Hello to all who are joining us on our journey here in the "Land of Israel".
I can't wait to tell you where we have been today! It was MIND BLOWING!!
First of all I must tell you we are exhausted from a long day on our feet and we need to rest for another full day tomorrow... So much could be said about each site we went to today but I must come back and type more another time...
For now enjoy all these AMAZING sites with me and also all these fun photos! (I think photos can speak louder then words anyway...:))
Our hotel here outside of Bethlehem in Jerusalem. We will stay here until we leave Friday morning.
Flowers are rare so these are special!
Our first stop was a few hours drive from here.
It was here that King Herod built a kingdom and then Jews lived here until the King built eight sieges around their city until the enemy built a ramp up to the city. When they almost reached the city the Jews found ways to kill their own and then take their own lives rather then be killed and taken captive by the Roman's. I cannot even imagine how it must have been for the Jews inside the walls on this mountain watching as the Romans got closer and closer to capturing them plus they had limited food and water inside the walls as well!!
It was also the place believed to be where Sodom and Gomorrah once stood and then burnt up. All is barren here! They tell us the white we see in the rock is ashes and some sulphur balls were even found here by friends of ours!
The dessert here is unbelievable!
The mountain of Masada...
The other thing about this mountain was it was an optional hike to the top! Some hiked and some rode up on the cable car... Because it was our first stop and it was hot with hundreds of steps I decided to ride up the car but my guys and Eva all hiked it!
It was much harder then they anticipated and the climb was tough! Dave and Justin even ran some of the way and they made it up in twenty one minutes...
Here goes the hiking crew...
We have been enjoying getting to know Gary and Kendra better on this trip...
You wouldn't believe where this crew all was today!! So many amazing trails we walked and the conversation!! Its just so good!! The scripture gets read and then discussed. Its just so good!
This mountain also overlooks the Dead Sea!
These two ran the whole way down the mountain again after the tour at the top was over!! They were whooped!
Next stop was my favorite of the day!!
We love hiking but this hike topped all hikes we have ever done!!
The place is called... En Gedi
David hid out in this place three years as he hid from King Saul who was out to kill him!
God was all he had and according to many of the Psalms he wrote God was all he needed!
We know David wrote Psalms 57 and Psalms 142 here in the caves. And he most likely even wrote more here if he was here in hiding three years!
The location is in the complete dessert yet water and caves are here!
The waterfalls!!! Well I'll just be quiet and show you!!
We so enjoy having the two oldest boys and Eva here with us!!
And I LOVE taking pictures of them!!
These Pastors here get serious about this place!...:)
Still My Love...:)
The conversation up above was most certainly about King David since these two love to talk all about King David and his mighty battles!
Our last stop of the day was "The Dead Sea"...
Tonight rain moved in and its cold here. BUT today was perfect weather!!
This was my laundry on our porch this morning...
We have a busy day in Jerusalem tomorrow rain or shine!
Our last day then we head back to our homeland!
We really miss our Little's!!
Everyday is so inspiring here!! Everyday we have those "Wow" moments!
We are so BLESSED to be here in Israel tonight!
Good night once again from the city that God loves above all others... Jerusalem!
No comments:
Post a Comment