B'resheet - In the Beginning

This week's parasha is B'resheet - In the Beginning. This seems like a good time to get a new beginning on the blog. I am going to attempt to post updates more often than I have in the past. Even if it's just a short note about why I haven't posted anything relevant or reasonable.

We just got back this week from Sukkot. This year, we went to Walnut Creek State Park on the north end of Keystone Lake. It was a small gathering with friends and family. I must say, "best Sukkot ever!" We spent the week in fellowship and relaxation. It was nice to not have to stress over teaching schedules, meal planning, registration problems, etc. like we've had in the past. Sometimes, you just need to get out of into the wilderness and leave civilization behind.Nothing says wilderness like sleeping in a pop-up camper and eating meals prepared in my sister's travel trailer kitchen, on the grill, or in a crock pot. Yep, just like the Israelites back in the day!

On another blogging note, I helped Dad setup his new blog last night. He will now be blogging teachings at http://rabbiearl.blogspot.com. As soon as he posts, there will be a link on the right side of this page to his blog. I'm looking forward to seeing what he'll be writing. For any who don't know who Dad is, it's Rabbi Earl Walters.

As you may have noticed, there is a picture and link on the right for NaNoWriMo 2013. That's right, I'm doing it again! I will once again subject myself to the mental anguish, torture, and sheer delight of trying to write a 50,000 word novel in only 30 days. If you've never heard of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), you should check it out. If you've ever thought you might want to write a book, but were afraid it was too hard or you just can't get yourself to start, you should try Nano. I won last year and plan on winning again this year. BTW, I even talked Dad into entering this year. It's going to be a blast watching him freak out when it's half way through November and he's only got 5000-10,000 words. That's what happened to me last year. If you think 50,000 words in 30 days is hard, try 40,000 in 15 days! It was still a great experience and I'm glad I did it. As I said, I will be doing it again this year. I wrote a sci-fi novel last year and this year, I will be writing the sequel. I have the first one edited and almost complete. If you ask really nicely, I might even let some of you read it. We'll see. I might even publish it and sell it for the bargain price of $25.00. Just kidding, I'd never go above $24.50.

Back to the original topic, this is a new beginning for the blog. I will once again be posting Torah teachings each week that I'm teaching at the synagogue and maybe even some weeks when I don't. I will also include updates on my Nano progress and any other projects that strike my fancy in the future. Until the next post, Shalom and YHVH bless you all!

Giggles

So apparently the chittering noise that mongooses (mongeese?) make is called a giggle. I don't know why, but that makes me laugh a little.

I haven't figured out yet what I'm going to teach at Sukkot this year. I think I'll change things up a little and go B'rit Chadasha (New Testament) this time. That seems to be where the Spirit is leading me. I'm thinking about including some discussion of Kefa (Peter) and how he relates to us as believers today. (I think he would fit in quite well with modern believers.) When I think about Kefa, I feel I can relate. I'll explain how at Sukkot. Everyone's used to hearing me teach the weekly Torah portion, so this might be a nice change. Or it will scare everyone out of the tent.

Speaking of tents, we're tent camping this year for the first time. We've always used the pop-up for Sukkot so this is going to be another "nice" change. The tent we got is 11 x 20 with three rooms! I think that should be enough room for the six of us and most of the rest of B'nai Israel. I hope there's enough room on the campsite for this behemoth! Especially if Stan gets one for his family as well. We'll get to experience what it was like setting up and tearing down the Mishkan (Tabernacle) every time the Israelites moved. We may need an entire tribe of Levites to carry the thing!

Speaking of the Mishkan, I'm looking forward to Mishkanim being with us to lead praise and worship on the last night of Sukkot. If you haven't heard them yet, check out their website at http://www.mishkanim.com/. Aline and Howie have a strong gift for musical praise and worship. Check them out and be sure to Like them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Mishkanim.

We're hoping to have Mason Clover back sometime around Sukkot. Same as above, if you don't know his music, check out his site and Like him on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/masonclover. Let him know Robbie sent you! It won't help me or you, but it will show him that we really want him back.

That's all I have for tonight. I have to wrangle the little mongooses into their beds. Until next time, stay furry and be sure to get the cobras before they get you!