• About

Pick Well

~ Just another WordPress.com site

Pick Well

Tag Archives: Dead Sea

Touring Israel 2014

26 Sunday Oct 2014

Posted by Jennifer in Family, Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Damascus Gate, Dead Sea, Faith Based Expeditions, Garden of Gethsemane, Holocaust Museum Israel, Is it safe to travel to Israel, Israel, Janusz Korczak, Mount Arbel, Mount of Olives, Sea of Galilee, The Israel Museum

DSCN0553

 

This month my husband and I traveled to Israel with a group of Pastors for seven days of touring. To say that I was nervous would be a gross understatement. I was terrified. I knew for more than six months we would be traveling to Israel, and I did my very best to whine my way out of participating. I emailed news headlines to my husband almost daily and insisted we update our will! Having returned home all in one piece, I can honestly say that not once on my trip did I feel unsafe. Never again will I let my view of any place be subject to what I see on the evening news. Israel is amazing and a must see for anyone.

The picture above was taken on the Mount of Olives. This is the place from which Jesus ascended into heaven. Being on top provides a magnificent view of Jerusalem. It was a very windy and chilly morning, but of all of the days we toured, this was my favorite.

We walked to the foot of the Mount of Olives to The Garden of Gethsemane.

DSCN0567

 

It is filled with beautiful Olive trees.

DSCN0581

 

DSCN0585

 

 

This is where Jesus would have prayed while the disciples slept the night before his crucifixion  Matthew 26:36-38

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

We spent a few days in Jerusalem and I really am surprised to say I would go again! I have traveled little (outside of the United States) beyond a cruise to Mexico. Jerusalem is fabulous in every way. When you enter the Damascus Gate, you are surrounded by a market place.

DSCN0455

 

We navigated the tunnel like hallways many times and loved every minute of it. There was delicious food, friendly shop owners ready to haggle, and history everywhere.

One of my favorite days came on a morning we had free to explore the city unguided. A group of us headed for the Southern Stairs and happened upon a string of Bar Mitzvah celebrations.

DSCN0659

 

The music, laughter, and singing was inspiring! I could have watched all day. Everyday we spent in Israel was incredible. We saw so much, and honestly I wish I had written more down. But I was too busy watching, observing, and attempting to savor every moment.

We stayed on the Sea of Galilee for two days. The views were breathtaking.

DSCN0063

 

We climbed to the top of Mount Arbel and were taken aback by the view from the mountain, but also the view of Jesus’ Galilean Ministry.

DSCN0245

DSCN0212

 

There is so much to see and experience in Israel, I could never do it justice. So I can only recommend that you go! Not only will you see the Holy Land, but the Bible will come alive in front of you and change the way you read it.

Beyond the serious nature of our trip, we had quite a bit of fun. We saw things we would never see here in the States…

DSCN0423

 

And I reached way out of my comfort zone. I floated in the Dead Sea, and then coated myself in the mud.

DSCN0328

With a promise to remove five years of age, who wouldn’t? This was the most disgusting I have ever felt. But it was fun!

Other notable stops on our trip included The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, and the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. The Israel Museum offers a rare opportunity to view not only copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls, but also the actual scrolls. The scrolls are old and fragile, kept in the dark, but still viewable. My favorite part of this museum is the model of Jerusalem.

DSCN0814

It is fascinating to see the city up close as it would have been in the Second Temple Period.

DSCN0796

My only regret regarding the museums was that we didn’t have enough time in them. I could have spent an entire day in the Holocaust museum. There was so much to read and see. It was crowded at the time we visited and I was a little rushed getting through it.

DSCN0627

This is a picture of the exterior. My favorite sculpture was Janusz and the Children.

DSCN0624

Janusz and the Children beautifully tells the story of Janusz Korczak and the orphans in his care. It is said he was given many opportunities to escape the fate that would await him at the Treblinka extermination camp. However, he refused to abandon the children from his orphanage. There is said to have been as many as 196 orphans in his care.

My trip to Israel will no doubt be the most memorable trip I will experience in my lifetime. It was an unbelievable opportunity and I honestly believe everyone should go and see it for themselves. We traveled with New Spring Church through Faith Based Expeditions. I highly recommend Faith Based Expeditions should you choose to travel to Israel. It was a very organized and well planned trip. Shalom!

Recent Posts

  • Wonderful Historical Fiction
  • National Parks and Historical Fiction
  • The Middle Matters by Lisa-Jo Baker
  • What is the Next Right Thing?
  • Something New from Jocelyn Green

A Dog Named Dolly Parton Backyard Garden Books I LOVE Cleaning House Family Favorites Food Food for thought homeschool Out West Trip Recently Read Reviewed Books Saving Money Travel Uncategorized Virginia

Twitter Updates

  • RT @DPCassidyTKC: https://t.co/IPnsINij3T 6 days ago
  • RT @bhsjustus: Thanks to Laura and Alinea Church for bringing snack bags for our teachers! So nice on the day after Spring Break! https://t… 1 week ago
  • RT @jpickwell: It’s Saturday. I know it’s dark. I know it feels hopeless. But Sunday is almost here. And Sunday changed everything. 1 week ago
  • RT @dpcassidyC3: The ways of God are revealed in the words of God but they are not the same thing. God’s scandalous ways - generosity, mer… 3 weeks ago
  • RT @BethMooreLPM: I keep thinking how often we on this whirling orb of thorn, dust, wind and thistle live out the reality of “hurry up & wa… 3 months ago
Follow @jenpickwell

Archives

  • August 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • January 2019
  • November 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • February 2012
  • January 2011
  • October 2010

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 112 other followers

Follow Pick Well on WordPress.com

Goodreads

NetGalley

Blogging for Books

NetGalley

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy