Our Very First Field Trip

Yesterday was the beginning of many field trips to come...and it was quite a long day, but all sorts of fun. (We all wore headphones to listen to our personal radios so we can each hear our professor lecturing. Dorks-party of 82.) . Though the lectures aren't quite what you would call the definition of fun...we do now know why each place we went was significant. We learned where Abraham had supposedly walked with his son Isaac towards Mount Moriah, where the Byzantine Christian soldiers came over the ridge and got their first sight of Jerusalem, where the hail stones fell in Gideon during the war against the Amorites, where the Six Day War front was between Jordan and Israel in Bethlehem. Call me a nerd...but it was insanely cool for me. Ahhh (sound of contentment if you will) this place is amazing.

This particular field trip was dedicated to the six best look out spots surrounding Jerusalem (especially helpful before our geography test tomorrow). If you ever need a tour guide-I am going to be ready for you by April. And don't worry, each site had plenty of historical and biblical reasons as to why it was significant...you won't get the whole lesson.

First Stop: Augusta Victoria Lutheran Church on top of the Mount of Olives.

(Technically the second stop...shhh.)

I LOVE catching people in their quality picture capturing moments. Don't worry, Sawyer perfectly captured the beautiful ceilings, I sure.  

Bethlehem Overlook...This is where they believe Christ was born. And yes we are hugging an olive tree. (I'm beginning the TOMS shoe pictures Jaclyn. That's some quality Bethlehem grass for you.)

Our attempt at being artsy...failure perhaps. But one of these days I am going to get a good one.

One of the "possible" nativity sites. Thus, my awkward reenactment idea.

Jacob: Joseph

Lindee: Baby Jesus

Me: Mary

Tye: Wiseman

Sarah: Sheep?

View of Jerusalem from the South.

Side note: The hill the UN headquarters is historically known as the "Mount of Evil Council" in Hebrew. You'd think they would have chosen a different spot.

Nabi Samwil/Gideon

Gideon is where Joshua prayed for the sun and moon to be still. Once again...appreciate our reenactment.

View from Hebrew University.

Good night nurse.

Final Side Note: I break in to happy dances all the time here. This is all just too wonderful.