Part 2 Israel

Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives

These next 3 pictures were taken in 2011 when it was much warmer & less windy than
when we were just there. 

 Jews believe if you are buried on the Mount of Olives you will be reserructed first.

One morning Jan & John took us to play the Carillon Bells. Russ said it was the first time he'd ever seen me play an instrument. I actually did OK too. I love the sound of them.

Jan dropped us off to do the City of David & Hezekiah's tunnel tour. We were all set to walk through the water & then at the last minute decided to walk through the dry tunnel they used to run water through. It was a little chilly to get wet.

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Old olive tree

River Jordan

We went to a different spot on the River Jordan in 2011

Bet She'an National Park

In the Biblical account of the battle of the Israelites against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, the bodies of King Saul and three of his sons were hung on the walls of Beit She'an.
1 Samuel 31:10-12
This city was founded about 6,000 years ago.

Look at all these toilets lined up along the wall.

Talk about "social hour"

We're assuming they just sat between 2 of these stones to do their business.

Amphitheater in Bet She'an

The Magdala Stone was uncovered in 2009. 

The stone stood in the center of the Migdal Synagogue, and is tall enough to have been used as a reading desk or podium by someone in a seated position.

 There's a church there that has beautiful paintings & mosaics to portray miracles that happened near the Sea of Galilee.

I'm so glad Jan insisted we come to Magdala. This was an incredible painting that took up a whole wall depicting the story of the woman with an "issue of blood." This picture doesn't do it justice.
Luke 8:43-48

We liked it so much we purchased one at the gift shop & already had it framed!!

Painted by Daniel Cariola

The next four pictures are the mosaics hanging in the church.

This is Christ casting 7 devils out of Mary Magdalene. Luke 8:2

Jesus walks on the sea Matthew 14:22-33

Calls Peter & Andrew to be "fishers of men" Matthew 4:18-20

Luke 8:49-56

Raises a "ruler of the synagogue's" daughter from the dead.

This was a new statue we hadn't seen of Christ called, "Homeless Jesus"

Notice the marks on His feet.

Tiberius 

Taken in 2011

We were surprise to see the same tree again. 

2019

John & Jan having a quiet moment by the Sea of Galilee

Sea of Galilee 

Sea of Galilee at sunset taken in 2011

These were boats we rode in on the sea in 2011

Dinner with Neomi and Gil

It was nice to finally meet Neomi, as we've heard so much about her. They are a 

lovely couple and we really enjoyed our evening with them.

Qumran is best known as the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Qumran was established 134 -104 BC. It is thought about 200 people once lived here. In 1947 local Bedouins discovered a clay jar containing 7 scrolls in a cave. After changing hands several times they reached scholars who discovered the oldest known existing copy of the Old Testament.

If you look to the right of Russ you can see a small hole in the mountain. 

This is where the scrolls were found.

Scenes along the Dead Sea

En Gedi

En Gedi literally means "spring of the kid." It is an oasis and nature reserve near Masada & Qumran Caves. It was a nice little hike, a mile in & a mile out.

 It's believed that David hid from King Saul here. 1 Samuel 23:29

 Masada

Masada is a rugged natural fortress in the Judaean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. It was built as a palace complex by Herod the Great, King of Judaea from 37-4 B.C.

After Judaea became a province of the Roman Empire, it was the refuge of the last survivors of the Jewish revolt, who chose death rather than slavery when the Roman besiegers broke through their defenses.

 These were large store rooms where they could store food and supplies 

to last them long periods of time.

This was one of the rooms Herod entertained people.

Overlooking the Dead Sea from Masada

Russ standing in the Dead Sea

Jan amongst beautiful flowers

Russ & I at the Temple Mount standing in front of The Dome of the Rock. The Dome is an Islamic shrine. It was initially built in 691 BC, but destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 BC. It was rebuilt in 1022-1023.

The rock over which the shrine was built is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. The Prophet Muhammad, founder of Islam, is believed to have ascended into heaven from the site. The Jews believe it was here that Abraham prepared his son Isaac to be sacrificed.

This was one of my favorite pictures taken in 2011.

I admire other faiths who truly live & follow their beliefs & pray all people will do the same.

This statue/painting were in the Church of Flagellation

We stopped off at Jimmie's and Omar's for some souvenirs. 

Both of them cater to members of our church.

Omar

We had a 15 hour flight back to LA & then flew home from there.
I saw this beautiful view of Mt. Shasta out the airplane.

Another beautiful view out the window.

Crater Lake, Oregon from the air.

Elder & Sister Whiting

We were home from Israel one day and had to drive down to Longview, Wa. for a special Conference  for 6 Stakes. Elder Quinton Cook, Elder Patrick Kearon, & Elder Scott Whiting were present.
Russ & 5 other Stake Presidents had lunch with the brethren and a leadership meeting. Next they had a meeting for all the Stake Auxiliary Leaders.
 In the evening we had a nice dinner with them, which included the Stake Presidents wives.
 Elder Kearon told a story about calling a new Stake President.  He and the other General Authority he was with, couldn't get a confirmation on the two they were thinking about. They finally decided to meet with their two wives.  After meeting with one of them they knew immediately who it should be. I loved that story!
Saturday evening each of these 3 men and their wives put on an Adult Fireside that the 6 Stakes could watch in their homes over satellite. We stayed in a hotel that night as we had to drive the Whitings to Elma the next morning. He presided over a special Stake Conference for our Stake. It was SO nice and he was SO personable to everyone. Following the Conference they came to our home for lunch & then we drove them to the Portland airport. I loved visiting with Elder Whiting's wife, Jeri.
I've learned over the years that these men & their families have many trials in their own families just like you and me. It was a wonderful day!!

Sunday at our Stake Conference our Stake RS Presidency was released. I have been serving in this calling for the last 6 years and have LOVED it! Heather, sitting on my right was the President. We've gone through two other counselors & two other secretaries. I will miss serving with Heather! She truly is one of the most Christ like people I've ever met and I've learned so much from her.

Its been an amazing last couple of weeks going to Israel & having this special Conference.

John and Jan were great hosts and we're so appreciative of all the good meals, snacks, taxi service 

and knowledge they shared with us. 

Life is good:)