Jewish Holidays and the Mount of Olives

Lately, we've been personally witnessing and trying out best to experience the Jewish holidays. Yum Kippur/Day of Atonement (Jewish religious holiday, observed on the 10th day of the lunar month of Tishri, in late September or early October)was only a few days ago. Prior to Yum Kippur, the Jewish community goes through a 10 day purification and repentance process for their sins: Rosh Hashana. Not far from today, we will celebrating God's relationship with the Jewish community durning the one week holiday of Succot. Could you image the entire United States coming together to celebrate the same holiday? No, Christmas does not count. Everyone knows that Christmas is divided and a picture with a heavyset, red, and fuzzy gray-haird man doesn't count count as a celebration. Holiday's in

Israel are different. When the Jews celebrate, they celebrate.

During Yum Kippur, everything within the country of Israel is closed. Beside the West Bank, the streets shut down, people grab their bikes, dress in either all black or white, and hit the streets. The streets are saturated with people fasting from food and coming before the Lord. Jews from around the globe journey to the land of Israel to celebrate their atonement with God. The reason I'm telling you this, is to explain an incredible adventure I had on the dawn of the eve of Yum Kippur.

The night before this incredible adventure, six of my friends and myself decided that the Mount of Olives sunrise was calling our name. In an agreement to rise at 4:20am, we set our alarms and went to sleep. Waking up at any time in the AM that can be counted on a single hand should be a crime. Needless to say, it was not easy. But the beauty of the Mount of Olives was drawing my body to make its way up her steep slopes.

All the girls were up: Amy, Betsy, and Amelia. Where are the boys you ask? Oh don't you worry, their sleeping. We waited a good twenty minutes, thinking that they are just lagging a bit... and ... we were wrong. They are still sleeping. Opening the door to Josh's room, I whisper, "Jooshhhh? Jooshhhhh? Dude you coming? Wana go hiking?" a loopy and groggy, "oh, oh, ya.. for sure. ahhh.. crap. what time?.. dang my alarm! ya, lets go! lets go!"

We had planned on leaving at 4:30am. That way would could enjoy a graceful and peaceful walk along the southern walls of the Old City and up the face of the Mount... After the boys powdered their noses and were dressed, we left at 4:50am. Sunrise is at 5:23am. There is now way. We weren't going to make it... leave it to a group twenty year-olds to egg on a challenge, thus, we booked it. Have you ever ran at 4:50am? Again, something that should be a crime. Flustered and feeling like I was still in my dream, I ran. I ran and then I ran again.

Remember how this is the eve of the dawn of Yum Kippur? Good- I though I lost you for a second.

Envision this: 5 tired, greasy (because my

showering habits have not improved since I'm away from home. sorry mom), and pretty much stupid looking Americans running through the streets of Jerusalem as the entire nation is preparing for their Day of Atonement. Running, passing buses, dodging cars, smelling pastries (ohh so hungry), are we there yet? nope. ahh.. can we make it in time? shoot- its already 5:15. Jillian Michaels

was in the back of my mind, "No regrets Amy! Keep going."

Ahh.. Biggest Looser always finds a way to haunt you... And then it happened. There she was, in all her glory! We made it to the base, but can we make it to the top in time? Of course we can! "What About Bob"

rang through my mind, "Baby steps Amy, Baby steps."

Once on top, the six of us unintentionally split into three groups: Santos and Betsy, Jason and Amelia, and myself and Josh. Still running and still sweaty, Josh and I ran to view the sunrise from a church. The church was closed, so we continued to a lookout. Gazing our eyes on the back edge of the Biblical Mount of Olives, we saw it. The breathtaking, pastel pink and yellow sun rose from the West. With the clouds behind us, the sun rose the awaken the overcast city below.

Walking back, what was that? Could that be?... No, its impossible. We are still in the month of September? Oh, but wait, yes... rain. We felt the mist of the first rain fall 5 minutes after we witnessed the sunrise on the Even of Yum Kippur.

Everyday day is a new day. Everyday we can be reminded of the glorious riches we have in the redemption of our Savior Jesus Christ. Through is blood, we are able to rest and rise in freedom. For our Lord and God gave more than we could have ever asked for. Thank you Jesus for another Sunrise.