Festival of Lights and Dedication

During this season, we understand that there are many holidays celebrated. One thing we have realized is that behind every seasonal greeting expressed is a heartfelt "peace on earth and good will" towards every person. We know the meaning behind a joyful "Merry Christmas" is a compassion towards people and a time of giving to one another. What a wonderful blessing to celebrate the giving of such a special SON at this time.

There is also a special meaning behind "Happy Hannukah." Hannukah (or Chanukkah - another transliterated spelling of the Hebrew) means dedication. We are coming upon the time of remembrance of the re-dedication of the temple by the Maccabean family. We also see in the book of John that this SON celebrated this time. This is also a time of remembrance of the light in the temple after its re-dedication.

Could it be that this season gives us a different slant on sharing with others about this SON? Is it possible that He calls each of us to re-dedication of our lives to holy and righteous living? Could it be that He is proclaiming His LIGHT from the temple, or, more specifically, the WORD (torah) made flesh (Messiah) is calling out from the highest throne (the highest temple) so that we may not walk in darkness, but be led into his glorious light (salvation)?

Let us remember to not only be kind and generous at this season, but to fulfill our responsibility to share the news with those who have not heard. "The greatest sin in the desert is to know where to find water and NOT share it with the thirsty."
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Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

FAMILY

Al and I are so blessed to have my family around for this season. My parents are in from Brazil, my brother and his family from Uruguay, my grandmother from South FL and my other brother and family live here. We are having a great time together. Keep us all in your prayers - especially our dad, who will need surgery while he is state-side.

UPHILL BATTLE

Lately we have been overjoyed and down in the dumps almost simultaneously. Al's new job has not turned out to be what we expected.

We have some other frustrating situations; some small and some much more significant. We cannot disclose the details of these situations, but we ask you for your prayers. We know Adonai is faithful and will provide for our every need. Pray for us to be faithful to the hope which we hold in our heart. Pray for us to be fruitful with the blessings that have been showered on us. Pray for us to be focused on G-dly perspectives and decisions. We know you can hear our heart, as we hear yours.

We know that every believer out there, with tears in their eyes, does not need to understand the details to understand the pain. We cry with sadness and joy; sadness for the pain, joy for the living. We know you and you know us. Our spirit testifies to the fact that we are one body of believers - each one with his/her own load - but we can all uplift each other. And we need this. As sure as it has been won, we will win this uphill battle.

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Hbr 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised;
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as we see the day approaching.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS

We have some good news. Al just found out that he has been accepted for an apprentice electrician position here in town. Besides the pay raise, we would be able to leave home at a decent time in the morning (as opposed to 5 am as usual). He is a little nervous about the position since there is no escaping speaking English now, but he is happy with the change. Most likely, he will have at least 40 hours of work a week. Baruch ha Shem!

I am at about 95% now after the bout with that crazy cold. But of course, I have some off days from school now with the holidays. Keep us in your prayers as we do the same for you. We love you all and are SOOOO THANKFUL to the L-rd for each and every one of you and your impact on us.

Although I never forget how unworthy we are, we are so blessed and so thankful. The L-rd is incredibly good to us; He provides for every need and protects at every moment.

Yesterday, I was leaving work and on my way to pick up Al. I was taking a little different route and as I crossed an intersection, a man pulled out of a parking lot on the right side (trying to go around another car pulling out from the same place) and of course, didn't see me coming. I saw him coming out, but it was too late - I slammed on the brakes and felt that huge crash. My whole body flew forward, protected by the seatbelt. Even though it was not my fault, I was very nervous and shaken up. I just knew our "new" little Esperanca was crushed. When I got out, to my complete amazement, our car was fine. Only the license plate was smashed, but the bumper and car were fine. His car took the brunt of the damage - his entire bumper shifted to the far side. But we were both fine.

The thoughts that ran through my mind at that moment amazed me. I thought: "Hey, stupid, what are you doing?!!! This guy is in for it. I am soooo gonna call the police after I call Al."

I mean, really, how unloving, unforgiving and incompassionate (if that is a word) could I be? I didn't give the guy a chance. I normally don't give people a chance. As I got out and saw his face, how he pleaded with me that I shouldn't call the police - somehow, in some way unknown to me, my rage faded. I called Al, told him about the damage, and we decided to just let it be. (Al hammered the plate back into shape at the house.)

Later on, my thoughts returned: "I should have called the cops. I should have made him pay for a new bumper. I should have, would have, could have...." I even scolded myself for not "going with my gut."

But the fact is, I "pull out" in front of the L-rd's will for me on a daily basis. I am so impatient to know what is around the corner that I wait for him to crash into me leaving Him with all the reason in the world to let me "have it." And sometimes, yeah, He lets me have it. But most of the time, His mercy and forgiveness amaze me. He still wants me to drive away and try to follow the right path. I don't believe that His disagreement with my actions ever goes away - after all, He is just and true. But somehow, in some way unknown to me, it is faded out by the light of His love for me.

SICKLINGS
We hate being sick, but until now there has only been one other time in our 3 years of marriage that we were sick at the same time - that is, until this week. We both got some kind of cold/flu that was going around. We have tried to keep it together and not miss work, but besides that, we have been taking turns at making soup and tea for each other and making sure the other one is taking their meds on time. At least it is the weekend now and we can relax (shabbat shalom).

As far as the jobs go, it is still a waiting game. Al is waiting to hear back from a few jobs and I am still applying to teaching positions as they open. One good bit of news is that I am being pretty frequently requested as a sub for many teachers in different schools. My name seems to be making its way around and teachers are seeking me out. Hopefully this will pay off when a job opens up and principals start asking around.

PLEASE DROP BY RACHEL'S BLOGSPOT - This is a diary of random stories from Rachel's life: http://amazonmk.blogspot.com

Please pray for Al - it has come to the point where he needs to learn English more than ever. If you are in touch with him, please send him your encouragement - this is a significantly important time for him. (Feel free to email him.)

Rachel's personal blog is now available at: http://amazonmk.blogspot.com

Sometimes it feels so good to be tired - like you have earned your keep. We are exhausted, but glad for it. Al had a pretty regular week this week (the first in over a month - 40 hours), but we had to be up at 4:15 am every morning in order to get him to work on time. There were a couple of nights that we went to sleep at 7:30/8. I just laughed to myself - what has happened to me? The earliest I used to be able to get to sleep was midnight and up at 8 or 9 on a good day. Now I'm up at 4:30/5 and easliy back to sleep by 8/9 when I have finished all my work.

We are living in mom and dad's house in TX for those of you who missed that information. It is such a blessing to us because it allows us to get our lives financially in order (without worrying about rent) and hopefully we can start a family (yes, babies) within a couple of years. We have always desired that in the deepest parts of our hearts and we pray that Adonai will make that a reality.

I love teaching and I love kids - in fact, we were babysitting my youngest nephew and I just didn't want to stop showering love and affection on him (poor thing is gonna be so stinkin' spoiled) because I just love the idea of helping a young person become a functioning member of society. This substitute job has really taught me a lot, but I still desire to be in a permanent position where I can really get to know the kids and hopefully impact them. But whether as a teacher, mother or friend, I know the L-rd has called me to encourage and spur on young people to love and life. It is so sad to hear them talking about going to jail last night, boasting about how many times they have had office refferals, seeing 15/16-year-old girls 8/9 months pregnant in the halls, seeing kids with their tongues down each other's throats or throwing paper and punches at each other. In fact the other day, I was helping in a high school special ed. program - those kids had to get from one place to another during class - not between bells because they would get seriously hurt in the halls with the other students. All I know is that it is sad and our present and future teenages have to be warriors and heroes in their daily lives.

HI! This is so you can all check in on us in case we forget to tell you how we are doing! Al is still working in a warehouse job for now - he is looking for a new job because his hours have been cut way down (as well as everyone else who works there). Please pray for him, that the L-rd will open a door to a job where he will be able to grow.
Rachel is working as a substitute teacher in Irving - until something permanent shows up. She has been looking into a position with a music school at a church very close to the house. Pray for her, that a good stable job will open up.
Our newest news is that we have a cute little semi-new car! It is a 2000 4-door-dark-purple-almost-black Saturn (V6). Some of you know the tradition of naming our cars in college - my green 1993 saturn was Floresta. This one is Esperanca! hahahaha
Drop us a line anytime, or find our news here.
We love you all.
Blessings.