And we’re starting to get the goosebumps!

With my trip to The Holy Land now about a month (1 month!) away, I attended a meeting with my travel group a few nights ago. It was actually our second gathering. The first was about the political history of Israel. How did the nation get to where it is today?

This second meeting focused on the actual sites we’ll see and their significance in The Bible or in current culture. Some sites are scholar’s best guesses on where something Biblical happened, but others are absolute “X marks the spot,” places. That is, Jesus was right here. Yes, cue the goosebumps and maybe even a tear (in my meeting). Can’t imagine how I’ll feel actually standing on that holy ground.

Below are just a few of highlights I’m excited to see.

Bethlehem

For many of the holiest sites, your visit is actually to the church that has been built (or rebuilt) on the grounds, like The Church Of The Nativity. A star on the marble floor marks the spot in the Nativity Grotto – (In Arkansas, we’d call it a cave) where scholars believe Jesus was born.

The Sea Of Galilee

It’s roughly the same size as Lake Ouachita (based on surface area, 62-64 square miles). I had always thought of the Sea of Galilee as much bigger. Hadn’t you? Not only will we walk the shoreline where Jesus started his ministry and called his first disciples, we’ll go out on the water in a boat built similar to one from Jesus’ time.

Via Dolorosa

The Way of The Cross is the winding path (little less than 1/2 mile) through The Old City of Jerusalem that depicts the route Jesus walked, carrying his cross to his crucifixion. Markers along the way show the individual Stations Of the Cross, beginning with Jesus’ trial before Pilate, locations where Jesus stumbled and encountered people in the crowd, and ending at Golgotha, the site of his crucifixion.

Church Of The Holy Sepulchre

The last four Stations Of The Cross are actually inside this church, including the locations that most scholars agree on as Calvary and Jesus’ tomb. The diagram shows how the original church was built in the 4th century over these sites. The pictures show what the church looks like today.

So, have you been a pilgrim to these sites? If so, I would love to hear what you most enjoyed seeing on your trip to The Holy Land. Which places gave you goosebumps? And if you haven’t journeyed there yet, what would you be most excited to see?

First of all, thanks for stopping by this little thing I’ve started. I’ve read so many well-wishes and words of advice for my trip to The Holy Land. Keep them coming!

One thing I’m hearing a lot is that your first trip to Israel can be overwhelming, so many sights and so much information that it’s hard to grasp it all. Many say they actually enjoy their second or third trips more.

While I certainly hope I’ll take more trips, I don’t know that for sure. So, I want to make this one count. This blog will help, I think, with keeping my thoughts together. But I also want to do my homework and be prepared.

So, my first thought, “Have I actually read ALL the gospels?” Sure, I went to Sunday School growing up and could tell you lots of stories and maybe even quote a few scriptures from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But have I actually read them, verse by verse, like a book? Probably not. So, that’s Step 1. Read the four books of The Bible that tell us the most about the historical life and death of Jesus. I am going to be walking the streets where these things happened very soon! I’m almost done with Matthew now.

Then, I headed where?…Barnes & Noble, of course, to ask the smart book people what I should read. The nice B&N man said “before we go to the travel section let me show you one thing.” It was “Walking The Bible”, a best-seller that looks at a visit to the Middle East from the perspective of the Old Testament, specifically the five books of Moses. With that one and a touristy Fodor’s Essential Israel, I’m out the door.

One more stop at a Christian book store for Kathie Lee Gifford’s “The Road, The Rock, and The Rabbi.” It was a suggestion from one of my travel group leaders. The book tells Gifford’s story of visiting many of the ancient sites I’ll see and what the Scripture tells us about them.

I’m a slow reader, so I’m glad I have almost a full-day of travel ahead of me! That’s probably what it will take to finish all of this. So, have you read any of these? And what would you suggest to prepare for a visit to The Holy Land? I’m listening and may have room for one more in my carry on.

In about 40 days I will be leaving on a trip of a lifetime. I will go on the biggest adventure of my life (so far) as I visit The Holy Land. I will be traveling with a large group from my church and others from another Arkansas church. Some I know very well, others I don’t know at all.

I am told it is a trip that will change you forever. I am excited, and a bit overwhelmed at this point. So, I’d like to start the conversation here over the next few weeks. If you have traveled to Israel, please let me know your thoughts, experiences, and any tips you have.

I thought Valentine’s Day would be a great day to kick off this blog as I prepare to visit the land of The Bible, the greatest love story ever told.