The Cupie that Will Go Down in History

I promised a friend I would tell her this story, but we haven't had a chance to talk since then, so I thought it would be a good one to remember long-term anyway, so I'm typing it out.

Most of our friends know that everywhere we go, Jason likes to stunt with one of the girls.  The Taj Mahal, of course, is no different! And, needless to say, was bound to produce a pretty cool shot!  So, this particular day, Kamden is wearing her lovely Cinderella dress and is looking far too fabulous.  ;)

Jason takes her to the platform and proceeds to put her in the air while I stand back snapping away.  All of a sudden, without warning, this security guard comes RUNNING!  He is darting back and forth between Jason and me and saying NO!!! NO!!! NO!!!  Then, he puts his hand over my camera lens yelling STOP!!!

Jason, of course, asks him what the problem is and he is totally flabbergasted and says, "THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE!!!!!!" To which Jason replies... "Uh... yes it is! I just did it!!!!!"  (That's, by far, my favorite part!)

Well, the man is now demanding that we delete the picture and that what Jason did is not allowed and that it was 'unsafe' (of course, if safety were the concern, then why did he worry so much about the picture being taken?)  He tried to explain himself, but he was super frantic and couldn't get any words out.

He continued yelling at Jason and finally Jason just tells us to go on without him and he would catch up.  The man escorts him to security where he intends to have Jason kicked off the grounds.  Our tour guide couldn't tell us for sure what was going on and I knew there was something more to the story than just 'safety' or 'ignorance' but we couldn't put a pin on it.

Well, Jason does go on to the 'police station' there and, on the way, removes the memory card from his camera.  He shows the man that the picture is no longer on the camera...  "oh... ok, then... let him go." And Jason also tells him that he was not trying, in any way, to break any rules.  Had there been a sign about what he did, he would have certainly been obedient.  But there was nothing and now that he knows, he won't break the 'rules' anymore.

Well, then, they get smart enough to get a professional photographer to look at Jason's camera to be sure the picture is gone.  The professional knew immediately Jason had just put the memory card in his pocket! ;) But, by this time, they agreed to let Jason off the hook.

We went on about our day still wondering what was such a big deal.  We knew they'd probably never seen anything quite like it before, but we couldn't put our finger on why they were so adamant about not taking the picture.

Well, later, we found out, that only exactly one week earlier, Miss Universe had come to the Taj and had actually taken professional photos advertising a pair of high heeled shoes and was now being SUED for "Product Placement"!  So, the guards were on super high alert for anyone who may have been doing the same!!!!!!!  OOPS!!! So, if you see Kamden & Jason in a magazine advertising cheerleading or Disney princess dresses, you'll know we're outlaws! ;0)

-The 4 Cokes

Insight from a 7 year old

This week has been a doozie! What a whirlwind: first sick, then Kamden gets sick, a to do list a mile long and still incomplete, homeschool conference prep, packing, etc., village trips, and trainings. The list goes on. I'll be honest, it got me down. 

But last night, knowing if it didn't happen then that it never would, I agree to take Kiley on her Mommy Date that she earned for memorizing her multiplication facts. 

One thing is for sure- this needs to happen more often. It was such a fun time. That girl, when you get her alone, just talks and talks and talks. 

And it's amazing the things she has to say! I almost couldn't believe my ears at times, the wise comments that were coming out of her mouth. 

We had a lot of sweet moments, but the one that I told her she needed to remember forever was during a conversation about our host country. 

She was telling me again what she had imagined life would be like here: she thought we would like in a hut in a village with no bathroom etc. Looking back I'm amazed that she was ever excited to come in the first place! She said last night that wen se saw our friends' home for the first time she thought, "Wow! This is a mansion!! This is even better than in America!" 

That led to a healthy comparison of the two places where she concluded they're pretty much the same, but this one is so much dirtier with so many more people and different cultures. 

Finally, I asked her, which do you like better? To which she answered, 

"Well, I mean, I don't really like it BETTER [here], BUT, I like it better because, right now, we live here!" 

And, that, is the best definition of true heartfelt contentment I've ever heard! 

I've got a lot to learn from these kiddoes. I just hope they'll keep me around long enough to teach me a few more things. ;) 

Blooming Fig Trees

Many of you know the battle I am constantly in with worrying for my children. I have to be reminded of it constantly and lay it before the throne often. I can definitely say that I have given MUCH of that worry to The Lord in the past year or so and have been able to see a major difference in the more recent months because of that conscience effort to just continue leaving those worries at the cross. 

But, just the other day, the worries had begun to creep back in... Am I doing this well, are they doing ok, blah blah blah. When I know good and well, if I take a step back to look, that I am doing my best and that they are thriving. That's the interesting thing about worry. It's often so uncalled for. But, I was battling with it slipping back in. 

Then, I went to visit a friend who was just released from the hospital after having her appendix removed. She's a teacher and, of course, is missing out on a lot of work since the unexpected surgery. I asked her how she was doing and how that was affecting her, and she very boldly told me "I don't rely on that job, God is where I place my trust." wow. Step on my toes! When so much seems like it's going wrong, she was able to trust Him wholly. 

And, me, on the other hand? I have to literally make up problems to worry over, and yet, I still manage to do so. 

She shared this verse with me and it stuck:

Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.  (Habakkuk 3:17-19 ESV)

I love it, because I have to remind myself to rejoice even when the fig tree IS blossoming, let alone when it's not. 

A great reminder to be in the habit of praising Him whenever, so when the hard times really do come, we won't have any other options! 

EXCUSE ME?... How RUDE!!! ;)

Living in a new culture for a year can do some funny things to you.  And, it's almost unnoticeable until you take some time away from said culture.  Now, some of those traits that have rubbed off are definitely a good thing, for example, when I could hardly keep myself from asking a friend if she would like something to drink over and over again, and then remembering that she was on Skype and not actually here!

On the flip side, some traits aren't so great... well, actually, I haven't decided yet how great or not great they are, but I think the Bible decided for me.  You see, when we were in Israel, I actually found myself annoyed and even somewhat offended by the many "excuse me's" I heard.  Can't the people just push their way through and leave me alone to mind my own business??? I mean, really! The nerve! ;)  I really kept finding this disturbed look on my face when people would bother me with an excuse me instead of just rudely pushing their way past! Ha! I never thought I'd see the day! It was truly the strangest thing, but it made me better understand this culture, in a strange sort of way... like, how just maybe they're thinking "why bother them with my problems, I'll just make my own way?" At least, that's how I've decided to take their pushiness...for now.

Then I had a chance to take a closer look at 1 Peter chapter 3: 8-16 (I was going to type it out here, but really, the whole chapter is worth reading, so if you're interested, pull out your Bible and take a look).

In verse 8, I saw a list of qualities I should have as a believer: unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.

Then in verse 9-11, a couple of do's and don't's: don't repay evil for evil---do bless; don't speak evil---do good... seek peace...pursue peace!

But, it was in verses 15-16 that I began to realize my wrong, or at the least, my 'not right' ;) ... It speaks in verse 15 of being ready to share about the hope that is in you, but doing it with GENTLENESS AND RESPECT.  To be quite honest, after reading this once, rather than getting the plank out of my own eye, my mind turned to some of my Facebook friends who are infamous for their bold, not so kind judgment of people who don't believe like them... but, simultaneously,  I had three fingers pointed right back at me!  Because, in this verse, it says to have an answer for the reason for the HOPE that is in you.  So, in order to be asked about the hope that is in you, it is assumed that the hope is actually SHOWING in the first place.  Well, there's a no-brainer.  And, so, I thought back about myself... am I any different than the people around me? When they push me, do I push back? Do I rudely smirk back at them when they stare me down in the streets, or do I genuinely smile at them with a smile that shows the love of Christ?  I'll be honest, I think it mainly depends on my mood, and how conscious I'm being about my surroundings and the reason why I'm here, along with whether or not I'm exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit.

Then, I kept reading, backward actually, and saw that in order to have the hope in me in the first place, I needed to "honor Christ the Lord as holy in my heart"! And, that's the key to having the hope in the first place... then, being asked about it, followed by answering in such a way that is gentle and respectful!

Shwew! Where does that hit you? Maybe somewhere different than it hit me.

Oh, and the moral of the story: when I come back to the States, please, just push me out of your way. I'm obviously not accustomed to the rudeness of "Excuse Me"! ;)

-The 4 Cokes

Kamden's Writing Assignment

Kamden normally isn't much of a writer/drawer kind of a girl. Getting her to color an entire picture often proves difficult. Talking/using her words and actions is more her thing. 

So, when Jason gave her this assignment for school today, I was really surprised by how she did on her own! 

"Write/draw three things you liked about Israel:"

Favorites

Kamden: 

1- Nazareth Village

2- Archeologist Dig

Meal- Shabbat dinner with Uncle JoeJoe

Fact- Bath houses in the palaces 

Bible Location that really came to life- The Garden Tomb 

Kiley: 

1- Dead Sea

2- Archeologist Dig

Meal- Shabbat dinner with Uncle JoeJoe

Fact- Western Wall is closest to the Holy of Holies 

Bible Location that really came to life- Jesus calmed the storm, David & Goliath, the Garden tomb/Golgotha 

Angel: 

1- Nazareth Village

2- Sea of Galilee

Honorable Mention- Garden Tomb ;) 

Meal- Shabbat dinner with Uncle JoeJoe (though I loved the restaurant in Bethlehem) 

Fact- Oil press and it's relation to the Garden of Gethsemane 

Bible location that really came to life- the Sea of Galilee miracles 

Jason:

1- Garden Tomb

2- Nazareth Village 

Meal- Restaurant in Bethlehem 

Fact- the closeness in proximity of the cross and the tomb 

Bible location that really came to life- Jesus Calms the Storm 

And, lastly, the girls are cracking me up because Kiley's "favorite question" topic was "Which car did you like better and which color?" Ha. Who has to answer those types of questions on a one-week trip. ;) 

David, Goliath, & Archeology!

This morning, we said goodbye to our sweet friend, Uncle JoeJoe, who really was a super sweet host all week. He really took to the girls and treated us like family. 

We headed off to meet with a sweet couple we had met in Richmond, Va and enjoyed a sweet chat (and a sweet sweet) at a little coffee shop. 

I was reminded once again what an awesome opportunity we've been given. It's not free of heartache, but my goodness, what an amazingly diverse and unique life we've been called to live. 

We set out today to become real archeologists!!!! And it turned out really fun! The girls were begging to stay longer! 

Apparently, when a certain group came into the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, they did some illegal digging and building which left the ruins improperly dug up and dumped all together with ruins from all time periods mixed together. 

So, a group of people got the rights to the dug up deris and have been sorting through it for the past six years. They have a place set up for anyone to come and help sift through the debris to find remaining artifacts. 

Among our own personal finds were: a pig's tooth, some pottery handles, a nail, and a lot of pottery pieces, glass, and other things from as far back as the Old Testament. 

It was a really great hands-on idea of what archeologists do and the girls left with a certificate that they had participated in archeological work. 

Our evening dinner plans which had been a surprise fell through. :( It turns out they don't allow children under 11. Jason finally told me what it was and I understand why they don't allow kids. Although, after what we've studied and the interest the girls have taken to it, I think they would have appreciated it. The place is called "Blackout" and the entire meal is served in the pitch black to experience what it feels like to be blind! 

Instead, we had the novelty of real beef for lunch (albeit, mcdonalds) and walked around a mall for a few minutes before heading to see the Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath. 

That was one neat experience. Sadly, in our search for the place, we came across a man who simply was defiant that the event ever took place. He nearly refused to answer us as to where it was because he just kept saying "it's all a bluff... It's not real."  He had such a sadness in his voice! It was really saddening... 

We finally found the believed location and did some role play... No, no one got hit in the head with a stone!... And chose five smooth stones to take home. 

We're on our way now to Tel Aviv to spend the night and head toward home tomorrow.

It's been a one-of-a-kind, once in a lifetime trip! 

Masada and the Dead Sea

When I was a kid, my parents took us out west for three weeks. It's funny how today I was reminded of some of my most vivid memories of that trip. It was the times we didn't take the beaten path. Whether spending a few hours climbing around on the badlands or using a huge hay bail as a toilet,my fondest memories were of the times we broke the rules and just did our own thing. 

So, today, though an hour behind schedule, I was so excited when Jason agreed to pull over and let the girls actually climb on the massive sand dunes rather than just look at them thru the window. 

We also, of course, had to take a potty break on the side of the road, climbing a really cool path to be out of the view of passerbys. 

We passed Jericho today, the road the Good Samaritan would have taken, and the cave where the Dead Sea Scross were found (an early copy of the Bible). 

Then, we Saw Masada. A palace built by King Herod in the middle of the desert for his extravagant enjoyment.  It is extremely high on top of a mountain and it is massive! We had fun exploring. 

On our way to the Dead Sea beach, we passed an antelope type animal that lives on the cliffs of the Dead Sea. They em are our of our hands!!!!

Then it was off to the Dead Sea! Most people build sand castles at the beach, the girls built salt castles. They laughed and giggled and we all had a really great time. Then we covered ourselves in mud from the Dead Sea and headed back home. The girls were exhausted, needless to say, after spending the day climbing, hiking, and swimming. 

Doozy of a Day!

Most of you have at least probably seen the status updates about our very eventful morning. Here it is:

We are parked inside a locked gate so, needed to leave very early this morning, Jason went up to warm up the car for the sleeping girls and drop off our things and then walked back down the stairs to get me and the girls and head out. We carried Kiley out and looked around and our car was GONE!!!! 

Ironically, we had just watched last night a show called Bait Car where cars are left  this way to catch potential thieves. 

We ran back down to the house and asked our friend to call the police. He was awestruck, couldn't think of the number right away so meanwhile we called the rental car company. 

Ironically (again), Kiley had memorized our license plate number and we had been talking about how that would come in handy in an emergency. Out of a dead sleep, she quoted that number! 

Jason went back up to the parking lot to look around and found the car!!!!!! Parked in another spot. BUT... There were no Keys. All our belongings were still inside but we had no Keys. 

The cops asked us not to touch anything and to wait for them to arrive. We gave the rental company the heads up that the car had been found... but it was too late. They told us we had broken contract by not having the keys in our possession at all times and that they would be revoking the car. :/ 

Even after finding the keys on the ledge, they refused to change their mind. They were nice enough to allow us to finished our plans for the day and return the car before closing. Sadly, with it being sabbath here, Jason had to take the car back to the airport an hour away and rent a new car. :/ 

We were, of course, thankful that it wasn't much worse, but, man! What a day! Somehow we managed to be only 1 hour behind schedule and ended up having a great day! 

Jordan River & a Special Dinner

We went on from the Sea of Galilee to a spot on the Jordan River where baptisms are performed daily. We sat and read the passage from Matthew 3 that accounts Jesus' baptism and we discussed what it means to be baptized. 

Then we went down to the water. Once again, it was sad to see people who felt like if I just touch the water that Jesus was baptized in then some special blessing will come to me. We didn't actually see any baptisms performed while we were there but it was neat trying to imagine what it must have been like for Jesus and for John the Baptist who baptized Him. 

One really funny thing happened.  Most people go to the Jordan River to be baptized or to even take a small bottle of the water home with them. Not Kamden. No, Kamden gives back to the Jordan river. Yes, sitting on the edge of the water, thankfully out of sight of any other bystanders, the girls stick their feet in the water. That's what did it. Kamden apparently needed to use the restroom so badly and when she felt that water I knew I better drop her drawers right there because she wasn't making it to the proper toilet. Yes, my daughter peed in the water that to so many is "holy water"! 

We laughed and laughed and then the girls enjoyed wading through the water, writing in their journals, and then wading some more until closing time. 

Though we've enjoyed the spiritual side and it's been fresh on our minds, it's also been on our hearts to make this trip a balance for the girls. Meaning, that so many people come here almost out of necessity or ritual to be nearest to the "holiest places", exactly what Christians accuse the Jews of doing at their Wailing Wall. So, it's been important to us not to in any way make the girls feel like being here is a forced spiritual time. We've enjoyed learning the history behind it all, and learning the apologetics of Christiany. This trip has, of course, Made me love my Jesus more, but it's also greatly increased my knowledge of so many Biblical matters. 

Oh, and, btw, forgot to mention we drove right through the valley of Armageddon! Wow! I've never been much of a Revelations girl, but that place brought it all to life!!! 

We ended the night with a super special dinner with uncle JoeJoe. He is a Messianic Jew so he continues to celebrate (merely as tradition) "Shabbat dinner". A dinner held on Friday evening where Jewish families all come together and enjoy a meal. He spoke some blessings in Hebrew and introduced us to a tasty bread used for every Shabbat meal. 

Right when we thought we couldn't lean a drop more, he vividly introduced a popular Jewish tradition. 

What a great day it was! 

Nazareth

Today we got off to an early start and headed for Nazareth. About a two hour drive from where we are staying. Uncle JoeJoe sent us off with some egg salad and bread to make sandwiches along the way which I thought was super sweet. He's also planning a big meal for dinner this evening. 

We arrived in Nazareth and went to such a cool place! It's called Nazareth Village and sits right outside the original city (which in the first century only had a population of about 400-500 people). On their property, they have excavated and discovered original wine presses and a few other original remains. But they have also rebuilt on the property to accurately resemble an old Nazareth village. It was incredible! 

Kiley surprised all of us by immediately knowing the answer to a trivia question that none of us adults could answer. 

Q: why did they not wear shoes to smash grapes in the winepress?

A: so the seeds would not be crushed making the wine bitter. Apparently, she was really impacted by the best tour guide ever at the garden tomb who shared that bit of info with her. 

In the Nazareth Village, They continue to produce wool, dyed from onions, pomegranites, and even sea snails. They own their own sheep and olive trees cover their property. People wander the land and do the work wearing New Testament attire. They have rebuilt a replica of an old synagogue like Jesus would have taught in. 

One of my favorite parts was seeing just how olive oil is made. They showed us the mill stone that is still used today and then the three presses. The first press is only using the baskets stacked on top of one another and that oil was taken to the temple to burn for God. The second pressing added a large stone to press and was used for their own personal use such as perfumes, cooking, etc. And the final pressing, adding more stones, being the dirtiest is used to light their oil lamps. 

Now, here is where it becomes interesting. The Garden of Gethsemane is so named because it is filled with olive trees. But, even more so because Gethsemane means "oil press". Now, having seen how an olive is pressed- one load of pressure, two loads of pressure, and three loads of pressure, we can relate this to the fact that in that garden Jesus prayed three times, each time feeling the pressure heavier and heavier on him until he had drops of blood instead of sweat. Wow! This very garden was named prior to Jesus' visit there yet it reveals how he would suffer there and feel the weight of the world on Him. 

We also were reminded in a near-sermon of why it was so difficult for the Jews to accept Jesus. Being that He came for all mankind. And how difficult it must have been for them to be willing to share he blessing God had promised them with all of their oppressors! 

But, boy, am I thankful He came for me!

The millstone. 

Where olive oil is made. 

Sea of Galilee

I didn't expect the Sea of Galilee to bring me to a place of such solemnity but I was surprised when I had one quiet moment (as the girls were mesmerized looking out the side of the boat) to kneel for just a second and look out over the water, facing where it is believed that Jesus cast the demons out of the demon-possessed man. In that moment, I prayed "Lord, you performed so many miracles on and around these waters. I believe you can perform those same miracles, through the telling of these and other stories, in the hearts of the people of India."

The boat ride was amazing. And though it was technically not a Christian tour, they played "Agnus Dei" and we couldn't help but sing along to the words "Holy, holy are you Lord God Almighty! Worthy is the Lamb! Worthy is the Lamb! You are Holy!" 

We really enjoyed Galilee. It's a beautiful and peaceful place. 

The Rest of the Day- Last Day in Jerusalem

Ok. So I wrote one blog post focusing entirely on the Garden Tomb, but I'm also trying to keep something of a journal on our time here, so here is the rest of the day. 

We woke up and enjoyed breakfast with Uncle JoeJoe then quickly Jason realized that he has been taken for over $50 USD at the supposed ATM. He immediately went into action and we decided it would be best to go straight back there to attempt to get his money back. 

Sidenote: he had attempted to use the arm but it wasn't working, so the man inside the shop offered to change the money himself saying it was the same rate as the ATM with only a $2 fee. We learned that just because a machine says ATM, it doesn't mean it truly is one. So, had we used the ATM, we would have still lost the money, but with no possible way of having it returned. 

Jason walked up to the shop and began taking pictures. This apparently concerned the most like already guilt ridden man ;) and he asked Jason what he was doing. Jason told him but the man denied it saying his rate was the same as everyone else's. So, Jason proceeded to stand in front of the store and turn people away one by one telling them the store was a scam and not to change their money there. 

This obviously upset the man as he watched a lot of money walk out the door so he came out and pushed Jason and said he would call the cops. Jason said to go ahead because he would just tell them what he did. 

Finally, after making no progress, the manager happened to show up and said to just give him back his money so he would go away! Yes! Thank God! 

While Jason was fighting to get our money back, the girls and I sat in the car. The one thing I had regretted from the day before was not stopping to read the passages that corresponded with each place we were. So, we sat and I read to the girls from the Bible about the things we had seen. And they loved it! I kept asking if they were ready to stop but they said no. I say this not because my girls are anything super spiritual or extra special. But because God's Word is ASTOUNDING! And interesting. Let's read it! And to our kids who will stand in awe of our Savior! 

We went on to tour Hezekiah's Tunnels which was a super neat experience. We saw the ruins of King David's palace, were able to picture how he must have looked down over the city and seen Bathsheba bathing. We were reminded of the multiple consequences he suffered because of his sin.  Then, we got to see how he conquered Jerusalem by traveling through tunnels leading into the city used to protect their water supply. And then the adventure began: a 30 minute "wade" through the tunnels filled with water to where it ended near the pool of Bethesda. We had a blast and were so thankful we went for it and did the wet tunnels. Jesus performed many miracles there and once again it was neat to picture all that took place in those times. 

We rushed home, changed our wet clothes, and rushed to the Garden Tomb (written about in another post). 

From there, we went to visit some friends who help to run a prayer center in the city. Man! That turned out to be a really cool, very convicting visit. 

Here, people from all over the world come to pray for the nations. It was a beautiful building with so much history behind it. The prayer center was designed so beautifully with stations to pray for forgiveness and intercession etc. I was reminded of my own personal failings to spend much time in prayer. Our sweet friends took the girls through and then took them for some snacks while we had a few minutes to pray. 

Then we visited together and the time was sweet! Wish we had had the opportunity to spend more time with them. 

Finally, we took time to eat. We had skipped lunch in the rush and only snacked a couple times, so we thoroughly enjoyed some delicious NY style pizza and Tom & Jerry on the tv! ;) 

It was a FULL day and we enjoyed every minute of it! 

The Garden Tomb

Wow! Now that was Amazing. Yes, I had to hold back the tears. We visited the Garden Tomb where we had an amazing tour guide. We weren't expecting to have one at all and then we were told we could go with a group. We were worried about how well the tour guide would include children in a large group so we considered doing an audio guide and going alone. When we went back to ask, they said actually they had a tour guide who could go with just us. Biggest blessing ever! 

Her name was Katie. She took right to the girls in a grandmotherly sort of way. She had a beautiful English accent which mesmerized the girls and SHE LOVED JESUS! It poured out of everything she said and did. She directed the tour entirely to the girls. Telling them how much she loved Jesus and how much Jesus loves each of us. 

In the Garden, you see a mountain that appears like a skull, recognized by a man who was walking through his own garden, reading his Bible early one morning, looked up and said "this must be it!"  This same man actually hosted the man who penned "It Is Well". 

After seeing the "place of the skull" we went on through the garden to a few more stations. But, because of our tour guide, one of my favorite stations was one that most people probably quickly overlook. It was that of a wine press. There in the garden is an old wine press, used in those days to smash the grapes and make wine. Our tour guide sat my girls down and so gently shared with them the importance of treating grapes with care and not crushing them but gently treading over them to provide something far more valuable than the grapes themselves. She looked my girls in the eyes (as I tried not to cry) and said "you must give everything that you love to Jesus and trust Him with it because He will tread lightly on that which you love and only make it sweeter!" Now that is a hallelujah moment for you hallelujah-wallas out there. ;) 

Oh God! May I give you my passions. My children. My life. After what you went through for me. 

We went on from there where we saw the spot where it is believed that the most amazing, most rewarding miracle of all time took place! To step into that tomb and just imagine having been there to have heard those words "He is not here! He is risen as He said!" Wow!!! We sat together and read the passage from God's Word and it all just made so much sense! 

So many songs went through my mind while I sat there afterwards just thinking through what all I had seen and heard. But one that I could not get to leave was this simple tune: 

"Thank you Lord for saving my soul thank you Lord for making me whole. Thank you Lord for giving to me, Thy great salvation so rich and free!"

And over and over I heard myself repeating, "He is not here! He is risen AS HE SAID! Come see the place where The Lord lay!" 

"Why do you seek the LIVING among the DEAD?!?" 

It's interesting how, when we actually study God's Word as a whole, we begin to see how it all makes sense.  Jesus was condemned for saying "I will destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days."  Even my seven year old, after having thought it through, could tell you that what He said is truth. He did destroy that temple on the day He took our sins on the cross and suffered and died for us. And then, three days later, as He promised, He rebuilt a much more glorious Temple in raising from the dead! 

For those of you who may not have given Him your life, I beg you to do so! He won't trample it, He won't judge your past mistakes, your sins, He'll only carry them for you! Remember Peter... He made a fool of himself by denying Jesus three times. He could have given up and counted himself a failure, but instead he picked himself back up and went on to do such amazing things for his Lord. He'll take your faults, your failures, your big fat mess-ups and He'll make them so glorious! 

... Just to be in the place where my savior lived and died. But what's so amazing is He rose again!!!!!!!! And He did it all for me!

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.