What an incredibly complex and advanced place Masada must have been, and how bleak a spot for a siege! The views were unbelievable and the history stunning.
Then there was the 30 minute ride back to Quimran so we could eat--a buffet-- and shop in the company store.
But then we went to a "private" beach, belonging, I assume to the combined large tour companies and experienced the Dead Sea. That was amazing! I felt as though I had been to a spa, complete w/ microdermabrasion and mud wrap. It was a completely strange experience floating, almost against your will.
Tonight will probably be my last blog until I get home, since we're planning to dash into the Old City one more time on our own as a small group from Cape, dash back in time to meet our bus for Communion in the Garden Tomb, a group picture, a sunny day picture from the Mount of Olives, and something else, but I've forgotten what it was. We return for a quick bite to eat, and, hopefully, a chance to change clothes (even though our big suitcases will be on the bus by 7am), and loading by 8p for the hour trip to the airport and the 10 hour trip home.
What an experience this has been. I hoped for a spiritual renewal and my prayer was granted. It's so wonderful to again regail those poor listeners around me with unsolicited outbursts of song! But I'm tired...and homesick...and missing my sweet husband. Even so, I'll carry the sights and sounds of this magnificant land with me for many, many years.
I understand now why so many keep coming back over and over (even though I honestly think once is enough for me.) There is truly something holy about this land that the Lord promised to His people.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Jerusalem
At 8am this morning we entered the Old City of Jerusalem through the Dung Gate (doesn't sound so very auspicious, does it?), over a ramp that overlooked the Wailing Wall, and onto the ground that once were trod by Abraham as he led his son to be sacrificed, by David as he planned a temple of God, by Solomon who built that temple, and by Jesus Himself, who learned, taught, and drove the moneychangers out of the temple.
From Mt. Moriah, we entered the Muslim Quarter where we went to the Church of St. Anne, mother of Mary and saw the pool of Bethsaida. Leaving the Church, we began our walk on the Via Dolorosa, following the last footsteps of Jesus. Inside the Antonia Fortress area, we walked the same pavement as He, then followed His progress through the narrow, steep, winding streets of the quarter. Finally, after much twisting and turning, doing our best to avoid eye contact w/ vendors and clutching our earthly possessions to avoid pickpockets, we emerged from the gloom of the Muslim Quarter into the bright light of what is probably the most sacred place (or second only to the Church of the Nativity) in Christendom. Entering the church, we climbed up stairs to view Golgatha through glass, reaching into a hole under an altar to touch it. I left a teensy little paper expressing my prayers for those whom I love so dearly and for those whom I am so deeply concerned.
Below, in the basement of the church is the remains of a Byzantine church that was built around Golgatha, incorporating part of the rock itself into its walls--as a matter of fact, a beautiful altar is built into the rock itself. It was there in that centuries-old church and when I touched that rock, that I was moved to tears. (Not that I haven't cried every single day thus far...)
Upstairs, under a marble slab, is more of the rock upon which, tradition holds, Jesus was lain in order to drive nails through His hands.
Around the corner was a very large, very dark edifice that held, tradition says, Jesus' tomb. Unfortunately, there was a 2-hour wait to get into that edifice, so I couldn't swear to what was in there.
Leaving the sacred mount, and, subsequently the Christian Quarter, we were driven to an out-of-the way spot for--you guessed it--and over-priced buffet lunch and the opportunity to shop for overpriced souveniers (I'm so tired...I can't even spell.) You might notice that I'm becoming increasingly disenchanged with our lunch stops.
After lunch, we drove back to the Old City, this time to what they're almost certain is Caiaphas' house where Jesus was taken from the Garden of Gethesemane. We saw the street/steps He had to have walked and the pit into which He was lowered. Our service in that pit was soooo moving (but I didn't cry. I think I was too tired.)
From there, we entered the Old City one last time, this time into the really quite attractive Jewish Quarter heading for the Western/Wailing Wall. Today was Purim in Jerusalem (it was Friday everywhere else), so there was much celebrating, much drinking, much costume-wearing, and much good spirits all together. In the courtyard before the wall, Jews from all over the world wore their traditional garb--cool fur pie-plate hats, stove-pipe hats, cowboy-type hats. Men wore their ringlets (honestly, they're called something else), women their headscarves.
I entered the women's section and made my way, as unobtrusively as possible, to the Wall, touched it, and, as I did at Golgatha, left a teensy paper on which I wrote a prayer--specifically for my family this time.
AND, it was sunny almost the entire day!
One of the things that means so much to me about this trip is the "found" sense of nearness to my Savior. It has been such a blessing to be isolated from the cares that I do so love to take on (I just know God needs my help). I am sending up little mini prayers right this minute--I hope you are, too. I know Whom I believe and am not just persuaded but completely convinced that He is more than able to take care of me and mine, to lead us, to open and close doors, to sustain us in our goings out and comings in. I have been missing this feeling. I'm glad it's back!
From Mt. Moriah, we entered the Muslim Quarter where we went to the Church of St. Anne, mother of Mary and saw the pool of Bethsaida. Leaving the Church, we began our walk on the Via Dolorosa, following the last footsteps of Jesus. Inside the Antonia Fortress area, we walked the same pavement as He, then followed His progress through the narrow, steep, winding streets of the quarter. Finally, after much twisting and turning, doing our best to avoid eye contact w/ vendors and clutching our earthly possessions to avoid pickpockets, we emerged from the gloom of the Muslim Quarter into the bright light of what is probably the most sacred place (or second only to the Church of the Nativity) in Christendom. Entering the church, we climbed up stairs to view Golgatha through glass, reaching into a hole under an altar to touch it. I left a teensy little paper expressing my prayers for those whom I love so dearly and for those whom I am so deeply concerned.
Below, in the basement of the church is the remains of a Byzantine church that was built around Golgatha, incorporating part of the rock itself into its walls--as a matter of fact, a beautiful altar is built into the rock itself. It was there in that centuries-old church and when I touched that rock, that I was moved to tears. (Not that I haven't cried every single day thus far...)
Upstairs, under a marble slab, is more of the rock upon which, tradition holds, Jesus was lain in order to drive nails through His hands.
Around the corner was a very large, very dark edifice that held, tradition says, Jesus' tomb. Unfortunately, there was a 2-hour wait to get into that edifice, so I couldn't swear to what was in there.
Leaving the sacred mount, and, subsequently the Christian Quarter, we were driven to an out-of-the way spot for--you guessed it--and over-priced buffet lunch and the opportunity to shop for overpriced souveniers (I'm so tired...I can't even spell.) You might notice that I'm becoming increasingly disenchanged with our lunch stops.
After lunch, we drove back to the Old City, this time to what they're almost certain is Caiaphas' house where Jesus was taken from the Garden of Gethesemane. We saw the street/steps He had to have walked and the pit into which He was lowered. Our service in that pit was soooo moving (but I didn't cry. I think I was too tired.)
From there, we entered the Old City one last time, this time into the really quite attractive Jewish Quarter heading for the Western/Wailing Wall. Today was Purim in Jerusalem (it was Friday everywhere else), so there was much celebrating, much drinking, much costume-wearing, and much good spirits all together. In the courtyard before the wall, Jews from all over the world wore their traditional garb--cool fur pie-plate hats, stove-pipe hats, cowboy-type hats. Men wore their ringlets (honestly, they're called something else), women their headscarves.
I entered the women's section and made my way, as unobtrusively as possible, to the Wall, touched it, and, as I did at Golgatha, left a teensy paper on which I wrote a prayer--specifically for my family this time.
AND, it was sunny almost the entire day!
One of the things that means so much to me about this trip is the "found" sense of nearness to my Savior. It has been such a blessing to be isolated from the cares that I do so love to take on (I just know God needs my help). I am sending up little mini prayers right this minute--I hope you are, too. I know Whom I believe and am not just persuaded but completely convinced that He is more than able to take care of me and mine, to lead us, to open and close doors, to sustain us in our goings out and comings in. I have been missing this feeling. I'm glad it's back!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Quiram, Jericho, Jerusalem
It was quite interesting to see the caves in which the Essenes, and perhaps John the Baptist, lived and secreted the Dead Sea Scrolls. It was also easy to see how John the Baptist would conduct his ministry within viewing distance of those caves.
From Quiram, we went on to another tourist shopping place in Jericho, where we saw the old Jericho Tel, Mount Nebo to the east, and the bleak Mount of Temptation to the west--in the driving wind and rain.
We rapidly descended the hill "Yep, another ancient wall. Let's get out of this messy weather" to another $20 group lunch that is become less and less palatable. I'm done. I'm doing my tuna fish from home w/ breakfast bread and oranges. We did ride a camel around in a little ring. It was something akin to the tumultous Sea of Galilee, but on dry land.
Then, finally, back to Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. I'm here to tell you, the minute we left Jericho, the sun came blazing forth. The minute we hit the Mount of Olives to begin our "Palm Sunday" walk, the heavens opened up in, according to Jerusalemites, blessed rain. Truth was, it was blessed strong winds and sleet. My raincoat is still sopping wet. I didn't have a dry stitch of clothing on me as I slithered and slid down the steep descent from the Mount of Olives--now seriously, it's a breathtaking sight. Standing atop of that hill, looking across the Kidron Valley (which is truly steep but not so very wide) onto the Old City, I beheld the Dome of the Rock and all of the Old City. I got my mind right thinking about what Jesus might have beheld standing there....but He wasn't standing there in gale-force winds!
We literally held on to each other and the walls as we tried to make our way from the top of the hill to the bottom where we entered the gate leading into the tiny Garden of Gethsemane. Nestled within the walls of the Garden Church , we saw a beautifully manicured garden--which was gated closed--before rushing to the sanctuary of the church--sanctuary. There in the church is the traditional rock on which Jesus prayed in agony to be spared that which He was sent to finally do. I confess, that moment was my tearful moment for the day. Why, why would God, would Jesus, love us so much to humble Himself enough to come in human form, to preach to mostly deaf ears, to die a humiating death...just for me, for you?
When we emerged from the Garden of Gethsemane church, the rain/sleet had finally ended, and we bussed to the Upper Room/Tomb of David. That was a wonderful little enclave where we had our own little service and sang hymns and we felt completely private--even though there were several groups in that small space.
Once at the hotel, I raced to my room to grab hot water in my TUB!!!! I thought I might have drowned from sheer bliss.
Tomorrow--the Old City and Wailing Wall.
My thought for today is the title of an old Kris Kristopherson song: "Why Me Lord?" what have I ever done to deserve even one of the treasures I own?
Love to you all! Shalom!
From Quiram, we went on to another tourist shopping place in Jericho, where we saw the old Jericho Tel, Mount Nebo to the east, and the bleak Mount of Temptation to the west--in the driving wind and rain.
We rapidly descended the hill "Yep, another ancient wall. Let's get out of this messy weather" to another $20 group lunch that is become less and less palatable. I'm done. I'm doing my tuna fish from home w/ breakfast bread and oranges. We did ride a camel around in a little ring. It was something akin to the tumultous Sea of Galilee, but on dry land.
Then, finally, back to Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. I'm here to tell you, the minute we left Jericho, the sun came blazing forth. The minute we hit the Mount of Olives to begin our "Palm Sunday" walk, the heavens opened up in, according to Jerusalemites, blessed rain. Truth was, it was blessed strong winds and sleet. My raincoat is still sopping wet. I didn't have a dry stitch of clothing on me as I slithered and slid down the steep descent from the Mount of Olives--now seriously, it's a breathtaking sight. Standing atop of that hill, looking across the Kidron Valley (which is truly steep but not so very wide) onto the Old City, I beheld the Dome of the Rock and all of the Old City. I got my mind right thinking about what Jesus might have beheld standing there....but He wasn't standing there in gale-force winds!
We literally held on to each other and the walls as we tried to make our way from the top of the hill to the bottom where we entered the gate leading into the tiny Garden of Gethsemane. Nestled within the walls of the Garden Church , we saw a beautifully manicured garden--which was gated closed--before rushing to the sanctuary of the church--sanctuary. There in the church is the traditional rock on which Jesus prayed in agony to be spared that which He was sent to finally do. I confess, that moment was my tearful moment for the day. Why, why would God, would Jesus, love us so much to humble Himself enough to come in human form, to preach to mostly deaf ears, to die a humiating death...just for me, for you?
When we emerged from the Garden of Gethsemane church, the rain/sleet had finally ended, and we bussed to the Upper Room/Tomb of David. That was a wonderful little enclave where we had our own little service and sang hymns and we felt completely private--even though there were several groups in that small space.
Once at the hotel, I raced to my room to grab hot water in my TUB!!!! I thought I might have drowned from sheer bliss.
Tomorrow--the Old City and Wailing Wall.
My thought for today is the title of an old Kris Kristopherson song: "Why Me Lord?" what have I ever done to deserve even one of the treasures I own?
Love to you all! Shalom!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Day 5-Beit She'an, Bethlehem, Jerusalem
Beit She'an was quite interesting--but it rained in bucketfuls then would let up the entire time we were there. Standing on the old Roman roads, we could cast our eyes up to the Tel where the Canaanite Beit She'an once stood. It was on those walls that the bodies of Saul and Jonathan were hung until the people of Jebesh (there's more to the name, but I've forgotten it) took them down and brought them to David for proper burial.
Then on the Bethlehem. To get there, we passed through Jericho, where we'll be going tomorrow, and through Jerusalem.
What a thrilling moment when we first saw the Holy City! That was the first of my crying moments.
To get to Bethlehem, we had to pass through a checkpoint. The town and its surrounding area is surrounded by a huge concrete wall keeping Palestinian Muslims and Christians out of Israel-Jerusalem specifically. An uzi-toting guard boarded the bus to check our passports as we left. That was seriously intimidating!
Once in this little town, where houses are stacked one upon another up and down the steep hills, we went to the Shepherd's field (a more accurate term would be one of the shepherd's cliffs) where we entered one on the hundreds of caves that pock the area, heard the Word, and sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem." Upstairs in the domed church, we sang again..this time "Angels We Have Heard on High." The dome lifted our voices to the heavens!
The Church of the Nativity was astonishing in and of itself. As we stood in the hour-long line in the side of the church, a funeral service commenced in that Greek Orthodox church. The surreal echoes of mourning and priests' chants cast a proper sense of decorum and almost silenced the chatter of waiting tourists.
Once down in the cave below, I put my hand on the star marking the spot where our Savior was born and on the manger in which He lay. (and have pictures to prove it if only I knew how to download them to this site.) The cave was huge, and, we were told, probably housed many families returning to Bethlehem for the census.
We finally returned to Jerusalem, a 5-minute bus ride from Bethlehem. Passing the walls of the Old City, I felt like the Jews who cry out each year: "Lest I forget you, oh Jerusalem."
Each day brings me closer to my Lord. Each day brings us closer to His final walk. And to think, we are doing all of this during the Lenten season! Most people give something up for Lent..I've given up for these 10 days being daily with the love of my life, my best friend, my only support. But what the Lord is giving me in return can't even begin to be measured. I am even yet being changed in spirit, and I am so very grateful!
Tomorrow--Jericho, Quimran, and, if the rain will only let up, the Upper Room & Garden of Gethsemane. I'm walking today where Jesus walked!
Then on the Bethlehem. To get there, we passed through Jericho, where we'll be going tomorrow, and through Jerusalem.
What a thrilling moment when we first saw the Holy City! That was the first of my crying moments.
To get to Bethlehem, we had to pass through a checkpoint. The town and its surrounding area is surrounded by a huge concrete wall keeping Palestinian Muslims and Christians out of Israel-Jerusalem specifically. An uzi-toting guard boarded the bus to check our passports as we left. That was seriously intimidating!
Once in this little town, where houses are stacked one upon another up and down the steep hills, we went to the Shepherd's field (a more accurate term would be one of the shepherd's cliffs) where we entered one on the hundreds of caves that pock the area, heard the Word, and sang "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem." Upstairs in the domed church, we sang again..this time "Angels We Have Heard on High." The dome lifted our voices to the heavens!
The Church of the Nativity was astonishing in and of itself. As we stood in the hour-long line in the side of the church, a funeral service commenced in that Greek Orthodox church. The surreal echoes of mourning and priests' chants cast a proper sense of decorum and almost silenced the chatter of waiting tourists.
Once down in the cave below, I put my hand on the star marking the spot where our Savior was born and on the manger in which He lay. (and have pictures to prove it if only I knew how to download them to this site.) The cave was huge, and, we were told, probably housed many families returning to Bethlehem for the census.
We finally returned to Jerusalem, a 5-minute bus ride from Bethlehem. Passing the walls of the Old City, I felt like the Jews who cry out each year: "Lest I forget you, oh Jerusalem."
Each day brings me closer to my Lord. Each day brings us closer to His final walk. And to think, we are doing all of this during the Lenten season! Most people give something up for Lent..I've given up for these 10 days being daily with the love of my life, my best friend, my only support. But what the Lord is giving me in return can't even begin to be measured. I am even yet being changed in spirit, and I am so very grateful!
Tomorrow--Jericho, Quimran, and, if the rain will only let up, the Upper Room & Garden of Gethsemane. I'm walking today where Jesus walked!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Day 4 (I think) The Galilee area
Oh, what a day today was. I pretty much cried throughout the entire day. We began riding a boat on the choppy Sea of Galilee-in the rain, but that was okay--the boat had a canopy andwe were sitting in the middle of the deck. As we moved away from Tiberias we jumped up, took pictures, sang "The wise man built his house upon a rock...and the rain came down..." as the rain indeed came down.
Then the boat stopped in the middle of the lake and we began a lovely worship service-ette. There's really something about getting your mind right when you're tossed about literally. That was truly special.
Then we landed at Kibbutz Ein Gin where we saw an ancient Roman boat, that was in operation during the time that Jesus lived, that had sunk in the Sea. If you want to know more about it, Google "Jesus Boat". It's really kinda cool. I had the best seriously freshly-squeezed orange juice ever there!
From the museum, we bussed to the Mount of Beatitudes--and the rain continued,with spurts of sunshine to tease you. It was there that my pilgrimage began in earnest. The Mount of Beatitudes Catholic Church sits atop a verdant hill overlooking the Galilee amidst equisite, blooming gardens and nestled under olive trees. Our group stood outside the chapel as we heard our group pastor read the Beatitudes from Matthew--it was a special moment. As we finished, I began to walk around to enter the chapel. As I walked, I passed other groups, each hearing the Beatitudes--sometimes in English, sometimes in Norweigan. I entered the chapel (I lit another candle!!) as a group from Japan began singing a hymn, their voices reverberating from the vaulted roof. As they finished, the priests came in to begin services (and we Protestants were shuffled out). (Google Mount of Beatitudes for more)
From there, we went to the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter sitting on the shore of the Galilee. There, in the driving rain, we raced down to the Sea to touch it (and, in many cases, bottle it for return to the states.) In the chapel, another one of our pastors read from Luke Jesus' question to Peter--"Who do people say that I am?" and his answer "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" and Jesus' response, "Simon, your name is Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." Before us was a rock jutting up under the relatively new altar and surrounded by Byzantine mosaics. On that rock, Jesus served a meal to his disciples. (Gpogle Church of the Primacy of Peter for more)
From there, the experience built--we arrived in Capernaum, a place that I had long anticipated experiencing. Capernaum is a beautifully preserved archaelogical dig. Our first stop was the foundations of a building surrounded by the foundations of two other buildings. This foundation was sheltered by a modern church whose center aisle is railed and glassed so that one might look down into the oldest core of the building. That protected building is called the Dominus Ecclias (or something like that). The outside rings were home churches--the oldest Christian church in the world. The inner square was the home of Simon Peter, his mother, his brother Andrew, and, for three years, Jesus Christ. I really fell apart there. God in human form lived in that most humble abode. Turning our back to that house (and that was really, really hard to do), we faced the synagogue that Jarius built and inwhich Jesus taught and studied. Folks, if seeing those two things don't reach the core of your faith, nothing much will. Those two sights are something I hold very, very dear, and make we weepy just thinking about them. (Google Capernaum--it's a great site)
From there we had lunch at another kibbutz and had "St. Peter's fish" a type of tilapia--it wasn't bad, but it also wasn't worth $17.
We completed the circle around the Galilee and ended at the Jordan where I was "reanointed" by sprinkling myself in the seriously cold Jordan River. I must quit b/c I'm running out of internet time.. Tomorrow--Bethlehem!!
Then the boat stopped in the middle of the lake and we began a lovely worship service-ette. There's really something about getting your mind right when you're tossed about literally. That was truly special.
Then we landed at Kibbutz Ein Gin where we saw an ancient Roman boat, that was in operation during the time that Jesus lived, that had sunk in the Sea. If you want to know more about it, Google "Jesus Boat". It's really kinda cool. I had the best seriously freshly-squeezed orange juice ever there!
From the museum, we bussed to the Mount of Beatitudes--and the rain continued,with spurts of sunshine to tease you. It was there that my pilgrimage began in earnest. The Mount of Beatitudes Catholic Church sits atop a verdant hill overlooking the Galilee amidst equisite, blooming gardens and nestled under olive trees. Our group stood outside the chapel as we heard our group pastor read the Beatitudes from Matthew--it was a special moment. As we finished, I began to walk around to enter the chapel. As I walked, I passed other groups, each hearing the Beatitudes--sometimes in English, sometimes in Norweigan. I entered the chapel (I lit another candle!!) as a group from Japan began singing a hymn, their voices reverberating from the vaulted roof. As they finished, the priests came in to begin services (and we Protestants were shuffled out). (Google Mount of Beatitudes for more)
From there, we went to the Chapel of the Primacy of Peter sitting on the shore of the Galilee. There, in the driving rain, we raced down to the Sea to touch it (and, in many cases, bottle it for return to the states.) In the chapel, another one of our pastors read from Luke Jesus' question to Peter--"Who do people say that I am?" and his answer "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" and Jesus' response, "Simon, your name is Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church." Before us was a rock jutting up under the relatively new altar and surrounded by Byzantine mosaics. On that rock, Jesus served a meal to his disciples. (Gpogle Church of the Primacy of Peter for more)
From there, the experience built--we arrived in Capernaum, a place that I had long anticipated experiencing. Capernaum is a beautifully preserved archaelogical dig. Our first stop was the foundations of a building surrounded by the foundations of two other buildings. This foundation was sheltered by a modern church whose center aisle is railed and glassed so that one might look down into the oldest core of the building. That protected building is called the Dominus Ecclias (or something like that). The outside rings were home churches--the oldest Christian church in the world. The inner square was the home of Simon Peter, his mother, his brother Andrew, and, for three years, Jesus Christ. I really fell apart there. God in human form lived in that most humble abode. Turning our back to that house (and that was really, really hard to do), we faced the synagogue that Jarius built and inwhich Jesus taught and studied. Folks, if seeing those two things don't reach the core of your faith, nothing much will. Those two sights are something I hold very, very dear, and make we weepy just thinking about them. (Google Capernaum--it's a great site)
From there we had lunch at another kibbutz and had "St. Peter's fish" a type of tilapia--it wasn't bad, but it also wasn't worth $17.
We completed the circle around the Galilee and ended at the Jordan where I was "reanointed" by sprinkling myself in the seriously cold Jordan River. I must quit b/c I'm running out of internet time.. Tomorrow--Bethlehem!!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Caesarea, Megiddo, Nazareth, Cana
Ok, I had a senior moment and forgot how to sign in to my blog spot, so I emailed most of you. That still doesn't change the moment, standing atop Megiddo, the wind blowing across the wide valley, the hawk soaring above, that I saw Armeggedon.
Or the time when I saw physical evidence that Pontius Pilate existed.
Or the time when I stood before Mary's spring (we were told that all springs are called Mary's spring) then lit a candle in prayer of thanks for all that I've been given.
Today is Capernaum, a boat ride Ein Gin to see the ancient Roman/Hebrew boat, the Mount of Beatitudes. Today is also pouring down rain. For a country still in an 8-year drought (but still is lushly fertile thanks to irrigation systems) this rain is a God-send. More tonight now that I've figured out how to sign on!
Or the time when I saw physical evidence that Pontius Pilate existed.
Or the time when I stood before Mary's spring (we were told that all springs are called Mary's spring) then lit a candle in prayer of thanks for all that I've been given.
Today is Capernaum, a boat ride Ein Gin to see the ancient Roman/Hebrew boat, the Mount of Beatitudes. Today is also pouring down rain. For a country still in an 8-year drought (but still is lushly fertile thanks to irrigation systems) this rain is a God-send. More tonight now that I've figured out how to sign on!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Days 1-2 on the way
If anyone tries to tell you that taking an international red-eye economy is easy, start laughing in their face! I had three glasses of wine and took a Tylonal PM and all I got was heartache!
I did see four good movies--something about a lie, All About Frank, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and The Secret Life of Bees.
Then I saw the Hassadic Jews welcome the morning with the phalactories(sp?), and arm thingies, and prayer shawls. That was really cool.
Then I saw in the early morning (3pm Israel time) the Holy Land. I have to tell you, I got weepy (there's a shock). I did bring lots of Kleenex for my teary moments. Like when, on the busride (and it was a looooong ride) to Tiberias, I saw Nazareth in the distance, and the Mount of Transfiguration.
So, this morning, Day 3, the sun is out, the birds are chirping, and I'm fixing to have coffee on the patio and meditate as I look out on the Sea of Galilee.
Just gotta tell you....God is sooooooo good!
I did see four good movies--something about a lie, All About Frank, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and The Secret Life of Bees.
Then I saw the Hassadic Jews welcome the morning with the phalactories(sp?), and arm thingies, and prayer shawls. That was really cool.
Then I saw in the early morning (3pm Israel time) the Holy Land. I have to tell you, I got weepy (there's a shock). I did bring lots of Kleenex for my teary moments. Like when, on the busride (and it was a looooong ride) to Tiberias, I saw Nazareth in the distance, and the Mount of Transfiguration.
So, this morning, Day 3, the sun is out, the birds are chirping, and I'm fixing to have coffee on the patio and meditate as I look out on the Sea of Galilee.
Just gotta tell you....God is sooooooo good!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Holy Land Trip -18 hours
My very first blog, my very first trip to the Holy Land. I've been in such a frenzy getting everything in order for my departure, that I've given little time to actually considering the impact of this trip on my spiritual life.
Now is day. Now is the hour. Now I want to become right and focused on this walk of faith, knowing that I will hold these coming days in my heart for the rest of my life.
I can't even begin to thank my husband for making this happen. I can't even begin to thank God for giving me this time, space, and opportunity to walk where He, in the mere form of man, once walked and taught.
Now is day. Now is the hour. Now I want to become right and focused on this walk of faith, knowing that I will hold these coming days in my heart for the rest of my life.
I can't even begin to thank my husband for making this happen. I can't even begin to thank God for giving me this time, space, and opportunity to walk where He, in the mere form of man, once walked and taught.
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