Plat for Rose Village

Here you go!

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The Journey continues!

I think back to returning from my Journey through the promised land, I was in awe and in turmoil at the same time trying to figure things out?? Thinking I would get back to the ending and share my thoughts and what God had to teach me??? wow that is why I've not returned till now!! My thoughts, well are still mangled! I believe my perception was so limited that I was on over load from the Journey. I still have the image of people backing up from the wailing wall as to not offend our God by turning their backs on him??? The wall, I just can't seem to grip! His chosen  people not accepting the gift of His Son Jesus Christ! Are we there??? Do we wail at a wall as if our Lord doesn't exists?? My answer must be YES!! My perception of Christianity is skewed by what me as a Westerner has been taught to do, think and feel.... God has been showing me that I have blinders on, how to take them off?? I'm still learning and I am sure it is a process and will take a life time..... But today I am sure it is not in wailing at a wall or any other ritual we might have came up with through time... But a relationship, a walking talking real relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of my life! My thoughts change as I walk and talk with Jesus, and He is ever teaching me daily. I know He is leading me on this Journey of life and is giving me a spark to write in this blog and wants me to do something with what He has shown me "renewing the mind" is what I have from Him today and I look forward to see what He has instore for me, a vessel He calls FRIEND!

Day 14

This is part of the wall built to make the plaform for the temple, we are going to the Dome of the Rock today

I thought this was a fun shot, they sell bread on the streets

I pointed out in an earlier picture of the walk way to the Dome of the Rock, we are on it heading to the Dome of the Rock. To get to this point we have already went through a metal dectector alon with our bags. No Bibles allowed, your shoulders, cleavage and knees must be covered.

This is a picture from inside the walk looking down, this is the wailing wall, also known as the Western Wall.

This is inside at the Dome of the Rock, this is the other side of the wailing wall, upper portion. remember it is the Western Wall it is the one we were in the tunnels under.

Mirna's short were just a little to short, as you can see under the scarf they were to her knees.  Mickey our guide said they would be very picky and they were! Two other guys in our group had to wear scarfs.

There are circle of men all over the place

This is the Dome

Susan and I infront of the Dome, Susan gave up her scarf to Mirna she had sleeves on, so she could.

Time to work I'll beck

Day 13, Western Wall tunnels, wailing wall

Olives on Olive Trees

Old City Jerusalem. This is the plaza as we enter into the Western wall. This is also known as Mt. Moriah. The Western Wall was built as a retaining wall buillt by Herod in 20 BC

The Orthodox Jews grow out just the front portion of their hair, I asked if I could take this picture the one said yes. Orthodox men are very serious looking and will not look at women. I found it very evident that there is a lot of religion going on.

From this picture you can see in the background the walk way up to the Dome of the Rock. To the left of these young men is the wailing wall.

We have just entered the Western Wall Tunnels also known as the Rabbinical tunnels that lead through the second temple era.

These are underground tunnels of Herod, they are 50 ft below ground level and run along the Western Wall.  They have uncovered remains dating back to King Solomon.

They are still excavating today

It is all done one pale at a time.

This is a straight on shot of the Western Wall the tunnel runs left from here.

These are two young men that where in our group the are marking the length of this one stone .Crazy! How did they move that one???? Notice the cap on his head the men had to have their heads covered???

This is a close up shot of the Western Wall also known as the wailing wall, but we are underground lots of prayer notes, in any little crevice of the wall, mine included! Hey I'm not going that far and not put a prayer at the wailing wall. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayers!

In the tunnel Western Wall to the left.

 I walked where Jesus walked and many many many others

This is how they got their water in from the cistern

Maybe a better shot can you see the little wall there is a passage between the two to run water in.

There was plenty of light and for the little bit of claustrephobic I have. I was very grateful. Dark and small spaces freak me out!

The tunnels were fascinating to me!

This is a super cool shot notice how the tunnel goes on!

This is the end of the tunnel, the cistern

This was pretty interesting the story of how you got out of the tunnel. The arch behind the group leads to the Jewish quarters, they asked if the tunnel could come up there they said no.

The steps lead up the the Moslem quarters and they said no. So they made an exit onto Hagai street, were I bought my nativity set, made of olive wood!

More to come! hang with me!

Day 12, Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane

We are at the Mt. of Olives there is a valley below us and across the way is Jerusalem.

Tombs

You can see across the Dome of the Rock it has the gold dome.

I walked where Jesus walked! What an incredible journey!

This is a close up (I love my camera) of the Golden gates on the Eastern wall (home of dome of the rock) across the way from the Mt. of Olives, those are Muslim tombs out front of it, blocking the entrance.

Susan at the Mt. of  Olives, amongst the olive trees. 

We are closer to the tombs, there are thousands upon thousands.They believe you can't be buried or creamated.. To each his own!

They bring rocks to the tombs

and food and light candles

These are tombs with-in a tomb, the length of the box is as long as the Ferber the longest bone in your body, the width is as wide as the head. TMI

We walk down to the church, nice walking path..

wait.. It's a road, there are many one lane, not one way roads.

Garden of Gethsemane

Yep this is it just a small garden with about 25 or so Olive trees

Church at Garden of Gethsemane

We had a chance to offer up our thanks and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ. I have an awesome life, and I am forever thankful!

The Golden Arches directly across from the Garden of Gethsemane. If I'm getting this right we are seeing the platform built by Herod to make a flat living area the platform is about 23 acres in total that houses the Dome of the rock.

I think of the detail in this church and how amazing the architect is.

Finally saw a shepard in the field with his sheep, you have to look close he has a white head dress and the little specks are his sheep!