Merry Christmas from the Holy Land! This trip was so very personal and spiritually fulfilling for me. Even catching that amazing sunset on the first night was the official stamp of approval that this trip would be epic.
The Dead Sea was my big surprise. I knew what it was, but just couldn't imagine what it would actually be like being there. The name was derived from the fact that the sea does not offer conditions to sustain life; however, I found that to be a lie :) The lowest and deadest place on Earth is actually the exact opposite of what I experienced! To be able to submerse myself in all that salty goodness replenished my soul and brought life to my skin. The big chunks of salt made me think about Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted?" That scripture came alive for me in that moment. Without salt, there is no flavor. The definition of salt is to preserve food for years and to enhance its taste. Now if we are to be the salt of the Earth, we should be living a life that helps preserve and enhance the lives of others and ourselves. It's ok to be salty!
I really enjoyed reading the signs in Israel. It made me feel like I was learning Greek at the same time (thankful for the English interpretation). The Colel Chabad Kitchen warmed my heart because it's part of my life's mission to help feed the needed (H.O.P.E.) the money exchange is always a pleasantry for me too, that is if the exchange rate is in my favor. I just love how other country's money is more colorful and prettier than the US's.
Masada (fortress) is a mountain complex in the Judean desert that overlooks the Dead Sea. It is the site of the Jews' last stance against the Romans, and a fortress it is indeed! It's mind-blowing to see how ingenious they were in sculpting such architecture without modern day machinery.
Well, the Wailing Wall made me wail (no surprise). Not only is it the most religious site in the world for the Jewish, but is also a place of prayer for all. I love how the area is divided into two sections, one for women and one for men.
The custom is to write a prayer on a small piece of paper and stick it in the cracks in the wall and then walk backwards away from the wall. Of course, the cracks are overflowing because this is the one site people all over the world visit when their in Israel. It's significance speaks volumes about the state of the World everyday, especially today...pray unceasingly. That experience sent chills through my body
Being able to travel and place my feet where Jesus walked and listen to the Scripture being read while doing so was surreal.
A lot of bread is consumed in Israel, for good reason. Since I'm a lover of that good ole risen yeast, I was in heaven (pun intended). It was in ample supply just walking down the street and I partook each time I could. The fresh herbs they use to season the bread is what makes it undeniably good. And the fish....what can I say? Eating a fresh catch from the Sea of Galilee was the best way to end an adventurous, ceremonious day! I didn't think it would be so tasty because the presentation wasn't stellar, but that fish had flavor like none other. The snack pictures are because I love cheetos and enjoy trying them in other countries. Oh, and that Mount Hermon Moscato was such a refreshing treat (sorry I didn't ship a case of those back home).
Merry Christmas!
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