gin and the juice: Israel Day 1

Our hotel was right next to Jaffa/Joppa and the Mediterranean. We weren't able to walk over there but it was a beautiful view from our hotel.

We loaded up the bus and headed to Caesarea. We had Brent Top and his son Justin as our "tour guides" if you will. Brent is the Dean of Religious Studies at BYU and he was in charge of BYU Jerusalem for a few years so him and his family lived there so, needless to say, they were very knowledgeable and amazing!

On our way to Caesarea Justin talked to us about Joppa where Jonah went to flee when we was swallowed by the whale. He talked about how sometimes our "belly of hell" is actually what is saving us. He said that if Jonah hadn't been swallowed, he probably would have drowned and died. I really loved this. Sometimes we're in our "belly of hell" and complaining and hating it and then we get out and realize how much good it did for us or how it could've been so much worse. I can't tell you how many times I've looked back at some event in my life (ie. my misison, Sweden, etc) and see that it was the best thing for us and we needed it. Those times lead us to do great things and help us to become better. We're better because of it. Oh Heavenly Father, He's so wise.

Caesarea was so beautiful. Eric and I are complete nerds and love history so this trip was extra fun for us. It was built by Herod the Great and he really went all out. Its amazing the ruins that remain.

Brad Wilcox talked about Acts 26 and this vision that Paul had here. He pointed out three things from the vision:
1. The church will never be popular
2. Conversion changes people
3. The power of personal experiences (share yours..hence, the blog)

As you can tell, the view was absolutely breathtaking.

In Caesarea, Cornelius the centurion was converted by Peter and in Acts we read that Paul also preached the gospel here. So much history.

And we got very fresh fruit "smoothies"

Next we headed to Mt Carmel (in Hebew it means "Garden of God") where Elijah had his contest with the Priests of Bael (1 Kings 18). Brother Top taught us about that contest and talked about 1 Kings 18:21 "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. He emphasized how it relates to us and said that we need to pick a sick and be all in one way or another. He said that we cannot sit on the fence and do things halfway, its all or nothing. I have a strong testimony of this and I need to make sure that I'm always, all in. In my thoughts and actions.

He just loves me.

We had lunch and got to pick between falaffel and schnitzel. (pretty much what we had for lunch every day).

We then went to Megiddo, the strategic site of the great and ancient battles (Judges 5:19) - the Plain of Armageddon where the "greatest battle of all" is yet to come (Revelation 16:14-21). The people had built a city/kingdom to fortify themselves. They dug all the way around to bring water in to sustain themselves without coming out of their fort. Pretty incredible.

Other events from Megiddo:

Canaanites dwell in the land (Judges 1:27)

Solomon builds Megiddo (1 Kings 9:15)

Kings die at Megiddo (2 Kings 9:27, 2 Kings 23:30)

This is where they stored their water - waaaay underground.

Next was Nazereth. We stopped to talk at the Church of the Anunciation where they think the angel, Gabriel, appeared to Mary to tell her she would give birth to the Son of God (Luke 1:26-38). They talked about how hard it must have been for her because of what Joseph would think but also everyone around her. They would all think she committed a huge sin and treat her as such when really was turning her will over to God. It really hit me hard because I know I have a problem where I care too much about what the people around me think about me. She was such an amazing woman.

We also went to a place where Jesus may have worked with Joseph in the carpentry business. We first stopped at the synagogue where Jesus would have attended and where he went back and read the words of Isaiah to the people, "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears" (Luke 4:21). I get goosebumps.

Other events from Jerusalem:

Joseph moves his family to Nazareth after his return from Egypt (Matthew 2:19-23)

Jesus taught in the synagogue and is threatened by an angry mob (Luke 4:16-30)

This is the exact spot where they think the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. They built the gigantic church on top of it.

We sat in the synagogue and sang hymns. It was beautiful.

Our last stop of the day was Mt. Precipice. We talked about the transfiguration of the Savior (Matthew 17:1-9). "He passed through the midst of them and went away."

"The Highest Spot on Earth" (obviously not geographically but for other reasons)

1. Jesus was transfigured before them

2. Peter, James, and John also transfigured

3. Moses and Elias confer keys to Peter, James and John

4. John the baptist appearance

5. D&C 63: Peter, James and John see transfiguration of the earth

6. 2 Peter 1:16-19 Peter, James and John receive endowments

7. Jesus was strengthened

8. Peter, James and John were taught in plainness about Jesus' death and resurrection

9. God the Father was seen and heard introducing His Son