The Introduction
Hello!
Welcome to Flannels & Flyaways. My plan for this blog is to keep track and post about some of my favorite adventures that I’ve had so far in my 4 months in Jerusalem, to keep a record of the adventures still waiting to happen, and post photos from some of my favorite trips and places. I’m also planning on launching a podcast here as well, talking about the highlights of living in Jerusalem, exploring Israel, and remembering things about my home state and the US.
Photo by Hosanna Shimokawa
The Name
Flannels and flyaways are two things that seem to make me, me.
Since moving to Israel, I’ve discovered that Summer Maddie feels like a costume. One of the top moments I’ve had since coming was pulling my flannel out for the first time. It had been months since I had worn one, and back in Washington, flannels and vests were 75% of my wardrobe. So this part of the title just helps me hold on to that part of myself.
The second half is flyaways. No matter how hard I try to contain them, by the end of the day, all of those baby hairs seem to be standing straight off my head. I’m learning to embrace it. As long as I can remember, those have been a struggle, and it’ll remain one. Now, flyaways have started to be a positive thing, especially being so far away from the state I loved growing up in. Flyaways meant beanies or wind or driving with the windows down. I like that.
Flannels & Flyaways is meant to be real, laid back, adventure ready, and maybe slightly frumpy. Thanks for stopping by to read and say hello!
How and Why Israel?
Honestly? I don’t quite know. It was never exactly a deep rooted desire to come to Israel. At the same time, I can very easily look back and see where all the seeds were planted for this time in my life. I’ve had a lifelong dream to travel, and I wanted to spend at least one year overseas. I’m doing that! I’ll go over this more in future posts, but for now, I’m just so thankful that I’m here. It was a long process, and more often than not, extremely difficult. It was a constant and committed trust exercise with God. It was worth it, though.
I’m here volunteering with a non-profit Christian organization called Bridges for Peace. This is such a wonderful place to get to volunteer. It’s an organization that is in Israel purely to support the Jewish people and any in need through outreach. You can visit their website to learn more! Right now I am here volunteering as a graphic designer, as well as a member of the Zealous 8:2 Discipleship program. I’m one of 7 members, and we are the Zealous6 or Z6 team. So not only am I getting to work in Jerusalem, I’m part of this wonderful community of people who set up a program to pour love and wisdom and direction into the lives of the younger generations. I’m finding more treasures here than I had ever expected, and have been reaping blessings more than I’ve been toiling in my struggles.
I’m going to share an excerpt from a Facebook post I wrote a couple of months ago:
Oh Israel, do you know how prepared I was to hate you? Do you know how quickly I wrote you off, most of my life, because your land is a desert and I dearly love the green I was raised in? Israel, do you understand that you are not the most beautiful?
But Israel, you know your worth. And I know now, too. Even though the sun is bright and it bounces off the ground and the white walls of your city Jerusalem, even though my eyes burn and my head aches, even though when I get home my face is red and sweat stings my eyes and soaks my back, even though you were not made for me... deep down, I know I was made for you. You are blessed.
This land. This land is barren compared to Washington. And yet it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. It’s a land of intense sun, of sweat, of toil, of struggle, of noise… But you can’t deny the spiritual presence here. You can’t look at the Jewish people and say that they are not blessed. It’s such a strong culture for so tiny a space, it continues to blow my mind every day.
There we go. That’s a little bit about me, this blog, and why I’m currently serving overseas. I really hope you stick around to see more!
- Maddie
