The Holy Land.
Some of you may know that I spent the last couple weeks in Israel and a couple days in Jordan. We saw so many things and it would be impossible for me to include my thoughts on everything that I saw and did- but I thought I would share some highlights. (Maybe I'll do another post if you are lucky) :)
Upon arrival of course we were sorely jet lagged- but we hit the streets running anyway (by no choice of our own) and didn't slow down the whole time we were there. I felt like we saw EVERYTHING, our schedule was so full and we were up early and to bed late. It was wonderful, but at times I'll admit it was a bit overwhelming. I have a sensitive stomach and the food didn't always sit so well with me- especially when we ate big meals and then we were thrown on buses that drove on bumpy windy roads. Despite that it will be one of the most breathtaking and memorable experiences of my life.
We saw where Christ was born, we walked where he walked, we sailed a fisherman's boat on the Sea of Galilee. I felt so grateful to be given the opportunity to experience at such a young age what most people never get to experience in their lifetime. It was almost stressful in a way because I felt so obligated to have these spiritual experiences that would change my life- and in some ways I did and in some ways I didn't. (I'll explain what I mean later.) Mostly I gained a strong foothold for having a greater understanding of things in the scriptures. It's easier to understand things that happened to these great prophets and apostles when you have stood on the hills and valleys where they preached and performed wondrous miracles. When I read the scriptures I can envision the hill where Christ feed the multitude and I have seen where he healed the lame man by the pool of Bethesda. Having such a historical and geographical back round to these biblical events gives you a greater understanding of the impact and significance of all the stories in the Old and New Testament. This being said- I don't want to make a very long post because I easily could. I visited so many places and learned so many things it would be impossible for me to share it all, but I will share just an experience or two that impacted me while I was there.
It was a week into the trip. We had already visited Beth Shean, Megiddo, and Mount Tabor that day. He announced that we would now drive to Tiberias to visit The Galilee Branch house owned by the church where the Church Service couple lived. We were exhausted and thought- really, do we need to go see this church house? (at least I felt that way) We arrived and walked in to meet the couple who were serving there. They are not called missionaries because the church has a strict agreement with the government that they will not have missionaries in the country, so they don't. Proselyting is illegal. The church rigidly follows this rule. You can not even answer questions that are asked of you. Instead they spend the majority of their time giving service, mostly working with people and their families who suffer from mental health. On Saturdays they conducts church, and it's often a difficult task because they have few members, some of which can not attend because it would not be safe for them. Among these few members there is at least 4 different languages and some have long distances to travel in order to attend and so often it is just a way they can all show love for each other. As Sister Fox talked about each member and their struggles and how they came to be where they were I could not help but feel the tears flowing. The spirit was so very strong, I can't explain it. And then I felt such guilt for not wanting to come and also a greater understanding for what the spirit is and how it comes to reside with us. It doesn't come from walking where jesus walked, it comes from being where he is now, where the holy ghost is, where good is, where people have a love for each other and Christ- it was palpable. I was so blessed to visit the Holy Land, but going there won't make you holier- that comes from the light of Christ which is anywhere and everywhere that we are when we are reflecting God's love. It was a beautiful and humbling experience.
My ear piece in while intently listening to Dr. Victor Ludlow.
P.S. If you want to feel like the most ignorant person in the whole wide world talk to him about anything in the New Testament or Old Testament... or just Israel in general. He's for real.
I took a picture of every cat, bird, gecko, camel, dog... really just any animal I came in contact with- half my pictures are of animals. (Is that weird)
