The options you have on your free day on a LeSEA Tour are endless. After all you're in Jerusalem! The Holy City is right beneath your feet.

Many people will choose to travel to Massada and learn about the amazing people who lived and died on top of that great tel. Afterward, they will also get to slip on their bathing suit and experience the unsinkable Dead Sea, the lowest place on planet earth!

Others will venture out on their own and explore the Old City corridors. (It's fun to mingle in with the daily life of the Old City.) They'll maybe even revisit a favorite place, like the Western Wall - or decide to check out the local Israeli mall! (Hey that rhymed!)

I would love to see your pictures and comments about them - feel free to email them to me! Go to the contacts link on the home page!

Here's a great picture of Mary, Peggy and Naidean on the free day. They took the day to explore the city! Here they are relaxing at the King David Hotel enjoying a cappuccino. What a great memory and a wonderful friendship. Awesome picture ladies!

What did you do on the free day? I'd love to hear from you!

Kim

Have you ever been somewhere that had a distinct smell that somehow your brain never lets you forget and then later in life unexpectedly that smell occurs and it triggers an amazing memory? Do you have a place or a moment in your life that you can recall every detail? Jerusalem is the place that holds both for me. When I think about this amazing city, lots of different emotions come to the surface. I treasure each one.

Today, some in the group will experience Jerusalem for the very first time. They'll enter curiously and be amazed by all they see, smell, hear and feel. Others, who have been before will wake up this morning with anticipation; thrilled to be returning to the Holy City and looking forward to revisiting a personal favorite place.

The first stop will most likely be the Western Wall and when it comes into view for the first time I'm sure there will be many mouths hanging open. It's just that kind of place. They'll walk the Via Dolorosa (The Way of the Cross) and pause to reflect at several stations along the way. The market of the Old City will make their pulse quicken with excitement as merchants call out to them and offer great bargains on their merchandise. These are places they will remember, and come home with great pictures and stories to share with you. Oh, they'll try to explain it; what it's like to experience the path that Jesus took with the cross... but you won't "get it" – not really. Not until you breathe that Jerusalem air, smell the smells of the Old City and feel God's powerful presence for yourself.

So, come to Jerusalem and find your treasure!

Kim

Thursday – group update!

First of all I must show you the new and updated picture of Jerusalem. As you can see, the snow has gone and the sun is out! Amazing contrast in just a day isn't it! The weather is expected to continue to improve and to have above average temperatures!

Tiberias and Baptism!

What a fun and enlightening day for everyone today! Visiting places around the Sea of Galilee where Jesus spent so much time is a thrill. The landscape has not changed much since His time so it's easy to picture Him walking along the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee...

Here's a picture of the group getting ready for lunch at Ein Gev. This is a great lunch spot as you can see – right on the waters of the Galilee and outdoors! Sunshine!

Today, many in our group chose to be baptized in the Jordon River, just as Jesus was so long ago. The sun was out and it was a beautiful day. Here are some pictures! Thank you Pastor Al! I know from personal experience that the water is COLD in February but definitely worth the effort.

"...take me to the river..."

I hope you're enjoying the pictures and updates. ...I've come to realize that it's a lot harder to write a blog when you're not with the group!

Kim

P.S. Tomorrow is Jerusalem!

They have all arrived!

God really had his hand in the travel arrangements of our Pilgrims on Monday. Just about everyone experienced some kind of delay due to weather and as Lumi and I tracked everyone's domestic flights watching closely for any problems, the airlines did a great job protecting people on flights that would get them to their international flights on time. I am happy to report that they all made it! I learned a little more about trust and faith that day.

This is a picture of Jerusalem early on Tuesday! It is quite amazing. I can't wait to hear from the group and the stories of their triumphant arrival into this great city!

Surely it was a long day of traveling but I bet the snow created some what of a diversion of the long flight!

The group is traveling to the coast today and will stop at Caesarea, the capital of the Roman Province. They'll view the harbor from where Paul was taken to Rome. Not only that, they'll go to Megiddo and get to look out on the actual land where the final battle of Armageddon will take place. I have this picture as my current cell phone picture! It's THAT amazing!

Be sure to come back tomorrow and hear about their adventures! Tomorrow their day will be filled with "Oohs and Ahhs" as they drive to Tiberias. (My favorite place!) They'll ride a boat on the Sea of Galilee and get to be baptised in the Jordan River! There is a familiar ache in my insides - wishing I was there with them... I'm so very excited for them.

See you tomorrow!

Kim