The Dead Sea and More!

Yesterday we took a trip south for our final field trip outside of Jerusalem! (can you believe it?) First we went to Masada, which was pretty cool. It is basically just a larger fortress on top of a mountain near the Dead Sea. We took cable cars up to the top, which was a lot of fun. Here's a pic of Jen and I in one of the rooms of the northern palace there:

We then went to an oasis in the desert called Ein Gedi, which had a lot of waterfalls and springs there. It was really great because it is getting SO hot here in Israel. It was like 96-100 degrees outside! So it was nice to hike up to the water falls and then be able to cool off by dipping your feet in the cool water. Here's a pic of Bon-Bon and I at the main waterfall:
Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea (our next location) were packed because it is basically Jewish spring break over here. It's passover week, so no school- which means time for family vacation! So there were a lot of people at these places, but it was still a lot of fun and a great experience. So yeah, the Dead Sea was just crazy. I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly salty it is. And you can literally not sink in it. You can't even keep your legs underneath you because you float like crazy. It seriously blows your mind. It was the weirdest feeling ever. Definitely a cool thing to do, even the water made you feel pretty gross because it was kinda slimy and so extremely salty. Here we are just floating away!
The Dead Sea also has these mud pits that people use to exfoliate their skin. So I guess the thing to do it put mud all over your body and then wash it off in the Dead Sea... So I joined along... When in Rome, right? Those white rocks behind us in this pic are just salt pile ups from the sea. Pretty crazy. The entire shore line is just pure salt crystals that are HUGE.
Then we ended our day at Qumran, where we got to see where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The cave in this pic is the most famous one- cave #4 to be exact. haha.
Overall a great day! I'll be spending my last night in Israel one week from tonight- boo!

Spending Easter in Jerusalem, what could be better?

Well it was Easter this past Sunday, as you all know. And it was the best Easter of my life, seriously. All of these events happened in Jerusalem and here I am having the opportunity to celebrate that in the holy land. Once again, I am so blessed and simply overwhelmed with gratitude. A group of us woke up extremely early in order to go to the Garden Tomb service at sunrise. And it was SUCH a powerful experience. The workers there just simply know what they are doing. They are the kindest people- true Christians! They are all from the UK and just do everything so well. The service was absolutely amazing. Here is Jarom and I waiting in line at 6 in the morning!

Then inside of the garden, they had a live band playing Christian music. And the music was just so powerful and lively. And I was so touched by all of the words. The spirit was so strong there! Everyone there could feel it. And once again the feeling of Christians from all over the world from all different sects were there to celebrate the miracle that Jesus lives! And it was just amazing. Words seriously cannot describe it. I just cried with tears of joy and gratitude. And Easter now just has even more significance to me, even though I have always known that it was important. Here is me in front of the tomb with the band next to it:
They also had a sermon that was absolutely incredible. It is amazing to me how much I have learned from the Christians here. It is truly inspiring. Here is the podium that he spoke at:
Here we are in the crowd!
The tomb was closed to remind us that the tomb is empty- "He is not here- for He is risen!"
I will never forget this day. I know you get tired of me saying this, but seriously. I. Am. BLESSED!

The Western Wall: A Closer Look

So yesterday we went on yet another field trip to the Western Wall. This time, however, we went underneath the center and saw the entire Western Wall as opposed to just the exposed section that you see in pictures. It was really cool! The Western Wall is the most famous wall because it is closest to where the holy of holies would have been in the temple. Here's a group of us getting ready to go into the Kotel Tunnel- which is where the rest of the wall is. We were all wearing ready shirts! From left to right is Dylan, Sarah, myself, Jarom and Travis.

This is me inside of the tunnel, touching the most holy stone because it was directly across from where the holy of holies was.
And here's Dill and I outside of the Western Wall plaza. Overall a good field trip!
P.S. Aren't you so proud of me for being so on top of this blog? This literally happened yesterday people!! Oh and Happy Good Friday!

More Jeru Fun- my time here is coming to a close :(

On Tuesday a group of us went to Pater Noster church- which is the place that I blogged about earlier with all of the different Lord's prayers in different languages. We went there to read the account in Mark 13 to continue or celebration of Holy Week. When we first got there, however, it wasn't opened yet, so we decided to go to the tomb of the prophets first. It was kinda ghetto, but still really fun. You go underground and then it is just a bunch of caves. They give you candles since it is pitch black down there, and that is pretty exciting. Apparently prophets such as Malachi and Haggai are buried there... pretty cool! Even though highly unlikely in my humble opinion. Well here's some pics: Travis and I at the entrance

Inside with our candles:
That night we went and saw the Hunger Games! It was pretty good. Here is us on the way to the movie- this is me inside a Travis sandwich.
The next day (yesterday) we went on our Jewish quarter field trip. This is David and I in front of the broad wall- which is one of the original walls during the time of Jesus.
We also went to the original steps up to the temple mount that Jesus himself would have DEFINITELY walked on. Not one of those sites that he may more may not have been to. He was there. And walked on these steps. Here is me walking in the same place as Christ!
This is me sitting on the steps. I'm on the original steps. The ones behind me are restored.
Pretty much it was an awesome day. More fun to come!

Snorkeling at Eilat!

This past Monday we headed down to Eilat (4 hour drive!) for some awesome snorkeling! We basically just sat on the beach and snorkeled all day. I'm not sure what else to tell ya... haha. It was an awesome day though! Notice my awesome tan line that I got from Palm Sunday the day before! This is Danielle, myself and Lee

Janae and I on the dock:
We ate at this restaurant in Eilat with all of these cows outside of it.... I'm guessing it was because there was a lot of dairy products inside... who knows? Either way it was good. And of course we had to get some pics with the cows.
Overall a great day!

Palm Sunday! I'll never be the same

Palm Sunday. One of the best days to be in Jerusalem, if you are a Christian. A big group of us went to join in on the walk from Bethphage to St. Anne's church in the old city- which is where Jesus walked during his triumphant entry. So cool!! There were thousands of Christians there from all different sects and from all over the world. There was such a cool feeling of unity- especially since Jerusalem often seems to be engulfed in the Muslim/Jewish conflict. We started out at the church in Bethphage on the mount of Olives. You could buy palm leaves there, which many did. I didn't buy a huge one, because they were a little pricey, but here's a pic of Travis and I holding some:

This is Janae, Dylan and I inside of the church. Notice the artwork in the back.
Travis and I bought some palm leaf crosses for a dollar, they were pretty sweet. And we are hardcore Christians!
Here's all of the people making the walk.
We ended up being in front of this group of Africans- and boy did they know how to praise Jesus! They were singing with drums and guitars while dancing during the entire 2 and half hour walk! I couldn't believe their energy! So of course we joined in on it. It was sooooo fun! I couldn't believe how awesome it was. We were literally dancing and jumping up and down and singing the entire time. And it was so hot outside. Let's just say I was extremely tired at the end of the day... Oh and I got interviewed for the news! So that was exciting as well.
And here we are at the end- there is St. Anne's church behind us.
Let's just say that it was amazing!!!! If you ever have the chance to be in Jerusalem for a Palm Sunday then DO IT! I feel like a true pilgrim now.

The Rest of Galilee- all in one post!

Well I have so much more to blog about, so I'm not going to blog about each separate thing in Galilee but rather do it all in one post. Sorry about that.... but it just has to be done. I still have a few papers that I need to write... and I only have 2 and half weeks left in this amazing city that I need to soak up. So here it goes.

One day we went on a hike to Gamla, which is where a synagogue from Jesus' time is. And it is very possible that it the exact synagogue as opposed to it being rebuilt and such throughout time. The hike was pretty intense, but I got through it and it was gorgeous! Israel is so beautiful and green in the winter at least. Here is a pic of Gamla below. Gamla means camel- that hill behind me looks like a camel's back which is why it is called that.

Here is Janae and I at the top of the mountain- not the camel's back.
On Saturday we went to church in Tiberias, which was really great. Then we took some pics on the shore of the sea of Galilee back at our resort. This is like right outside of the apartments we were staying in. So beautiful!
We also went to the top of Mount Tabor, which is one of the possible sites of the transfiguration. This is a pic of Amy, Madison, myself and Loie in front of the church dedicated to the transfiguration at the top of the mountain. The mountain was HUGE. Luckily we had some vans drive us to the top. :)
This is me in a field of mustard. The kindgom of heaven is like unto a mustard seed, remember?
This is us at Tel-Dan which was basically a gorgeous national park at the source of the Jordan River. So beautiful! I honestly felt like I was back in Missouri for a bit because it was SO green and luscious! This is us on the Winnie the Pooh tree. Still not really sure why it is called that.... but hey there it is. We also went to the Garden of Eden there, so that was exciting!
We also went to a cool waterfall at the Jordan River source. Here's a oh so cute pic of David and I. (We are getting married because of our Midwest connection ) :)
Then we went to Nimrod's castle, which is a large crusader fortress. It was a HUGE castle! It was really cool. Here's me in one of the archways:
Then we went to a Syrian lookout- so technically I've been to Syria now! There was this weird dinosaur there.... not really sure why... but hey here's a pic:
This is us at Korozim- inside a synagogue that Jesus may or may not have taught in... haha. Let's just say that he did...
We also went to Sephoris and saw the Mona Lisa of Galilee! Here she is:
Then we went to Akko, which is a Crusader fortress city on the coast. Here's us eating ice cream during our free time!
Our last day in Galilee we went to Mt. Carmel, which is where the story of Elijah and God going up against Baal occurred. See the Old Testament for more on that one.
We actually got stranded at Mt. Carmel because our bus broke down.... :( It was kind of fun though because we played games and ate lunch and talked and such. Because of that however, my class was not able to go to Haiffa. Oh well.... that would have been cool.

We then went to Caesarea, which was absolutely beautiful. Here is a pic of Amy and I there:

Overall...it was a good time in Galilee. I'm already missing it! I'm so blessed once again to be able to have this experience. More soon!