When you picture the streets that Jesus walked, do you ever picture snow?
No, neither do I. Well, neither did I. But after this weekend I know one thing, that it sure was possible.
About a month ago, my husband found some decent airfare for AJ, my mom and I to go to Jerusalem. We just had to take advantage of the opportunity. This would be a once in a lifetime trip for all of us! Particularly, my mom who is scheduled to go back home to the states after Christmas!
We left Thursday, and the forecast DID NOT LOOK GOOD. We landed that evening, and quickly got a shuttle to drive us from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This is like a 40 minute drive. Well, things didn't work out so well. That 40 minute drive turned into a four hour, at times a bit scary, slippery, snowy, tour.
AJ, in fact, was out of the car on the roads with the locals trying to push vehicles as they tried to gain traction. Our driver had done so well, and we were nearly there. Saw the signs and everything!!! But on that last summit, he decided that was that, and it was time to retreat. We then reversed (literally, backing up safety beeps blaring and all) all the way down the mountain because it was rear wheel drive.
This was such a crazy adventure. Who would have predicted? The headlines read....
Snow in Jerusalem as Winter Weather Intensifies: Schools closed
Rare Snowstorm Leaves Jerusalem in Lockdown
Four Fatalities and Jerusalem still Sealed Off
So in the end, we were there to see and experience history. The biggest storm in more than 60 years! But we were stuck retreating to Tel Aviv, and after waiting a couple of nights at our hotel, got back on a plane home feeling a bit defeated. We were on those roads of weather history alright, just not the roads where Jesus walked who is central to all human history!
Our family is trying to put together a trip back to the Holy Land before we return to the U.S. I hope we will be able to pull that off maybe some time closer to June.
No, neither do I. Well, neither did I. But after this weekend I know one thing, that it sure was possible.
About a month ago, my husband found some decent airfare for AJ, my mom and I to go to Jerusalem. We just had to take advantage of the opportunity. This would be a once in a lifetime trip for all of us! Particularly, my mom who is scheduled to go back home to the states after Christmas!
We left Thursday, and the forecast DID NOT LOOK GOOD. We landed that evening, and quickly got a shuttle to drive us from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This is like a 40 minute drive. Well, things didn't work out so well. That 40 minute drive turned into a four hour, at times a bit scary, slippery, snowy, tour.
AJ, in fact, was out of the car on the roads with the locals trying to push vehicles as they tried to gain traction. Our driver had done so well, and we were nearly there. Saw the signs and everything!!! But on that last summit, he decided that was that, and it was time to retreat. We then reversed (literally, backing up safety beeps blaring and all) all the way down the mountain because it was rear wheel drive.
This was such a crazy adventure. Who would have predicted? The headlines read....
Snow in Jerusalem as Winter Weather Intensifies: Schools closed
Rare Snowstorm Leaves Jerusalem in Lockdown
Four Fatalities and Jerusalem still Sealed Off
So in the end, we were there to see and experience history. The biggest storm in more than 60 years! But we were stuck retreating to Tel Aviv, and after waiting a couple of nights at our hotel, got back on a plane home feeling a bit defeated. We were on those roads of weather history alright, just not the roads where Jesus walked who is central to all human history!
Our family is trying to put together a trip back to the Holy Land before we return to the U.S. I hope we will be able to pull that off maybe some time closer to June.
The Port city of Jaffa: (although Desolate, we checked it out while we were in Tel Aviv)
Attended the Tel Aviv Church Branch
Because of Shabbat, even our church, which typically meets on Sundays, meets on Saturdays. Since we were there in Tel Aviv, we figured we should attend church. It was a small branch of Mormons, and they spoke three different languages: English, Russian, and Spanish. Interesting combination, eh? Most of the members were Americans there with the US Embassy, but there was a large population from the Philippines and some Russian immigrants as well. This photo on the left is the Hymnal Board. It shows the different pages to find the hymns in the three different Hymnals: English, Spanish, and Russian. And we sang altogether in three different languages!
They announced that they really needed someone to help play the piano for the congregation, my mom eventually raised her hand and said, "I'm really not a pianist, but if you're desperate I can play!" And the man said, "Well we're desperate!"
She ended up playing for our worship service, a special Christmas song the primary children sang, they sang a hymn in Sunday School, and she played for Relief Society as well! How great is that!
She ended up playing for our worship service, a special Christmas song the primary children sang, they sang a hymn in Sunday School, and she played for Relief Society as well! How great is that!
Finally, this is our "Shelter" in Tel Aviv. This is where we were Stranded!
It really is too bad the weather was so awful, might have made a glorious spring vacation!