Israel-Day1-Jaffa (Joppa)

On the way to our hotel, we stopped at Jaffa (called Joppa in the Bible). The whale sculpture in the picture is in honor of Jonah. Joppa is where he caught a boat on the way to Tarshish (not on the way to Ninevah).

Behind me is the Med. Sea. Jaffa is a city on top of a tel (hill). Acts 10 talks about Peter's vision in preparation for his visitors from Caesarea. He saw a sheet come down from the sky containing animals, reptiles, & birds. Then a voice spoke, telling him to get up, kill, and eat. Which he refused on account of it being unclean. He saw this vision 3 times.

Is there mountain biking in Israel??? Too bad I can't read the sign.

Another picture of the Med. Sea.

Israel-Day1-Tel Aviv

Flying over the Mediterranean into Tel Aviv!


Ben Gurion Airport. Ben Gurion declared Israel reborn on 5/14/48 and they were bombed within 5 hours by 8 armies. Tel Aviv is only 100 years old. The Jews bought it from the Bedouins and it was settled by 60 families. It was nothing but sand dunes so everyone was required to haul out 100 wheelbarrow loads per day.

Lake trying chopsticks

Lake saw Steve and I eating with chopsticks and gave it a try. He did well for a 3 year old. Look at that concentration.

Church = popcorn!

3 friends savoring their Sunday popcorn together.

Grandma and Grandpa Belleville visit

We hiked the Fowler Trail, went to the Pearl Street Stampede, and walked down to Starbucks and the water fountain on campus to play.

My man, mmm sexy

It's almost scary how well the new do suits him!

Zoo with friends!

We joined some friends at the zoo... 5 moms and 7 boys = lots of fun. Karsten and Lake were very helpful trying to find the zebras.