The Peace of Jerusalem

Jerusalem, looking exactly as I had pictured

I can't adequately express how grateful I am that I got to go to Jerusalem for a day. It was all so beautiful, and there was so much to see. I saw a lot for being there for only one day: The Western Wall, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, steps and steps of markets, and we found a great place to eat lunch.

I call it beautiful because that is what I kept thinking the whole time I was there. I couldn't figure out why I found it to be so beautiful, until I read something that my friend Wendy put in her post regarding her trip there: "We had been in our spiritual home and fell in love with it." Yes, that was me, too, and I only had one day there.

Did you know that we're commanded to pray for Jerusalem?

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.” (Psalm 122:6, 7)

People have been asking me if I felt safe while I was there. The answer is yes and no. I believe that I mentioned that I was put in a car that was being driven by an Army Major who had taken hands-on antiterrorist defensive driving. That certainly made feel safe. But at one point while we were walking the Road to the Cross, two Arabic-speaking men got in a fight, and the walkway was so narrow that we couldn't get around them safely. It feels like it took 20 minutes, but maybe it was shorter. At that time, I did not feel safe. While I was at the Western Wall, I felt keenly aware that there was a risk of an incident, but at the same time, I felt like I was supposed to visit it, so whatever happened would be okay.

I do hope to return. I may not go to the Western Wall again, but I would certainly like to go to Jerusalem again. We shall see.

I missed David and the kids something awful. As thankful as I am for the opportunity, if I really had my way, I would find a job that doesn't require work-related travel. But it has not been so. That doesn't matter too much at this point because I am thankful for the job security that I have with the government. At least for now, I feel like I am in the place I am supposed to be. And I thank God because I know that my peace comes from Him.


The photos are in no particular order, and are not nearly all that I have to share. I think I'm going to have to create a link and share that later.

Inside the Church of the Flagellation

Ceiling at the Church of the Flagellation

Description at the Church of the Flagellation

City Wall

City Wall

Inside Jerusalem

Inside Jerusalem

Inside Jersualem

Inside Jerusalem: Old Roman Columns

When I asked the salesman if I could take pictures in his store, he said, "Of course. Of course! Like it's your home."

So I did.

At the Church of St Peter in Gallicantu

Outside the City Wall

Description at Gallicanu

Prison floor, or "Sacred Pit", possibly where Jesus and Peter were held (at different times). This is letter A above.

Church of St Peter in Gallicantu

Jesus likely walked on these steps. Even if this isn't actually Caiaphas' house, he probably walked these steps at least once.

On my way to Tel Aviv

I don't know if you can imagine my emotions right now as I sit in this plane as it takes off for Tel Aviv. I am a mixture of melancholy and bubbly excitement. I know that this week is going to be a big burden on David, and it makes me sad. I also know that the kids will feel my absence, perhaps most of all Lilly, and that makes me sad, too. This is probably only my second time away from the kids for more than just a couple of nights, and leaving everyone this morning was hard. Add to that the expressions of concern for my safety I've heard from most everyone, and this trip is really making me quite sad.

But at the same time, there are things that I've greatly desired in my life but never thought would actually be possible. Or things that I've greatly desired but just not quite enough to spend the kind of money needed to get that which I desire. Seeing Israel, the home of my faith, was one of those things. And yet here I am, on my way to Tel Aviv for my first of what could be three times over the next six months. I may indeed get to walk in the same place or places as my Savior. I may get to see the port where Jonah left before getting swallowed by a big fish. I may look on the land of the prophecy in the books of Daniel or Revelations. And I will, at the very least (more than likely), get to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea and eat some shawerma tonight for dinner.

I can't believe it. I'm on the plane in flight and I still can't believe it. Because nothing in my life is more important to me than Jesus and my relationship with Him. When I read the Bible, sometimes I have to remind myself that this Man actually walked the Earth and lived a real life, so I tend to focus on the descriptions of the surroundings when given. What was His life really like? How were His interactions with the everyday people that He met?

I think of the Samaritan woman at the well at Sychar in the book of John (chapter 4). She says, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did." Really? We are not given very much detail about the conversation, so either she lived a very simple life and didn't get out much, or Jesus actually spent a lot of time talking with her. This is one of my favorite stories to put myself into as a fly on the wall. Imagine seeing her talking with this Rabbi. How progressive He is to be talking with her! Imagine what the disciples think as they walk up and see Him talking to her. Are they surprised? Are they angry? Or do they think, There goes that Jesus again. Always bending the rules to include somebody new.

I think of the well itself and the surrounding area. I've been in the desert before and appreciate how precious water is. In fact, after I finished my deployment to the Persian Gulf, I basically swore to myself that I would never again be in a situation where I couldn't have ice. I wonder if Jesus, who is God, felt hot and thirsty at this well and lamented not having something with which to draw the water. How familiar was He with suffering at this point? Did He already know how thirsty He would be on that day when He died for my sins?

Yes, I'm excited. Some things in life are in the realm of possible, and some are not. And sometimes, our great God moves the impossible into the realm of possible just to bless us. I feel He's done that for me today. I don't know why, nor do I need to. When I was pregnant with the twins, which I had wanted since I was about 12 years old, I struggled with why I have been so blessed in my life, pretty much my whole life, and why had God granted me what was probably my biggest desire (boy/girl twins). I really struggled. Why did He choose to bless me but not some other people in my life? I know I haven't earned those blessings, and it was actually quite a religious struggle that I was going through, mainly because I was worried those blessings were just going to be taken away from me. I finally got some peace when I got this answer: Mary, the mother of Jesus Himself, didn't ask that question. In fact, all she really said was, From now on all generations will call me blessed. So who am I to ask?

One thing about this big move to Germany is that I won't know if it was a good decision until we're safely back home. Have I said that already? I'll elaborate. This big move is not without risks. David and I think that we understand the risks and that the benefits outweigh them. But what if we're wrong? When I was pregnant with the twins and worrying so much that it was too good to be true and something bad was going to happen, I received another answer that also gave me peace, and it continues to give me peace everyday. I know, and some of my friends and relatives who have already suffered a great deal know this too, that whatever suffering I am called to do, I will not be doing alone. I know that my amazing Savior, whose footsteps I may get to retrace this week, will always be there for me and carry me through if I need Him to.

This is all because of Jesus. As I've been saying so often already, I am grateful.

I checked into the hotel. Somebody is going to have to pinch me.