Saturday, February 16, 2013

An update with pictures! (Yay finally!)

Hi everyone!

Shabbat Shalom!  Today is Saturday and Shabbat.  The streets of Jerusalem are quiet and we were blessed to be able to visit a lot of places without a lot of crowds.  We sat in St. Anne's Church in the Old City and sang with it's beautiful accoustics, visited the Pools of Bethesda, the Upper Room and the House of Caiaphas where below his house held the cities "jail".  This is where it is believed that Jesus would have spent His last night.  It was an emotional time in "the pit" where we contemplated what Jesus's last night must have been like for Him.  Afterward we went into Bethlehem.  We had lunch and then visited the Church of the Nativity. 

It's been such an amazing journey so far.  Each day is filled with new experiences and when I ask Kate and Hope (my daughter and her friend) at the end of each day, "What was your favorite thing so far???"  They really don't answer me...because they list off a ton of places we've seen or things we have experienced.  I understand - it's practically impossible to narrow down your favorite places here because each day is special and unique in it's own way.

Here are some pictures (finally)!  Our internet connection in Jerusalem seems a bit faster so I can upload them.  Enjoy!


Nick and Jolene on a camel on the Mt. of Olives! 


The adventurers...Anna and Wanda coming out of the Jordan River from baptism.  Their reaction caused a lump in my throat.  It was so touching. 


Love was in the air on Valentines Day!  We just happened to be in Cana on Valentines Day and of course you know this is the place of Jesus's first miracle - changing water into wine at a wedding!  So...of course we married couples renewed our vows in a touching ceremony performed by Pastor David Sumrall.  Just beautiful.  Sigh. 


May sound odd at first...but planting a tree in Israel is one of the best things to do while you are here.  You get to get your hands in the dirt of the Holy Land, plant your own seedling and pray for it to grow into the new forest.  Our groups have planted thousands of trees over the years and the Holy Land is the better for it.  It's a lovely way to give back to the land. 


 Here we are in the Upper Room.


Just outside of St. Anne's Church.
 
Sawarma anyone? YUM!!!
 
 
In the pit... so emotional. 


I LOVE these maps and models that are all over Israel to help me understand and learn.  There is so much history - it can get overwhelming!  But with the help of these maps and of course our super great and brilliant guide, Ami Segal, the light bulb goes off and usually is followed by a "oh wow!" from me. :)   


Kate and Hope in Beit She'an bath house ruins.


Naidean... this one's for you!  Miss you!
 
 
 
That's all for now because my stomach is groaning for dinner.  I'm excited to see what's on the buffet tonight!  More tomorrow so stay tuned!
 
Shabbat Shalom!
Kim
 


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Love love love!

Ahhh Valentines Day!  (Yes, even Israeli's celebrate Valentines Day) Today, instead of giving each other chocolates and cards and roses...we gave Israel something very special.  We all planted trees this morning in the Lavi Forest.  (Well, thanks to us and many others it will be a forest someday!) 

Planting a tree here is a real blessing.  Getting our hands in the land, planting a tree and praying for it's growth.  Helping the Holy Land rebuild her forests... Happy Valentines Day!

Still struggling with pictures due to the slow internet... stay tuned!

Be still...and listen.

How many times this week have you caught yourself eating a meal standing up, going thru a drive thru or rushing through a conversation that you knew deep down that shouldn't have been rushed. I caught myself eating lunch standing up in the kitchen yesterday in the rush and hurriedness of my day. I had to ask myself, is this what God really wants me to be doing? Rushing through my day? How many times during my day do I take the time just to be still?
 
Being still is not easy for me!  There is never enough time in the day and I really could use 2 more hands...

Today however I stood in the Holy Land, in many places that Jesus lived and taught and my day was filled with moments of stillness.  Oh what a day it was!  For me and the others with me, we walked in the footsteps of Jesus and were still in the presence of God.  We sang, we prayed, we listened and even laughed.  Today was so peaceful!  There is no reason I can't learn from this day - and bring some stillness to each of my days whether I'm here in Israel or back at home. It's in that stillness is the only place we can truly hear from Him and I'm missing out on so much by rush rush rushing my life away...

Today we visited places around the Sea of Galilee in the north.  I can't post pictures yet because my internet signal is too low.  But I hope to make up for it when I get to Jerusalem. (fingers crossed for better internet!)  In the meantime, visit us on Facebook where I have posted some great pictures!

Everyone is having a great time!  We are enjoying wonderful weather and walking in the footsteps of Jesus together!

More soon!