So much to see.

So much to see, so many things to learn. The first of which is typing quickly on a Hebrew keyboard that is one key to the right.

Yesterday was an incredible gift. The weather here is perfect so we can see so much. We drove to the Mount of Beatitudes, a beautiful church to commemorate a great sermon. It was Ash Wednesday so the crowds were thick. We took our time and eventually walked down the slope toward the Sea of Galilee to Tabgha. To go from this incredible teaching spot of Jesus then to sit for a moment where he had compassion on the crowds who followed him is pretty moving. Look at Matthew 14:15-21 and see where he took some fish and loaves and fed thousands.
Just down the street is the place of Peter's primacy- Feed my sheep, Tend my sheep, Feed my sheep. The place itself at Capernaum is special but there is also the Synogogue where JEsus probably preached and taught at different times. I asked for inspiration there to carry the message of Jesus to others. Just to lay my hands on the columns seemed to add something to my life.
We drove around the top end of the Sea of Galilee looking upward toward the Golan Heights and remembering that in Jesus time this land was Gentile land. It is not any wonder that Jesus framed his sermon about the Gerazine demoniac in ways they would understand. Did you ever wonder why he could place the demons in pigs when the Jewish people did not eat or touch pork? Well the Gentiles did and he sent the demons into the pigs and the pigs ran into the Sea of Galilee. They say there are still wild boar running through that land.
Driving down the shore we went along the river Jordan and found a quiet place to remember our baptism. A unique opportunity on Ash Wednesday. Yes, I did fill up a bottle to bring back with me. Let me know if you want to remember your baptism with Jordan water or have a special infant or adult to baptize the first time, I'll be happy to share.
Today was a day to travel and change locations. We are now in JErusalem, the City of David, the city of Christ's death and resurrection. On our way we stopped in Jericho and then to Bethlehem. Jericho is about 1000 ft below sea level and Jerusalem is about 3000 feet above sea level. As we road up the hill I thought about what it must have been like for Jesus to make that trip, up the hill, knowing how it would end. It is a long journey by bus, and must have been difficult at best on foot.
Bethlehem was more crowded than the last time I was there - a good thing. The hard thing is to see the 32 foot wall around this city. We went to teh church of the Nativity and even in the crowds it holds a special touch to reach in to the spot where they celebrate JEsus birth and see the manger where Mary laid the baby. The ornate nature of this Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Roman Catholic place of worship is outstanding. I cannot wait to show you the pictures. That will have to be when I return though.
We will be around Jerusalem tomorrow. I'll keep you in my prayers whereever we go as I know you will keep me in yours.

Blessings and peace.

C. Kay

Quick update

A full day with many sights. We ended the day trip with a service to Remember our baptism at a small spot along the River Jordan. We ended the evening with our own Ash Wednesday service. A special treat here near a place where Jesus would have been walking those days before Jerusalem.

Tomorrow we move to Jerusalem.

Blessings and peace.

C.Kay

Ceasaria, Meggido, Nazareth and Cana Whew!!!!

After a late dinner last night and an early breakfast this morning we were on the bus to Ceasaria. LAst night we travelled from Tel Aviv to Tiberias so it was back to the other side this morning. The day was beautiful, bright sunshine and a gentle breeze with no need for jackets but definitely sun glasses.

Ceasaria has been restored very well to show much of what Herod was trying to do with the beauty of the Amphitheater and the show of the Hippodrome. There is still some of the original Roman marble and local shows are held there on a regular basis. The end of the Hippodrome is not really a 1/2 mile away because the Crusaders built the wall to protect the city at one end. It is easy to imagine the chariots racing and making the turn at the end with the crowds watching from the steps while looking out at the beautiful Mediterranean Sea.

There are many small things to see like the Byzantine inlaid mosaics from the floors of ancient buildings. There is one piece with Pontius Pilate's name that bears witness to his time at the time of Jesus. The original is in the museum but the repllica is just fine to see.

The remains of the aquaduct that carried water from Mount Carmel the palace make a stunning sight right by the sea. On a warm day like today we just had to take our shoes off and stand in the water. The day was warm but the water was icy cold.

Back on the bus to go to Meggido. This Tel has been excavated over the years to show the many layers and impact of differing civilations. It is easy to understand why they chose this spot to build a defensible city, you can see for miles, especially on such a beautiful day. After walking to the top of the Tel where you can see the grain storage and some of the troughs for the horses we climbed down the 180 steps to the bottom of hte well which was the way the water got in and the people escaped out.

When I was here several years ago some of my friends on that trip had a race to the bottom and back up to see who could do it in the fastest time. They were in great shape, but understandably exhausted by the end. Good memories.

Lunch at Meggido then on to Nazareth for the church of the Annuciation and the Synogue Church. Both places were meaningful in what they represent. The Annuciation church shows the cave where Mary heard from the Angel Gabriel that she would bear the Son of God. The church is beautiful with exquisite pictures all around of the Madonna and child. The various pictures or art are done by different countries to honor Mary. They are each unique works of art representative of the country. I'll post some of the pictures later on the trip.

As we walked up hill from the church we went to a small church called the Synogogue Church as the site where Jesus read the scroll in Nazareth. This small place with wonderful accoustics makes that scripture real for many. It is plain and unadorned with nothing more than a picture of Jesus reading the scroll and an altar. After Melanie read us the passage we sang Spirit of the Living God in beautiful harmony. It is the spirit of hte journey that makes it more alive.

Off to Cana to see the spring of water at the church where the first miracle took place. Walk up the hill, turn a little to ther right and the Greek Orthodox church is there, right across from the First Miracle souvenire shop. I know, it is crazy but the entire little street's business is all about that miracle. The stores sell the icons, the wine, the communion bread, mass wine and other things suitable for water to wine from Cana.

Back to the hotel for dinner and rest. Tomorrow we ride the boat across Galilee.

I hope this gives you a small feeling for what we are seeing and where we are traveling. Get your maps out and check out the locations. Thanks for following along.

(The keyboard is in Hebrew so the letters are off just bit, making the typing a little clumsy.)

Blessings and peace.

C. Kay

We are Here!!!

After 12 hours on the plane we are finally here in Israel. We are now on a bus to Tiberias for the first night. It is about 7:30 pm here on Monday February 15th. The weather is exceptionally warm 82 a long way from the snow in Atlanta.

We can see the bright green lights of the minerettes in the distance of each little village. Some are very tall and can be seen far away. Too dark to see much else. More tomorrow.

Packing is Done

Everything is packed and waiting for tomorrow. Of course there will be those last minute, oops I forgot to add this type thing but all in all we are ready to go. God is so good, and we are so excited.

I will see some of you at church tomorrow and the rest when I return. We will stop where Robert works, the Shedd at Glennwood, for Valentines Dinner then on to the airport. Keep us in your prayers as we will keep all of you in ours.

Many blessings.

C. Kay

Packing Begins

It is hard to beleive there are only four days left. I am so excited and have started the packing process. Finally the bedroom is clear and we can get everything together. Now will also begin the "do I really need that" process when we discover the bags are too heavy.

I found a great prayer/devotional for Mike and I to use, 15 Day's of Prayer with Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We can start on Sunday and have one left for the day we return.

Of course life is also happening - the roof had a leak that needed repair today. Done, thanks to my sweet husband. I am sure by tomorrow something else will need attention before we go.

God has blessed us in a mighty way for this trip. I cannot wait to share it all with you as we go and when we return.

Blessings for the next few days.

C. Kay