It is hard to believe that just a few days ago I got on a plane headed back towards Eretz Israel. After the bureaucratic mishaps with Soviet Union paperwork about two months ago, I can tell you with confidence that, my drive to protect and serve has not dwindled. I have been having dreams the past few nights of standing guard at car checkpoints all night, and whisps of walking in the desert loaded with gear "sweating out of every hole possible."
To my surprise, I managed to talk with many more people and hear many more opinions during my two months back in the United States, and the overwhelming support I have received feels like a big hand resting gently on my back in case I ever need a little push forward. Thank you.
When I first heard the news back in March that I did not make the April draft, I was pretty upset and thrown off. How could this be? I came all the way here to volunteer for your country and this is how I get treated? But as the days went on I started to realize how much of a blessing missing the draft really was.
I got to spend 2 extra months with the people most close to me. I got to rest in the arms of a woman who has kept me smiling since I met her. I got to eat at a Brooklyn Diner one more time. I got my wisdom teeth pulled! I got to eat a bowl of my grandmas soup. I got to build an herb garden with my brother. I got to work at an Amazon Book distributor. I got to enjoy the moment. I often devoted time specifically to enjoying the moment. That quick moment that I was longing for ever since I landed in Israel the first time.
As I wrote this 35,000 feet above that moment, I am REALLY glad I stopped to notice it and enjoy it. I am ready to take on whatever the world throws at me because I always have that moment to come back to.
It has been a week since I landed in israel. I am very happy to announce that I finally got my Army Visa and all of my paperwork is cleared and has been sent to the IDF. Now my job is to wait for my draft paper to come in the mail and I will be officially part of the most advanced counter-terrorism task force on this planet.
In the meantime I will be working at my host-families business as I did the last time I came, and practicing my Hebrew with my new friends.
I love you all. Thank you again.
Baruch Hashem
Gud Shabbos
6/18/2016