Words and Pictures -- Lena

We’ve all heard the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words”, and it’s true. Rarely does a writer come along that can aptly put to words what a picture can say. Even more rare though is a photographer that can capture the emotions evoked by a breathtaking vista.

I’m neither that good of a writer, nor nearly that good of a photographer, but perhaps, with both I can paint the picture of our day in Jerash and Ajloun.



Perhaps I can help you to see the vibrant new wildflowers growing at the feet of ancient olive and pine trees, all laid out like a quilt on the valley floor below,




or the hundred or so bleating sheep making their way home in the golden afternoon light, stopping along the way to munch on the tender grasses of early spring.















Perhaps I can capture the eerie cool twilight of the ancient Roman tunnels blocking out the warmth and the sun of the early afternoon.



Perhaps you will be able to feel the joy of treading down colonnaded streets as your mind conjures the generations of feet that trod those same stones. I wish I could convey the wonder of the hollow stones that ring out a melancholy note when struck by another rock,



or put in a bottle the buzzing of hundreds of honey bees pollinating the multi-hued wild flowers, performing their duty in life.



There is something priceless in seeing the wonder in each others eyes as we look out over the vista that is regally displayed, seemingly just for us. The cool breeze made even cooler by the passing clouds blotting out the warmth of the weak early spring sun. These are moments that I want to be able to convey to others, to feel as we have on this, one of many, adventures we have set out upon, but more importantly I want to have just the right words to remind myself of this day, of this time, of this year, God has so blessed us to experience. I wish I could fold up this vista, along with its emotions and place it in a pocket close to my heart, to be pulled out, unfolded and smoothed out, as pristine as the day it was captured. I’m sure that scene would become frayed at the edges from use, just as my memory will become dim and fuzzy.