Shalom!

Well guys, there are two very certain things about this trip thus far: 1.) Israel is amazingly wet and green this time of year and 2.) jet lag is one heck of a monster to get rid of.

Due to the amount of boring-ness a huge long post on everyday's activities went, I think I'll just stick to the really awesome stuff...which is still a ton!

So first off, Saturday and Sunday I flew, along with all 32 of my fellow IBEX-ers, to Tel Aviv and then on to Yad Hashmonah. One interesting note that our "tour guide" Benge said about the airport was that it wasn't actually located in Tel Aviv. Nope. I guess it's located in a town/village/area called Lydda or the Sharon plains which is mentioned in Acts about the time of Paul's conversion.

Another little side note-the towns in Israel are super close together- pretty convenient I'd say.

Now to get onto the truly exciting part, Monday...

Monday = Orientation = I didn't know how to do anything in IBEX before this sesh.

I learned about expectations, rules, how to get onto the internet, where to do laundry and basically everything that goes on during the semester. I also had my first class, "Land and the Bible," which was really more of a little introduction to all the field trips we're gonna do. Even though the post-lunch food baby was making me sleepy, I started to get that "stokedouttamymind" feeling. We talked briefly about Jerusalem and some of it's geography bearing in mind I was going to see it all the next day.

See, that's the cool thing about actually being here- I can read about a place...and then go see it for myself.

Well, today, which is Tuesday was the most exciting part of this excursion thus far. JERUSALEM!!!!!!!!

Gah!!! I was so excited and am still reeling from all the awesome things we did today. One of my professors always said "show, don't tell" So that's what I plan to do...here are just a few pictures of the day...if you wanna see more check out my facebook page!

Dome of the Rock, Old City, Jersalem

Lots and lots of these little streets throughout Jerusalem

Incense candles at Church of the Holy Sepulchre (had to check the spelling, not gonna lie)

A dome also at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional spot of Jesus' Death and Resurrection

These are the burning incense candles- the whole church smelled amazing

This is a view from the city walls overlooking the Muslim part of the city

One half of the Mount of Olives

And the other

We read Zechariah 14 (mount of olives in background) while overlooking the Mount of Olives.  Powerful.

Pools at Bethsaida- John 5- Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath and thereby equates himself with God

This was some preserved road from the time of Hadrian (He came in and sacked Jerusalem in 70 AD) Those markings are actually a game carved into the road.

Wailing, Western Wall. There is actually a lot of tears being shed here since this is the closet the Jews are able to get to the Dome of the Rock

Just think about how many, many Jews come here each day to touch the wall and pray for peace in Jerusalem. Sad and amazing.

Well, that's all for now folks. I hope you enjoyed a teeny glimpse of Israel- I will try to post a vlog soon so you can get a better picture of Israel!