Shalom My Dear Family and Friends

I hope this message finds each of you smiling and having a wonderful day. I want to thank those of you who have been wonderful about staying in touch. It means so much to me to hear from you. Many of you have asked for an update and pictures so here it is...

Life in Israel really is never dull and definitely requires a lot of patience, esp. being this is the third time I have tried to send this email. :) In any case, good things come to those who wait.

I have had a lot of ups and downs lately. A dear friend of mine from St. Louis died and that really took me for a spin but thank G-D I am moving forward and finding peace in each day. In addition to struggles, I have been showered with many wonderful blessings. I am now a nanny for two different families. One family has three children: 3, 7, and 9 years old and the other family has an 8 month old that I am watching. I have chosen this work path for now, for I would much rather be working with children then behind a desk in a computer job. By taking this route of nannying, I am receiving many hugs and much love each day which is so nice. I have included a picture of Eliana, one of the children I nanny for who insists I take her picture daily! :)

I have been traveling for Shabbos and pleasure. One of my trips consisted of going to Carmiel to a dance festival. It was really great and got me back in my dancing soul. I have included pictures of this excursion as well. It was very peaceful in Carmiel and a great taste of Israeli culture.

At the dance festival there was all kinds of dancing, two groups really impressed me. One was a group of blind people and one group of people who were in wheelchairs. Beautiful that at such a large event, they chose to include these populations.

I have also had the pleasure of enjoying celebrations of friends getting engaged. It is so wonderful to join my friends during such a happy time and feel the joy of love. I have been making many new friends who have also made aliyah and are living here permanently in addition to maintaining friendships I established before. I am also doing a ton of networking meeting so many great people who are in the counseling and social work fields to hopefully establish connections so I can do my life's work here in Israel. It has been exhilarating and exhausting. With time and faith I know my goals will come to fruition.

I have started private Hebrew tutoring which has been good. I am picking up the language slowly but surely. It feels good to retain the info and use it in the streets of Israel. I love where I am living right now. I am running each morning which always keeps me balanced and happy. On my runs, through a park right next to my place, I see people who are doing some form of yoga, dog walking, going to shul, or kids walking to school. It is a great community.

Next week I will start learning again at the seminary I was at a couple of months ago. They have generously welcomed me back. I will do this for a couple of weeks
while one of my families, who I nanny for, is in America. I am very excited to get back in the classroom learning in order for my mind, body and soul to grow.

So only good things on this end. I hope each of you are finding peace and sunshine in each day. Please stay in touch and know my thoughts and prayers are
with you always.

Love, Emily