Day In Jerusalem

Today we spent the day around Jerusalem. We had a great tour guide, Uncle JoeJoe! He went with us for the first half of the day and took us to some pretty great sights. We visited the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus spent time in prayer and was later betrayed and captured. We stood on the Mount of Olives where it's believed that Jesus ascended, and then saw the spot where He gave the Olivet Discourse and the Lord's Prayer (which Kiley apparently memorized yesterday while waiting for us in a souvenir shop). We went to the spot where Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. 

One thing we all really enjoyed was the Tomb of the Prophets. That was really neat! In this tomb three prophets along with their disciples were buried: Malachi, Zechariah, and Haggai. We held candles to see in the dark tomb and really enjoyed exploring there. 

Then we went on to see King David's tomb were Jews still gather to pray because they believe if is such a holy place seeing that it is prophecied that the Savior will come from David's lineage. 

We also visited the Upper Room where both Pentecost and the Last Supper were held. 

We grabbed lunch and had an AMAZING hamburger!!!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Then we headed on to tour the Via Delarosa (the way of sorrow) where Jesus walked His last path to the cross. This was lengthy and tiring but he girls did amazing! 

The place where it is believed that Jesus died is covered with many ritualistic places to worship and, of course, a church has been built over the location. It was a neat cultural experience. We are exited to go to the Garden Tomb tomorrow. 

I was slightly saddened that the Via Delarosa was filled from start to finish with money making shops along the way. But it was a really neat experience. The whole day was full and memorable. 

The girls discovered (with the help of their new friend, Aunt Dana) that the place we are staying has a bathtub upstairs, so they are living it up right now and then it's off to bed! 

The girls enjoying a rare luxury! 

Daddy teaching about the Via Delarosa.