Around Jerusalem

First field trip day was a HUGE success! Every Monday we take the whole day and visit historical sites. For our first field trip day we traveled all around Jerusalem and got to see the city from different directions. From each point we stopped at we also got to see the areas surrounding Jerusalem. I have a much better understanding of the area geographically so now it doesn't feel so foreign anymore! Here are some pictures:

First we went to a nearby Lutheran church called Augusta Victoria and climbed the bell tower to be able to see in every direction. Here's my bus buddy Olivia! 

View of North Jerusalem from the Augusta Victoria church tower...

East of Jerusalem...

Southeast of Jerusalem, towards the Dead Sea.

Southwest of Jerusalem towards Bethlehem.

Jerusalem selfie with Kasdyn, Micah, Christeen, Rachel, Olivia, and Thomas from the east side of Jerusalem (Seven Arches Hotel).

Brother Anderson pointing north towards Bethel, where Abraham built an altar on his way to Jerusalem.

View of Bethlehem beyond the shepherd's fields.

This field trip was kinda the last fun first week activity before the reality of my heavy course load set in. It's gonna be a doozy. As I've been reading in Genesis for my Old Testament class it's been really cool to read about all the places that we saw on this field trip! I can't wait to visit more sites in order to continue seeing the scriptures in context.