Israel...AH-MAZING!!!!

We had the opportunity of a lifetime to go and visit Israel for the children's Mid Term break.  Amazing....there is nothing else that can be said!  I had captured all of my notes and thoughts on my iPhone Notes but somewhere along the way, they were deleted when I synched.  If anyone knows why that happens, please let me know!  Anyways, I have borrowed Bryce's notes so thankfully we didn't lose all of the info we had from our trip and then added a few of my own thoughts. While you all know the love I have for my husband....if you know him well, spelling is not his greatest strength...add that to the fact that he was typing on his iPhone and we probably are our English teacher's worst nightmare.  

I have tried to fix as much as I can :0)  

Love you, babe! 

Day 1- Galilee

Our tour guide, Zivit, picked us up from our hotel and she stayed with us the three days we toured.  She was a riot!  A wonderful woman with a good heart but didn't hesitate to tell you what she believed, what she thought and what you should do about it.  We thoroughly enjoyed her during our week there.  She did a fantastic job of telling us the 'gossip' of Israel back from Jesus' time which had the kids interested the whole time.  If ever you go to Jerusalem and need a tour guide...

boy are you in for a treat with her!

We drove up north from Tel Aviv where we were staying. The first thing that we really saw/experienced was the Valley of Armageddon /Valley of Jazeera. This is the large valley where the last war is going to be fought before the Second Coming occurs. It was amazing to see the valley first hand.  It is a very fertile and agricultural area...covered with farms.

Along the drive, we saw the Mount of Transfiguration - after the valley of Armeggedon. This is where Christ was transfigured and Peter James and John received the keys of the priesthood.

We stopped in Nazareth first. The city is mostly Arab now. We visited the well where Mary supposedly received announcement from Gabriel(Mary's well).  

We next went to the Sea of Galilee. We stopped by the Sermon on the Mount - hill above Capernaum. This wasn't in the planned stop but we wanted to see it. After hiking for 5 mins, we found a place up on the hill and I asked Kim to read the Beatitudes.  Kim really felt the spirit and I believe the kids did too.  At the top of the mount was a beautiful place to see the Sea of Galilee. 

In Capernaum itself, it is commonly called Jesus' city. We saw parts of the old synagogue and what was left of the city. It is said that Jesus stayed at Peter's mother-in-law's house and where Jesus lived for 3 years.  Most important though was reflecting on all the miracles that he performed there.  

Enjoyed just throwing rocks in the sea next to Capernaum. Took several pictures and imagined what it would be like for Peter, etc. to see the Lord walking on water, asking them to follow 

Him and performing many miracles. This is the same sea where He calmed storm, too!  

We went to see the River Jordan. Very slow moving river... Not the same place as Jesus got baptized. There were many people getting baptized ....very commercialized.  

On the way back, we drove by Jordan along the boarder. That was a bit scary for me...of course I had read the travel advisory warnings before we left and that was the one area they said to avoid :0)

Day 2-BEACH

Day 3- Jerusalem

We first saw the Garden Tomb. This is what is believed to be the sight for Golgatha, where Jesus was crucified and also buried/resurrected. The garden itself was very pretty. Then, we saw the tomb in the rock. Inside was smaller than you always envision.  Turned out to be one of the highlights for the day.  It was the favorite for the kids.

Next...we saw the Garden of Gethsemane. The olive trees were over a thousand years old and more. 

Next, we went to a scenic view high on the Mount of Olives. This is the place where Jesus ascended into heaven but also looked on Jerusalem many times on his trips there.  As you can tell, Cade was very overcome by this point...not by the spirit or by the experience but just plain old 'I am tired of this and I want to go home!'

Next, we went to the old Jerusalem City and walked through Old Zion's Gate. Sorry Mom, but we saw bullet holes in the wall from the last war.

  

One interesting bit, there was a Christian, Jewish, and Arab section of the old city. The guide Zivit said it best...you have to have a lot of tolerance to live in Jerusalem.  

We went to the BYU Jerusalem Center. Amazing place and architecture. Gorgeous view of the city sitting on Mount Scopius next to Mount of Olives. We had a tour from a couple missionary.  The woman played the organ for us looking out over the Holy City....truly amazing and you felt the spirit so strongly. We went outside and had the kids push an old time olive press that was onsite. They learned and could see how olive oil was made. 

Day 4- BEACHIN' IT

Day 5-Dead Sea

We drove over the dry mountains and took a picture at sea level. This is where we were below sea level for the rest of the day. This was in the Judaean desert.  

We then stopped by the actual location of the baptism of Christ. We were a stones through away from Jordan...literally. It was great to feel and imagine the actual location of the Jesus. It certainly fit the description of John too...it was in the wilderness.  One part that was a little unnerving was the sign posted that said, "Do Not Enter....Minefields".  Goodness!

The Dead Sea was beautiful. It was an amazing sight to see how big it was and the canyon that it was in. Some short facts...400 M below sea level/33 percent salt content versus 3.5 percent for the ocean. Lowest place on earth.  Everything comes / flows into this place. The scenery was stunning.

We also went to the Valley of King David. We walked up the valley and played in waterfalls with the kids. We saw wild goats and elephant related rabbits.  Yes, no joke!

Finally, we went to the Dead Sea. Of course we went in and floated in the sea....everything was very buoyant. It was a weird feeling to see your body floating so well. You can stick your legs out straight and float like laying on a bed. The water felt almost oily. It didn't come off in the way water does. The kids had salt in their hair too like it was poured in there. It just shows you how much salt is really there. 

We were told to put mud all over ourselves (Kim, Brynn, and I). It is supposed to help the skin...it was smelly (like Sulfur) for the next 24 hours and hard to get rid of.  We were covered in it. We soaked in the Dead Sea to get it off. Cade couldn't go in because it would burn his eyes too bad....he just threw rocks and seemed content with that. 

One story that Zivit shared with us has stuck with me.  The River Jordan goes through both the Sea of Galilee and empties then into the Dead Sea.  She said that people have to choose whether to be like the Sea of Galilee or like the Dead Sea.  The Sea of Galilee gives its fresh water, plant life, nutrients to the River Jordan as it passes through.  When the River gets to the Dead Sea, however, all that the Dead Sea does is take....takes all of the nutrients, goodness, etc. and gives nothing in return.  I really loved this comparison!

I really cannot believe that we walked, stood, and learned in the very same places that our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ stood.  What an incredible and faith building experience... just simply Amazing!