Praying in Jerusalem

I think that prayer was the theme for today.

Today was not a day that was filled with great excitement. Today was a somber day. Maybe it was because I am missing Nicole and the kids so much. You know, the truth is, even on such a special trip that is filled with things to do from morning to night there is time to miss my family. Even though, we have been blessed to talk with each other every day.,I really was missing them today. Maybe it hit me today because it was Sunday. I missed being at church and with my church family also.

Our morning began at the Western wall. This is a remaining wall from the temple in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus. We prayed at the wall and placed our prayers in its cracks. It was a special time of prayer. We then traveld along the length of the wall and walked on the street that Jesus walked on in his day. We touched a guard rail that most likely Jesus had run his hand down as he walked on that street.

We then visited the Via Del Rosa or the "Way of Sorrow/ Way of the Cross." This was another somber experience. We spent time in the place where Jesus was sentenced by Pilate to be crucified. We prayed here as well. After this it was on to the pool of Bethsada where Jesus perfomed a healing miracle and then we went to visit the new part of the city before lunch. We are not going to the tomb for until Tuesday so today kind of left us on Good Friday.

The theme of prayer and sorrow continued in the afternoon as we went to the Holocaust Memorial and Museum. This is an incredible museum marking a terrible time in history. The museum is dedicated to the over 6 million Jews that lost there lives and the heroes that faught to save the lives of Jews during this time. This was a moving experience. As I left the memorial to the children that were killed during the holocaust I just wanted to hug and hold my kids. Did I mention that I missed them?

Tonight when we arrived back to the hotel one of our friends on the trip, Bill Gutshawl, had to go to the hospital because he was not feeling well. We continue to pray for Bill. Thank you for praying for him and Carol.

I think what I take from today is that life is real and even when we are on an amazing pilgimage there is sorrow and there are moments that bring us to tears. This is life. Sometimes the tears are because we are just overwhelmed by the experience and our gratitude. Sometimes they are tears because we miss those we love. Sometimes they are tears because we feel the pain and hurt of other. Sometimes the tears come from laughing really hard with a friend. Through all of it and in all of it is God. God is present, he is just a breath away. We pray. The theme for the day is a theme for our lives. And we know that soon we will visit the tomb and it is empty. Are lives don't have to be. We pray. God hears. God comforts. God heals. God transforms Good Fridays into Easter mornings. It was a good day. We prayed.

Love today.

In Christ love and mine,

Doug