One more Israel story

Music was a big part of my Israel experience, and I was really looking forward to going to the site of the Last Supper on our last day in Israel.  I couldn’t wait to sing, “Love one another.”  

Well the day got away from us with ton of tourists at all of the spots we were trying to go to— so many busses, so much traffic, and we had to get to the Airport by 5:00pm— so we were on a time crunch and after being at Lazarus tomb, and  the steps where Peter betrayed Christ and the prison where Caiaphus held Jesus before turning him over to Pontias Pilate, lunch— rain came and we had to just head to the airport with out our final two stops— The last supper upper room , and the Israel museum.  It was disappointing to say the least.

As I was looking back on my trip I had a fellow bus mate thank me for singing “Love One another” earlier in the week.  

We were in the underground ( every thing original from 2000 years ago is under ground now, because of how civilization works, and earthquakes etc…. ) So we were down where Pilate washed his hands of Christ— and our tour guide had us there early in the morning, so we could have some time for a devotional here.  It’s pretty standard procedure to have different tour groups fill a space— talk for about 5-10 minutes, then move one.. every one is pretty congenial about waiting their turn and not taking too long.   Anyway, we were gathered hearing about Christ’s last days..and another group was pushing through.  Our tour guide asked them to wait, and they were pretty pushy and said, “It’s just a few of us” …well a few- like 8 people interrupted us, and then ten or twenty more surged through, our tour guide wasn’t happy and many in our group started booing to show their displeasure…and I started singing, “As I have loved you, love one another…” and everyone stopped.  It brought the temperature in the room down, and reminded us why we were there.

 So, I did get to sing this song on my Holy land trip. It wasn’t at the Last Supper room, but it was at a perfect time to share the message of Jesus’ ministry.

Israel is full of really ordinary places. Really not much to look at,, a rock here, a body of water, a hill...but It’s the stories that bring it to life.  Its not the location that’s important. It’s WHO came into it. JESUS  

Pres Monson:  We need not walk by the shores of Galilee or among the Judean hills to walk where Jesus walked. In a very real sense, all can walk where Jesus walked when, with his words on our lips, his spirit in our hearts, and his teachings in our lives, we journey through mortality.

Wrongly accused at the Jesus prison

We toured the ruins where Jesus was brought before Caiaphus, after the garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus was wrongly accused and taken to prison.   Caiaphus then turned Jesus over to Pontias Pilate.

It was sobering to read scripture around this and be in the actual prisons where Jesus and other apostles were held. 

There were a ton of tour busses and tourists at this site.

There was a  group coming in the out, trying to skip the long line.  The tour guide with a flag held high, just kept saying, "Coming through.  Keep walking" to his group. This was not cool and causing trouble.  Our 54 people were all crushed into a waiting room.  Waiting to go down into the pit space and have a short devotional.     This wrong way group was plowing through following their guide with really no where to go.  Other tour guides and people were telling them to turn around,  go back, this is the wrong way. 

  

 One of our big men - 6’5- football linebacker was standing filling a door way. Arms folded.  He just leaned his body over into the line. And said calmly, “Turn around.”   The group continued through.    We all just rolled our eyes.

 It was a small claustrophobic space and we all just had to stand squished and sweaty together.  We waited for the “extra long devotional group” down in the prison pit, so we could have a turn.

Next thing we know this “wrong-way-tour-guide” was in the face of our tour guide accusing our man of pushing one of their women down. The tour guide was just taking the woman at her word, he hadn’t witnessed anything because he was way out in front of his group pushing his way through the crowds backwards with his flag held high.   He was trying to take a picture of our tour guide’s badge to turn him in and saying “No man should even be touching another woman let alone pushing her down”… It was a big screamy thing.   We were all stunned.  We said it didn’t happen and took a picture of his badge to turn him in.

Well we shook it off and took our turn down in the pit and learned how Christ was lowered with a rope under his armpits to the prison floor— food and water would have also been lowered down this way.  The floor of this pit would have been a mire- full of water and scum and excrement-so no one could lay or sit down.  It was hard to hear about Jesus being so mistreated. 

We got back out onto the steps of the courtyard  to talk about Peter denying Christ, and the wrong way tour guide and this woman and their group started yelling at us, shouting that we "shouldn’t touch, or push a woman down, shame on you"…. the woman was crying.  We were all stunned, because she was lying, this didn’t happen. It was crazy.  She was demanding an apology.  Many eye witnesses in our group came forward to say what they saw.   This woman could not be appeased- nor her group.  We just said, “Sorry,” and scurried out to our bus.  It was weird.

BUT…..so interesting that this happened here where Christ was also falsely accused.  We all felt this righteous indignation. This feeling of helplessness about not being believed. 

I wish this woman and her group well… but it definitely put a cloud over our last day.   And then the rain actually fell.

Thanksgiving 2022

 Pie Party and Grandkid Sleep over night.

The Annual Pie Party at the Call's was delicious as usual.  Megan is all over it.  I think we should re name this gathering the Bread Pudding Party because it's that good.   SO good to see all my sibs.  I love this bunch. 

I had a grand kid sleepover Wednesday night into Thanksgiving and I loved it so much I’m going to make it an annual.  Tayla, Lady and Elsie watched movies with me, ate pie, got a bubble bath in the big tub and then off to bed.  Thanksgiving morning we watched the big parade together and it was so fun. 

THE BIG TURKEY DAY:  We were at Landon and Alex’s with 41 Welches/Buzellis.  All my kids and grandkids were there, except for our California two- Laila and Markus. ( they were volunteering at a turkey trot and then tacos at a friend’s home)   All of Tami and Rob’s family except her out of towners- Tyler’s family.  Mark and Jill’s whole family. And Alan and Sonia Buzelli and "adopted" sister Paula and Eric.  Grandma Welch, Holly and Dale.  Alex set up a photo booth for added fun.

The food was great and the laughter and connections were greater.  We had 2 turkeys, ham, 96 homemade rolls, 20 lbs. mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, yams, green salad, mac and cheese, quinoa salad, carrots and cabbage, sweet potato stackers, cranberry sauce, cran apple pie, banana cream pie, pumpkin pie, two types of flan, crumble cookies, and I know I've forgotten something...but it was all delicious!

Landon and Alex are such great hosts and the tables were beautiful.  My mom would love Alex Buzelli and his skill for a beautiful table setting.  After all was said and done, Wayne and I ended up at the Kids table and we were so fine with it.  Those littles are everything!   

We made a funny video doing your best turkey dance, and I had those that wanted to spell out THANKFUL with their bodies..the best part was picking up Grandma Welch to be the cross bar in the H.  She couldn’t stop laughing and I’m just glad we didn’t break her. T=Mark and Jill. H=Monson, Grandma, Rob. A= Lexi Madsen and Emily. N=Alex Buzelli, Bre, Lexi Welch. K= Jeff and Abby. F= Stockton and Alex Madsen. U = Addison and Wayne. L = Tami and Hayley. I was the arranger and Truman was the amazing photographer. HE had us all think thankful thoughts to make this the best picture ever!

Lexi, Monson, Addison, Bre, Emily, Hunter, Maddie, Zach, Kylie, Truman

Stockton, Abby, Jeff, Hayley, Alex, Lexi, Grandma Welch, Holly in her Thanksgiving crown, Dale

Elsie, Lady, Liam, Sophia, Alfie, Tayla, Poppy

So many shoes...means so many people

Wayne and I did our 6th annual run away to SLC and act like tourists on this weekend.  We were at the city Creek Marriott-- looking out onto Temple Square.  The cranes in the pic is where the temple is....it looks really crazy.

We went to the Wakanda Black Panther movie and really enjoyed it and also the Chosen movie really just episodes 1 and 2- -but so good.   We walk everywhere...see the lights and the decorations, shop, eat Mexican food at Red Iguana for me and a Hot pot at Mr Shabu's for Wayne. Watch football, and sleep a lot.  We walked up Capitol hill, down to Memory Grove, up City Creek and back to our hotel.  It was a gorgeous walk.  

My Uncle Steve

My Uncle Steve is one of my favorites.  He always has a kind word and a hug.

He spent all of his working years standing on his feet doing Hair, so his feet are a mess.  He hobbles around at this point.  But he was so good at doing hair and helping women/men feel great.  He gave the fastest  perm which was a big deal in the 80’s and 90’s. His fingers were flying.  Steve was so good at remembering and telling a joke and keeping his salon a positive place to be.  Steve had a ton of ladies who got their hair done on a weekly basis, and they were all so sad when he finally put away his scissors and hung up his comb. 

My uncle has a his, hers and ours family.  Together he and Mary have 9 sons. What could be difficult he has made a blessing. Steve finally got an amazing soul mate in his Mary. He’s so happy to do life with her. Steve has gone through a lot and his testimony of Jesus Christ has only grown stronger.   

I am so grateful for him.  He and his kids played a huge part in my younger years.  We lived in the same ward, two different times.  

Steve is a great trumpet player.  As a teenager he went all over the mountain west playing in churches and talent shows.  I loved when he would play his trumpet at our yearly Christmas talent show at my Grandparent’s home.   “Oh, Holy Night” never sounded so sweet.  He played for the raising and lowering of the flag in my Grandparent’s driveway when he held our BASH- Butters Annual Summer Holiday  - for 20 years.  

Steve spoke at my momma’s funeral and shared stories of her when she was a girl, a teen ager, and young married. He shared aspects of her I didn’t know as her child.  Mom was always his biggest fan.  

I’m so grateful for his love and influence in my life.  

Stage lesson -ELF

Addison and Alfie are in ELF at CPT. Addison is Elf and Aflie plays a north pole Elf- wearing a mustache - and a little boy in a family in NYC. As I watched on opening night I was overwhelmed. I couldn't stop crying. Alfie is the youngest on stage- and is precise with his choreography and knows his marks. I was impressed. He's come a long way from the little kid that didn't want any attention and would just run the spotlight- flashlight when cousin shows were being acted out. I also couldn't stop thinking how much my Momma Sheri would LOVE this show. She was always Addison's biggest fan...and now the next generation of performers. So many tears. I also couldn't stop smiling--it was sooo cute! Addison was made for this part.

Now on to a sad/poignant story: On final dress rehearsal, in the final scene where everyone is on stage and Elf is doing a monologue about how no one can ruin Christmas, Alfie gets too hot- he's all bundled up in a winter coat, hat and gloves. He starts feeling woozy, turns green and then projectile vomits all over the stage.  He looked at Addison for help and Addison couldn’t stop the show and help him. His fellow stage mates, whisked him off stage and cleaned him up and cleaned up the stage as Addison finished up the show.

Alfie was so embarrassed- and barfy.   Addison felt so helpless. Later Alfie, through tears, asked Addison, "Dad, why didn't you help me?"(Stab in the heart.)

Addison explained that he heard and saw that Alf was in trouble, but he knew there were people right there that could and would help him. He explained that if he really needed to he would have stopped the show, cuz Alfie is more important than a show, but he felt certain others would step in...and they did.

This reminds me so much of the quote by Spencer W. Kimball — "God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs."

We are blessed to have so many good people in our lives who are God's hands on earth.  May we ever be mindful of this blessing.

Choose to believe

I have a choice.

I can believe in Christ or not. 

But when I choose to believe I know I’m experiencing the best life I can experience. 

I know when I live my life and try to pattern my life after Christ, Love is more abundant in my life. 

I know when I choose to believe that I am guided, my life is greater than when I believe I am going at life alone.  I have tried to do it alone. And I was ok.  I was a bit more sarcastic, despondent, cynical...but okay.  

But when I choose to have Him in my life, I like myself better. I like being around other believers and talking of Christ. I feel so much more hope. 

I know that I can believe whatever I want to believe. That is a gift we have all been given. 

And when I choose to believe in the doctrines of Christ, I feel joy. 

The song I heard on top of the Mount of Transfiguration by that little church group still rings through my head.. "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back."

Wayne got this Olive wood carving of Jesus carrying a lamb on his shoulders at a little shop  in Jericho.  And they threw in the olive wood heart.  We are thankful! 

Grace lesson at the Synagogue

While in Israel we went to Capernaum where Jesus taught in a synagogue when he was 12.  I wonder what he spoke about?……. Maybe how we should love one another and have grace for each other.  

We sat on the thousands-of-year-old stone benches and our guide gave us the history of this site it was very interesting.  

Then things changed and he got on a tangent against the youth of today and how he’s afraid for his grand kids future, how he’s worried about them and wants to save them from all that’s out there in the world.    I was shaking my head, wishing that Elder Lund would take over and share, but the guide went on about how the church was wrong when it got rid of scouts  and what’s up with the new For strength of Youth pamphlet? He said the youth of today don’t know how to set goals and don’t want to work and on and on.

 I couldn’t take any more. 

So I just said, to Wayne and those around me, “ If he doesn’t stop talking I’m going to punch him” and stood up and left the synagogue and took my ear bud out so I wouldn’t have to hear anymore.  Some others walked out with me. We were all rolling our eyes, filled with judgement.

Grace has been my word this year and I’ve been feeling pretty good about my practice of it, wrapping grace around people and circumstances and staying compassionate and curious, ….. until this happened.

I forgot about GRACE while sitting in the synagogue in Capernaum where Jesus taught,  and my “natural woman” took over.

 

Wayne on the other hand, stayed and  raised his hand and offered a different perspective and praised the youth  of today and reminded all that,  “We don’t need to save anyone. We have a Savior for that.  We don’t need to fear. ”  I’m so proud of him for standing up for our youth, for truth and righteousness and for wrapping grace around all of this.

I said a prayer, put myself in timeout and I managed my thoughts and worked on grace for my guide and those on my bus trip and people I would bump into at the different tourist sites. I shook off the judgment and got into compassion and curiosity and remembered that everyone was just trying their best, and if they knew better they could do better.  My synagogue lesson was a good reminder after all.    

Now I’m at the end of my year, with Grace always out in front of me, trying to get it to be a natural part of me.    

I’m grateful for the continual grace Jesus offers me.  He let’s me mess up and return to him again and again- always loving, always merciful, always preaching, “love one another.”

Israel Bucket List Trip

Israel

Nov 5/6. Long flights.  Traveled with Eric and Laura Belnap and Mark Buckley. Not much sleep.  Got to Tel Aviv  with a sunset out the plane window.  Great buffet.  Good bread. Room was ?!?   Sketch—. There was a 7 day pill box with pills in it under my pillow hmmm?!?  Were the sheets changed?!?  Hotel bathroom was efficient meaning small. I could sit on toilet and wash face at same time. 

First view of Israel from airplane window.

Mediterranean Sea.  Wayne dipped his feet in.

View from out Hotel window in Tel Aviv

Writing on our hotel room door. You know you are in a foreign country when you can't read one word.

Types of food we will be eating for breakfast, lunch and dinner the rest of the trip.

Sketch pillbox found under my pillow.

Nov 7.  Off to Galilee! I left my phone in the room. Had to turn the bus around to get it. Also Wayne’s kindle. I was “that” person. 

Stopped in Caesarea. The theatre was cool and all of the construction that Herod did.  One lady (Sherri Walsh) got lost and we had to go find her. The funny part is she was wearing a red and white striped shirt like Where’s Waldo.  Our tour guide, Jim Gee, has this habit of asking us questions as he talks and then answering his own questions. It’s a funny habit.  “ And the time for dinner is what? 7”.  Or “ Herod created the aqueducts for what? Water”.    “Peter had a wife and therefore what? Children.”  

Statues outside theatre at Ceasaria

Theatre that's over 2000 years old

"Ruins at the ruins"

Herod's amazing seaside palace

Eric and Laura Belnap

Mark Buckley

Jim Gee

Wayne and Mark atop the aqueduct system that brought drinking water from the mountain springs

We went to Mount Carmel-. Other Christians there from Philippines and Nigeria praising loudly.  Like a spiritual duel with loud prayers calling down fire from heaven like Elijah did. So fascinating to watch. The view was awesome. 

Mount Carmel cathedral

View from Mount Carmel

Elisha striking down the 400 priests of bahl.

Armageddon ruins

Chariot racing?

Wayne thought he was so funny being in a manger..

So many cheeses for breakfast...

And then on to Armageddon.   We wandered in the ruins. We were ruins among the ruins. Wayne got inspired and sat on a stone manger— “A Wayne in a manger” possible Christmas card? 

We have laughed a ton. We got great seats in the back of the bus right by exit door.  

Our second hotel room is so much nicer than the first.  We have a big double hot tub in the middle  of our gigantic room. And a fruit basket.  We are in Tiberius and Sea of Galilee. 

Nov 8.  Off early to the Mount where the Beatitudes were given.  Beatific place owned by Franciscans. Toured a church built in this compound by Mussolini. 

  

Laura my dearest friend

Loaves and Fishes floor in Capernaeum

Mount of the Beatitudes

Chapel that Mussolini built after WW1

Mount of the Beatitudes

Good Morning in Hebrew is “Bo-ker Tov”. 

Sea of Galilee. Waded into and found heart rocks while listening about Christ coming to Peter after the resurrection.  “ Peter. Lovest though me?”      Sea of Galilee and surrounding shore line really does look like Bear Lake.  Elder Holland told us this years ago and now I know it’s true. 

Sea of Galilee- walking on I mean in the water

Got on a boat and sailed across the sea. Started with boat people raising an American flag and all of us standing and singing the National anthem.  Then Listened about Jesus calming the waters. Walking on the waters. Wayne told the group about how the song “Master the tempest is raging”  was written for those who are struggling and losing their faith. Then we all sang this hymn. I got to lead it and cry through it. I got choked up. It was surreal singing this hymn in the actual place where Jesus calmed the sea.  It was an out of body experience. 

Sea of Galilee boat ride

Singing on the ship, "Master the Tempest is Raging"

Sea of Galilee Looks like Bear Lake

-

a COIN in a fish's mouth...just like the one Peter found.

2000 year old boat found in the sea of Galilee...rescued

Ate great food - fish from the waters of Galilee at David’s Harp restaurant.     Wayne had a full fish to eat and placed a shekel in its mouth.  It was a miracle. Haha 

Went to Capernum where Jesus taught in a synagogue. “ Peter upon this rock I will build my church “.   Our guide started out ok then got in a tangent against the youth of today and how he’s afraid for his grand kids future. And how scouts etc. is still needed. How kids don’t know how to set goals and on and on.  I couldn’t take any more. So I just said , “ if he doesn’t stop talking I’m going to punch him” and silently left the synagogue and took my ear bud out.  4 others walked out with me. We were all rolling our eyes.  Wayne stayed and  raised his hand and offered a different perspective and praised the youth and said “we don’t need to save anyone. We have a Savior for that.  We don’t need to fear. ”  I’m so proud of him for standing up for truth and righteousness! 

Wayne saves the day and stands up the the YSA's

Peter statue

Magdala

More sites. A synagogue in Magdala. Where Mary Magdalene was born.  I’ve seen one too many rock foundations. If I was an archeologist I would be excited. I’m not. I want more Jesus and feeling in this place.  

Ended at the River Jordan and many people were getting baptized. This place is all commercialized. Pay to be baptized etc.  I could get jaded about it. But really I’m impressed with people’s devotion to Christ and wanting this to be part of their life. So that’s cool. 

The River Jordan

Gerald Lund, Me, Wayne, Laura and Eric Belnap at the river Jordan

So many people waiting to be baptized in the same place Jesus was.

Nov 9. Up early off to Jerusalem many stops along the way. Mount Tabor. At the Mount of Transfiguration there was a little church choir singing. “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back. “.   Very sweet, teary 🥲 experience here.   

Mount Tabor- Mount of Transfiguration

Cathedral on top of the mount

Laura and Eric Belnap

Mark Buckley and Laura

Looking out from the Mount

Nazareth village. Like a reenactment village. It sat on the site of an old vineyard and wine press.  Our guide was so fun and dynamic.   When we got to the synagogue and the tale of Jesus speaking “ this is the day when the law has been fulfilled“.   It was very spiritual.  Could feel the Holy Ghost testify to me of the truthfulness of this.  

Sorting olives

Olive tree and Olive harvest

Shepherd with his sheep

Showing us how the olives are ground 

A light shines in the nooks

Two wisemen

Driving to Jerusalem.  Then here for 5 nights. 

Hotel just outside the Damascus gate of the old city.  Wayne, Mark and I wandered into the walled city for a bit. Most closed down but we did find Diet Coke and Magnum ice cream bars.  These bars are now mine and Mark’s quest. 

We found the Via Dolorosa the Jesus walked down carrying his cross.

View from our Hotel.. at the Old City of Jerusalem

McDonalds in Jerusalem

Nov 10. The Temple Mount. We walked for hours every nook and cranny of the Temple Mount. Big group pic by the dome of the rock.  Saw THE place where the Holy of Holies dwelt -  Nibley said this place marks the “ beginning of the earth”.   I am literally walking where Jesus walked.  There are so many cats. At Pool of Bethesda sang “How Great thou Art”in St Anne church. Heard the story of lame man , “ Take up your bed and walk.” 

Mark and Wayne looking down into the Pool of Bethesda

Leading "How Great Thou Art" at St. Anne's church at the Pools of Bethesda site

Wandered through Muslim, Christian and Jewish quarters in the walled city.  Church of the Holy Sepulcher-- where they believed Jesus tomb was. 

Outside church of Holy Sepulchre...where Catholics believe Christ was crucified.

The place was JAM packed full of Christian believers.

 

Lena and Gerald Lund sitting on the temple steps

Whole group resting on the Temple Steps

View from our Hotel..right across the street- Old Jerusalem wall..and street under construction.

Mark and Wayne having fresh squeezed Pomegranate juice

Shawarma-- basically a pita wrap sandwich.

Saw bar mitzvahs taking place.  So much celebrating. Sang “Hava Nagila “ and clapped along. Lots of rabbis with blue and white balloons. 

Looking from the temple steps off to Jerusalem

I'm beat... so much walking!

Jim explaining how large the temple stones were... it's incredible that they were moved in place over 2000 years ago and remain today.

Quarry tour to see underground excavations of where Pilate washed his hands of Christ.

Whole group on the Temple Mount with Dome of the Rock behind us.

Dereck Dobson

Brian and Diane Decker

Bob and Sherrie Walsh

Peggy and David Earl ( From Washington, On way to a mission in Sao Paolo)

Scott and Liz Robinson (Arizona)

Andrea and Eric Larson

Michelle and Sean Dixon

Kim and Rick Johnson

Lee and Shelly Johnson

Jenean and Randy Steck

Devin and Tiffany Rhoton 

Lena and Gerald Lund 

Ryan and Valli  Nield

Shawna and Lester Essig

Goates and Hills 

Brad and Judy

Ray and Jenna (Texas)

The western wall

The Dome of the Rock... where Mohammed ascended to heaven.

Standing on the first earth that was ever made...

Security guards have to follow Jewish people around on the Temple Mount to avoid conflict since the Muslims run it. 

Learning about where Christ was sentenced by Pilate

Original stone that Christ must have walked on.

 

The Wailing Wall. - Western Wall. Put a prayer into a crack on the women’s side.     Touched this thousands of years old wall.  It was emotional seeing so many believers and mourners crying to their God to help and bless. 

At the Western Wall, putting prayers in for our families.

Laura, Me and Sherry Walsh

Red circle is where I stuffed my prayer

Tours.  Underground tunnels and bridges with a great, dynamic guide. 

We walked for 10 Miles today.   Aye yay yay!! There are so many CATS in the old city.

Nov 11.   We got there bright and early.  Hezekiah's tunnel  was so interesting.  This is how they channeled water in the the walled city of Jerusalem. We had to walk it Narrow and bent over most of the way.  Fresh water at our feet. Felt like Disneyland. 

At the end of the tunnel there were people bathing in the holy water.

Top of mountain Jericho road.  Listened to Good Samaritan parable and Mary and Martha sermon by Gerald Lund.   I sat at his feet and listened to the Master preach. Got a white cotton Bedouin head dress from a real Bedouin.  He showed me how to wrap it. 

Kim Johnson and Melinda

Bedoin Man dressed us and then of course I bought the scarf.

Can see the Monastery across the way to commemorate the site of the Good Samaritan.

Sitting at Gerald Lund's feet while he talks of the Good Samaritan story and also the Mary and Martha story.

Off to the West Bank.  Jericho. Where Joshua fit the battle.   Oldest evidence of building here 9000 bc.  

Air conditioner on the bus we thought has been broken for three days and then someone showed us how to turn the dial and turn it on.  We thought we were sacrificing by sitting there.  Actually just stupid. 

Jimmy’s for lunch.  Of rice. Chicken. And yogurt and greens.  Then shopping in the Palestinian olive wood store- Jimmys. Wayne got a large statue of Jesus carrying g a lamb its shoulders. I got a widow’s mite necklace that George the Jeweler made just for me.  It’s a gold surround and gold chain.  “Georgie Porgie pudding pie kiss the girls and made them BUY!”

George made my widow's mite necklace.  I could find silver everywhere, but no gold, so he made me a gold one.

Wayne got the Olive wood carving of Jesus and the Lamb

Orthodox Jewish men rushing to Shabbat in their finest.

Back to the western wall for Shabbat-/. All Jewish people in their finest dress running to the wall to start their sabbath.  Big Fur hats. Singing and dancing.  So many interesting sites, shopping and food.

Gerry Lund Fireside on doctrine determines discipleship. I felt compelled by the spirit and sang Via Dolorosa to the group.  “Do not try and do suffering alone”

Nov 12.   Garden of Gethsemane morning.  Can feel the peace and spirit here strongly.   I can’t stop crying.  My bosom is burning.    Sacred Grove type experience.  Sang:  vs 1. “I stand all amazed”. (And I am!!) with full group. Then all found our private spot in the garden to pray and meditate and share testimony.  We were the only ones there. Peaceful and very special.  

Eric, Laura, Mark, Wayne, Melinda

Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane

Theme for this trip - and my pilgrimage is “I have decided to  follow Jesus.  No turning back. No turning back. “

Finished singing, “I stand all amazed” v 2 and 3 in a little quiet huddle with Eric and Laura, Wayne and I and Mark Buckley. So many tears.   He suffered for me “so rebellious and proud as I. “

Eric Bore testimony. Told time of searching for Christ. Then the Song “Redeemer of Israel”washed over him.   We stood in small circle and sang it. 

Church at the Jerusalem center.  So full of LDS bus groups. I brought my baby-hand so that's fun.  Talks on For Strength of Youth.  RS pres. shared about finding things on the side of the road to answer their prayers while setting up her house and living here in Jerusalem. A broom. A tv etc…. So powerful.  God is in the details. 

Baby hand at the BYU center

Golgotha.  The skull mount is at a bus station. It’s weird. I can hear Jesus saying , “ of course it is, why wouldn’t it be?”   Our Welsh pastor guide Stewart- bore his testimony and it was compelling.  Jesus did this for us 100%. We don’t need to do anything except believe. I felt the spirit testify to me it is true.  I shut my eyes and in the sunshine shadowy vision  I saw was Jesus.  The Garden Tomb was very sweet. I know this is where Jesus lay.   I know it’s true. We sang  “There is a green Hill far away” and “He is Risen. “

The Garden Tomb

Two Wise men.

s

Lookin in the tomb

Stewart our guide

Golgatha, the bus station in the back ground our Hotel- the Golden Walls

What Golgotha looked like 100 years ago... can see the skull face clearly.

The tomb picture...has a Jesus looking shadow in it.  Eric Larson, in our group took this picture.

Gerald Lund gave another beautiful sermon.  The stone was rolled away not because Jesus needed out but because we needed to see in.  Come in to Jesus! 

Seriously I have cried tears of joy and testimony all day.  Why did I even put on makeup?!?  

When take off and fold our temple clothes remember Jesus folded napkin and linen when the tomb was empty. 

Off to see the shepherds fields.  Lunch at a wonderful restaurant overlooking the hillside.  We sang Christmas carols as we walked along.  

Statue of Shepherd and Sheep at Shepherds fields.

Can see the caves in the mountain where Shepherds put their sheep at night.

Inside of a cave.

Today was the day I’ve been longing for since the moment we stepped foot into Israel.  Gethsemane and the Garden tomb did not disappoint.  Now if I can remember this burning in my bosom and feeling spiritually full all the days of my life. 

Jesus is our Messiah or loving brother, kind friend, the Prince of Peace, Savior, Redeemer of my soul and giver of all good things. 

I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back. No turning back. 

 Nov 13 Masada was amazing archeologically and story wise.   Then we saw where the Dead Sea scrolls were found and off to float in the Dead Sea.   

My first Camel

Date palm trees

Dead sea scrolls found in this cave.

Masada-- Herod's fortress that he never stayed in.

The dead sea

It was an easy floating experience. It’s wild to have your feet straight down and raise your arms above your head and just be there without sinking. Very salty. (And my nether- regions were burning!! ) Glad I did it though.  

Mud on our bodies to exfoliate

We’ve been in and out of the old Jerusalem city many times. It is a labyrinth but Wayne is really good at these maze cities.    Our hotel is perfectly located to do this.  We went in many times to find Diet Coke   ( you can find Coke Zero everywhere) and magnum ice cream bars.  The pistachio rolls ( like baklava)  off the streets were delicious. It’s interesting to see so many children working at the shops and on the streets. 

cars etc..in the old city.

Magnum Bars

Vegetable market

The hotel food was ok. Some of the same foods over and over and not really good bread which made us sad.  We got really tired of it. 

We all played find your relatives on the family tree app.  My closest people were my Wayne of course - He’s my third cousin.  I also had a Rick Johnson as a third cousin. 

Nov 14.  Bethany and Lazarus tomb. 

Mount of Olives. And walked Jesus Palm triumphal entry into Jerusalem path.  Stopped at Orson Hyde park.  Where dedicated Jerusalem.  A stone monument was misspelled so our guide said, “ If you carve something in Stone you want to do what? proofread it” Jim Gee says the funniest things although he isn’t trying to be funny.  

One Nation church. Built after WW1 with the old old olive trees around it called witness trees. 

Inside One Nation Church

Traffic and crowds are horrible today.  Having to miss some things because of it. We really have lucked out for a week but not today. 

Orson Hyde dedicatory park

Jewish Graveyard... they put rocks on the stone coffin when they visit

So many people walking the Palm Sunday road

Beggar man

misspelled Stone

Off to Caiaphus palace where Jesus was first brought to be tried.  Saw the pit/ jail where he was held in between Caiaphas and Pilate.  Scriptures tell of this - Jesus being in a pit and in the mire.  I had never thought about this.    On a side note.  There were a ton of people here all squished into small spaces. One of our group was falsely accused of pushing a woman down.  A lot of hubbub and screaming over nothing. It was distracting.  This is also where Peter denied Christ 3 times.  Spencer Kimball said that Christ told him to do it so Peter would live and be around to further the church.  So it was a command not a foreshadowing. 

Pit where they put Jesus

Touching the Jesus door

Statue: Peter deny me three times and the cock on the top of it.

Went to lunch at a group restaurant- same food again.  It started raining and we all left our rain gear on the bus..so Pashmina's were passed out to cover our heads... I saved the scarf and used the plastic bag on my head instead.  I'm silly like that.

We’ve basically had the same food for 5 days- breakfast lunch and dinner.  I’m sick of it.  Good thing for ice cream and magnum bars every day to break it up. 

It’s been a crazy traffic day.  Couldn’t get to The upper room— it is officially located where the crusaders say it was but scholars know it is close by this.   Didn’t make it to the Israel museum either. Oh well.  It was still a very gratifying day.   Off to the airport and sitting for 7 hours before plane leaves.  Had McDonald’s at the airport— delicious fries.  Ahhhh. 

Can’t wait to sleep in my own bed. 

Israel is not so much what you see while you’re there - which is thousands of years old- it’s more about what you feel while you’re there and I just felt a lot closer to my  Savior. I felt like this is real and not just a story that I’ve read my whole life. It has really connected me to the whole Jesus timeline and increased my testimony.  You don’t have to go to Israel for this but I’m grateful for the opportunity. Check it off my bucket list. What’s next??

Dereck Dobson

Brian and Diane Decker

Bob and Sherrie Walsh

Peggy and David Earl ( From Washington, On way to a mission in Sao Paolo)

Scott and Liz Robinson (Arizona)

Andrea and Eric Larson

Michelle and Sean Dixon

Kim and Rick Johnson

Lee and Shelly Johnson

Jenean and Randy Steck

Devin and Tiffany Rhoton 

Lena and Gerald Lund 

Ryan and Valli  Nield

Shawna and Lester Essig

Goates and Hills 

Brad and Judy

Ray and Jenna (Texas)