Date: Monday, February 13

Author: Darla Sheldon

What a privilege to be on this trip and to be able to write this blog on my 66th birthday! Our day began with a 5:45 a.m. wake up call, another breakfast fit for a king (probably a chubby one :) ), and on the bus by 7 a.m. for a very full day. Here was our itinerary: 1) Temple Mount - considered the holiest place in the Jewish faith because it was where King Solomon and. Later Ezra and Nehemiah built the Temples. Today, however, it is the location of the Dome of the Rock mosque which is so visible in most pictures of Jerusalem. The Temple Mount is under Muslim control, but Israeli security. We all had to go through security (just like at the airports). We could not wear a visible cross, we had to wear modest clothing, we could not have food. Soldiers were visible everywhere because there had been an incident yesterday where they had to shut everything down. Today was peaceful. 2) Walked the Via Dolorosa and visited the stations of the cross leading to the crucifixion and Jesus being put in the tomb.

3) The Church of the Holy Sepulchre which contains stations #10-14, the rock of Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus. 4) The ancient Roman cardio street of shops and ancient ruins 5) Israel Museum with a fascinating 1/50th scale model of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus.

6) Garden Tomb which is a new site found more recently and run by Christians. They believed the exact place is not known, but said the place is not to be revered but what happened there is the most important -- Jesus died for our sins. 7) The bus took us to our hotel for an awesome banquet again

PLUS a special chocolate ice cream cake to share with all for my birthday! Highlight of my day: my husband buying me a beautiful olive wood nativity set for my birthday!

My thoughts for today: The unrest of all the different sectors of people here in Israel makes me appreciate our country and all it's flaws. We live in the greatest country.

Written by Darla Sheldon on her birthday!!