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

Inside this little Grotto, First Century Bone Boxes(Ossuaries) have been found.

This is on the Grounds of the Dominus Flevit Church. Archaeologists have dated the Ossuaries to the First Century and have identified Early Christian symbols, leading them to believe that these were graves of early Believers. I was very impressed with this site in 2002 and later read that the Ossuary of Peter was found here and quickly taken away secretly perhaps to Rome, this fact has been hidden by the Church.

My Girls overlooking My City

The Golden Spires of the Russian Orthodox Church

Olivia at Dominus Flevit

At the Overlook of the Dominus Flevit Church, This marks the place where Yeshua Wept over Jerusalem

Looking out from the Dominus Flevit Church on the Mt. of Olives

Repair work being done on the Eastern side of the Temple Mount retaining wall

A close up taken today of the Eastern Gate....Come Messiah!!

A view from the Mount of Olives looking toward the Kidron Valley and the Temple Mount

A beautiful view from the Augusta Victoria Church and Hospital on the Mount of Olives

The Lord's Prayer appears in many Languages on the walls of the Church and Garden

Taken inside the Cave or Grotto

Pater Noster Grotto (Our Father)

Joshua over the door leading to the cave on the Mount of Olives where it is believed that Yeshua taught His disciples many things including the Lord's Prayer

The Security Fence: Bethany on one side and Jerusalem on the other side

We ate the Giant Pomelo at lunch today

The Shelleys in the Army Bunker

Marybeth and Miss Olivia

Miss Olivia enjoyed the Army Trenches Too

I am so Happy to Have my Sweetie with Me this Time

In the Trenches at the Castel

At the Castel-An Important site in the War of Independence

With the Sisters in Jerusalem

In the Model of an Ancient Synagogue

This One needs a Friend

A Visit with the Donkey

In the Watchtower

A view from Yad Hashmona ( A Messianic Kibbutz)

This is Hard Work

At The Olive Press

I Have Had My Picture Taken Before

Out of the Tomb

My Two Girls

Too much Fun!!!

Olivia's New Ride

Joshua, Olivia and Benjamin pose with this XL Israeli Pomelo

A Pomelo is a fruit that taste similar to a grapefruit, but it is sweeter and a bit drier, Mmmm
mmmm good!!!

Our Boys in Jerusalem, On their last trip (2003)

Joshua and Benjamin Tag-team preaching in Capernaum (2003)

Benjamin helping Daddy lead Worship in Jerusalem (2003) They are excited about going back this week..

The Breastplate for the High Priest

These are the Remembrance stones of the Breastplate, connected to the ephod for the High Priest to wear in the Third Temple...visit this link to learn and see more.......
http://www.templeinstitute.org/main.htm

The Shelley Family:
Steven, Stacey, Benjamin,
Joshua and Olivia Zion

From The Holy Land Experience in Orlando, Florida........The closest thing to being there, If you can't be there............

Details of the Inscription on the Torah cover

Dedicating the Torah Scroll from Israel