Israel 2016

Our friends the Decker's convinced us to take a tour to Jerusalem.  We went with Israel Revealed by Daniel Rona.  We ended up getting his son Stephen.  It was a week long and a small group. Only 7 of us the first half and then 11 of us for the last half of the week. I will be forever grateful that the Decker's convinced us to go.  We took a 15 hour non-stop flight from LAX to Telaviv. I think I was the most nervous on that flight, but there was such heighten security that we were super safe.

Over looking Jerusalem. This trip had such an impact on me and I left with a strengthened spirit again! 

This picture was taken on the Mount of Olives, very near to where Gethsemane would have been.

Walking in the streets of Old City Jerusalem

 

The Western Wailing Wall. The Jews pray to this wall because it is the closest they can get to a Temple right now. The wear prayer shalls, head covering and aprons.  They also have to wash their hands and cleanse themselves before entering.

The women and men are separated at the Western Wall. We were watching all the Bar Mitzvahs taking place on the mens side. 

Touching the Wailing Wall. Notice all the little white papers stuck in the cracks. Those are their prayers that they are hoping to be heard and answered.

On the Temple Mount by Dome of the Rock. A Muslim temple where they believe marks the spot of where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac, and where Mohammad ascended to heaven. We had to be covered completely. Even my neckline had to be covered with a scarf for respect.  This is along the same ridge where Christ was crucified.....fulfilling the symbolism of Abraham almost having to sacrifice his own son.

This little dome is where scholars believe marks the spot of the Holy of Holy's of the temple during Christ's time. The flooring is still the original. This Holy of Holy is directly in line with Gate Beautiful which is directly in line with Gethsemane.  Beautiful direct symbolism

These steps were just uncovered a handful of years ago. They are dated to Christs time and they were the stairs he walked up to the Temple.

Temple stairs that Christ walked on.

The traditional spot where Christ was in the Manger.  They believe he was born in a cave near here.

Overlooking Bethlehem and imagining the bright star over it. 

As we were overlooking the city of Bethlehem, where shepherds watched their flocks at night, a modern Shepard came by with his sheep!

The River Jordan.  Christ was baptized in the lowest point in the earth that had Free Flowing Water.

We really saw Doves at the River Jordan

A room representing where Christ had his last supper with his apostles and taught the commandment to Love one Another.

Olive Trees on the Mt of Olives

A tree in or near Gethsemane.  Travis was able to consecrate some oil here in this garden.

This was at Caiaphas Palace, where Christ was informally tried and where Peter denied him. I learned so much at this stop, and gained a different perspective on Peter.  We actually heard roosters crowing!

Stairs up to Caiaphas Palace that dates to Jesus's time. This is what he walked up to start his trial after already paying for all the sins of mankind.  Even for those who were about to hurt and kill him. We couldn't walk on them anymore.

The modern day Damascus Gate

If you notice the door down in the corner, that was the Damascus gate during Christ time. Very likely he had to carry his cross through that gate to the spot of crucifixion.

This is the Rock of the Skull where most Christians believe he was crucified. Sadly it is a modern day Arab bus station now. It's very loud and rowdy>

The Garden Tomb where Christ was laid, and then was resurrected. One of my favorite places to visit. The feeling was so reverent here.

Loved our time here at the tomb. Grateful to be with the Decker's and sharing this experience with them.

An indescribable feeling to be in the Garden Tomb

Inside the tomb where you can see they hurriedly etched out more space at the top to quickly fit an unexpected body.

The Pools of Bethesda where Christ heeled a man. The sign in the bottom of the picture talks about it.

The Pools of Bethesda

Walking on top of the Old City Walls

Playing basketball with the locals while we walk along the city walls

We got locked in the gates while walking on the Old City Walls and these young boys helped pry that gate open for us as we all slipped thru. Travis and Dave gave them all a dollar, they were so excited it looked like they won the lottery! — with David Decker and Travis Salisbury.

Climbing into Lazarus Tomb. This is where Christ rose Lazarus from the dead.  He had to wait a few days before he came because Jewish culture will not declare a person dead till after so many days.  This way it would be a real miracle.  But he still cried at the thought that Mary and Martha thought he ignored their cries for help to come earlier.

Kevin Dunn, Travis, Marlene, and Pam Dunn

Overlooking Jerusalem with my treasured friend Kristen 

Visiting Massada....it was so hot! And such a sad story that happened here.

Enjoying a tram lift down from blazing HOT Massada. 

One of the caves the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

Floating in the Deas Sea. So horribly salty! It is the lowest place on the face of the earth. 1300 feet below Sea level.

This boat was discovered in recent years on the shores of Galilee. This boat dates back to when Christ was here on Galilee. Fun to think it could be one of Peter's boat.

The Sea of Galilee

On a boat on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus calmed the Seas, and walked on water. 

The ruins of Capernum from Christs time. This is where most of his miracles were performed.  These cities were cursed by Christ and have never been rebuilt.  They were cursed because The crowds would follow him in multitudes here, but no one committed to him in their heart. 

Overlooking where the Sermon on the Mount was given about the Beattitudes. I love that Sermon.

Visiting Cesarea and standing in the court room ruins where Paul the Apostle was tried and then sent to Rome.

Eating in the Old City. With our tour group and the owner Carmen. We all laugh because we all ordered different things, but every plate came out looking the same. — with David Decker, Travis Salisbury, Marlene Olsen and Pamela Stokes Dunn

This lamb was running thru the old city.

In the Valley of David and Goliath. We took rocks home from the river bed to remind our kids to be as courageous as David in their life. He knew this wasn't his fight, it was the Lords fight.

This was our view during sacrament meeting at BYU Jerusalem. One of my most cherished memories from this trip was taking the sacrament on the Mount of Olives, just steps away from where Gethsemane was.

The traditional spot for the Mount of Transfiguration on Mt Tabor. Where Peter received the keys. 

This wall in Jerusalem dates back to the time of Lehi living there. To think Nephi walked by this wall is pretty awesome!

Gate Beautiful......I think this is my favorite gate in the old city wall. This gate led to the Temple during Christ's time, and has so many stories. The remains of the ancient gate is right under this. This is the gate where Jesus had his triumphal entry on the donkey. It is also where the Turks later sealed the gate and put a graveyard in front of it to avoid a Messiah from entering. Little did they know he already did.
Another thing I love about this gate is where a crippled man sat and asked Peter to give him silver and gold. And Peter answered "Silver and Gold have I none; but such as I have I give thee (the priesthood): In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he rose up and was healed.

This was a trip the was so impactful on my testimony, it made everything fall into place and made my understanding more clear.  I gained so much more feeling for the Saviors life.  To be where he was, to smell the same smells and see the same type landscape was such a treasure. I will forever be grateful for this trip which is now a memory.  Whenever I hear a song about Bethlehem hills or a sacrament hymn about Gesthemene I can picture everything about it.  I will forever be grateful that those memories that can never be taken away from me.