard to keep my morning prayers full of kavannah.  I’ve found that lessons like this help me with my focus and study.  I hope you will enjoy it.  

http://youtu.be/OGYHJ0W3mzk

Unaccompanied goods PCS’ing to Germany

Cloths enough for 2 weeks (pack for the season of travel)
Coats, jackets, hat and gloves

Bring boots

Extra shoes

Books

DVDs

Blanket

Comforter

Favorite Books

Favorite CDs

Military Gear

Uniforms

Boots

PTs

Running shoes

Dress uniform

Dress shoes

Ruck/duffel

Specialized gear/field gear

 Household Items

Laundry basket

Hangers

Ironing board

Mop/bucket

Broom/dust pan

Steam mop

Vacuum

Folding camp chairs

Bath rugs

Small area rug (foldable)

Linens

Pillows

Mattress cover

Queen sheet set

Towel set for each person

Shower curtain, curtain rings

Dish towels, sponge

Kitchen Items

Plates, bowls, cups, coffee mugs, silverware for each person

Chef’s knife, paring knife, spatula, serving spoon

Can opener, wine/bottle opener

Mixing bowl, colander

Skillet, sauce pan

Casserole dish, cookie sheet

Kitchen spices

Toolkit

Hammer

Tape Measure

Pliers

Utility knife

Markers

Poster with color code for each room

I’ve been told that many electronics can be found in the thrift store in Germany so there may be no need to take a lot unless you are like me and want your stuff. Haha.

Also, you will be in. Hotel for a few weeks so if you are like me you will want to pack bedsheets in your suitcase. Once you get in your new home you will want something like a tv so I suggest you you take your DVD player and buy a small tv if you don’t have one to send with your UCG.

Mikvah……4 days and a wake-up

This week I’ve had lots of emotions.  Some good, some of great joy, and some of anxiety.  My Mikvah date is almost here.  I’ve waited 3 years for this day.  You would think that tonight as I write this I would be overly happy.  Instead, I am filled with a feeling of unworthiness.  How can some one like be be a part of the “chosen”?  I am so thankful that HaShem has looked upon me, and said, YES.  *eyes filling with tears*

There are all kinds of people in the world.  Those who love HaShem, those who don’t know Him, and those that just don’t care one way or the other.  I’ve seen many kinds of Jews and wondered how could it be possible that we are all one, yet different?  There are many Sages I can turn to for understanding in this matter but the one that resonates with me the most is RamBam.  I once read “it is natural for a man’s character and actions to be influenced by his friends and associates and for him to follow the local norms of behavior.  Therefore, he should associate with the righteous and be constantly in the complain of the wise, so as to learn from their deeds.  Conversely, he should keep away from the wicked who walk in darkness, so as not to learn from their deeds”.  Mishneh Torah Chp 6

In my youth, I did not heed such advice and found myself in my situation that were preventable.  It’s strange sometimes to think how it takes us, humans, to understand such simple lessons only after we fall.  I am happy to say that on Sunday I will be born and all that will be no more.  I will have a new name and a new outlook on what is right, good, and true.  There are many things one can say about conversion, but no one can ever tell me that I’ve made the wrong choice.  Life as an Orthodox Jew is not going to be easy, but when has anything rewarding ever been easy.  

Yes, tonight, I am super happy and thankful.  I will remember this entire week my whole life.  

Explanations needed here……

Studying is a big part of my life.  I love and enjoy reading the entire Tanach (Bible).  There is no greater joy for me in life.  Over Shabbat I read Yechezel (Ezekiel) 43.  In this chapter, Yexhezel is sharing his conversation and vision that was give him.  

Although my questions will be out of order according to the way it is written I hope you are able to follow.  Most of my question is in regards to the commentary that follows this chapter.  The commentary is very important to me.  It helps me gain a deeper understand of what the passage is really talking about and the lesson it is teaching.  

According to verse 10 when Yechezkel is told to tell Israel about the Temple, he is told that the the people must be ashamed of this sins….and if they are ashamed of all that they have done, then make known to them the form of the Temple and its design….

The commentary explains verses 10 and 11 in the following way: 

  1. There seems to be a line or verse added to the end of verse 11 in the commentary.  It says at the end of the part that speaks about the people being ashamed-at the revivification of the dead. Accordingly, this passage is a guarantee that the revivification of the dead will take place.  
  • I can not find no such verse in the passage.  Neither in the English or the Hebrew. Radak explanation does not follow the passage.  But Metzudos seems to have a better explanation of it.  

How is one to truly understand when there are so many varying opinions on the same topic?  

My very first Passover

As I set here I am taken back to the day when I first dreamed of spending Passover as a Jew.  I would always say, maybe next year….well, next year has come for me.  I will spend my very first Passover as a Jew this year.  I am filled with all types of emotions and fears.

I don’t think there is a greater feeling than knowing you have come home.  Not like any home I’ve ever known before.  I will be a part of a people, a nation of Hashem.  Erev Pesach will mean something different to me.  When I sit at the Seder and recount the Exodus story, it will not be as a spectator but as a participant.  My 4 cups of wine, my matzah, maror, and all the songs will be done as a Jew.  Hallel HaGadol will fill my soul.  The beautiful Nishmas prayer which follows the Song at the Sea in the morning prayers on Sabbath will mean more to me than ever before.  This year I will recount the details of the Exodus knowing I was there……

You may not understand the joy I’m filled with now but someday, someday you may.  Someday you will come understand that I’ve come HOME!

Conversions 

Shalom,

Well, we are at the end of our road…..we have our mikvah date.  10 days from today we will be Jews!  Wow, it is almost unreal to even say that after so many years of studying, yawning, and praying.  We made it and it has all been worth all the heartache and tears.  Hours of studying, memorizing, and droughts.  I am so thankful to Hashem for having the love that He has for me.  

No one can take this away from me, no one can ever make me dought what I’m doing and the truth of it all.  (Ha emet)

I still have days that are filled with questions about this or that but my emuna is strong.  I know I am doing what I was created to do in life and I will continue to learn and grow in this new life.  

I was asked by a friends, “what was the hardest part of this joinery”?  I would have to say, learning Hebrew. It took all my time.  Second would be learning all the new concepts and understanding that are within Judaism.  It is not like Christian worship at all.  There is a lot of emotion in Christian worship.  Judaism is about learning, living, and understand what and who Hashem is and what He wants you to do with your life.  

If I had to pick what was most meaningful and important for me in this joinery, it would be learning and understanding Maimondies’ Principles. Those 13 principles are life.  They are the fundamentals of Jewish faith. To know and accept all that they contain.  Believing in one G-d.  This belief is with perfect faith.  You can never really understand this just by studying on your own.  Knowing that He is the Creator and Ruler of all things.  He, alone, make all things.  He is One and there. Is no unity that is in any way like His.  He is without a body.  Physical concepts do not apply to Him.  He is first and last. All the words of our prophets are true. The prophecy of Moses is absolutely true.  The Torah was given to Moses and it is what we have today.  It will NEVER be changed.  G-d knows ever deed of man and his thoughts.  That He rewards those who keep His commands, and punishes those who transgress them.  I believe with perfect faith the coming of the Messiah.  I believe with perfect faith that the dead will be brought back to life when G-d wills it to happen.  

This is what I have come to know and have faith in.  There is no other. In just 10 days, I will be connect to my family in a way I’ve never known before.  My soul will be free to fly.  

We’re PCSING

So as it turns out my husband and I found out about 15 months ago and we will PCS to (drumroll please), Germany! We were so excited but we did not have pinpoint information as to where in Germany we would be going. My husband got his official orders and we now know that we will be going to Kaiserslautern. 

So, now for the fun of organizing, scheduling the movers, shipping the car, booking our flight and saying good bye to friends and family. This is our first overseas dusty station. We need any information we can get to help with it all.