We have just begun our journey to follow the life of Jesus. There's no better place to start than at the beginning with his birth. So we started in Bethlehem.
When I imagine where Christ was born, I imagine a small, dark cave looking place where animals could live. But the Church of the Nativity, like many other places where Christ actually was, is covered with ornaments, gold, and other decorations of different churches. This is how i feel about a lot of places, including the Holy Sepulcher where they believe Christ's tomb is and where they believe where Golgotha is. As well as where his ascension to heaven took place and many other significant places. The place where i feel Christ the most, and the place that i believe is the most peaceful is the Garden Tomb.
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| One of the most beautiful churches i have ever seen. This was a Greek Orthodox Church with every single inch of it covered. |
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| Shepherd's Church |
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| This is the Church of the Shepards as well, but a different part of it. This was one of my favorite churches! |
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| And this is Shepard's field where we had our Christmas program. We read the passages of Mary and Joseph and sang the significant Christmas songs. It was such a great time to think and ponder on Christ and be able to have personal time with my Heavenly Father in prayer. Probably one of the most spiritual experiences i've had thus far. |
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I feel like i get to see visitors every week. This week we saw some of my dad's friends, the Garffs
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Our free day was a blast. First we got the play the Carillon bells throughout West Jerusalem. It's so much fun. it feels like you're about to perform in front of a million because and you play bells that ring throughout the city. So every mistake you make, a lot of people hear that. Haha. But it's a wonderful thrill. We get to play church songs which i think is special. Because we aren't allowed to talk about the church with people in the streets here, any chance to sing or play a hymn is feel like is my chance to share the gospel in my own special way.
Then we got to go to the Knesset. Coolest thing ever!! Because there are tensions in Jerusalem right now and it's cool to see where all the decisions are made. In America this would be equivalent to going to the White House where the President has his meetings.
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| Outside the Knesset |
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| This mural is inside the Knesset and it is a woven picture. It shows Jerusalem in the past, the present and the future. |
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You won't believe it but i went Bird Watching... haha.
Shout out to our AMAZING security. We've had to go into the bomb shelter 3 times this week and they are amazing to help us through all this craziness in Jerusalem. They are also great at making sure where we are at all times, and that we are safe in whatever we do. So grateful for them.
Other Tensions were brewing in Jerusalem. But this time, INSIDE the Jerusalem Center. It was the World Cup. I couldn't decide if i wanted to cheer for Argentina (Because of Connor's Mission) or Germany... because of my best friends Grace here is serving her mission there in a few months!
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To end our amazing week we got to meet with His Excellency, Reverend Lazaratto. WOW was it amazing. He lives in the Apostolic Delegate which is literally in our backyard. I got to talk with Father Jaques for a while as well. We got to sit with His Excellency where the Pope sat when he came a few weeks ago and had biscuits and lemonade in the dining area. Wow, i do the coolest things.
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as i am :)
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