The Highlight

I'm finally getting around to posting pictures of our cruise! We took almost 2,000 so obviously you are only going to get a small sampling of the amazing things we were able to see!

The highlight of the trip was definitely Israel, where we spent 2 days. It was such a testimony builder to be at the places where Jesus taught and lived and blessed so many people. Such a humbling experience (one we never thought we would be able to experience for ourselves), but the feelings you feel when you are there are indescribable.

Daniel Rona was our tour guide. He is a Jew and the only LDS tour guide in Israel. We were so lucky to have him, he is amazing!

Capernaum

On the Mount of Beatitudes overlooking the Sea of Galilee

Eating dinner at a restaurant  at the Sea of Galilee

They served St. Peter's fish. Some of our group had a half shekel in it's mouth, just like the story.

We saw lots of Jewish men with funky side-braids like these.

We went to the Western Wall and witnessed some Bar Mitzvas taking place. This is a religious ceremony that takes place when a boy turns 13. The men and women are separated by a wall. When it was over the women chucked candy at the men. Definitely a different experience!

 My mom and I at the Western Wall. Slips of paper have prayers written

We were able to go to an upper room similar to that where the last supper was held. Daniel taught us about the passover here.

On the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. This picture is taken at a park where leaders of the LDS church felt was where the Garden of Gethsemane was located. Here we read scriptures and had a picnic lunch and the priesthood holders consecrated olive oil for us to take with us. We also met Omar, a man who sells hand-carved olive wood carvings. We bought a nativity and a statue of the Christus.

 Jesus walked these actual steps that are located next to the House of Caiphas where Jesus was kept in a dungeon after he was arrested.

This is Golgotha, or place of the skull. Many people believe Jesus was crucified at the top of the hill, but it was actually at the base of the hill along the roadside. The skull is hard to see in this picture, but you can see the eyes at the right of the picture.

 

 

Our favorite experience was the Garden Tomb.

This would have been the actual height of the entrance to the tomb.

This rock would be similar to the size of the rock rolled in front of the tomb.

This is where Jesus' body was laid. They had to cut extra stone out for his feet.

We are beyond grateful to the Brazell family, who gave us this special opportunity and so many sacred experiences. We will be able to forever treasure these feelings and insights. We now have better understanding, an increased desire to learn about our Savior, and can now relate to the stories and places talked about in the Bible.

We know without a doubt that Jesus lived and died and is alive again today! He atoned for our sins so that we can live with Him again someday. We are so grateful for the plan of salvation and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in our lives.

The church is true! We know it. We live it. We love it.