Saturday January 23\; Jerusalem

Today was the big day, on to Jerusalem! athough i must admit, i'm not looking forward to having to leave the galilee, it's so beautiful here. going back to a big and crowded city will be hard to adjust to again. but, after all, it is the holy city!
we began by traveling south to jericho, with a stop there for lunch, some shopping, and a camel ride! we got to see the remains of the old walls of jericho and also were able to view temptation point, where Christ was tempted by the devil after 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. we also stopped to see the sycamore tree that zaccheus climbed up to see Jesus - that was awesome!
then, on to Jerusalem. you can't imagine the view as you come up out of the barren valley of the dead sea and look to the city of jerusalem. i can't put words here to how it feels to be here. i will just tell you that, when we got to the lutheran guest house, where we are staying for the week, i walked out onto the rooftop terrace to take in the view and wept as i looked out at the old city, over to the church of the holy sepulcher a stone's throw away, and to the dome of the rock, also a stone's throw away.
much more to come tomorrow, as we are set to visit the southern gate and the wailing wall after we worship at lutheran church of the redeemer in the morning.
i sat and drank a maccabee beer on the roof, looked at the dome of the rock, and thought of you all whom i miss so much.
it's true, one does feel closer to heaven here.