We're back from Israel!  It was definitely an experience that I will never forget!  We traveled all over Israel, and we hiked about 10 miles each day. Definitely a workout, and definitely worth it. I wanted to share some pictures with you from the trip ~ Enjoy!  (you're welcome Mom! haha!)

This is the wilderness where the Israelites wandered for 40 years.  Lucky for us we came during the cooler time of the year :)

These are our amazing tour guides!  Marty was our American guide and Boaz was our Israeli guide.  They did a fantastic job leading us and teaching us! 

When we were in Jerusalem there were soldiers everywhere.  In Israel, every citizen is required to spend at least 2-3 years serving in the army. 

Floating in the Dead Sea (also called the Salt Sea).  For those of you from swim team - look I can FINALLY float!! :) It was a lot of fun, but not so fun when you got it in your mouth...

Hiking through Ein Gedi.  This is where David hid from Saul.

Getting "all in" in a spring of living water found in the middle of the desert.  Contrasted to the Dead Sea, it is clear why Jesus calls Himself the Living Water. 

View from the top of Mt. Arbel.  This is the region of Galilee.  To the right you can see the Sea of Galilee.

Eating fish from the Sea of Galilee.  Yes, I actually tried a bite...still not a fan of seafood (as you can tell from the final picture!) 

 An olive tree vinyard at the base of Mt. Carmel (where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal).  Here we talked about how we are grafted into the Jewish faith through Christ. 

This is Cesarea where Paul began or ended each of his missionary journeys.  He was also held in prison here before being sent to trial in Rome. 

This is the theater (that is still used today).

King Herod had a mighty palace and temple built in Cesarea out of white marble that was eventually destroyed.   Still today pieces of white marble are washed onto the shore.  We each collected some pieces as a reminder of how earthly things will pass away and how we need invest in things that will last.

This is the field where David fought Goliath.  We were able to go down to the brook where David most likely would've gathered his stones. Our tour guide Boaz joked that we shouldn't try to find the actual stone that David used to kill Goliath because he had already found it!

One morning we were able to travel to Bethlehem, and we visited the Church of the Nativity.  This star marks where they suspect Jesus was born. 

The view from the Mount of Olives.  This is the city of Jerusalem, and you can see the Dome of the Rock on the temple mount. 

The Dome of the Rock on the temple mount. 

The Jewish people believe that the original temple would have been located here on the temple mount.  To this day, no Orthodox Jew will walk on the temple mount for fear that they might accidently step in the place where the Holy of Holies was (which would be irreverant).  

The Western Wall.  At all times of the day you can see people praying at the wall.  This is the most holy site for the Jewish people because it is the closest place to the Holy of Holies.  

On our final night, Boaz invited us to his home for dinner!  His wife made us an amazing meal!  It was an excellent way to end our trip to Israel! 

I will getting some more pictures from my fellow Forge students from places I didn't capture on my camera.  Stay posted and thanks for viewing! :)