The Alleys Dear Family and Friends,

January, 2011

As we have entered the new year, we

look back on the abundant blessings God
bestowed on us in 2010. We have been
back in Israel now for two and a half
years. We’ve returned to carry on our
studies at Hebrew University, to support
the work of the Biblical Language Center,
Jerusalem Cornerstone Foundation, and
Narkis Street Congregation. We continue
to reside in Abu Ghosh, the overpriced
humus capital of the world, which is a
“suburb” of Jerusalem. Besides humus,
Abu Ghosh or Kiriath Jearim was also
the home of the Ark of the Covenant for
twenty years before King David brought
Gary Sa’ar Sharon it to Jerusalem (1 Sam 7:1-2; 2 Sam 6).
While we have attempted to study at the
Hebrew University during the last couple
of years, our life situation has not allowed
for much progress. We are hopeful,
though, about the future.

Of course, our main purpose in life right now is Sa’ar (2 ¼ years old) who reminds us everyday why God is good. He is an
unending ball of squirming, kinetic energy that incessantly and profusely speaks whether we are listening or not. Sa’ar is an
extrovert, loving people and parties. You could even say he lives for the party, often asking about what event is coming up
next and which people will be there.
Sa’ar also has loved letters, numbers, and words since before he could walk. He is constantly asking us what certain letters
(that he has noticed) spell out and will also ask us to spell out words, especially animal names.

SA’AR
That noted, he has a great love and appreciation for God’s creation, particularly animals. He has a picture book of African
animals and has practically memorized all fifty of them, even the twenty different kinds of antelope with their stripes, shapes,
colors, and horns. He has been able to recognize these animals in different contexts whether we are visiting Jerusalem’s
biblical zoo, watching videos, or viewing hunting pictures. When he watches the movie, The Lion King, Sa’ar likes to point out
the different species he sees. We might have a future hunter or conservationist (or both) on our hands.
Goodbye to 2010, Year in Review
January: Sharon and Gary help teach and run a 4 week Biblical
Hebrew course at Kibbutz Tzuba.
February: Sharon, Gary, and Sa’ar fly to Florida for a visit. While
there, Sa’ar sees all six of his cousins, four from the Alleys and two
from the Schultzes, as Sharon’s sister, Rachel, flies in for a week
visit. We all visit Disney World as well.
March: Kevin and Danielle stay with us and celebrate Passover at
Sharon’s parents who also reside in Abu Ghosh.
April: Sharon and Gary help teach and run a Biblical Greek course
on the Sea of Galilee for 10 days over the Easter holidays. At
the end of April, Gary attends the Samaritan Passover on Mount
Gerizim for the first time.
May: Gary begins editing and writing for the Jerusalem
Cornerstone newsletter after a five year hiatus.
June-July: Sharon and Gary help teach and run a 6 week Biblical
Hebrew course at Kibbutz Tzuba.
September: Sharon and Gary participate in a 3 month spoken
Biblical Greek class for teachers. They also begin teaching a
Biblical Hebrew class for Bethel Seminary on the internet.
October: Gary begins an epic journey of more than two months
and seven dentist visits with his first root canal and crown. Sa’ar
celebrates his 2nd birthday with a Veggietales party that Sharon
creatively inspires.
November: Sa’ar’s grandmother, Judy Alley, flies all the way from
Florida to spend three weeks with us.
December: Sharon begins the final lap of finishing her thesis on
Amalek. Sharon also writes and directs a children’s Christmas
pageant at Narkis St. Congregation. Sa’ar is a sheep.

God Bless,
Hello to 2011
While we can never know what the future truly holds, we
We thank you for your prayers and your love
demonstrated to us over the years in countless ways.
We hope to stay connected to your lives. If we are not
friends with you on Facebook yet, please connect up
have some ideas for 2011. with us. We have many pictures posted from the last
We are planning a summer trip to the United States from three years. May this be a good year on your life journey.
mid-June to mid-September. We will first celebrate Sharon’s
parents’ 40th anniversary in Israel and then will fly to Gary, Sharon, and Sa’ar
Florida to celebrate Gary’s parents’ 40th anniversary. After
some time in Florida, we plan to drive up toward Minnesota
visiting family and friends on the way. From there we
intend to fly out to California for more reunions and to help
lead a Greek workshop.
In the fall, Sa’ar hopes to start three year old preschool. We
are also scheduled for a short visit to Hong Kong in Decem-
ber to teach Biblical Hebrew and lecture on the Bible.