DOWN MEMORY LANE: MIDDLE EAST TRIP

Back in 2008, while I was 8 weeks preggers with Lily, we headed to Israel/Palestine to visit some dear friends who lived in Bethlehem.  It was incredible to be able to see up close all of the places we had grown up reading about in the Bible.  It really did bring our faith to life a bit more.  It was also a fascinating look into the issues that the region currently faces - issues that are deep-rooted, challenging and certainly not one-sided.

Here are some of our highlight pictures.  Me, overlooking a "Wadi" - a dry riverbed - that we got to hike along.  I actually fell down the hill here, which proved to be one of the scariest moments of John's life.  He looked back, and I wasn't there.  After hiking back up the 25 feet or so, we were so glad that I was okay.




Seeing the Old City in Jerusalem.

Driving into Jordan.



And getting to stay at this hotel near Petra.

Petra itself.  One of the most amazing places on earth.  Truly.

You can even text from there from the top of a camel.



Experiencing an extremely windy day at the Red Sea.

The meal we call "Tears and Hot Dogs."



Getting lost in the desert near the Dead Sea and finally being able to sympathize with those whiny Israelites.



Experiencing the Dead Sea.



Seeing the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

Going to see the Sea of Galilee region with our friends, who in a strange turn of life events, now work with us at Chick-fil-A!



The trip was really spectacular, eye-opening and memorable.  Having friends that live in other parts of the world is such a blessing, and being able to go see them is the icing on the cake!