Mimi Comes to Town

Mimi (my mom) was here for the last week, and we were able to get some fun pictures of her time here. (Side note: I so wish I had pictures to share of when Zach's family came a few weeks ago, but my camera is still broken...maybe sometime soon!)

The view from Zach's school (Hebrew University)

Climbing stairs.... one of Charis' favorite activities

This child always has dirty knees... and a big smile on her face

Climbing the Mount of Olives

Beautiful Jerusalem

Church of Dominus Flevit (where Jesus wept over the city)

I only include this picture above because it reminds me of a funny story. Mom, Charis, and I went up to the Western Wall to pray together, and when I opened my eyes I looked down to discover that Charis had a fistful of something. What did she have, you may ask? Oh, just a handful of prayers she had taken from the crevices of the Western Wall. Oops... at least God has already heard all of them!

3 generations

Zach and one of his favorite places on earth

Who doesn't allow flowers??? The Church of All Nations doesn't, apparently. :)

We loved having you here, Mom!

Charis at 13 months

Our little girl is growing up... and getting more beautiful by the day. My sister gave us the INCREDIBLE gift of her really nice camera, so we can now capture Charis with even better quality than before. Thank you, Whit!!

Dear Zach,

Dear Zach,

Two years ago yesterday we stood on an altar at a quaint little church in Thompson's Station, Tennessee, and vowed to give our lives to one another forever. Even in just two years we have already experienced ALL of our vows -- for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health -- and we still love each other more than we did even on that beautiful day. We have grown and fallen and struggled and rejoiced and experienced life abundantly together, and amidst all of that I can say these have been the two best years of my life. And, of course, how can we forget the fact that we brought the most beautiful little girl into the world last year?

Yesterday was a bit of an odd way to spend an anniversary, but I also think it's one we'll remember for a very long time to come. I love doing life with you. Let's keep following the Lord wherever He leads.

I love you!!!

Kels

A Rude Awakening

Two night ago at about 12:30 a.m., I was sleeping and Zach was on his way to bed when he saw one of these scuttling around our kitchen counter:

Yes, that would be a giant cockroach. A GIANT cockroach. Upon further examination, he found not one, not two, but three giant cockroaches. Awesome.

We managed to kill and/or scare away all of them and thankfully haven't heard from them since, but it just very much reinforces the fact that we are quite ready to get out of our current apartment! The lease expires on Thursday and we are walking through a couple of new places this afternoon that we are really hoping will work out. Pray for us! We'll keep you updated on our progress.

Thanks, Auntie Whit (and Uncle Shawn)!

Dear Auntie Whit,

I received my birthday package today and loved everything! I especially loved the Ring Pops (maybe a little too much :), and the clothes will be perfect in a few months when I'm a little bigger. Mommy also seemed quite excited about the People magazine, so thanks for that, too. I miss you and love you so much!

Love,
Charis

Opening my package... 

Mmm, Ring Pop!

My reaction when Mommy took my Ring Pop away.

Thanks again!!!

On the Road...

Zach's family has been in town for more than a week now, and we've been traveling the country seeing some fabulous sites, many of which I hadn't seen before now. Here are some highlights:

-swimming and baptisms in the Jordan River
-Mt. Carmel (Elijah and the prophets of Baal story took place here)
-Caesarea Philippi (ancient city where Paul was imprisoned)
-Mt. Gerazim (the only place in the world where Samaritans still live)
-Tel Dan (beautiful nature reserve in the northern part of the country)
-Valley of Elah (where David and Goliath fought)
-swimming in the Mediterranean Sea
-boat ride in the Sea of Galilee
-Capernaum (where both Jesus and Peter lived)
-Mount of Beatitudes
-Banias Waterfalls (beautiful falls coming down from Mount Hermon)
-Caesarea (ancient pagan town; where Jesus said, "On this rock I will build my church...")
-Metulla (overlook into Lebanon)
-Masada (ancient Herodian palace)
-Nabi Samuel (tomb of Samuel)
-En Gedi (nature preserve by the Dead Sea; where David hid from Saul)
-Bet She'an (ancient Roman town; place where Saul's body was hung)
-Makhtesh Ramon crater (biggest natural erosion crater in the world)

I am writing from a hostel in En Gedi, and this is our last night out of Jerusalem. We will return to Jerusalem tomorrow and will have the last couple of days to do the major Jerusalem sites.

It has been quite an amazing trip as this country is about as diverse as it gets when it comes to geography and culture. We've driven through deserts, mountains, cities, lowlands, forests, etc., and have seen both the Jewish and Muslim cultures up close and personal. The only unfortunate part is that my camera got a bit sand-logged while at the beach in Caesarea Philippi, so all of my pictures are on hold until I can somehow get it fixed again. :( Hopefully they will be coming soon!

Until then, here is another birthday picture of the little one... :)

The Big 0-1!

Two days ago (7-14) we celebrated the first birthday of our precious little girl... Charis Lynlee Bohler. We cannot believe she has already been here for a year! We had a wonderful day celebrating her and just thinking back over how good the Lord has been to us for blessing us with such an incredible little one.

Our day in pictures:

Morning nap...looking cute as always. :)

Maybe by next year she'll be reading right-side-up...

Wearing her "1" crown sent to her by Mimi and Poppy :)

My last minute attempt at homemade birthday cake. 

Opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa Bohler 

Her present from Mommy and Daddy

Welcome to Israel, Grandpa Bohler!

Worn out by the day's festivities

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!