Beit She'an and Jerusalem

Another big day today. I don't know how much I can blog tonight since my eyes are crossing! I need some sleep, but I don't want to miss anything – and I don't want YOU to miss out on anything! I love to read your comments. Keep them coming! (Hi Abbi, I'm praying for you and Bella!)

Our first stop of the day was the Mount of Beatitudes. We sat down in a peaceful shady spot and Stefan read from Luke – we then had free time to roam the beautiful grounds of the church that has been built there.

Next stop, Capernaum! Scholars believe this to be the location of Jesus' "headquarters" for a time. The ruins were amazing and I really enjoyed the free time to be alone and think about what it must have been like to hang out with Jesus around a fire...or walk with him to a nearby town...

Behind me and Sasha is a picture of a church built on top (to protect it) of what is believed to be Peter's house. Yes, Peter's house! Very cool huh? There are so many details I want to share with you – but it would be so much better to hear it from a guide. So, until you get here... enjoy the pictures!

At Tabgha we learned about oil presses and visited a church commemorating the feeding of the loaves and fish miracle... Here is part of a mosaic floor.

Next, we ate a very relaxing lunch outside, overlooking the largest archeological site in Israel, Beit She'an. I could've used a nap at this point, but are you kidding? I'm in Israel! No naps for me. I can sleep when I get home. Doreen and I decided to climb to the top of the tel instead! Not many people went up there as it is quite a hike – but I kept thinking... what if there is something very cool up there and I miss it!! Doreen was up to the adventure just as I was. After all, this is the place where Saul and his son's bodies were nailed to the city walls. It commanded my attention! Here is Doreen and I standing next to a pillar that fell over in an earthquake - it was huge!

This is a picture from ground level. See that huge mountain of a "tel" in the distance. That is what we climbed.

Well, it WAS cool up there and after I caught my breath I took these pictures. Many people asked us what it was like up there – if it was worth the effort. Here's a few pictures for you to decide. I say "ABSOLUTLEY"! My legs may not say that in the morning.

Here are some views from high on the tel. Notice how little the people are?

Jerusalem. Some of us have been anxiously waiting for this day for a long time. The triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We drove for about 1 ½ hours from Beit She'an to Jerusalem. It went quick since Eli (our guide) likes to try his hand at jokes from the Bible that make us all "groan" and of course filling us in on what life is like Jerusalem. It's nice be able to ask him any questions as they pop up. The view outside our bus kept us looking from left to right and left again – feeling a bit like at a tennis match. When we reached the Dead Sea we were at the lowest spot on earth! Wow! I remember learning about the Dead Sea from Mr. Lelighters 6th grade class at Critchfield. It's one of those strange memories that stick in your mind but you wonder why. I had thought that the Dead Sea sounded so "spooky" back then and hoped that someday I would be adventurous enough to see it for myself. And here I am!!! And to think that on our free day we will be coming back to float in it after visiting Masada!

Our arrival into Jerusalem was so dramatic it left me with a lump in my throat. The sun was just setting beautifully behind a cloud low in the sky which made huge rays shoot toward upward as if pointing to Heaven. Aaron our driver, turned on the "Jerusalem" song and as the music played we all sang along... we passed thru this tunnel; knowing Jerusalem was on the other side...Everyone's eyes were straining and bobbing around the person's head in front of them to get their first look at this Holy City... When we emerged from the tunnel, Eli joyfully welcomed us to Jerusalem and we all cheered and clapped. I heard someone behind me gasp and people began pointing and calling out places that they recognized. I didn't get any pictures; I just wanted to soak it in. I couldn't talk. That lump in my throat you know... and now it's back... so I'll write more tomorrow.

Shabbat Shalom my friends,

Kim