Bethlehem and Sea of Galilee..

We went to Bethlehem yesterday, but I'm all blogged out and it's time to go study and play (meaning pictures will come later). Bethlehem was amazing. We're heading to the Sea of Galilee tomorrow for 9 days, but I'll put up a picture or two soon. Good thing we just started new testament for religion...and that the sea of galilee is 200 ft away from our kibbutz door that we're staying at. Who gets to read stories about the Savior, and then actually be sitting where it took place? Me. Hot Dog. I can't believe how lucky I am to be here. Life is fantastic.

Domo Arigato Of the Rocko (Dome of the Rock)

Dome of the Rock...
Luckily we waited in a long sweaty line and passed through security and were able to make it up onto the temple mount to see the dome of the rock. A few of our friends weren't allowed because they had scriptures with them, or who knows what else. But Matt, Kelly, Aubrey and I all made it up and got to walk around and be in the reverence of this cool building. We got in trouble with the security for touching arms in one of our pictures. It was such a cool place to be, and we felt lucky to get to go. Especially cause it was only opened for that one hour time period.

Post for Stephen's Mother Dear...(Mary)

Here's a little snippet for Stephen's (whom we call Walter) mother. Enjoy Mary! Much love from the other side of the world.

Orson Hyde Park Trip

In the church of the Holy Sepluchre (where illions of people think where Christ was crucified).

Garden Tomb..

City of David, Hezekiah's Tunnel, And Wailing Wall 2

Return to the Western Wall.
A woman praying against the wall. Such an amazing place. I can't believe I'm really here sometimes. It's such a reverent, peaceful feeling there.

What the wall looks like from the back in the middle of the day.



HEZEKIAH'S TUNNEL.
They were under siege for their water supply so they built a secret underground tunnel from the outer walls from Gihon Spring to the waters of Shaloam. the city of David's water supply was going to be taken over and so they went underground and built this way cool underground tunnel that we got to walk through. Basically...we were living in his history book. Walking. Talking. Splashing. Hitting our heads in the dark. And loving it.

Matt and I After the tunnel

Stubbed Toe from the tunnel.

walking through the tunnel.

Hunching over through...

Kelly and I right after we got inside the tunnel...

A 3-D movie we got to see about the city of David and Hezekiah's tunnel before we went in.

The view of Jerusalem from David's city and where Hezekiah's tunnel is.

Walk Like An Egyptian. Talk Like An Egyptian.

Time in the airport to Luxor means time playing in front of the silhouetted windows therein...

Ben Gurion's Gravesite and the wilderness lookout.

Av-Dat City of the Nabateans.

Life on the Kibbutz. We stayed one night on a Kibbutz on the way to Egypt. A Kibbutz being a place where they all live in a sort of zionistic place. All the money they earn goes to the same person and is distributed equally among everyone. No matter who you are or what you do. They all have equal everything. You have to apply to live there and there's a big council that has to decide if they want you in or not. Because you're usually there forever.

Long Bus Rides with Matt Aubrey and Kelly. 6 hours plus of driving...

Hot Dang.

The heat was crazy when we stepped off the bus... but we were quite ready and excited for the bathroom.... Only to discover it was a hole in the ground. Some girls asked for squatting tips...

The Great Pyramids.. Looks like it's straight out of my history book. I couldn't believe it.

I found a lover since I've been here. A sphinx.

A restaurant where they were making fresh pita's for us.

Eggplant and Hummus was lunch.

It looks like a dog graveyard..but they are everywhere. Especially where there's shade.

Saccara Pyramid Temple.

The groups finally met up together and we got to see Walter. Joy filled our hearts.

We went to a slave labor carpet making place. So interesting. What a world we live in.

We all became silhouettes at the airport.

Life in Luxor. Life in Luxury.

Karnak Temple


Karnak Temple Pillars

Matt and I on the carriage ride to the Karnak temple. Right after this picture the driver had me come up in the drivers seat with him and drive us. And no, this isn't a quaint little carriage ride. It's a full force gallop down the streets with cars clipping you on either side. So fun. Picture 2: Entrance of the Luxor temple.

Hieroglyphics in the Luxor temple. The Cross with the circle on top being eternal life. Picture 2: Ty, Sam and I standing at the entrance of the Luxor temple.

Brother Draper telling us about the significance of the Holy Of Holies in these Egyptian temples. It's weird how it correlates with other temples, and how they have some of the same truths and deep meanings that we do. Picture 2: Us being lions. On the street of Lions.

Really.