Western Wall

Looking from the top of the men's section across the women's section to a walk way.








On the Sabbath there was this huge group of young men including soldiers. They were singing & dancing and celebrating one of the young men who was going to get married in the next week.







The groom to be is hoisted up on friends shoulders.








Matthew now ready to enter the mens section at the Western Wall.







On the Sabbath preparing for all the men that will arrive at sunset.







I loved this. A father bringing his 4 sons to pray with him at the Western Wall.








Here the father is teaching by example. Washing before prayer.











the Kitchen for the Needy. These young men were dancing and singing.






Sign.







The Western Wall behind me.








Walking into the Western Wall and there is another bomb thingo.









Security to enter the Western Wall. Left side for the men, right side for women.








Notice which line Matthew is heading to line up in. ;)







Street sign. Michael, Naomi in the distance & my Matthew.








Timothy took this photo. Loved it.









Mt of Beatitudes.

Photos of our trip to Israel

Matthew driving & Samuel Navigating













another Old Church.










Excavations under another old church.








On the road to Nazareth.





















Prayer holders come in all shapes, sizes & made from all sorts of material.








Naomi at a stall.









Fresh juice.








Can you spot the BYU T-shirt at the stall in








The Church of the Holy Sepulchre.







Notice the big round metal container? Well I saw a couple of them around the place, I believe they are bomb disposal units.









This stone bench is said to have been where the Body of Jesus was wash and prepared for burial. People were rubbing things on it to take home saying it has healing properties.






A view towards the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Matthew, Naomi and Michael with the bomb disposal unit to the left.








Holocaust museum

Family Photo at the front & before walking through one of the most gut wrenching emotional museum on the planet. 2 hours just wasn't enough time. I was glad I was last & running late that I had to almost run through the 2nd half. To walk in the last room that has hundreds of folders each representing a survivors story. Overwhelming but awe-inspiring.





Plaque.







Looking from the Museum to the car park.








Family photo at the church at Gethsemane. Michael took the photo.







Dad & 2 sons.












Looking towards the Garden of Gethsemane.











This olive tree is so old one branch is supported.








A plaque.








With a mish-mash of Arabic sign, Auslan and natural gestures, I bought a bread stick from this deaf man at Jaffa Gate. As I walked away he called out to me & handed me a little packet of savoury salts. He explained to me to dip the bread in oil then in the packet of salts. Oh, I thought my heart was going to explode. What an amazing experience. Lots of times I have to pinch myself & ask, 'How does a girl who grew up in Townsville have these experiences.'



Matthew & St Matthew. ;)










A mezuzah is found on doorposts in Jewish homes. It is a little case, containing a tiny scroll. The writing on the scroll is from the bible. It is in Hebrew and is called the Shema. It says that Jewish people should love God and keep his rules. This was on the door post at Jaffa Gate.









Funny story, I tagged along with Michael & Naomi to find the church of The Upper Room. We sat through 30-40mins of an old lady telling us her conversion story. to cut a long story short she said that now the Upper Room was actually Downstairs. When Michael asked if we could visit the room. The direct answer was, "No". So we didn't actually see the Upper Room. :)

Dome of the Rock, BYU and The Garden Tomb

The Garden Tomb


The sign on the door says it all.









Golgotha meaning 'A Skull'. Fences around protect the hill after years of erosion. (Matt 27:33; Mark 15:22; John 19:17) In the Lord's time it was outside the gate, but close to the city.





I wore this head scarf to keep the hair out of my face.









The front gate.








We were walking around and with good map readers (not including me of course), we found it.








The view.









Looking towards the Jewish graveyard from the Dome of the Rock.








I felt bad taking this photo of this old lady on her way to the mosque to pray. Of course we were not allowed to enter the Dome.








At the side of the Dome of the Rock.











At the steps leading to the Dome of the Rock.










Muslim men study on the grounds. The area is closed to everybody except Muslims at midday and on Fridays.







Matthew & I with Old Jerusalem behind us. This trip was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and to be able to share it with Naomi, Michael, Timothy and Samuel made it even sweeter.





Street sign.












Me, and yes it was cold. ;)















The view of Old Jerusalem from the seating where we met for church.








The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies Brigham Young University.