A Time to Move

I said that there would be exciting news coming- here it is! I'm moving at the end of the summer!

Yup, you heard that one right. No, I'm not leaving Israel. I'm not even leaving Yerushalayim. I'm just moving to a new neighborhood in this Holy City for a more permanent stay. I've been quite transient for the last 4-5 years, so I'm hoping that this will be my final move.

I will miss my neighborhood that I've lived in for the past year (well, almost), very much. The people, the neighbors, the atmosphere- all were perfectly conducive to any and everything I could have ever wanted. Unfortunately, the price of living in this neighborhood was just too high for us- so we have to move somewhere where we can afford to stay. In addition, we want to permanently live in Israel- so this next move is the final stroke of the hammer.

Mr. NMF, NBD, and I took a trip to Ashdod- to check out the giant boat (well, not really, they wouldn't let us see it) that was carrying our stuff from the States to Israel. We had to deal with taxes, shipping costs, and delivery. We sent a lift from the US, so we haven't seen our stuff in about a year.

Now comes all the stuff that I missed doing as a serious newlywed: (My neighbor here says Shana Rishona lasts the first 5 years, and you're still a newlywed for 15. So, I guess I'm NMF for a long time!) Appliance shopping, furniture shopping, unpacking, repacking, and settling down. (Any advice from native Israelis would come in handy- feel free to comment/email me!)

I really can't wait to settle down in Yerushalayim. It'll make me feel like I have a real place in this world, in this land. Something tangible, that I can actually feel. Plus, the neighborhood we're moving to is a great place, with a community I can't wait to join.

Ashdod was rather fun- although we didn't get to see much of it besides the port area. Gila Penina gave us great directions. We did have a bit of trouble with customs- so we headed to the customs office to sort that one out. NBD helped there- any Israeli that saw my sweet daughter said, "Aize Chamuda! (Such a cutie!)", which effectively helped us get through there rather quickly.

On our way back, we stopped at the beach in Ashkelon- such blue water and salty breezes. There, Mr. NMF said a wonderful Dvar Torah- which I will remember for a long time.

He mentioned that our stuff is just that: stuff. Gashmiyus. Items. Things that won't travel with us- like the 'chicken fat' in that famous mashal. But when we use it to build a Jewish home- it becomes far more than just stuff. A plain old bookcase becomes something to hold Sefarim. Plates and dishes are used for Shabbos, Yom Tov, and Hachnosas Orchim (inviting guests). We elevate all we use into a Mitzva. And that's truly phenomenal!

There is a time to move. But at least we're lucky enough to stay in Israel, the most wonderful land of all.