I still can't believe we were able to visit Israel. It was an amazing experience and I thank God for the opportunity to see where his son was born, lived, died and was resurrected. We flew in Jerusalem very late at night on our first day of travel so the next day we just explored the neighborhood our apartment was in. We went out to eat lunch and enjoyed the cool (when compared to Kuwait) temperatures.
On our first day of sightseeing we decided we would drive our two rental cars to Masada (click on Masada to read the history of this amazing place)and the Dead Sea. We took the tram up to the top of the Plateau. It was very HOT when we arrived at the top. We saw the top of Masada pretty quickly due to the fact that there is minimal shade and no air condition
ing. After hiking around the top Masada viewing the Synagogue, the ancient Cisterns, The watchtower, and the areas where the Jewish zealots lived, I was tired and hot. We had planned that Kelly, myself and the three oldest kids would hike down Masada. I took one look at the tram at the top and said "I am taking that down". Faith followed my lead and said she would like to have a big drink of water and an ice cream at the bottom. Kelly, Grace and Luke made the trek down Masada. They all did a great job!! It was VERY hot and humid that day. When our three hikers made it to the bottom of the Plateau, Grace looked like her face was on fire. She was bright red and drenched in sweat. Both she and Luke were real troopers and I am glad they did this fun thing with their Dad. I must admit, I am equally glad
I took the tram down and watched a movie about Masada while eating Ice Cream. With everyone hydrated and tired we drove off to find the Israel side of The Dead Sea.
The Dead Sea is something I have wanted to see since I was little and learned about it in Vacation Bible School. I always wondered what it would look like. Can you tell from far away it is basically "dead" and filled with salt? In a word, NO! It is amazingly a beautiful aquamarine color and looks very refreshing on a hot day. The kids had been asking all day long "When 
are we going swimming in the Dead Sea?" Needless to say the anticipation was built. Before we arrived I kept thinking, there might be some disappointment as far as the "swimming" in the Dead Sea. We pushed on and arrived at the beach in the later afternoon.
The picture of the UN SUV was taken to show you how commonly on both legs of our vacation we saw UN vehicles. We really vacationed in two "war" zones and the UN was everywhere. We went through so many check points in Israel it was hard to keep track of which part of the country we were in. We were in Palestinian territory at some points and always felt safe in both areas. People were all very helpful. There was only one time I felt uncomfortable and it was when we drove through the Muslim area of Jerusalem. We were trying to get out of the city and home to our apartment. We w
ere winding around on these small streets up and down little hills. The next thing I know we turn to the left and WHAM, in front of us is a forty foot wall topped with barbed wire and shards of broken glass. Kelly and I are communicating this whole time via "walkie talkies" while driving. I immediately radio to him "I don't think we are supposed to be here and we both know what that wall is!" My husband is so relaxed, he says "Oh, no problem we will turn around up here." As we drive by the wall it has graffiti written in spray paint all over it. Some that I noticed as my flight or fight response was kicking in were "Free Palestine" "No More Occupation" and many things I don't care to repeat on the blog. As we drive by the wall, mouth agape, we come up a hill to a gate. Standing at the gate are two young men in uniforms with large semi -automatic machine guns. Kelly rolls down his window and asks if we can go through the gate because we are trying to get out of the city. He asks"Are any of you Hebrew?" "No" Kelly replies and then someone in the back seat of his car chooses this moment to pipe up and ask "Dad, I'm hungry can we eat something?" The gate guards proceed to offer our children something to eat. He offers them all yogurt. Our kids refuse the yogurt with a scowl. The guards very kindly tell us we might want to turn around. We immediately acquiesce! I have already begun training the children that if you are offered food by someone with a gun take it and thank them with a smile : ) This trip was rarely boring!!!
I digress, now back to the Dead Sea. We all had to change our clothes in a shower room and then we were off to the beach. On our way to the water I had told the children for the millionth time not to get this water in their eyes because it will sting. Swimming in our family is never a spectator sport and rarely undertaken at a leisurely relaxed pace. I should have known this would cause some problems. At this point in the day all our tired and cranky. Kelly and I are trying to encourage them and show grace as far as some children's attitudes. Finally the moment has arrived. We all get into the water, except for Daddy, he is going to take some video and photos. Grace and Faith are in the water doing the "floating" thing with ease. Luke, Timmy, Hope and I are the next to enter the crystal clear salt bath. I immediately sit down with t
he babies and say let's sit here and try out the water. The next thing I know I hear someone splashing wildly in the water next to me, before I can look to see who has not heeded my warning I hear" I AM BLIND, AHHHHHHHH, I AM BLIND!!!!! I AM BLIND, OH NO, AHHHHH. HELP ME!!!!!"
Before I go further with this story I must explain something. Luke has ALWAYS had extra sensitive eyes. If he gets anything in his eyes he goes crazy with screeching and crying. I remember the first time he got Lake Michigan sand in his eyes, you would have thought he had broken a bone the way he shreeked. I am sure because of this little explanation you can ascertain who went head first into the Dead Sea.
As our oldest son is screeching, moaning and blindly groping for the shore, Kelly comes to his aid. I must admit that Kelly and I are both laughing so hard at this point we are in tears. You must understand that we told Luke MANY times to not jump into the Dead Sea. We told him to just swim carefully because the salt would sting his eyes. Before you think we are terribly cruel, also know that it was HOT we were tired and our nerves were shot. It was much needed comic relief. Once Luke was finally seated on the rocky shore wiping off his eyes with his daddy's shirt, the rest of us go back to swimming. All the other tourists have finally stopped watching us when Timmy decides to wiggle out of my protective hold. He says " I want to swim, Mommy." I respond with an "that is fine, just don't get it any eyes like Luke." Not one minute passes and Timmy is dunking his head underneath the water! After the wailing quites, the girls and I have our photos taken and decide enough swimming for one day. On the way up the cliff back up to the parking lot Luke says " It is a Miracle! Jesus and Dad's sweaty
shirt healed my eyes!" Again Kelly and I were laughing so hard we were crying. I must record all this for posterity because we took no photos of the boys in the Dead Sea. After nearly going blind neither would take a chance and go back in even for a photo opportunity.
On our way back to Jerusalem we stop to eat at a rest stop in the middle of the Desert. Please note how bedraggled we look after our Dead Sea experience. We were lucky to have made it out of there alive and with our eyesight!
The Via Dolorosa was a very moving walk to take in the city. I couldn't help but think about Jesus and his sacrifice for us. It was also neat to see all the different people in Jerusalem as we were walking. God opened my eyes to the fact that he has died for us all Jew, Muslim, Christian, Hindu and people of all races and creeds. He didn't just die for me or you, but us all. It was powerful to see all the people he died for as we walked along this trail.I am not a Catholic, but my understanding of the stations of the cross is this. The stations of the cross are used as a devotional tool to remind Catholics of Jesus' sufferi
ngs and his last hours on earth. Catholics often will during Lent or Easter week have a special service that walks them through these stations in a devotional format. We used it as a reminder of all Jesus did for us as well. I used it as a time to think about how much he sacrificed for me and my family. I am so thankful to God for this experience. I most likely will never convert to Catholicism, but through this experience I can see how it can used as a powerful time to reflect on Christ's death and sacrifice. The stops along the Via Dolorsa were very amazing to see with your own eyes. 
Two of my favorite stops were the Third station or where it is believed Jesus fell under the weight of the cross the first time. The church archway there was very beautiful and moving. My next favorite was the Ecco Homo Arch. This is believed to be the site where Pontius Pilate condemned a beaten, bleeding Jesus crowned with thorns. This area of Jerusalem was quite and beautiful it was easy to picture the true scene in my mind. The Stations all come to a climax at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
