Tears of joy...and more

Today we started our day with an Israeli breakfast buffet. It was delicious! Breakfast and dinner is included in our package and the restaurant at the hotel is VERY nice. There are so many choices to eat! Travis really loves it!

It wasn't long and we boarded our bus and headed for Mt. Scopus for a group picture. It's the perfect place with a beautiful back drop for the picture. Travis and I got our picture taken here too.

Then a short drive to the Mt. of Olives where we stood in awe of the view. Everyll and a few others had such fun riding the camel before we began our Palm Sunday Walk.

The Mt. of Olives brought on some tears. Jesus spent so much time here. The view is remarkable and unforgettable.

The Palm Sunday walk is down hill from the Mt. of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane. Some sang as they walked. Some quietly reflected the steps Jesus took that fateful day he entered into Jerusalem. A few tears were shed.

Eli is the guide on bus #1. Here he explains "bone boxes" and burial laws that date way back...to the group who came from Manila.

Gila (our guide on bus #2) describes the view looking from the Dominus-Flevit. Many of us sat and like sponges, we listened intently trying to learn every detail. A few people in the group chose to spend some alone time with Jesus...filled with emotion, they headed off to a secluded area.

Eugenia read scripture to us at Dominus Flevit.

Our walked continued to the Garden of Gethsemane and we were all thankful for the downhill walk. Travis and I marveled at the olive trees that are over 1000 years old.

After visiting the beautiful Church of All Nations, I surprised Travis to see how close we have become to the Eastern Gate! He asked me if we could touch it... I said, I wish we could... It has always fascinated me.

We boarded the bus and stopped at the Upper Room. Here we sang, read scripture, prayed and a few tears were shed...

Today, being our first day out was emotional and a bit overwhelming. Early on you could see the revelation hit some in the group of just where we are and just where their feet are standing. It was like a veil had been removed from their eyes...and as reality settled in, the emotion came. What a joy to witness. Our last stop was Yad Vashem. I knew it was going to be an emotional ending of the day. Experiencing Yad Vashem with my 16 year old was something I'll remember always. I was curious and somewhat reluctant to show him the horrific details of the holocaust. Even though he learned about it in school...there is nothing like walking thru Yad Vashem and learning about it here, in Israel. And...as his Mom there is that natural part of me that wants to protect him from terrible things of this world. But I knew this was very important for him to understand and experience. We walked slowly, at his pace – and stopped to read, listen and contemplate. We didn't do a lot of talking. Sometimes we would just look at each other and let our eyes speak; sometimes he would look at me with concern to see if I was "ok"... then came the anger. As each of his questions came, it seemed as though fate stepped in and ironically the next room we entered would give us the answers. No answers we liked, but answers nonetheless.

Upon returning to the hotel, our stomach's welcomed dinner and now my head longs for the soft touch of my pillow. Day one; done. (And done well I might add!) It was an absolute great day.

Tomorrow... is my favorite day! Come back and find out why!

Goodnight,

Kim