What a day! So much happening!

We had a pick 'n' mix of liturgies in the morning mostly because it was a special feast day - Pentecost - when the Holy Spirit was sent to the new church. I also saw my first donkey - in Nazareth - of course! But back to the the different services. The Greek Orthodox service was utterly incredible. AND the place was full! The reason we experienced that church was because it held the spring that tradition says Mary was at when the angel visited her.

The Church of the Annunciation was MASSIVE! Full of the most beautiful modern stained glass. (There are some photos - of course.) Though there was a funny moment when we went to the church of St Joseph. It was a tiny but beautiful building that was over an old cavern house. But it was small and just down the end of the lane - a bit like a potting shed in comparison!

The plain of Armageddon was also on the itinerary today. It was spectacular in size! Quite mind-blowing. Its biding its time with arable farming until the final battle. Apparently there are groups of pilgrims that come to see just that!

We went up Mount Tabor by minibus - 16 sharp hairpins. One of the drivers had one arm but we all got there and back OK. The church was wonderful and we had the most amazing Eucharist there. Hauntingly beautiful music. Even with us singing. However today's surreal moment was the crowd held back behind a rope at the top of the stairs which when 'let lose' stampeded into the area where we were as if it was the Harrods sale! Bizarre!

It is truly brilliant here and I can't wait for tomorrow! Did I see the spring and well that Mary used? Was the cavern house where Joseph and his little family lived? Was the church of the transfiguration on Mount Tabor exactly where Elijah and Moses joined Jesus? I don't know... I could believe that a spring doesn't move... I can see the cavern looked old... Yes, the mountain is the same as it has always been... BUT does it matter? For me - no it doesn't... and that's what I'm learning!