A Few More Israeli Days & a Jordanian Sunset

So we didn't have good wi-fi access the last few days, so here are a few pictures from our recent adventures from the Dead Sea, Qumran, Masada, Beit Shean, and a few more.  We currently are in Amman, Jordan and are headed south to the city of Petra, which I am quite excited about.

As we left the Galilee region we stopped at the peak of Mt. Arbel for the view.   I  wonder if this could be one of the mountain tops that Jesus often retreated to in order to pray.

The ancient ruins of Beit Shean are cool.  Here I am at the Roman restroom.. not the most comfortable, but you get the idea.

Sandy and Talia looking over the ruins of the ancient city of Jericho....and the walls came a tumbling down.  

Looking down on the Roman city for Beit Shean from the top of the Ancient city, where Saul and Jonathan's bodies were hung after their deaths, until the men from Jabesh Gilead came to resue them and treat them with respect.

Talia and I on the balcony of our hotel room overlooking the Dead Sea.

And a few more pictures:

A Bedouin roasting coffee for his guests...us!

Our first Jordanian sunset....beautiful.

Galilean Adventure

So we had a pretty cool day today. We visited the mount of Beatitudes, Peters house in Capernaum, and a few other places around the sea of Galilee, then we went for a boat ride on the sea. We had a cool time of prayer and worship. I shared from Mark 6 which is where Jesus walked out to the disciples on the water...and right in the middle of our ride the wind and waves got crazy and the weather took a crazy turn.

Here is a video of sandy leading a few songs.


Untitled from Jay Smith on Vimeo.

Then on the way to Nazareth we hit some crazy rain and hail. Here is the view from our bus.

Untitled from Jay Smith on Vimeo.

Final days in Jerusalem

Here are a few last pics from Jerusalem.  We had such a great time in this amazing city.  We had a free afternoon on Tuesday and explored some more of the Old City and made it back to the hotel just in time for dinner.  I can't wait to vet back to this city soon!

More Jerusalem Fun

This is me standing in front of the Western wall of Jerusalem.  It is considered the most holy site for Jews since it is closest to where the Temple stood prior to its destruction in 70 A.D. just as Jesus prophesied. 

My ladies standing in one of the streets in the Jewish Quarter of the city.  Such a cool place.

Here is Talia in the Upper Room, which is not the exact room,  however it is built over the site where the original stood.    It is also the site where the 120 waited and received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.  We spent a few moments praying there.  It is a pretty cool place with so many people from all over coming to see and pray there.

What a cute girl!

Monday Night Adventure Ben Yehuda Style

So written headed out last night for a visit to the always exciting Ben Yehuda street.  It was especially exciting since everyone was celebrating Purim (the holiday that marks the deliverance from Haman by queen Esther).  We even met some new friends who wanted to join in our picture!  Gotta love it.

It was a bit crazy down there.  Everyone was partying and lighting fireworks, and having a good time.

Israel Days 1-3

Our arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport.  Don't let the smiles fool you....we were tired!  That is a lot of flying, but glad to be finally in Israel!  

Sandy, Talia and I standing out front of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.  It was a great visit to Bethlehem to see the church that was built 1700 years ago (then destroyed, then rebuilt, etc) that marks the spot where Jesus was born.

We had a moment of prayer inside the Grotto that marks the very spot where Christ was born to the Virgin Mary.  What a true show of the humility of the Son of God, to be born in a cave.

The view from the top of the Mt. of Olives.  You can see the golden Dome on the Rock which stands in the place where the Jewish Temple used to be until the Romans destroyed it in 70 AD.  What a cool city Jerusalem is.

Sandy and Talia standing at the edge of the pool of Siloam.  Doesn't look much like a pool now, but this is the place where Jesus placed mud on the blind man's eyes and healed him.

We spent some time praying in the private garden at Gethsemane where Jesus prayed the night he was betrayed.  

Ready to board

Here we are at seatac ready to board.  Just think...after 23 hours of flying and layovers we'll be there in Jerusalem!  Oh and a moment of confession: since we had to be at the airport at 3:30 am i broke my Lenten fast and went for a nice cup of coffee.  Remember, God wants obedience more than sacrifice!