Home from Israel

We've been home about a week now and it is time for me to put the last entry on the Israel blog. We had a late night flight so we toured all day and then we had a dayroom at the hotel where we could clean up and get ready for our flight. We started off by going to the spot where Caiaphas' home was and we went into the church where the cistern was where it is thought they held Jesus the night before the crucifixion. There were steps outside too that led down the way they would have taken him and the stones were there in the time of Jesus so it was an amazing feeling to know we were standing where he walked. Next we went to the Garden Tomb which is much more the way most of us have pictured the tomb to be. It is a beautiful place today and we could see Golgotha. There were places around where they put benches where groups like ours could gather and celebrate the Lord's supper together. First we went to the tomb and were able to go in and see the tomb. Then we gathered at our spot had communion and it was a very fitting last day experience for our group. When we got back on the bus, our bus driver suggested that he get pizza for us and took us to a beautiful spot overlooking Jerusalem where we could sit and walk and visit til the pizza arrived. What a treat to be outdoors and to see these vistas one last time.
After lunch, some of our group was dropped off at the Old City to shop and wander and those who wanted to (like us) went to the museum so we could see the Dead Sea Scrolls. To have been to Qumran where they were found, it was quite beautiful to actually see these documents that we have heard so much about. From there, we went back to the hotel and relaxed until dinner. After dinner, we said our goodbyes to the group that was going on to Egypt and headed for the airport. Sigh, we did not get the free upgrade this time and had to get home in our usual economy seats. But we did have aisle seats and it was a pleasant flight and after a day of touring in the heat, we were all pretty tired.
We did enjoy this trip so much and I know that it will be even more meaningful as we study the Bible more and remember the places we have seen and the relationship with one place to another. We feel very blessed to have gone on this trip and we felt perfectly safe at all times. If you get a chance, go!