Jan 1, 2012 - Nazareth

This city is populated mostly with Muslims. When early Muslims came through here destroying all the Byzantine churches, they stopped when they came to the one built over the house believed to be Mary's. They saw in the mosaics the wise men and believed it represented them, so they left it alone. The Muslims today are pretty hostile toward any other religion. Photo uploads slow on phone, but will add later. The doors had beautiful bronze work done portraying moments in Christ's life and other biblical moments. Mass Washington being held near...

Jan 1, 2012 - Megiddo

So many battles fought here due to gaining control over the main road. We stopped and had lunch here and viewed a small scale replica to understand the many layers of excavation. Stable troughs from 3000 years ago in Solomon's time. Architecture at the entrance matched one found in another site supports 1Kings 9:15. Solomon had work done in 4 cities. Hatsore was where they excavated the gate the size of the one at Megisdo. Found a layer of burned wood that correlates to Joshua 12. Found a well here 2800 years or so old. Back to Ahab. Layers...

Dec 31, 2011 - Tel Aviv

We arrived at 2:20 p.m. Isreal time! Waiting on the bus for one who was detained by the authorities. It is best not get your passport stamped in Israel if you are traveling to other Middlesex East countries because Lebanon for example will refuse to give you a Visa to get in if you have been to Israel. We will be going to Jaffa to a newly renovated hotel. Jonah set sail from here to avoid going to Ninevah. Peter had a vision here of the sheet coming down. Met Roman Centurian, Cornelious, and learned that the Gospel is for everyone. God...

Dec 30, 2011 - Begin Journey to Israel

We are off!!! Huddled in the Philadelphia airport, we listened to what will begin a series of life changing talks from Pastor Jim Lyon. One thing that changed my thinking is that the Palestinians who war with the Jews are NOT mostly Muslims.... They are Christians who trace their heritage back to those converted by Christ, Himself, and/or His disciples. Okay, I am showing how ignorant I am about this part of the world! I am ready to learn more! One rough quote from "Jesus the One and Only" is a guide's comment to Beth. He was impressed...

Dec 29, 2011 - The Journey to US Begins

We took one last shower at the hotel, packed our stuff and went to eat the last delicious falafel balls on the beach. Put 12 suitcases (YES 12) into a mini van and headed to airport in Eilat. We were flying to Tel Aviv. Flight was 33 minutes. Easy. Then the Balagan! We were going to stay at Shoshi's house until we had to leave at 2 am for the airport. Someone (Eric) thought it would be a better idea to rent a car and drive to Tel Aviv. OY! A balagan. Kids awake all night long. Finally, we went to the airport. Kids fell asleep at 1 am...

Dec 28, 2011 - More Eilat Time

Hung at the beach for a few hours. On our left was Jordan, Saudi Arabia and on our right was Egypt. Really cool to be so close. As the crow flies, all these countries were 3 miles away from us. The water is clear. David went scuba diving, we rented a paddle boat and took the kids for a spin. David Chilling time still.

Dec 27, 2011 - Eilat - Chilling!

Hotel is ulta-kid-friendly. There is a small playground, kids camp, two pools and waterslide. Weather is blue sky and 72 degrees. We are happy to have down time but aren't totally comfortable at the hotel. Food in Eilat (restaurant experiences) are somewhat disappointing. Service, well, its not good. We did find one amazing place for Falafel. Yum.

Dec 25, 2011 - Tel Aviv -- No signs of Xmas here

Odd to realize it's Xmas Day and not a tree, song, garland or chubby santa ringing a bell. Instead, Hanukkah menorah's as far as the eye can see. Every single home window, store window, many rooftops of cars, every City park, and even police stations all have a menorah in the window. Our hotel lobby (like every single hotel lobby in Israel) has a menorah. Each night at sunset, many people gather around it, light the candles, say the blessing, then eat sygoniot (sp) which are delicious jelly donuts. Today, Eric's long lost family came to...

Dec 24, 2011 - Tel Aviv - Chill Day

Today is David's 24th on the 24th. We had a chill day. Jennifer slept. Much is closed due to Shabbat. Kids and Eric went to the park for a couple of hours. David and Leah tried to go shopping. They had some success. Windy today. Walked along the beach and watched the wind surfers. Lovely to see the sunset from here. This is a place that grows on you (if you like cities). Its pretty in a gritty way. Tonight we are going to dinner with Liat Aaronson and her husband. We have friends of friends connection to her. Its a small world here. David...

Dec 23, 2011 - Tel Aviv

So yes, we arrived in Tel Aviv late last night. One night early. Our belongings were completely mixed up. We moved to the new hotel, Isrotel Towers, and tried to return our rental call. No luck! Apparently since its Shabbat, all rental car places were closed early. Oops, who knew! Not us. We drove for several hours in circles and in heavy traffic. The scooters here are crazy. Crazy. If the driver sees traffic, the go up on the curb and drive until the traffic on the road frees up and then continues along. Eric and I had lunch on the beach...

Dec 22, 2011 - Yad Vashem and an oops!

Yad Vashem. A powerful museum dedicated to the Holocaust. The cement building is designed almost as two cement triangles attached to each other. You walk through the middle between the two tri angles. Along the walk are 12 large cement doors. Within each door are other rooms. You exit a door, back in to the main hall and then enter another doorway into another exhibit. At the end, the hallway ends basically outside -- you walk right into the light..... into a bright white outdoor tree park. It's eerie. It's a sad experience to say the...

Nov 11, 2011 - Markets and Crowds in Tel Aviv

Today was all about crowds in Tel Aviv on a Friday afternoon. And . . . there . . . are . . . crowds!! My cousin Tibi's daughter, Reli, and her husband, Yaron, picked us up in the morning and we drove to Tel Aviv. We pretty much spent the day browsing first a craft bazaar and then a farmer's market. To be honest, folks, the craft bazaar was no different than the craft bazaars in the States. Lovely stuff. Mostly hand-made (which was a relief after seeing so many things in the souvenir stores marked "Made in China"). We picked up a few of the...