At Meggido- the supposed site of the future Battle of Armageddon!!! I was just getting ready to fight! 

"THE END IS NEAR"- my rock art, inspired by Armageddon 

This day was awesome- we visited sites right along the Israel- Syria- Lebanon border... These were old trenches that had been in use as Israel and Syria fought over land borders- The Syrians really wanted control over Tel Dan which has a huge water source. Israel ended up controlling this land. 

Climbing up Nimrod's Castle- favorite site in Israel! This was such a fun Muslim built Castle that is HUGE- it has all the works: dungeons, a keep, secret stairs, huge towers, posts to defend, siege walls, OOoooooooOOOooooOOooooohhhh it was SO awesome. We ran around playing Lord of the Rings music and quoting the movie "TO THE KEEP! FALL BACK TO THE KEEP!" ...."SO IT BEGINS" hahaha it was really a blast!

Gorgeous view of Galilee's green hills off the top of the keep at the castle.

In Haifa - 3rd largest city in Israel. This is a Bahai Palace with immaculate gardens that we DIDN'T get to walk through- biggest let down. haha

The couples. On the shoreof the Mediterranean at Ceserea Phillipi 

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Theater flying

Ceseara's views- Herod picked a great spot to build his port town on!

Seashell Angels! 

Sitting on a wall in the Jewish Quarter, overlooking the ancient City of David

Catching Fire movie night!

 Bet She' an (pronounced shawn) with SHAWN!!!

At Bet She'an, city partially destroyed by an earthquake! We really tried to get in touch with history.

Ancient Pottys. They still had to go back then too.

With the Seelys!!! Sister Seely said "We'll just adopt you on our row" :D I sure love them, they are an incredible example of discipleship and hungering for knowledge. Brother Seely teaches our Ancient Near East class, and I am always excited when he goes with my group- because I KNOW we're in for some sweet stories!

In Nazareth- at the church of the Annunciation. There are depictions of Christ from countries all around the world. This was my favorite, because I loved the intricate mosaics, and the gold. 

My best friends- Brooke and Emily! On a mountain overlooking the Sea of Galilee! This was the first day of our 12 day trip to the Sea of Galilee and many surrounding areas in Northern Israel.

Beautiful views!

We took a boat ride across the Sea- Which really should be called a Lake; since it's so small and landlocked.

Ahoy me mateys! 

So many awesome people I get to spend time with :D

Model shots on the Sea... Jonathan wins I think.

We sat on the Mount of Beattitudes- I felt very much like the Carl Bloch painting! We shared our testimonies regarding the principles in the Sermon on the Mount... This was a favorite moment- to feel the peace and look out at his land... This is what I pictured when I pondered coming to Jerusalem. Figuratively sitting at the feet of the Savior and learning what He has taught us. I shared my testimony of the verse in Matthew 6:33 "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God!" I know that when we put the commandments of God, the pursuit of His Holy Spirit, and our faith in His son Jesus Christ FIRST- above all things of the world... we are blessed with understanding our lives more and feeling more fulfilled in them! I love hearing testimonies of the Savior here too- those from the friends and teachers in my class, and also seeing the testimonies of other worshipers who come to these places seeking the same peace. 

Church of the Beattitudes- it is 8 sided, one for every admonition the Savior game in the Sermon.

This isn't just ANY fish, no, this is a Galilean fish. And I ate the whole thing... even the eyeballs!!!

Hiking in the Golan Heights

Beautiful Waterfall! It was really refreshing to see water and green, in the middle of the dry desert. 

... and yes! We jumped in! Along with 25 other INSANE people! It was SO frigidly cold, but now I can say on my blog.... "I swam in that one waterfall, on that one hike, in the Golan!" haha yaaaaaaay.