At just about every site we heard the same words... 'this may have been the place where...'. So why do we go on pilgrimages? Why is it so impactful to travel and sacrifice to learn about who and what we worship? From my experience, it has everything to do with the personal preparation involved. I could have learned all that I learned spiritually in my little room in Palo Alto, just talking with God and studying His words. Perhaps someday I will have the faith and devotion necessary to have those kinds of experiences wherever I might be.
Aside from the spiritual feast, I felt the usual exhilaration from and love of traveling as I met and observed the people and their culture. I am also left feelings similar to the ones I experienced when I returned home from Zambia. I don't have words adequate to describe what I learned and saw and felt.
These two. How did I get so lucky? Kel, me, Christi crossing the Israel/Jordan border. On our way to Petra from Eilat.
Moussah was a very interesting man. Fun to talk to for the first 15 minutes of our cab ride, then I just wanted a little time to think. Then when he grabbed my hand while we were car dancing to Jordanian music I felt a little funny inside. Fun stories...
Petra! It felt so good to walk/hike through this ancient city carved out of stone after 2 days of sitting either on a plane, in a cab, or in a rental car.
The Treasury
Our camels in front of the Treasury
The old city... the dwellings in Petra
The theatre
Our camel ride! Arabian nights, like arabian days...
Abdullah, my sweet, bright little friend who sold me a bracelet. I am seriously a sucker for the kids selling stuff. I didn't even want the bracelet, but it was so worth it to get to know him. His English was impeccable.
The Monastery. I practically ran up the stairs to get here. It felt so good to get some exercise.
Jefferson's and my morning run. High place of sacrifice. I wasn't as brave as Jefferson but...
We got to watch the sunrise, and be in two places. I felt like I was in Last of the Mohicans.
Snorkeling at the Red Sea
And the tour begins. Yet somehow we still managed to hang out with our little 'pre-tour' group. The best travel buddies. Jefferson, Christi, me, Billy, Kel, Ben.
Since we got lost in the West Bank on our way to church. And fortunately survived (ok it actually didn't feel that dangerous). We took the sacrament outside, in front of the Jerusalem Center, with a beautiful view of Jerusalem. Pretty cool experience.
The group
Like those pictures that are almost the same, but wouldn't be complete without both... little dance party at the JC
Bry and me
Love these streets. Old city. It was here that I was asked if I had a boyfriend, to which I responded 'yes'. To which he responded. 'But you don't have a boyfriend in Jerusalem'. I mean, he had a point.
The best duo of the trip
Christi, Kel, me. My gal pals. The best kind.
Rampart's walk. Along the north and west walls.
View of just outside the city walls
The picture I was taking...
Hezekia's tunnels
I almost slipped off that rock into the not so clean water.
Dome of the Rock and the temple mount! We definitely didn't get enough time here. But I definitely got lots of photos of this beauty.
Where Jesus taught when he was 12- at the temple.
Can't take credit for this one
Wailing Wall, Dome of the Rock.
At the Western Wall on Friday at 6, the beginning of the Jewish sabbath. We observed the same sabbath.
One of my favorite parts of the trip-observing the worship here. So much energy, devotion.
Hasidic Jews at the Western Wall.
The lower part of the Western Wall
Singing hymns at St. Ann's near the Pools of Bethesda
One of the most meaningful sites for me. Jesus healed the lame man here. He heals physical ailments today as well as in times of old.
The Garden Tomb
The church at the site believed to be the Garden of Gethsemane
Singing hymns at the Garden of Gethsemane
The Shepherds Field. There was a special spirit here.
Chewin her lunch
Camel ride
Sweet animals. I was so happy to see them treated well by their owners.
So basically no guarantee for your safety, or even life, if you are Israeli. Heading into Jericho.
And the walls came tumbling down... yes we sang the song and danced in a circle.
The mud was AMAZING
The heaven sent rainbow at the Dead Sea after the downpour
Jefferson using his resources to get his workout in while on our morning run. Followed by a refreshing dip in the Sea of Galilee.
Me, Tim, Katie, David. Morning run along the Sea of Galilee.
With Kristen!
Sea of Galilee. So calm. So serene. This was one of my favorite places.
Pondering while on the boat on Galilee
Mount of Beatitudes
A definite highlight of the trip. Sunset and reading of the Sermon on the Mount.
Our run together was one of my highlights. Such a wise woman.
Recording some thoughts at the River Jordan
The Valley of Armageddon
Free wifi... in Nazareth
Ceasarea on the Mediterranean. Our last moments together as a group.
One of my favorite memories. A full two hours to ponder and be alone at the sea. At sunset. It was my happy place.
Bill, as usual, making us all laugh.
How could I forget?! The Birthday Plog. Thank you Benson for documenting this. Thank you Kel for being born, and for finding the plog.
4 comments:
Golly, what a great trip to the Holy Land. Kathryn and I did some of that back in 1982. Very nostalgic for me as I viewed your pics.
I am glad you had such fulfilling adventure. Tell me Melissa, we went through about four different places claiming to be the original Garden Tomb? Did you? And if so, did the Spirit whisper to you in the form of an impression while you were in one of the four?
We did not spend as much time as you, for we were on a cruise, and therefore a schedule, but visited many of the same places...what a treat!
1982 was a good year. Some amazing people were born that year:) It sounds like it might be time to go back. When I travel I usually feel satisfied knowing I will only visit once, but Jerusalem is a place I will definitely return to.
I only visited one site claiming to be the Garden Tomb. I did feel like that was the place... but we had a similar experience with the Garden of Gethsemane. I didn't feel that either of the tourist claims to authenticity were legitimate, but as I was walking up the hill to Orson Hyde Park, where there are olive trees along the walkway... I pictured it being more in that area. I may have just been thrown off by the manicured tourist sites. What was your experience?
If there was any one person that I know that had the the most appreciation for being in Israel its Melissa C.Della Gatta my daughter.You have a insatiable passionate appetite and belief for the gospel.I am happy you made it all come alive for your self and shared it with friends.Good work Melissa! Love, mom and dad.
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