Israel

With tickets booked in advance, we embarked on an unforgettable adventure to Israel.
We didn't expect our trip would coincide with a time of such political unrest, but
it did make our pilgrimage even more meaningful.  A few highlights --

We visited the Jordan River, the site of the Baptism of Jesus,

and we also visited the site which scholars have believed since the 4th century
to be the location where Jesus was crucified.

John and I had a special opportunity to renew our marriage vows at the Biblical wedding church in Cana.
Jesus is said to have turned water into wine there, his first public miracle.

Afterwards, we sipped some celebratory wine.

When we looked back on this picture together, I asked why she looked so glum.

She said that she didn't like the wine.  Understandable -- theirs was a non-alcoholic selection.

Inside the Basilica of the Annunciation, Nazareth.

According to many Catholics, this is where the angel Gabriel appeared before Mary

and announced that she would bear the Son of God.

The façade of Church of All Nations on the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem.

The piece of bedrock where Jesus is believed to have prayed before his arrest lies inside.

 It was awesome traveling with an interfaith group made up of both Jews and Christians,

and we discovered that we had far more in common with each other than we had known.

We sailed the Sea of Galilee.

The story of the Siege of Masada is pretty incredible.

Overlooking the Dead Sea from Masada.

Floating on the Dead Sea has been on my bucket list since

I read about it in Mrs. Dodd's fourth grade class -- check!

The Western Wall, or Wailing Wall, in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Living in a very central location of Europe has provided us with such an amazing opportunity to travel.

Because we knew early on that there would be so many sensational spots that we would want to see,

we made a pact to visit a particular place only once and then move on. 

But will we return to Israel?  I certainly hope so!