Another day with the temperatures in the 90's!  You can't ask for better weather!  This morning we were up early and heading a bit above Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives.  You all remember that from the story of Jesus, right before Palm Sunday, sending disciples out to find the room for the Last Supper?  Looking over at the Temple is amazing - the jewish cemetary, the Kidron Valley (I bet you thought that was a huge valley - wait until you see the photos!)

          That is the Kidron Valley as well as the view of the old city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives

These are the golden gates - the ones Jesus most likely entered on Palm Sunday.  The Muslims blocked them off so that the second Messiah cannot enter into Jerusalem by their gate (they control the area around the Dome of the Rock)

Huh - right there on the Mount of Olives - I don't remember him in the story, unless of course he is waiting for his Wise Man to return!

The Western Wall (Wailing Wall)  the only remaining wall of the 2nd Temple

The Room of the Last Supper (pay no attention to the construction tape)  Paul and I had brought some bread with us and shared a mini communion service in the room.  That is a golden olive tree behind us.

Guess who is buried right BELOW the Room of the Last Supper?  That's right.  King David.  This is the view from the woman's side - his remains are in 6 different boxes, one within the other, which indicates that his remains have been moved at least 6 times - each time closer to the Temple so that he will be the first to awaken at the 2nd coming.

     Stations of the Cross on the Via Dolorosa - I sang the song (nowhere near as well as Marianne does on Maundy Thursday) and yes, silently, to myself while walking.  It was amazing!!

The security checkpoint to get into Bethlehem - it is part of the Palestinian Autonomy

Shepherd's Field (also the field of Ruth)

Manger Square at the Church of the Nativity

The earliest baptismal font from the 5th century!!

Touching the stone (inside the silver star) that marks the place of Jesus' Birth!!!

 I have to admit, I was also singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "What child is this" all the time I was in Bethlehem - again, to myself!  But it gives a whole new perspective to the songs and to the scriptures.  Paul and I gave thanks for you all while at the Wailing Wall and think of you often as we are traveling through.  I sense an adult spiritual trip to Israel coming up in the future of Southport Congregational - it is too wonderful of an experience to keep to ourselves!