God

Who wants to go? Walking Talpiyot, Jerusalem, Israel Day 6

February 18, 2019 By rhapsodyville 10 Comments

www.redneckrhapsody.com Street sign: Ein Gedi - Talpiyot - Jerusalem, Israel. Walking tour of Talpiyot

Ein Gedi Street – Talpiyot – Jerusalem, Israel

Israel Solo – Day 6 – Chillaxin in Talpiyot

www.redneckrhapsody.com Trina headed out for a walk on a beautiful day.

Good day for a walk & just taking a break.

Today would be a great day to take in Talpiyot, Jerusalem. It is an area South of the Old City , but just North of Bethlehem. I decided after such a big day yesterday that I’d take a day to just….be. “Be”ing for me is rest, reflect and prayer / thanking.

www.redneckrhapsody.com A collage of flowers- Roses - red & pink, bougainvillea in a bright fuchsia, then several other flowers that are shades of purple and lavender that I am unsure of their variety.

Flowers are a Fav! I just wish I new the names to all of them. I know the roses and bougainvillea, but the others I’m uncertain. One reminds me of agapanthus and the other a little of morning glories… Do you know what they are?

: Yeah, freshness!

: Ready for second half of trip.

: Clean again!

Dirty Laundry

Was able to take care of my laundry this morning. The AirBnB where I am staying let me use their washer and clothesline outside. Sure will be nice having everything clean, again. Everyone one must have been in the same frame of mind, considering I saw laundry on many of the balconies this morning.

Walk. Smell. Breath. Pray.

Enjoyed a stroll of the neighborhood. Met people on the sidewalks. Wandered through small street markets and spied out local restaurants. Great day to spend with the Holy Spirit. Love greeting people on the sidewalk – “Shalom”.

www.redneckrhapsody.com The corner local neighborhood market where there is the most vivid display of produce along a whole wall. Refrigerator case full of produce and perishables. Bouquets of fresh roses, and Gerber daisies in shades of pink and coral.

Local corner neighborhood market.

Doors, doors and more doors

Double door whimsy. This cream color double door set in Jerusalem stone made me pause. It’s unique feminine hand bending to knock left me smiling and wondering….

: Yes, it’s another beautiful door. I just like them.

: Door knocker

: This double door & it’s unique door knocker left me smiling and wondering….

One of the Most Peaceful Places

Found a beautiful park with great trails; Sherover Promenade. The trails go all the way back to the city about a mile or so walk. The park had a great view of the city. Olive trees were everywhere with amazing scents of rosemary, lavender and sage. The green & brown was sprinkled with blooms from roses, anemones and many others. I just may have located one of the largest unofficial tour bus parking lots, too. Ha, ha!

View from the promenade with the Old City behind me.

Who Knew???

www.redneckrhapsody.com A huge display of different types, sizes and prescriptions of contacts that are available of purchase.

Contacts for purchase @ their local drug store.

You heard me, who knew that you could go to a local drug store (Walgreen’s / CVS type) and just buy contacts? It certainly wasn’t me, or I would have tried to remember my exact prescription. I can’t get over that you can just go in and buy them. This will definitely be something that I will be looking into before I go back in September. The prices weren’t that bad either. Current exchange rate as of today (2/17/19) is $3.62.

Take Away’s for the Day

A couple of things that really stuck with me and left an impression:

Just how many people have Israel flags on their homes???

I love to watch flags flying in a country who is proud of it!
Just how many people hang their laundry out to dry???

Laundry Day
Just how much can one city smell like a bottle of essential oil??? When you walk the city neighborhoods the smell of rosemary is always around, because it grows along all the sidewalks (at least along Hevron Road) as a hedge.

www.redneckrhapsody.com Rosemary along the paths & streets

Fresh rosemary growing along the paths & roads.

City of Jerusalem’s flag mounted on the balcony of a citizen. It’s flanked on either side of the Israel flag.

Beautiful living in the city.

Staying in Shape

It is so easy to get wrapped up in the sights, sounds & smells that you can easily let the day fade into evening before you realize you’ve walked another 7 plus mile day.

www.redneckrhapsody.com Sunlight streaming through the branches of a tree. I can hear the old John Denver song - "Sunshine on My Shoulders" or the old hymn - "Sunlight, sunlight in my soul today..."

“Sunshine on my shoulders…” OR the old hymn that I heard my momma play and sing when I was going up “Sunlight, sunlight in my soul today…”

Better hit the hay a little early, going to start early tomorrow, at the Temple Mount!

Loving leaning in & living in a Rhapsodyville state of mind,

Trina

Here are the links for the first 5 days of my solo tour in Israel Spring 2018:

www.redneckrhapsody.com Looking at the ruins at Zippori. An ancient city that was a major seat of power in the Galilee Region.

DAY 1 – Looking at the ruins at Zippori. An ancient city that was a major seat of power in the Galilee Region.

redneckrhapsody.com Day 2 Israel Post - Safed in the town having a Yemen brunch with two cutie, who aren't bad cooks, either.

Safed in the town having brunch with two cutie, who aren’t bad cooks, either. A Yemen meal.

Northern Israel the Golan Height’s visiting Nimrod’s Fortress

Last rooftop view from Korazim. Now to Bet Shemesh, then to Jerusalem.

1st Day in Jerusalem. Starting off from the Talpiyot district.

redneckrhapsody.com Day 5 Israel Post (pt 2) - The day in Jerusalem did not disappoint. So much history, so many stories. The ancient road under the Via Dolorosa.

Part 2: The day in Jerusalem did not disappoint. So much history, so many stories. The ancient road under the Via Dolorosa.

www.redneckrhapsody.com Trina at the Western Wall exit with a giant mezuzah. .

Israel Day 5 – Jerusalem Day 1 – Part 3: Western Wall exit with a giant mezuzah.

Jerusalem Day 1 – Israel – Day 5 (Pt 3) ~ Redneck Rhapsody

January 29, 2019 By rhapsodyville 3 Comments

In search of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

I knew I was close, but just kept ending up on the wrong street, with each wrong turn around every corner was a beautiful surprise and more culture to absorb.

www.redneckrhapsody.com Shopping on the streets in the old city of Jerusalem.

Shops along the streets in the Old City.

I did find the entry to a courtyard area that was through this little doorway on either the back or side of the church. Still no entry to the church, but beauty to be seen none the less.

: You can almost smell it! When will computers get scratch’n sniff?

: Love the pops of color against the backdrop of stone.

Found it FINALLY!

When I finally entered the courtyard in front of the doors; I took a few pictures then just went up and went in.

www.redneckrhapsody.com Entering into the court yard of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Entering into the court yard of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

There were no lines, no major crowds. Had I wanted to enter certain areas there would have been, but I was there just to observe what this place was to others. (BTW, I think I may have went in where you were probably really suppose to have exited….LOL So typical of me.) I wanted to enjoy the amazing architecture, the holy symbols that are cherished and see why this location is so sacred to the Catholic faith, especially.

www.redneckrhapsody.com People in the courtyard of the church with the doors of the church in the background.

Church’s courtyard teaming with people.

: If knocking on the door meant using that iron “door knocker”. I’m not getting in, I don’t suppose…. #shortgirlissues

: This wall and stone was the first thing I saw as I went into the church. The brilliant detailed painting and gold accents were mesmerizing. The lamps and incense burners were works of art themselves.

: First thing I saw as I went into the church. The Stone of Unction. They say it is where Christ was laid for them to prepare his body for burial before placing him in the tomb.

: This chair/throne was in a side room. This piece has a lot of stories it could tell. It left me with many questions.

It was quite overwhelming to take it all in, but I enjoyed the experience.

Tombs in the church

www.redneckrhapsody.com Guide in the church posing with me.

Guide in the church who let me join his group.

I watched a guide try to explain how to turn the flashlight on, on a cell phone, to two women. They were European and spoke NO English or Hebrew…. Needless to say I turned mine on and handed it to him. He invited me to take the tour into this small cave like area inside a small room off to the side of the main areas in the church. It was a tomb area. I couldn’t hear all that he was saying, but I think I gathered that he said it was the tomb of the family of Joseph. Not sure if he was referring that it would have been Joseph & family of Jesus or not, but it was an extremely blessed exchange of different people in this same small space. Watching the effect that this was having on these women, who probably did not understand much that was being said; it was affecting their spirits. This was a holy place to them.

www.redneckrhapsody.com A tomb in the church

This is a tomb in the church. It was in a cave like area.

Yes, this church had an affect on me, but not like it did on the believers that were there to have the experience they were searching for.

How can you not be affected?

Just shows you that sometimes it is about us. It’s about what we come looking for, our relationship with the Lord, not where we are. Sometimes you can be in the most amazing historical church in the world, but feel Him move through your body on a stone street that was deep beneath the surface of the city. You just never know where He will find you or who He will send to greet you in Israel or your hometown. You just should be seeking him!

www.redneckrhapsody.com The front of the ornate smaller chapel inside the church. It is where the Holy Sepulcher is contained.

The front of the ornate smaller chapel inside the church. It is where the Holy Sepulchre is contained.

Believers lighting scented candles.

My belly was growling

Not knowing how late it had gotten I decide I should probably grab a bite to eat. The couple I was staying with had a few recommendations they said if you were in this part of the old city – Lena’s was a must for the very best hummus. Finally found it around 4:30 p.m. So…lunch was going to be a little late…. Well, they closed at 4:00, so maybe even a little later than I planned entirely.

I decided that I had basked in the glory & love of the Lord most of the day, so maybe I start my towards the house. He had sent people my way and put them in my path since before I had even left the house that morning. I was probably just about all out of grace for one day 😍.

Heading home for the day…

RedneckRhapsody.com View of the Temple Mount above the Western Wall.

My view looking back as I was exiting the Old City.

RedneckRhapsody.com Huge mezuzah when exiting the area of the Western Wall.

Biggest mezuzah I have ever seen. Placed at the exit of the Western Wall area of the Old City.

Excited she told me where Van picks up….well, kinda…

Almost 8 miles and 34 flights of stairs…

My journey back to the area inside/outside the Dung gate was about all my legs and feet were up to at this point. I had already walked about 18,000 steps at this point. I tried to find where the van would pick up. It was not inside the gate where we were dropped off. It was outside the gate and a little ways up the hill 🙄. I again stood with a group and found out I needed to go a little further up the hill….

: 1) View of Jerusalem outside the Old City, up the hill from the Dung Gate.

: 2) Another view of Jerusalem while waiting.

Will I make it????

RedneckRhapsody.com Nice young man & me waiting on the van to take us to First Station.

He was so kind to wait with me. He was actually going to 1st Station, too.

One young man was going to 1st Station and was so very kind and helpful. BUT the van that finally arrived 35 minutes later was a Mercedes and was NOT labeled at all – just plain white. I had to decide do I break my promise to a stranger I met this morning or trust this young man and 6 others that say it’s going to 1st Station???? Yep, you guessed it, I trusted that it could never get better than the day I’d had. If I got to meet Jesus that day I’d be great with it. I would be happy thanking Him face to face for SO MANY things! If it took me to 1st Station I’d praise Him for not making me take any more steps than were necessary.

MADE IT!!!!!

We arrived at 1st Station within 15 minutes. I took a picture with that young Jewish man who had been so kind. He’s in my prayer collage picture. He took the van to and from 1st Station daily to go to and from work. He lived in a settlement in the West Bank and this got him as close as he could to where he walked another 20 minutes home.

: Flower boxes in Jerusalem, Israel

: Dinner – left over pizza and wine at my AirBnB in Jerusalem, Israel

I made it back to car, then to my AirBnB house, where I showered heated up leftover pizza and finished my last glass of wine from Safed. Finished the day with almost 8 miles of walking (which was somewhat totally self induced crazy blonde moments). Thank you God for showing up for me and showing out. I’m such a lucky girl to have such an amazing Father that just really wants to spoil me rotten! Aren’t you glad He’s your daddy, too?!?! #kingskid #fearless

Love ya & Rhapsodyville wishes!

Trina

If you happened to miss day 1 – 4, day 5 part 1, part 2: Click on whichever that you might have missed out on.

Ancient Zippori 1st Day solo in Israel

Safed in the town having brunch with two cutie, who aren’t bad cooks, either. A Yemen meal.

Northern Israel the Golan Height’s visiting Nimrod’s Fortress

Last rooftop view from Korazim. Now to Bet Shemesh, then to Jerusalem.

1st Day in Jerusalem. Starting off from the Talpiyot district.

The day in Jerusalem did not disappoint. So much history, so many stories. The ancient road under the Via Dolorosa.

January 2019 – Daily #CHALLENGE

January 12, 2019 By rhapsodyville 10 Comments

January 2019 Daily #CHALLENGE

Day #1 & Day #2 -Combo pack

Setting goals using the S.M.A.R.T. method

Set goals

Day #1 S.M.A.R.T. Goals for January

I kinda hijacked this really nice typed version of a good way to set some S.M.A.R.T. Goals for the new year. (Thx Linda Witte – www.wittesworld.com ) I resigned from setting “resolutions” a couple of years ago, because well let’s be honest, we usually just set ourselves up to fail at keeping them. I do much better with monthly goals & a dream board. When I feel something might be resolution worthy, chances are it should really be a life change. Mine are, for the most part, choices that would better my life in many areas. Last year I started the year doing yoga daily and injured my hamstring. It has been angry for 12 months, so I only did light yoga for about 3-4 months, then totally stopped since it wasn’t healing. I am leaving it up to God, a masseuse & maybe the Dr., but I WILL be doing yoga everyday, even if it is a foot or couch potato video(I have a fav YouTube yogi). :

Rooftop Yoga

1. 31 Day Challenge – COMPLETE IT
2. Do yoga “every damn day”
3. Increase all social media by 1000 more followers
4. Increase blog subscribers by 150 minimum
5. Eat clean
6. Post at least 2 post per week
7. COMPLETE travel blog class
8. Do homework ahead of time for Bible college.
9. Get monetized……..
10. Get a few of the trips for the year in the calendar.

May everything you work toward in 2019 become closer to being achieved! May blessings, goodness, peace & joy chase you down and run you over!

Day #2 Accomplishment List for 2019 & After

Here are a few already on the calendar:

: Cruise with all the girls!

: St. George Monastery Israel

: Time to build a business

: Camper #1 Before Reno

: #2 Before Reno

: #3 Before Reno

Disney Cruise with daughter, grand & aunts
Group trip to Israel (few seats still open)
Florida time: several times
Achieve 10K plus monthly views for blog & income
Screen in back porch (important in AR)
Go to at least 1 or more new states I’ve never visited
Pay off all debt
Post 2-4 times a week EVERY week
Reno the camper
Get a Jeep
Get back to daily yoga!!!!
Hit 117 lbs. for keeps!
Become stronger physically
Mardi Gras with friends

: Made Beth a wreath for hosting us!

: Salene Krewe rolling in Slidell 2017

: Wayne sporting his “Tuck’s Spoils”

: Endymion Krewe rolling 2017 NOLA

: So many beads!

: Charmin & Trina between parade break.

Visit more museums
Go to 1+ blog conventions
Go Gold in TN
Retire the hubs
Love/Hate for Poshmark = Sell some crap!!!!

Day #3 – What was my biggest…. blogging/writing/personal challenge 2018?

I’m not even sure that I know what ranks as the one thing that could “take the cake” on this deal. SO, I birthed a blog, traveled solo international for the very first time, graduated my son and sent him off to college, buried my mom and those are just the highlights.

Jumping in, to launch a blog was definitely a huge moment. Being disciplined to actually deliver words that aren’t as confused and jumbled in my brain onto the world wide web, IG, FB, Twitter, Pinerest, YouTube, and oh yeah Google +, Linkedin, Snapchat, and Whatsapp (the last four don’t really get much attention – cause I am struggling just to keep up with the first 5). I do believe that one of the biggest issues with each individual post is the picking and editing the right pictures. Does anyone have this issue? Or is it just part of the flaw of being very ADD, that lends to some real issues with OCD in certain areas that make me a control freak perfectionist, but only about a few things. The whole picture deal would be one of them!

Learning how to post faster and better is what I want, but that means I should do more to achieve this. I find myself posting less because of not knowing everything that i should to make it viable, to even put it out there. I need to figure out how to do the SEO thing adequately. All that I have ever posted so far has essentially been seen by a whopping…well, I can count on my fingers & toes how many folks have seen it.

Megaphone 2018 Winter Mix and Mingle

: Stephanie Buckley & Trina Welch

: Rhonda Franz & Trina Welch

: Lyndi Fultz & Trina Welch

Preparing a few really great pins is totally necessary – I am getting that one, finally! Building authentic traffic, no matter what or how is a slow go for me. IG stories, haha… Trying to learn subscription / newsletters / opt-ins: fiddle dee, fiddle dumb, mirror, mirror on the wall “what kind a blogger is she gonna be”? A Freakin, Fabulous one – one day. I have learned so much, yet not near enough. I will probably drive you all nuts before “I get this”. But if, if you do decide to thumb a ride, jump aboard and travel this so called “blogging boss babe” life with me you will enjoy the journey!

I will make you laugh, maybe cry, take you places you never even knew you wanted to go, share food you thought you’d hate, and hopefully you’ll understand that even somewhat bad behavior can’t make the Father stop loving and using you for His purpose. I won’t lie, if anything I’m way to… well my friends and family use the term brutally honest.

I am truly my own worse enemy….

I try not to type EVERYTHING that comes to my mind and way to often out of my mouth. Age is refining me a little, nope that’s a lie, my sweet mom’s words and the love of the Savior is what is making me a better me. Let me just tell y’all, I am such a lucky little girl to have Ms. Jettie’s words echoing in my mind and an empty tomb to remind me how much was covered by grace. One of the challenges that I have had to face head on this year was forgiveness. Forgiving was for me not them! There is SO MUCH joy & freedom when you do it for you, or ask for it, even when it wasn’t given.

I’m not sure this covered what I really even wanted to say. Not sure if it’s brave or stupid to publish this total cluster of sentences that barely make sense. I skate on such a thin, fine line of having no “real” English education in proper grammar after 9th grade…but my crazy train brain tells me you will never decipher if I don’t explain why my writing is such a cluster. Yep, that’s kinda how I roll, but it’s my life dammit and I don’t apologize for my “little diva” with a side of country crazy. I am moving, and it is forward…

I truly hope that this helped someone. It took me a while to like me; 2018 drew a line that I decided I would stand with a foot on each side of the line. Just keep on keepin on. I am getting back to yoga this year (working on it every damn day), watch more sunsets, see more sunrises, spend more time with the Lord – reading , studying & praying, breath deeper, exhale more slowly, buy myself flowers when I want them, get my nails done, have a massage when I want it and hit the road! I want 2019 to be filled with lots of trips.

Day #4 – Healthy Fav Recipe

My favorite “healthy” recipe right now would be one I’ve been working on and continue to adjust is for hummus. Why hummus – Israel twice within 6 months can truly make lifelong lasting change. Packaged product can’t hold a candle to making it, in my opinion. Yes, I do use canned chick pea or garbanzo beans. I am looking to branch out on flavors and types, but for now it’s pretty basic. I make a pretty good amount, so we have it for several meals. If your fixing for one or just trying I suggest that you cut the amounts in half. You’ll need a food processor, blender or hand blender.

: Hummus Plate

: Dig in, yum!

: Homemade: Guac, Hummus & Mango Salsa

Hummus

2 cans chick peas / garbanzo beans (drain)
2 T EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Lemon (juice it)
2 T Minced garlic
1 t Cumin
1/2 t Ground Red Pepper
1 t Salt
1/4 c (more or less) Water – add a little at a time.

I put oil lemon juice and beans in then add spices and a little water. I pulse to begin and add water as needed to keep it emulsifying. This is where you may have to add water. Just don’t add too much – can’t take it out, then it’s runny & yucky. (Just add more beans and spices to adjust.) You want mixture to get to a creamy, dip consistency. The spices are total call up to your taste buds, or that of your family. Just remember, as in most things in life, less is best. Add a little at a time. This is where you can play, to! Balsamic vinegar, red bell pepper, beets, spices (paprika/turmeric) ect….you get the point. I then put mine in a sauce pan and heat up for 5-10 minutes, low/med heat. This too is up to each his own. Usually people cook the beans then make the hummus. This way just works better for me, since I do it sorta cheating, from cans😉.

Hummus is amazing when served with fresh pitas! I have yet to make this happen in my kitchen, but it will happen in 2019! I currently serve with carrots, tomato wedges, pickled jalapeños, avocado, and Fritos scoops. Well, not always all of those at the same time. Many serve with bell peppers, sweet red, orange or yellow, too. They are NOT a friend to my system, so you may catch a hint of bell to flavor things sometimes, BUT you will NEVER find me adding sweet red peppers to ANYTHING. You can make it look fancy by putting in a serving dish add a little drizzle of EVOO and sprinkle of chili powder or whichever spice you favor. Makes my mouth water just typing about it! Let me know it you try this, how it goes and was it great?

Day #5 – Where will I be a year from now….

“Somewhere on a beach, sippin somethin strong…”. I know this I will be further down the road building a blog, watching my family grow, have a better relationship with the Lord ~ it is ever developing, and I will choose to be happy. Details elude me still, but I am piecing items together to ensure that it will be my best year yet! Trips are on the book already and I can’t wait to find my blog groove.

Day #6 – 2018 Favorite Film (List)

I’ve made a list of my fav’s to least – but there were some that were too close to count. If I didn’t like, they didn’t make the list at all. We are a movie family… Just a little background on me, I’m pretty much a Sci-Fi nerd. Those are ALL-ways going to have a place at the top of my list and big spot in my heart. My top 4 are pretty much a tie for 1st place. Top 10 are all rewatch…several times!

: We even go to the movies when on vacation! NYC, NY 2017

: Noah & me at the LR screening of GND A Light Into the Darkness

: Noah & me at Antman & the Wasp at Branson, MO

: RR tribe (Cathy, Amber, ChaCha & Trina) @ Aquaman 2018

2018 Films that I watched: Favorite to Least

Aquaman

Black Panther

Avengers: Infinity War

Bumblebee

Ant-Man and the Wasp

Life Of The Party

Ready Player One

Solo: A Star Wars Story

Trina, Summer & Sydney

Crazy Rich Asians

Book Club

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

Incredibles 2

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Mission: Impossible – Fallout

Ocean’s 8

God’s Not Dead: A Light Into the Darkness (I might have been in this one!?!)

Venom (One of Noah’s fav’s, me take it or leave it)

A Star is Born (2018) – Yet to see this one, but hear that it is really good.

Day #7 – Biggest Thing Learned 2018: Courses, Book, Social Media, Articles, or Website

Thinking about a new logo this year.

OMGoodness – SO MANY. I invested in several courses this year, more than I can probably even recall (I must start looking them up for taxes). I learned a lot from VIP Blogging. I took an IG course that taught me a lot – Insta Success, and watched A LOT on YouTube that were free. I joined several blogging groups that have probably taught me more about specifics of blogging than any other form of education.

Day #8 – 5 ways that I take care of myself:

Listen to music
Read the Bible
Get a massage
Yoga
Hot baths w/ a glass of wine

Day #9 – A letter to parent, spouse or children: Which will I choose?

: I love this picture of my momma & me

: Daddy

: 22 & counting

Parents are gone, Husband could truly care less…means he’d have to read, one of his least favorite things on earth to do!!! He knows that I’m still his best friend & everything we’ve done and built is amazing, guess we’ll just keep doing it! I’m gonna go with the kids. Doubt anyone wants to read that. To sum it up they are loved; not just by me , but by Jesus. I want them to know that He is the answer to everything in life. I can’t wait to see how well they do “their” future. I’ll jot down a few of my thoughts, proud moments, and best strategies for dealing with this thing called life, and send it to them.

: Amber & Noah – Noah’s HS Graduation

: Noah, Amber, Greer & me

: Amber & Noah – Birthday date – Aquaman December 2018

Day # 10 – Winter Soup Recipe

Okay, here’s the deal…I’m not a recipe blogger. I may do recipes every now and then, but i’m not sure that I’ll ever get good at it. I am a country cook, by nature. I cook by what feels good & taste good. I came from a LONG line of great cooks. Not, saying that I’m great, but I can just about cook anything. I choose NOT to cook many things, because they are more work than I want to put forth the effort. When I do decide to cook, I usually just start throwing stuff together – NEVER measure ANYTHING – that’s why this is almost impossible to start putting recipes out there. KNOW that most ANY recipe I post you can always adjust the recipe up or down on the spice levels. More or less – salt, pepper, garlic, ect…..

Southwest Chicken Soup (Fast)

2 cans of Chicken Breast

1 can Black Beans(drained)

1 can Red Kidney Beans(drained)

1 can or bag(frozen) of corn(drained)

1 can Rotel

½ medium Onion or 2 T of Dehydrated Onions

3 T Flour

2-3 T Chili Powder

1 tsp Garlic Salt

1 tsp Cumin

2 c.(more or less based on how thick of a soup you want) HOT (works best) water / chicken broth

I use a big soup pot, put the chicken with its broth, onion and heat. Medium heat. Bring to a simmer then add flour, spices, and rotel – stir as you add these ingredients, will become rue like. Have water or broth on stand by to add quickly as rue thickens. Add all the veggies, let simmer for approx. 15 minutes. Serve with corn chips or cornbread.

Congratulations! You have just received 10 days of post ALL in 1 mega post!!!

What goals have you set for yourself in 2019? Do you have a favorite new healthy recipe? Where will your travels take you? What is you biggest #challenge this year?

Stay tuned for the next 21 days….

Happy New & Blessed Year,

Trina

Jerusalem Day 1 – Israel – Day 5, Part 2 ~Redneck Rhapsody

November 15, 2018 By rhapsodyville 2 Comments

Loving this city, Jerusalem

Looking for shekel’s & the Via Dolorosa

The street was sparsely populated

I asked for directions for the money exchange & Via Dolorosa…many were willing to help, just not sure HOW well I interpreted it…hahaha! Finding the exchange, where I could change cash for shekel’s was getting real… Not everywhere wanted American dollar’s. The places that you do the exchange were supposed to be SO easy to find, well I either didn’t know exactly WHAT I was looking for or was a block off every time I got close.

Maps are a good thing – Paper please

Beauty everywhere

I would advise anyone who is going to be exploring the old city – have a map of just the old city!!! Large print if you’re over 40 and without your readers, LOL! Also bring an external charger for your phone; chances are you’re gonna need it.

: Courtyard area of the Praetorium

: My photographer

Found the Via Dolorosa! Still no shekel’s. Wandered up on the Praetorium. Met a guide outside on the street as I exited heading toward the Lion’s Gate. I explained I was still looking for shekel’s, so I didn’t have any to give him for a tour.

Bougainvillea

As I meandered my way toward St. Anne’s, I was absolutely drinking in the moment of the day. The look of the stone walls that towered over me giving me thoughts to all the history that was held within them. Well, actually under them. The layers of this ancient city absolutely take me to another place & time. When I hear the sounds, feel the warmth of the sun, see the beauty of the blooms falling softly over the walls all while catching a whiff of the hearty mixed spices; I catch a reflection of what it must have been like to have been here thousands of years ago. I clearly understand why Yahweh picked this piece of earth!!!

Glorious day & weather

I found the street quite vacant. I found a place to set up my mini tripod and take a couple of shots. There were a few students that had been let out of school on the opposite sidewalk heading back towards town, but for the most part I was alone. As I headed back, I turned around and there RIGHT in my PERSONAL SPACE was a young man (late teens/early 20’s). It was a divine appointment from earthly angel.

Temple Mount area behind this wall.

He sent me love messages all day long…

He was what most would consider to have special needs. He looked deep into my eyes (while almost touching me) and asked me one question, very seriously: Do you love me? I actually had to lean back to look at his whole face he was that close. I looked him straight in the eyes and said, “Of course I love you.” He said, “I love you, too.” He turned on a dime and took off walking. I was taken so off guard by the whole incident that I forgot to ask for his picture for second, so I hollered at him and asked if he’d let me take one. He spun around, puffed up his chest and posed perfectly.

My friend who loves me!

The sun was at a bad angle, so I checked to see if I got the picture. Luckily I did, because when I lifted my head to thank him he was GONE… I mean I don’t know where he could have totally disappeared to that fast…but he was gone. Divine, just sayin!

My next divine appointment was with guide.

The Church of Flagellation

Yep, the one I passed earlier not just once, but twice. He was setting right across from the door that led into the Praetorium. They say third times charms…When I started past him he said, “I don’t care if you have shekels or not (because I still had not found the exchange). I cannot let you walk by. The Lord won’t let me, let you go without showing you this.” Well, when I looked directly at him I knew, he knew Jesus and I knew he knew the Holy Spirit.

Behind the doors awaits new wonders!

He pointed up to a couple of doors that he had seen me take a picture of earlier, he said, “That’s a school now, but it used to be the top of the original palace where Pontius Pilate resided. Come on I want to show you something.” Class was in, so the students weren’t about at the moment. He led me up to a window and I was looking down into the garden area, on the North side of the Dome of the Rock. There was no one around, so peaceful.

Amazing view!

I teared up – really couldn’t even speak realizing that God just gave me a view that most all people would not get to see that day, at least tourist that is. I dug what few loose shekels that were floating in the bottom of my backpack and gave them to him. I gave him all I had.

Sometimes all we have is all He requires

When we exited he asked if I had anymore time he wanted to show me one more thing. We went in across the street and he told me of the games carved into the stone that would have been the roof of the structure in Christ’s time and how they played the game to see who would torture Christ. Is this 100% fact everything he is saying or completely the authentic location of the things that happened, I have no idea.

Games the soldiers played carved into the stones

All I do know is that I was at some point standing on what was still Holy Ground. I know this because the Holy Spirit welled up so deep inside my soul that I held my breath, had tears in my eyes and my heart was racing. I think my heart actually broke again, for the pain that my precious Savior was in, right here in this city. He accepted the sin for the whole world and me. I could feel the weight and shame for knowing how much I’ve let Him down over & over. He would do it all again just for me. Wow, the feeling comes right back as I type these words. My face is heating up, I’m holding my breath all while my heart is beating fast.

You can’t NOT be moved…

When he saw how much this meant to me, as he talked about Christ, he said if I would give him a few more minutes he had one more place to show me. He stopped and looked at me and said, “He sees you and He loves you so much.” I looked at him and said. “How is it a Jew like you loves Jesus so much, to share His love for this place like you do?” He said,in a very low tone, “Because I BELIEVE he is Messiah, too.”

Down the street to Lithostrotos. John 19:13

We went out and down the block and turned onto another street, where we went into a little hotel. It was the entrance to a museum under the city where there was an ancient street from a thousand or more like two thousand years ago.

More games below the city’s now day streets from days gone by.

He told me stories and let me walk where Yeshua possibly walked, maybe even where the walk would have started with Him dripping blood and dragging a cross. Fact – Yes, I believe it definitely happened, in this very spot? Who knows? I just know, like I know that for a good 30-45 seconds I had a spine tingling, hair raising, goosebumps, tears flowing Holy Ghost encounter and so did he!

Ancient streets below the current Via Dolorosa.

He prophesied over me as we were leaving.

I have at least one more friend in Jerusalem!

As we went to exit from there he suddenly stopped turned around and proceeded to prophesy to me. I was caught so off guard by what was happening, that had I been prepared, I would have recorded what he was saying. Not doing this….was one of my biggest regrets of my entire trip. I did wake up at 3:00 am that night, with His words, He sent Sharif to speak to me still lingering in my my mind. I immediately grabbed my trip journal and began to write everything that I could recall that had happened / said that day. It was truly the VERY MOST divine day of appointments in my ENTIRE life.

The flowers are so vibrant. Spring is beautiful.When we stepped back out into the light. We exchanged names & numbers, he trusted me with the names of his children to put on my prayer list. I was on my way again, back to looking for shekels, the Church of The Holy Sepulchre and food!!!

As I meandered on the Via Dolorosa (or so I thought – it is a very crooked street….) I was just leaning into my experience of the day and continuing to trust that the Lord had more appointments for me. He did not disappoint!

A Drink & jewelry

I met a kind gentleman who had gave me a pair of earrings and had a free water delivered to me. He offered to take me to dinner, but I declined. He was very complimentary, haha! Definitely an ego boost – LOL. His father had owned the shop he was tending, on the Via Dolorosa, for years. He had recently passed away. He was there to sell out the inventory and close it. His business was import goods to the US. His home was Houston, TX.

Time to move on. I should have been looking for food, all I had eaten was a lemon square and a handful of trail mix. I had let time totally get away from me. So much to see….so much to do…. Now, where is that church?

This city makes me so happy! Shalom!

Lean In and living in Rhapsodyville!

Trina

P.S. I did FINALLY find an exchange. I at least have shekels.

Don’t miss Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 pt.1

Get your trip booked to go with us now!

Israel Registration Form April 2019

Jerusalem Day 1 – Day 5 – Israel – Redneck Rhapsody Travel Girl- Rhapsodyville Style

October 10, 2018 By rhapsodyville 6 Comments

Jerusalem Day 1 – Israel Day 5

Spring 2018 Part 1

Israel day 5, it’s starting in Jerusalem this morning. One of my favorite places in the world. I started the day with a fantastic breakfast and great company. Oh my, did my AirBnB take the breakfast feast to a whole new level…it was a huge amount with a terrific variety. My host was a lovely, Jewish couple who were kind & friendly. They were extremely helpful with suggestions for the stay. Where to eat, park, awesome at helping with map apps, and best ways for transportation. Luckily their daughter, who serves in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) and one of her friends was there to help polish off breakfast.

: Breakfast Feast 1

: Breakfast Feast 2

: Breakfast Feast 3

After all the residence rolled out, I spent a fair amount of time in praise & prayer, before I headed off to my first day in Jerusalem. The presence of the Holy Spirit brought tears and joy!

I asked the Lord to please reveal why He laid everything in place for me to be in Israel at this exact time. It was totally out of my wheelhouse. Taking an extended trip on my on, much less a trip to a foreign country. It was a definite stretch. I knew when I left in November that I would be back…. I just didn’t know it would be so soon.

Out and About

I knew that I wanted to offer the opportunity to others ( Israel Registration Form April 2019 ) to go experience all that is there. So, I felt led to really trip around on my own and see the land on God’s time schedule. My prayer for this day was, “Lord show me all that you have for me. Let me experience it and glean everything I can. Let me feel You, Yahew!”

Just getting to the old city was a mission impossible…almost.

Free parking in Jerusalem – YES!

It was in the same area as dinner the night before, but just not in the parking lot, actually. It was on the fringe of one side of the parking lot with only space for about 15 cars. Did I mention that they weren’t actually spaces either… Up in the grass, or next to a gravel driveway, some parallel, some just kinda sideways and hopefully you wouldn’t end up blocked in…. So maybe I’ll just pay to park. Because, on my second trip back around to this parking lot, which is a one way area, with only one drive to leave that’s about a quarter of a mile away AND you have to circle a HUGE city block ¾ quarters of the way around it to get back into said parking lot. Pay to park, yep I’m so there:NOT – LOL…HaHaHa… You do that with an app on your phone. No biggie, right? I got this – It’s ALL in HEBREW. Needless to say there would be NO pay to park.

Good thing I prayed and the Lord totally used this trip to show me I could travel, not have stress and pressure. The ones that know me best – know that the normal me would have probably have already left the car somewhere; just get a ticket or towed. I truly decided this was all in how He wanted to show me love today. I met some great people in this parking lot adventure. I made the decision to just laugh about it all and enjoy the sights, sounds, and ancient-new, thriving city this parking lot I’d been circling like a buzzard.(Next I was going to walk for laps for a minute or 30.) Well, God’s divine number is the #3. Why not go for the ole 3rd time charms deal – say a prayer for a spot to become available (not that I hadn’t been doing that, but I did tell Him if He wanted me to see all that He had in store for me that day He had to get me parking, or I would never make it to the Old City and to the Via Dolorosa). Well God?

Did I happen to mention that there was parking lot construction going on????

HA! Yep, ssssooooo no matter where you go, somethings are the same. I was really sitting there waiting on a cement truck OR was I really waiting on the lady who the bus dropped off, to walk to her car? All of this, just as I was about to leave the “parking fringe” for the 4th and final time. Rolled my window down to ask if she was leaving…YES! Her space was just the right fit for my car!!!! Well, God!!! Thank you!

: FINALLY PARKED

: My First Helper

: Helper #2

: Helper #3

: Helper #4

: ON the FREE shuttle 90 minutes later…..

I may have mentioned this in one of my previous day journeys while I have been on this trip, but I decide to take a picture of or a selfie with each and every person who blessed or helped me on this trip. I told them I was going to make me a blessing/prayer picture. I came home; made a collage of the pictures printed, so I can pray for them. If this becomes redundant in my post on this particular trip, I apologize, but there are many new readers on each of these days and I want to share how good these people where to help me with the simplest tasks. Giving me a place to park at their home, helping me with putting gas in my car(pumps are in Hebrew) card would not work at pumps – only inside, giving me directions, free gifts, but most of all their time.

Shuttle??? Anyone???

I met two people as I walked toward the area where I had been directed that the FREE shuttle should be, that would take me right to the Dung Gate. I saw a little rain shelter in that middle of the parking lot, but there was no mention of it being for the “Free” shuttle pick up, so I walked back to the opposite side; where I had seen the lady get off of the bus earlier. It was a city bus, not a “free” shuttle.

I have decided in some circumstances…..free and convenience are two total different things and “free” is overrated when the expense is time(that I could have spent in the old city), heat/sun/sweat, already hit 2500 steps, and stress – oh yeah, I’m not doing that today.

BUT…I told God I was on His time clock, so this is where the journey was happening today, right now. Believe it or not I was not anxious, really rather peaceful. Hummmm maybe I could learn how to make this a new norm (I am trying, since I know I can do it).

I finally found the shuttle after 3 different conversations, and was told very intensely to not get in ANY van EVER that wasn’t marked on the outside appropriately. This could be very dangerous. My new friend who was Jewish (now IG friends, too), was formerly from NYC, NY. Her and her husband wanted to raise their children in Jerusalem, so they had moved there about 5 years ago. They actually live in a Jewish community that is in an area of the West Bank area outside the city. I feel that she would not have warned me of this if she felt it was unwarranted. This never left my mind. I enjoyed the rest of my wait with a lovely mother & child, and a nice couple from Mexico who come yearly.

We were dropped right outside the gate. Lot’s of traffic happening this morning. More than usual I was told. Besides it was not really morning anymore either, about noon, after my hour and a half parking lot venture….

Prayers in the wall.

The Western Wall, ramp to ascend to the Temple mount and several other interesting sites exist in this particular area of the Old City. It was a day for bar mitzvah’s to be taking place. They were happening near the city wall, just down from the the gate of entrance. Another was happening on the men’s side of the Western Wall. They were loud and very interesting to watch. This is a culture, religion, people who are deeply rooted in tradition and values. They are His beloved and chosen. I absolutely love this place.

Direction’s Please – Again….

Looking for shekel’s & the Via Dolorosa – I need to exchange dollars for some shekel’s. This proved more difficult than one would think. But, then again my blonde does sometime reach its roots… It truly, probably was the person looking for them. My journey of EXACTLY where & when I was suppose to be here this day to meet the people in each of the places that I was supposed to meet them and hear every single story that I was supposed to hear.

This kind lady who works a booth that loans shawls to those going to the wall for prayer helped me with a little info on where to find shekel’s & the Via Dolorosa. We visited a bit. She asked why I came back and was not a Jew. She shared why I should be a Jew and was worried that maybe I had Jerusalem Syndrome (yes it’s a real syndrome) if I loved it there that much, but wasn’t a Jew. She was sincere on both parts. I took her picture – reluctantly on her part, so I will not post it (well, maybe a little), but she helped me. I will pray that she one day will want to know about my Savior. I am very careful not to offend their belief while still stating mine, cautiously.

Ready to go!

There is a lot to do and see still, so I need to get moving. More to follow in Part 2!!! I pray that you are enjoying this journey with Israel me. I love sharing all of this. I hope it inspires you to be brave, travel more, or meet God where He’s waiting for you.

Livinin my Rhapsodyville Life,

Trina

I am also taking a group back.

Don’t put it off. Just do it…go with us!!!

Israel Registration Form April 2019

: Trip pg 1

: Trip pg 2

Israel Spring 2018 Post – Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4

Let’s Travel Together! Israel here we come!

September 29, 2018 By rhapsodyville Leave a Comment

Let’ Travel Together

It’s been a minute…

Wednesday Word & Fearless Friday have been on a hiatus. BUT so has the rest of my “blog” life. Sometimes real life just rushes you from all sides. I have been totally consumed in real life issues. Let’s just say the summer of 2018 will never be forgotten. I will be posting more on it in detail in future featured life blogs.

Here’s the last 90 day’s

short, no detail list:

Gorgeous orchid – grown at C of O

Moved son into college

: Home for a while

: Hard to leave him….

: “Sonset” over the campus

5 trips to Branson

: Noah on the landscape crew

: Hand made glass window

: Giddy Up

: Flowers in the horticulture area

: Terrific Eats – Smithsville Moonshine

: Handsomeness @ Branson Landing

1 Team National Convention

Working hard or hardly working….

with 3 extended fun filled

Ft. Lauderdale, FL days.

: Embassy Ft. Lauderdale

: Sunrise Ft. Lauderdale

: Convention fun

: Summer rain rollin in

: Waiting on a bus….

: I love the FL scenery

: Bigs, makin money all the time!

: Intracoastal Waterway FL

: Julia Michaels – Heaven”Millionaire Mile” Boat ride – Intracoastal FL

: Imagine Dragons – Whatever It Takes, Taylor Swift – Wildest Dreams

: LoCash – I Love This LifePhil, Fason’s & Welch’s

: Home Grown! TY Donna – It was great!

: <3 Friends!!!

Multiple Lake & Friend weekends

: WIT luggage cart @ the lake

: Quite morning on the lake

: WIT @ the lake on the big boat!

: Sunset Greers Ferry, AR

: Lake day w/ best crew ever!

: Moonrise – Super – Blue Moon

: Freedom Eagle

: Donna, Natasha & Trina – Fason mountain

: Fason Estate

22nd Anniversary

22 & counting

One horrible 36 hours of my mom suffering before going to Glory.

Rose for Mom

Mom’s eternal going home

3 days of preparing an adequate tribute for the rock of our family before her resting physical body here. She is healed and living an eternal dream life now.

Living Trust……

Transitioning earthly belongings and adjusting to a new normal, LOL ( I miss picking up the phone, already).

What I do know

I have finally received the (numbers & dates to take a group to Israel with me next year. I cannot wait to share this wonderful country with you. I pray that you will have faith in me enough to go. This will be my 3rd (if not 4th, by then….may have to slip in one more visit before next April) time to go to Israel in the last 2 years.

Trina & friend (Susan snuck in a beautiful photo bomb, too!)

Register and Make your down payment TODAY!

Israel Registration Form April 2019

God has placed a passion in my heart for His land and people. How can we teach, believe and want to share His word and never go walk on the dirt that is sacred and holy to Him? This little piece of just over 8,000 square miles (a few more historically) is where almost everything in the recorded scripture takes place. There is NO record that I have ever read where Jesus Christ ever traveled to any other country (except for when Herod pursued him as a toddler). So….God must REALLY love it there; to have spent what little time He was a human, to have saw fit to NEVER step one foot off of this hallowed ground.

Life Changing

To say it’s life changing to go to Israel is truly an understatement. I leave Jerusalem crying each time. It is where I believe God first breathed the breath of life into dirt and chose to make man. It is where Abraham was to sacrifice Issac. It is where my Savior and YOURS poured out His precious blood to give atonement for each human who wants eternal life. It is where the Holy Spirit first poured out His gifts to keep man moving forward toward the cross and eternal life until Christ’s return. This land is more than words….it is a living history. You will feel like you are walking through a time warp when you enter certain places. The foods you will eat, smells you will smell and sights you will see can transport you to a life that you have only ever read about.

Eastern Gate

You will experience a varied set of emotions and I will guarantee you will never open a Bible and think the same EVER again…

ITINERARY

Day -1 Mon, April 8th – Travel Day

Day-2, Tues, April 9th – Arrive Tel Aviv

Mediterranean Sea

Morning arrival. Meet and greet at the airport. Board bus and travel with your guide to the Port City of Jaffa on the Mediterranean for a short visit. Travel along the way of the Sea of Netanya. Rest of the day at leisure to relax and stroll along the beach. Welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Netanya. (Ramada Netanya or similar)

Day-3, Wed, April 10th – Sea of Galilee

Breakfast. Travel along the Mediterranean coast to Caesarea to explore the excavations of the ancient Roman port. Travel to the village life in Jesus Days Muhraqa, which commemorates the battle of Elijah on Mt. Carmel. View the Jezreel Valley and visit Megiddo, the side where the final battle of Armageddon is to take place. End the day at the home town of Jesus, Nazareth, to enjoy a visit at the reconstructed Nazareth Village and to the wedding church at Cana. Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee. (Ron Beach or similar)

Day-4, Thu, April 11th – Golan Heights

: Safed town mix

: Wine

: Safed

Breakfast. Start the day at Safed. Time for lunch. Visit Tel Dan Nature Reserve. Visit the Banias, the site of ancient Caesarea Philippi and the Banias Falls. Nimrod’s Fortress in the Golan Heights area. If time permits, end the day with a view of the area from the Shalom Lookout, in the Southern Golan. Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee.

Nimrod Fortress

Day 5, Friday, April 12th – Sea of Galilee

: Trina – Israel 11/2017 – Galilee

: Boat ride Sea of Galilee

: Galilee Region

: Dressed for work!

: Galilee Sunrise

Breakfast. Enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee with music and worship. Visit the ancient Boat Museum at Kibbutz Ginosar. Visit Capernaum to see the remains of Peter’s house and where Jesus chose to center his ministry. Ascent the Mt. of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount (reserved meeting point). Stop at the 7 Springs on the shore of the Sea of Galilee by Tabgha, site of the miracle of the fish and loaves. Visit the newly excavated site of Magdala. End the day with a visit to the Yardenit baptism site. Dinner and overnight at the Sea of Galilee.

Noah baptized in the Jordan

Day-6, Sat, April 13th – Jordan Valley-Jerusalem

Beit She’an, Israel

Breakfast. Visit the excavations of the Roman city of Beit She’an. Travel south along the Jordan Valley with an optional stop at Kaser El Yehud Baptism site and a view of Mt. Temptation at Jericho. Ascend to Jerusalem via the Judean Wilderness (Wadi Kelt) like pilgrims have been doing for centuries. Shabbat Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. (Dan Boutique or Panorama Hotel)

Sun setting over Jerusalem

Day -7, Sun, April 14th – Jerusalem

Temple Mount

Breakfast. Start the morning with a visit to the Temple Mount (security permitting). Stroll through the city alleys and colorful markets, as we walk along the “Way of the Cross” from St. Stephen’s Gate, the Pool of Bethesda to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Then we will visit the City of David and see the 3D movie and the Davidson Center to see the Southern Wall Steps. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

: It’s going to be a great day!

: Lion’s Gate

: St. Ann’s

: Abby

: Western Wall

: Where Torah’s are stored at the Western Wall

: FRESH hummus @ Lena’s

: Atop the wall

: Every day life. Living in Israel.

Day – 8, Monday, April 15th – Dead Sea

Dead Sea

Breakfast. Start the day with a visit to Genesis Land for a short camel ride and hospitality in Abraham’s Tent. Then travel down to the Dead Sea, the lowest area in the world. Enjoy a short hike to David’s waterfall at Ein Gedi Oasis.

Sunrise – Trina at the Dead Sea

Visit Qumran (with movie) where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered and shop for Dead Sea products. Enjoy a dip in the salt mineral waters of the Dead Sea. After dinner at the hotel, we will visit the Western Wall and Western Tunnel. Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day-9, Tuesday, April 16th – Jerusalem

THE GARDEN TOMB – JERUSALEM, ISRAEL NOVEMBER 2017

Tour and communion at the Garden Tomb. Drive through Government Hill and view the Menorah at the Knesset, Friends of Zion Museum. On to the Israel Museum to see the Model of the First Century Jerusalem and the Scroll of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. Machane Yehuda Market in the afternoon. (Must sign up for the market). Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem.

Day 10, Wednesday, April 17th – Jerusalem

: Riding on Mt. of Olives

: Hot Poker Plant in Garden of Gethsemane

: Garden of Gethsemane – Jerusalem, Israel

: Garden Tomb Mix 2017

: Tombs

Ascent the Mt. of Olives. Visit Dominus Flevit Church and walk down the Palm Sunday path to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations for prayer in the Garden. Continue to Mt. Zion to see the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

Noah next to statue of King David

Day 11, Thurs, April 18th – Tel Aviv/Departure.

Begin the day at the Yad Vashein Holocaust Memorial and travel to the Valley of Elah, site of the Battle of David and Goliath and see the 911 Memorial. Farewell dinner. In the evening, transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Jaffa Port Mediterranean

April 19th – Departure 00:30am.

Just do it!

I dare you to do this. There’s never a better time than the present – it is a gift and we never know when we will be required to give that gift away and NEVER get it back. Failed health, circumstances, money, children, jobs, yada-yada-yada – excuses are cheap / free; but they truly can cost you the most…. a life time of I wish I had’s.

Don’t forget to get registered TODAY!

Israel Registration Form April 2019

After traveling to Israel, I know that I was brought to this land to share the secrets that it holds with other children of the gospel. You need to come experience the things it holds for you and YOU can go share it with the world!!!!

Lean In and Lean on Him to make this trip of a life time with us!

Shalom & Rhaposdyville Livin,

Trina

Check out my previous post on my trip to Israel.

Day 3 – Israel – Redneck Rhapsody Travel Girl- Rhapsodyville Style

June 15, 2018 By rhapsodyville 18 Comments

Java – Way the day starts.

Gas stop – Who still gets someone to pump for them….ME, #blessed

Fuel for

TWO Tanks!

Banias Falls

What true redneck travel girl, whose trip is being filled full of rhapsody, wouldn’t want to start the day in a nature reserve or 4? Let the adventure begin. Day 3 – it’s going to be amazing!

: Beauty & Bridge

: Tel Dan History

: Pretty Pot

: Left overs from war

: Tel Dan – Poppy

: Dan – Galilee Caviar

Tel Dan Nature Reserve is where I had planned on starting my day, but it didn’t exactly work that way…. When traveling “fly by the seat of your pant’s” a little, things don’t always go as planned. So, I visited the backside of the Kibbutz of Tel Dan, but didn’t ever make it into the actual reserve itself. Did learn that the kibbutz exports caviar to the United States, Europe, Russia, Japan, Singapore and Canada. It is highly sought after. Prowled a little, snapped a few pics then moved on. Now, to where & what I knew would be the most physically challenging part of my northern Israel exploration.

Hermon Stream (Banias) Nature Reserve

Mt. Hermon’s run off is the source of the stream that flow’s here. I started out at the Banyas Waterfalls location. It was going to be a warm day. Boy, was I thankful that a large portion of my trek was under the cover of foliage. LOTS of steps, rough declines and steep inclines. A picture / video are sometimes worth a 1000 words. So, there will be a bit of both in this post.

: View for the trail….

: Banias Falls

: Banias Falls

: Blooms in the hills

: Banias Falls

: War tales

The sound of all the water falls are constant & inundating, even when you can’t see them. The power and majesty of water flowing in abundance like that just reminds me of how small we are. I love them…..

Redneck Rhapsody Girl – Fig Tree Fondness

This little redneck travel girl had a large memory revival when I breezed (literally a big wind blew the smell right into my face, like

Fig Tree

a big breath of air being released at just the right time) by a fig tree. ALL STOP 🤚 When I was a young my grandmother had a fig tree next to the steps that went up to the porch at her house. This smell lingered as we grew up swinging on that old porch swing. This fragrance brought back memories of joy, sadness, fun and youth. My cousins and I could spend hours planning, fussing, discussing, and dreaming with this all familiar odor as a backdrop.

Precious memories, how they linger…..Rhapsodyville…..

Fig Tree Fondness

Wow, the power of the sense of smell… thank you Lord for all of my senses, but at this particular moment on this day for just a bit it gave me an incredible memory of one of my very best teacher, mentor and someone who I treasured. Mommie, I miss and love you all the time; especially your warm hands. You were always willing to hold and warm my cold ones.😍💗 This is my “Rhapsodyville” dose for the day!!!

LLLOOONNNGGGG way from the car……..

: It may rain…

: Trees

: Beauty everywhere

When I arrived at the top, on the opposite side of where I began, you can chose to journey on the path. You can venture further north, towards the stream where the falls come from, the Banias Springs park area (Caesarea Philippi). It would be about a 90 minute trek there and 90 minutes back. When I thought I might just do it…..Clouds rolled in and thunder rumbled. Well, it had stormed really bad this week. I decided if I was caught in a flash flood, where the trails were already slick, it would not be the best use of my time. I can play in the mud back home. Back to the car I go.

BEE-yond Cool

All Natural Bee Hive

Found one of the coolest things that I have ever seen in nature. I only had my camera on my phone this day. Would have give anything to have had a REALLY good zoom lens. I’m still not sure from the angle that it would have made it any better. Hope you are going to be able to see it. You’ll have to use your imagination for the hum of the buzz of this many honey bees. This was a natural beehive. AND it was HUGE.

Up, Out & On the Move

: Bunker

: I’m here

Made it back to the car and headed to the springs. Which is just a couple of miles drive. Banias is also known as Caesarea Philippi. It is an area where there is a grotto dedicated to Pan. It use to have many different building’s & statues of Roman gods, goddesses and other mythological creatures. Rumor has it that this area was and is still a direct portal to Hades. There was an earthquake that destroyed many of the structures. It was severe enough that it even rerouted the Hermon stream that flows from the mountain.

Relics of the past

Just keep meandering…

I ventured on past the main part of the stream and began to wonder back toward the falls. I found an old flour mill, Roman bridge, aqua ducts and many other beautiful sights.

: Banias Springs

: Column

: Banias Spring

: Roman Bridge

: Plants

: Aqua duct

: Mill

: Banias

: Mill

Time to move out & up

Nimrod Fortress

A quick winding 10 minute trek to the north led to the high spot of Nimrod’s Fortress. It is a beautiful historic Muslim strong hold with a full protective wall, a keep with defense capabilities, cisterns dining halls. It would rival any structure from that time period in history. The fortress is located in the very north part of Israel. You can see Lebanon and Syria from there, in the beautiful Golan Heights.

: Nimrod Fortress

: Nimrod’s Fortress

: Sssstttteeeeeppppp

: Cistern

: Great hall

Hot Bath Calling

LOTS of stairs…great workout!

The day started before 07:00. It is inching toward 16:00, hence I was about 2 hours from my tub. It had been calling my name for that last 25 flights of stairs / inclines.

Happy trails and 🎶 tunes 🎶 for the road…..

Day 4, we’ll cruise into Jerusalem for the next 5 days! God is so good! I just kept pinching myself, because this was all too good to be true.

Be Fearless✨adventures await🌍and lean in🕶,

Trina

Redneck Travel Girl, Rhapsody Style:

Check out Day 1 & Day 2

Day 2 – Israel – Rhapsodyville

June 2, 2018 By rhapsodyville Leave a Comment

Sunrise

Rooftop Sunrise Korazim

I should say Shabbat Shalom – I woke up in Korazim / Corazim / Chorazim (yes, it is spelled all 3 ways) (pronounced – Korzeem – I say it wrong everytime🙄), really early. Time difference still catching my tailwinds, LOL. My little studio apartment that has a walk out onto the roof has an excellent view of the very north edge of the Sea of Galilee. You can see the Golan Heights to the east, too. I was hoping for some amazing sunrise pictures, but it was quite hazy. I gave it a go anyway. Had fun with trying to get it, not often I get to romp around on a rooftop ledge… Pictures weren’t what I hoped for but they weren’t awful either. It was a beautiful morning, just not the sunrise shots I was able to get in November.

Sunrise shots

Sunrise North

Yoga My Way

Did get a good rooftop yoga work out in before I ventured out for the day. Love doing yoga outside, this was new for me. Might have to do more of this.

Safed / Tzfat

She made my day! Free parking & good directions.

I had decided to go to a place I had not previously visited. Safed or Tzfat – YES, same place, totally different spellings…. EVEN ON THE SIGNS, not just on the GPA… After I missed the first exit, I was completely guessing on the second one. Needless to say, it was just another small way that I was better off. It landed me on the old side of town, exactly where I wanted to be! I was concerned about parking, but ended up in a gravel parking lot which wasn’t marked. Luckily, a beautiful woman that lived in a house nearby was bring out her trash. She gave me permission to leave my car here @ no charge. She gave me directions to the part of town I was wanting to go.

Who Knew I had found

just what I was looking for!

I happened to be only about a two block walk from there. (What I didn’t know at this time is how blessed I was… When I went to leave the town after reprogramming my GPS it took me out the way I was SUPPOSE to have come. It took me like 45 minutes to get through the new side of town and traffic. I would have missed most of the shops, as they would have been closed before I could get to them. Isn’t it funny how when we let go and let God, things sometimes turn out just as they should even when we believe we were doing it all wrong……..)

: Safed Shabbat shoppers

: Safed town mix

: Safed window sill

Friday = Shabbat

It was Friday, so there that means Shabbat. Shabbat is the Jews Sabbath. It is still observed by most everyone and everywhere in Israel. Which means between noon and two o’clock almost everything closes until sundown on Saturday. The lady of the house begins cooking early in the morning preparing the family’s meal, which can include extended family and friends. So, I was really glad I made it there by 10:00 am. I figured a couple of hours would be enough. Well, it was, but I could have spent an entire day in this charming ancient city.

This city in one of the four element cities in ancient Jewish tradition. Safed is the city of wind. – This was told to me by one of the locals. Wikapedia – Since the 16th century, Safed has been considered one of Judaism‘s Four Holy Cities, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias; since that time, the city has remained a center of Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism.

Everywhere I turned there were neat art galleries, handmade items, specialty shops, and local made delights. Cheese shop, jewelry, wineries, fresh food made to order right in front of you. Artist of all types.

Specialized Tallit’s

OK, forget a day – I literally could have spent a week in just this place and been happy. Probably was a really good thing that they were closing early, because I didn’t make it to near all of them. The good Lord knew I didn’t have all the money that I wanted to spend. I made Him a deal about this trip. If I was taking it for the learning experience and seeking Him, that I would NOT spend, except on necessities. Like FOOD….

Brunch in Safed – Yemen style. Two crazy, fun boys who were a pleasure to watch and have cook for me!

Well, it was totally necessary that I try at least one new experience that I have never had before. I bought 1 bottle of Ancient Safed Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon. I now have at least one new like!😍 I savored it, took me a week to drink the whole bottle. I didn’t bring the bottle back, but managed to get the label off and am trying to decide how I want to preserve it.

: Wine

: Ancient Safed Winery

: Safed

: Art Gallery

: Art in Israel

: Galleries

: Safed

: Abouhav Winery

: Safed

To put it mildly I 💗 this place! I could actually live in this town. BUT… I am finding out that there are many cities that I could absolutely live in Israel. The more that I visit, the more that get added to my list.

I headed back to my temporary home base mid afternoon. The sky’s were clear, I put tunes on and just enjoyed the drive. Decided I would camp out for some rays on the rooftop when I arrived.

: Travel time

: Sharin rays with my neeeighbors….lol

: Sun-n-fun

Burger & fries

Thought I might actually get a real meal for dinner, since it had been about 3 days since I had meat. Vered HaGalil was referred to me from a local. It did not let me down. They had amazing looking steaks, but I opted for the all American burger & fries. It was less than 5 minutes from where I was staying.

Vered HaGalil – Restaurant

If you see horses in any of the pictures of my stay here, it was their’s. Their ranch backed up to the house I was in, so I was privileged enough to watch them eat & play from the rooftop view (pictured above).

: Holly Hock

: Fresh fruit

: Landscape in the neighborhood.

: Olive grove.

: Lots of rocks.

: Tree with beautiful blooms.

: Foxtail

: BIG rock

: Wondering, lost & not nice. Poor baby.

Shabbat Shalom

After that meal I had no desire to just sleep on it. It was still light, so I thought I would go for a walk and get a few more pictures. This place is truly beautiful. I wonder how this community would have fared if they had turned from their ways when Christ tried to teach them about the Kingdom of heaven….

“LOTS” of lantana – luv!

Yahweh’s handy work

Yahweh’s color pallet amazes me…

This country truly rules my heart and owns my soul….. Shabbat Shalom

Leaning in as much as possible…. it is wear I wish to be,

Trina

Wednesday Word – Pastor Steve 5/23/18

May 22, 2018 By rhapsodyville Leave a Comment

Pastor of The Bridge Church in Cabot, AR – Steve McCuin

Pastor Steve McCuin is on a mission to help the lost, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. He does step on toes…I have left with mine bruised, but never broken. He has shown me over the past 8 years what it means to build and share kingdom principles. I love the word. He teaches and tells more than I can sometimes digest at one setting, therefore I am very grateful for these videos. Being able to go back and re-watch these sermons or catch ones that I may have missed while traveling is wonderful.

When, Where, What & Who

We also stream our service on Facebook live Sunday mornings at 10 am CST & Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm CST. If you don’t have a home church we cordially invite you to come visit. We would love to have you in person – The Bridge Church in Cabot, AR. Please enjoy this song & message brought to you from my brother in Christ, friend, and spiritual mentor, Pastor Steve McCuin.

I hope and pray that this has & will bless you like it has me! Have a fantastic week. May it be full of joy and happiness. Let it pour out and run over all of those around you.

Lean In & Love on Someone,

Trina

Fearless Friday – Greer

May 12, 2018 By rhapsodyville Leave a Comment

Never still

Greer & GO

If Greer appears then it’s definitely go time. She is like the energizer bunny, except faster! She loves water, therefore all the grandparents that keep her, have pools stay on high alert. We have just about become automatic with keeping a life vest handy, if she goes out to play. Swim lessons are in the near future…I hope, because when it comes to water for her to find and get in – there is no STOP or FEAR!

Mother’s Day

Since this weekend is Mother’s day I had to give the fearlessness of this sweet girl my focus. Who knew that when I chose to give life to her mother, which made me a mother that I would have the good fortune to have this beautiful, fearless little human in my sphere. She blesses and busies me in more ways than I can possibly count. My hats off to the women who want to become moms late in life, because the few hours that I do have her and have to keep pace with her….

Sleeping angel

I cannot even begin to wrap my mind around having her full time. Her mother amazes me at keeping a full time job, regular work out schedule and taking such good care of her home & family. I see Amber’s fierce heart and liveliness shine through Greer. They GO until they literally drop.

My Precious Momma

With all that being said, there is a source in which the root of all this “girl’s with fearless grits” come from and that is my momma, Jettie. She has stood strong, tall and been the foundation that has made me all that I am. I do believe the dancing DNA has not missed a girl in our bloodline yet. She has taught Sunday school since before I was born. There is not even a thought about whether we know Jesus or not. She loves with all that she is and makes us all proud to tell anyone who “my momma” is. I have never, ever met anyone who knows her and doesn’t have something nice to say about her. She is, and always will be the most fierce & fearless girl in our tribe! She has passed her love of shoes, sugar and how to cook on to us.

My Mommie

Mary Ross

I would be remiss to say that a whole lot of that followed from the DNA of her mother, Mary Ross. My Mommie! She was the best cook EVER! Her hands were ALWAYS warm and her heart was bigger than the sky. She loved her brood and always took care of us. She is loved and missed all the time. There is no doubt that I believe she met Greer before we did, and I’m sure she told her to give her momma and me a run for our money. Keeping up with us sure gave her one. It would not surprise me one bit, if before Greer left to meet us, that my Mommie sent her off with this verse to serve her well while on this earth:

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works and that my soul knows very well. Psalms 139:14

Fearless Women

Words that all of us in this Fearless group of gals have put to good use! He sure has blessed me more than I deserve; from my past generations to the ones to come… ones that I will never meet, may they all be Fearless, Faithful and Lean In for the ride… Trina

God

Israel Solo – Day 6 – Chillaxin in Talpiyot

Walk. Smell. Breath. Pray.

Doors, doors and more doors

One of the Most Peaceful Places

Who Knew???

Take Away’s for the Day

Just how many people have Israel flags on their homes???

Just how many people hang their laundry out to dry???

Just how much can one city smell like a bottle of essential oil??? When you walk the city neighborhoods the smell of rosemary is always around, because it grows along all the sidewalks (at least along Hevron Road) as a hedge.

Staying in Shape

It is so easy to get wrapped up in the sights, sounds & smells that you can easily let the day fade into evening before you realize you’ve walked another 7 plus mile day.

In search of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Found it FINALLY!

It was quite overwhelming to take it all in, but I enjoyed the experience.

Tombs in the church

How can you not be affected?

My belly was growling

Heading home for the day…

Will I make it????

MADE IT!!!!!

January 2019 Daily #CHALLENGE

Day #1 & Day #2 -Combo pack

Day #1 S.M.A.R.T. Goals for January

Day #2 Accomplishment List for 2019 & After

Here are a few already on the calendar:

Day #3 – What was my biggest…. blogging/writing/personal challenge 2018?

Megaphone 2018 Winter Mix and Mingle

I am truly my own worse enemy….

Day #4 – Healthy Fav Recipe

Hummus 2 cans chick peas / garbanzo beans (drain) 2 T EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 Lemon (juice it) 2 T Minced garlic 1 t Cumin 1/2 t Ground Red Pepper 1 t Salt 1/4 c (more or less) Water – add a little at a time.

Day #5 – Where will I be a year from now….

Day #6 – 2018 Favorite Film (List)

2018 Films that I watched: Favorite to Least

Day #7 – Biggest Thing Learned 2018: Courses, Book, Social Media, Articles, or Website

Day #8 – 5 ways that I take care of myself:

Day #9 – A letter to parent, spouse or children: Which will I choose?

Day # 10 – Winter Soup Recipe

Southwest Chicken Soup (Fast)

Looking for shekel’s & the Via Dolorosa

He sent me love messages all day long…

The sun was at a bad angle, so I checked to see if I got the picture. Luckily I did, because when I lifted my head to thank him he was GONE… I mean I don’t know where he could have totally disappeared to that fast…but he was gone. Divine, just sayin!

Behind the doors awaits new wonders!

Sometimes all we have is all He requires

You can’t NOT be moved…

Down the street to Lithostrotos. John 19:13

He prophesied over me as we were leaving.

This city makes me so happy! Shalom!

Don’t miss Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 pt.1

Jerusalem Day 1 – Israel Day 5

Spring 2018 Part 1

Out and About

Just getting to the old city was a mission impossible…almost.

Free parking in Jerusalem – YES!

Did I happen to mention that there was parking lot construction going on????

Shuttle??? Anyone???

Direction’s Please – Again….

Ready to go!

Livinin my Rhapsodyville Life,

Trina

Israel Spring 2018 Post – Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4

Let’ Travel Together

It’s been a minute…

Here’s the last 90 day’s

short, no detail list:

Moved son into college

5 trips to Branson

1 Team National Convention

with 3 extended fun filled

Ft. Lauderdale, FL days.

Multiple Lake & Friend weekends

22nd Anniversary

One horrible 36 hours of my mom suffering before going to Glory.

What I do know

Register and Make your down payment TODAY!

Life Changing

ITINERARY

Just do it!

Don’t forget to get registered TODAY!

Fuel for

Hummus

2 cans chick peas / garbanzo beans (drain)
2 T EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Lemon (juice it)
2 T Minced garlic
1 t Cumin
1/2 t Ground Red Pepper
1 t Salt
1/4 c (more or less) Water – add a little at a time.