Some more Ancient steps leading down into the Tombs 

We are standing in front of the smaller tomb 

My Gang 

Before this area was used as a quarry, This was probably also a tomb 

Joshus River is exploring too!! 

Benjamin Judah is having a great time exploring the rocky tombs 

My Girls in front of the ancient door to the tomb 

Marybeth and Olivia climbing through the hole into the Larger tomb 

Sister Valerie and Sister Joan 

Close up of the Shelley family in the Larger tomb 

Standing with "My Blessings" 

I really like standing here, and remembering King David 

A view of the Larger Tomb, Perhaps that of King David,These tombs were greatly damaged in Earlier times, when this site was used for a stone quarry  

Another view, including ancient steps,This site is in the Lower part of The City of David, near the Pool of Siloam 

This is believed by many archaeologists to be the Tombs of the Kings of Judah, including David and Solomon. I will post some articles of interest on my update blog.I am very impressed with this site. 

This is a picture of the "Traditional" Tomb of David on the "Traditional" Mount Zion 

This little hill dotted with yellow flowers is the traditional site on the River Kishon, where it is believed that Elijah slayed the prophets of baal (1 Kings 18:40), He then climbed back up the mountain and prayed for rain, with His head between His knees....Oh Lord send the Rain....and the Fire

A closer look at the statue of Elijah in front of the Carmelite Chapel 

Stacey and I, with Elijah...I am still a bit wet from shell hunting in the Mediterrean Sea, a little while earlier

Standing by the Altar that was made with 12 stones from Mount Carmel, to remember the altar that Elijah built, This altar is in the Carmelite chapel on El-Muhraqa, known as Mt.Carmel 

Another view of "The place of Burning" 

This is believed to be the place where the Prophet Elijah challenged the 450 prophets of baal, At the time of the Evening Sacrafice Elijah prayed and God answered Him by fire,The fire burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dust and even licked up the water in the trenches.1 Kings 18:39 

My favorite part of the dome, I have remembered this view for all of these years, It was so special to share it with my family today!! 

The beautiful inside details in the dome of the church built over Elijah's Grotto 

Inside the Grotto of Elijah, My Grandmother took my picture here, when I was 11 years old. 

View from the Cable car, going up to the other cave at the top of the mountain,believed to be the cave that Elijah lived in for a long period of His ministry, It was special for me to be here again, even with the religious trappings because I remember clearly being here with my Grandmother in 1979, on my first trip to Israel, This is now my 9th visit to "The Land", 26 years later... 

Behind the Curtain, in Prayer 

Details of the inside 

Inside the cave 

At the Door going into the cave, Joshua met two cats that followed him around, even into the "Holy" cave  

Sign at the steps going in 

Outside of Elijah's cave, at the foot of the Carmel Mountain range, in Haifa, It is believed to be the cave where he prayed before going on to Mount Carmel for the showdown with the prophets of baal

This is our crew, God is so good!!!! 

A perfect fit, taken at Succot 2004 

Details of the "Foot washing" rock, the jug is setting in a small depression in the rock, believed to serve this very purpose

I am standing near the stone with a carved out place for a foot (size 11)It is believed that this was used in early Christian foot washing services 

Three crosses, with a dove coming down over one of the crosses, to the right a staff connected to hermes, the messenger of the gods, this would be used to draw the connection with John as a messenger who would go before the Messiah  

Details of the Cross on the top of His staff 

Details of the face of John, His arms are stretched upward, The staff in His right hand has a cross on the top 

Ancient carving in the stone, believed to represent John the Baptist,The plaster on the wall has been tested and dated to 1000 BCE.,The drawing was carved later probably during the Byzantine Era 

View inside the cave where loads of mud and over 250,000 pieces of broken pottery were dug out and removed 

Ancient steps leading down inside 

Another view of the door leading in 

Outside the Cave of John the Baptist 

We are picking up our 5 smooth stones to slay the Giant 

This dry creek bed, is the stream where David chose His 5 smooth stones F-A-I-T-H, it was between the Israelite camp and the Camp of the Philistines on the other side of the Valley 

Coming down from the Mountain 

Another view of the Elah Valley- 1st Samuel chapter 17 

It is believed by many that this very mountain where We were standing is where the Israelite army was camped 

Overlooking the Valley of Elah- Whwere David slew Goliath 

Jericho is behind this tallest Mountain 

Stacey and Marybeth, The Judean Wilderness in the background 

Close up, Please 

A baby camel, younger than Olivia 

Nice and Brown 

On the Fire 

Making Pita 

Learning from Abraham 

Marybeth, Sister Nancy and Olivia too!!!! 

Here We Go!!! 

Joshua and I are ready for our camel ride  

The Boys are getting their Biblical garments for a morning at Genesis Land 

Translation of the Inscription

Inscription from Peter's Ossuary

Peter's Ossuary

Picture from the Original Discovery

Inside the little Grotto