We've been going non-stop since we left Istanbul and it's actually been really cool to see so many places mentioned in the New Testament - particularly the first twenty chapters of Acts and the first three chapters of Revelations. Here are some pics from the trip!
GALLIPOLI
With Sister Strathearn at this historical war memorial at Gallipoli honoring ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). She's from Australia so this place had really special meaning to her.
On the beach by the memorial. 
Running free after lunch on the Dardanelles Strait!
And of course a more contemplative shot...
Dardanelles group selfie with Thomas, Christeen, Mackenzie, Lincoln, and Matt.
ANZAC cemetery. Over 250,000 men from both sides of this WWI battle died. Sister Strathearn made this a really spiritual experience by sharing journal excerpts from soldiers involved in this battle and their mothers.
DARDANELLES STRAIT
TROY
Troyyyyyy
Troy group selfie with Grace, Megan, Mackenzie, Michael, and Hunter. 
The actual Trojan horse!! Just kidding :) I hope you didn't think for a second that they convinced us it was the real thing...
Love these people! So I instagrammed them :)
All the JC students - note the three in front dressed up in Ancient Greece clothing...
Looking at Lesbos, the Greek island over part of the Aegean Sea. 
Class pic in front of some ruins.
Loving the view!
ASSOS
A lot of people said this was their favorite part of the trip. The view was beautiful, the climb to the summit was fun, and Brother Anderson talked about loving all of God's children, regardless of religion or race.
Group selfie with remnants of the Temple of Athena.
PERGAMUM
We had to take a cable car to get to the ruins of his ancient city that at one point rivaled Alexandria on size and wealth.
The theater there holds 10,000 and is the steepest seating from the ancient world. 
Standing right above the stadium seating.
Selfie with Brother Jones and Christina on the cable car ride down. Brother Jones is the punniest guy ever. I get him laughing out loud when he asked me how the trip was going and I said,"Terrible - all these visits to ancient sites has really 'ruined' my trip." That was a proud moment :)
She flipped all the way around by grabbing the storage rails along the top. 
Stuck the landing very well :)
She made it all the way to the front of the bus without the leaders noticing! (Or so we think...)
Jordan also kept us very entertained with his expert choose your own adventure story telling haha.
Class picture in front of one of the largest libraries of the ancient world. 
The Great Theater which can hold 25,000 people. 
Brother Anderson's class looking down at the stage in the Great Theater.
This road used to lead to a harbor...
Waiting to get in with Lauren, Amber, and Kasdyn. 
The church ruins.
Ruins selfie with Olivia, Christina, Kasdyn, and Grace!
Another ancient theater - the sea water used to come right up to the theater.
We were kinda ruined out by this point...
Living the Turkish dream on the beach with Mackenzie. 
Sunset on the beach :)
Another engagement pic with Kasdyn in front of an ancient gymnasium - she was a gymnast so it seemed appropriate...
Brother Chadwick taking a few moments to "connect to the land" with the class. 
Class pic in the small theater.
Brother Anderson sharing a spiritual thought about the Book of Life. 
This temple was in a beautiful location. 
Yasemin teaching us about the Grand Mosque in Bursa. 
Mosque group selfie with Maren, Christeen, Sadie, Austin, Jordan, and Adam :)
Fruit market.
Jordan trying on some shoes in the market. 
At a Christian church later converted Muslim mosque where the Nicene Creed was finalized. With Matt, Emma, and Olivia. 
Nicea is famous for its ceramics so Jordan, Kasdyn, Michael and I went out and made friends with a local vendor who makes beautiful ceramics!
Saying goodbye to our guide Yasemin at the airport in Istanbul :/
Check out everywhere we went in turkey!
I loved seeing structures like this still in tact.
THE BUS
So one afternoon Kasdyn was in a really hyper mood and kept is all entertained with some major bus gymnastics.
EPHESUS
This was my favorite ancient city we visited - the ruins there are amazing and it's the Ephesus referred to in the New Testament! This is where Paul lived and taught.
Just taking a quick bow. Missing my Vocal Point days...
And these used to be toilets.
CHURCH OF ST. JOHN
View from the church.
MILETUS
Emma and Eliza were trying to stay positive :)
BEACH RESORT
SARDIS
TEMPLE OF ATHENA
Dat column tho...
BURSA
My market purchases - a handmade silk tie made in Bursa and a fake watch :)
NICEA
It was quite the trip! I loved getting closer to everyone and seeing more of Turkey. It was such a beautiful country with so much history! I'd love to go back some day.
The views are incredible!! Assos, wow. How does the cable car work exactly? The theater with super steep seating! What did they use them for? I wish I could be there learning all you're learning! I want to hear more why Ephesus was your favorite.
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