Hezekiah's Tunnel

Quoting from the Bible dictionary - "Hezekiah's tunnel is an elaborate engineering scheme extending about 1770 feet through limestone rock, bringing the waters of Gihon spring inside the walls of Jerusalem to the pool of Siloam. The tunnel was built during the days of Hezekiah, about 702 B.C., as a defense against possible attack from the Assyrian army. Workmen dug from both ends, in a zig-zag course until they met. The tunnel is still in use today."

Today you can wade through the tunnel in water that is about 3 feet deep in places. It was so fun! Here we are at the pool of Siloam after we had made it through!

This lady is my hero. She is 88 years old and kept up with everyone on the trip. I love her "I survived Hezekiah's tunnel shirt". I hope she wears it with pride and I hope I'll have her spunk and energy when I'm in my 80's!

Majdal Shams

Majdal Shams, a little Druze village on the Golan Heights, was in the news recently because of violent border protests that resulted in 20+ deaths. Well, we had lunch there a few days before that! I'll always remember the unusual food. As you can see the women prepare these large flat breads by shaping them on a pillow and then baking them quickly on a perfectly shaped oven.

I don't know what they are called but when you spread on the locally made cream cheese and dribble on some olive oil, they are delicious!

Ancient toilets!

We just couldn't resist a photo op on the Roman toilets.....these were the toilets for the rich, high society Romans in Beth Shean. Hmm....communal toilets flushed by a stream. I'm so thankful for real plumbing and private toilets!

Coney

Psalms 104: 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.

Proverbs 30: 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks

Ever seen a coney? They are about the size of a beaver but without the tail.

This coney is making his house on the rocks of the crusader fort at Nimrod.

Cousins at the Ancient Gate at Tel Dan

The Boyle girl cousins on the trip.....Linda and Hannah Boyle, the wife and daughter of my cousin Bill; Annette Boyle, the wife of my cousin Doug; me (my mother was a Boyle); and Trisdan Boyle Fausett, daughter of my cousin Scott. Behind us is a gate that is considered the oldest in the world....3000 years old, that makes it from the time of Abraham! Amazing!

Shepherds, Sheep, and Goats

"I am the good shepherd and know my sheep and am known of mine" John 10:14

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." John 10: 27

"And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left." Matthew 25: 32-33

We witnessed a graphic demonstration of these verses in Nazareth as we watched this shepherd lead his flock to safety for the night. First the sheep went into their pen, then the goats followed to go into their own pen.

Silver Falls in the Spring

Last fall we hiked at Silver Springs State Park when Johnny was here for a visit. Everyone told us that the best time to go was in the spring because that is when you can see the 'big water'. George's sister Karen came to visit so we decided this was a perfect time to see if there are significant differences.

What do you think? Here is a picture from last fall.

And at the same spot this spring. Can you tell a difference?

Here's another comparison. Last fall....

And the same spot this spring......

I think 'big water' describes it perfectly!