Israel...Part 2

I think I will give you some pictures and you can look up the Scripture to see what takes place in this particular place.

Bet Shemesh - I Samuel 4 - where the Philistine army defeated the Hebrews.  This is the locations where the milk cows returned the Ark of the Covenant back to the Hebrews.

Lachish - Joshua 10:31, 2 Kings 19:35

Arad - this is the modern day city of Arad looking out our hotel window.  The second picture is of the 4 horned altar which was discovered in Arad and is now in a museum. (Numbers 21 and Joshua 12:14)

Do you recall the story of Qumran?  Qumran was the location where ancient scrolls were discovered by a shepherd boy who had lost his sheep in 1947.  At Qumran we also saw the ancient city where the Essenes would have lived.

This is just one picture of Jericho.  From Joshua 6 the story is familiar of Joshua fighting and the walls tumbling.

This is a picture of my mom getting water at Elisha's well.  2 Kings 2:19-22 tells this story!

This is the Mount of Beatitudes!  The location where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount.(Matthew 5) This was a neat place.  It was like a natural amphitheater.  I don't know if you have ever wondered how 5000+ people could hear Jesus as He preached, but the way this terrain is - it makes sense.  He could have been sitting on one of these rocks and his voice would have been amplified and reached thousands.

This is believed to be the house of Peter.  The place where Jesus healed Simon Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4).  This location, like many others, had a modern church built over top of the location.  However as you will see in the next picture - this one had a viewing in the modern church so you could see the church underneath.

Center of the sanctuary with a glass floor so you could view Simon Peter's house.

This is the Church of the Loaves and Fishes.  The rock under the altar is believed to be where Jesus sat when he multiplied the Loaves and Fishes.

This is a close up.  The mosaic is unbelievable!

The Jordan River - however not the location where Jesus would have been baptized.

Many come to be baptized in this river, including some in our group.

Cana was the location of The First Miracle.  John 2 tells the story

You may remember how Jesus was told that the wine had run out at the wedding ceremony.  He told the servants to fill the "foot-washing" jars.  This is one of those "jars".  You can see how big it is by the people in the background.

This was a special day for my parents.

The purpose of the invitation to Israel was so that we could all witness the renewing of vows by my Mom and Dad in the chapel built over the location where that wedding took place.

It was a special time and such a blessing that all 3 of us kids and our spouses could be a part and stand with Mom and Dad on this day.

Although the actual anniversary is not until June 22nd - Happy 40th Mom and Dad!

This is Nazareth. As you know several things happened here.  This was where Joseph and Mary lived.  Read Luke 1:26ff and Matthew 2:19-23.

Mt. Megiddo was impressive.  In Hebrew Har means Mountain.  Well the 'H" is also silent in Hebrew, so Mt. Megiddo is also where we get Armededdon from Rev. 16.  

This valley is where we believe the last battle will take place.  Interestingly enough, there is an Israeli airstrip in this valley and they have underground airstrips!  Amazing!

Mt. Carmel was also on our list of stops.  Remember where Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal

This is one of the views from the top of Mt. Carmel. (I Kings 18)

We also went to Bethlehem.  While I didn't purchase this Nativity, I did get one!  (notice the size in comparison to Ron)

This is the Shepherds Field where in Luke 2 the story is told how the angels announced Jesus birth to the shepherds.  Ron was asked to read Luke 2 in this cave and it was neat that as he read the sun shone brightly through the entrance and illuminated him - reminding of the host of angels who proclaimed Jesus birth.

We also visited the Church of the Nativity.  This is somewhat disappointing to me because every where we went they have built a church over a location.  The center of this star is a rock that protrudes up.  It is believed that this rock is the location where Jesus was born.  This church of the Nativity is huge.  It is a big shrine.  Personally, I would have preferred a stable!

There is still so much more to share, but it will have to wait for another posting on another day!

Israel...Part 1

It's been nearly a month now since we left on our trip to Israel.  It is still running through my mind, still so much to process.  We are planning to share at our churches on Sunday morning.  As we prepare it seems impossible to explain it (even in part).  A trip of a lifetime, a trip like no other!  

Made possible by these 2

How do you explain something so amazing?  

How do you put it into words?  

How to you show 800+ pictures?  

It seems impossible to even know where to start.

Do I share the Elah Valley where David fought Goliath? (while we only viewed this valley from our bus, it seemed so "real")  A huge Valley full of Philistines with the Giant Goliath slammed to the ground because of an obedient David.

Or the fact that I got to experience this whole amazing trip with my handsome hubby!

Not only him, but my whole family

Jay and I

Mom and Jo

The 8 of us together doesn't happen often and without kids, it never has!  Jesus orchestrated the whole thing and made this possible and I am so thankful.

There may never be words to describe what it is like to be on a boat on the Sea of Galilee...

or to hold mustard seed in your hand and consider faith so small...

or even to see the beautiful Jordan River

But I am Thankful!  

Thankful for the opportunity!  Thankful for family!  Thankful for a trip that makes my relationship with Jesus come alive even more.  

Thankful for my Savior who suffered on Calvary, for me!

Thankful and so Blessed!

Trip of a Lifetime

In just a few short weeks, Ron and I have been invited to participate in a trip of a lifetime!  Let me explain.

Back several months ago, in August (we remember the date very specifically, because of other things that were going on) my parents invited us to join them in celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary!

Now let me pause there to tell you that it doesn't really seem possible that my parents are old enough to be celebrating 40 years, because honestly that means that I am drawing closer to that same year!  However, in June of this year they will have been married for 40 years.  I also want to pause for a moment and say that I am so so so so proud to have parents that I can say have been married (to each other) for 40 years!  What an accomplishment, especially in our society.  Has every day been wonderful and cherry and rosy - absolutely not, but has each day been lead by their Master and Savior - I have to say, I believe it has!  It is only by the Grace of Jesus Christ that we, as humans, can reach accomplishments such as these.  Jesus is Alive in my parents lives and in their marriage and so He deserves the credit for this 40 year accomplishment.

But, back to the trip!  Aren't you dying to know where they have invited us to share in this glorious celebration?

Well, brace yourselves!  My parents invited, myself and Ron, my brother and his wife, my sister and her husband all to join them on a 10 day trip to Israel.  They are planning to renew their wedding vows while we are there!  Isn't that awesome????  Are you jealous?  (don't be)  :)

I'm excited.  My dad went to Israel with a group of pastors 10 or more years ago and when he returned he said, "I want to take you all back someday".  Well that day is approaching!

The invitation was for all 8 of us to go together, if we could find quality accommodations for all of their grand-babies!  Ron's mom will be staying with our 4 and apparently my brother and sister both were able to work it out too!

So, instead of being jealous of our opportunity of a lifetime, would you pray with us?  We need prayer for so many things.  Pray:
      for the 10 grand kids (4 of ours, 2 of Jay's and 4 of Jo's) we are leaving in Ohio and in Africa
      for safety in travel
      for those who are keeping all 10 kids while we are gone
      for Jesus to meet with us as we walk where He walked
      for the Holy Spirit to be present with us and to draw us closer as a family through this trip
      for Jesus best for All of us!

Excitement builds as we count down!

I look forward to sharing all about the trip with you!
Thank you for lifting us up in prayer!