Galilee

Wow 2 weeks in Galilee were probably the hottest, most amazing, testimony building weeks in my life! I loved being in all the sites that I read about in the scriptures. Here are some of my favorite memories:

At the Jordan River- there were little fish that bit the dead skin off your feet- it kinda tickled:) beautiful area that has the picture in the back of the Bible- we were able to sing primary songs and I love to look for rainbows which made me reflect on my own baptismal covenant.

Sunday devotional- Jeff and Amy sang as I played the violin a pretty arrangement of There is a Green Hill Far Away. Then we had some students bear testimony about Christ and what a strong spirit I was able to feel that one of the reasons I am here is to gain a stronger testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and then to share it!

Me and McKenzie at the Mount of Tabor- where Elijah had a duel with the priest of Baal

Castle at Nimord where we climbed up and look down

Prickly pear moment- Jungle book came to mind, Rachel tried to pick one and had a prickle moment

Me and Jamie after we picked out a mustard seed from a plant- they are kinda spicy and TINY! the parable comes to life of how small it was.

This was our cool guide Eric- who was 58 and a guide from the Kibbutz, he was a character

Waterfall on the hike

One of the first missionaries in the Holy land- he died after a year teaching here and was buried in this cemetary- the cut off column represents life cut short

Bahai gardens- beautiful! They believe thier leader was buried in that building at the end with the gold dome on top, they have 7 million members of their church and their center was in Haifa here we were.

Christmas in July!

Bethlehem- What a special city this is! Only 5 miles South of Jerusalem it is in the infamous West Bank area, but it was one of my favorite places we have been so far!

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was , that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered .

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes , and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Under the Church of the Nativity there is a cavelike room that is traditionally believed to be the "manger". We were able to listen to Brother Huntsman read from Luke and then sing Away in the Manger. What a special Spirit was there in the place that is thought to be where Jesus Christ our Savior was born! 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field , keeping watch over their flock by night.

In a field similar to the one where the Shepherds were visited by the angel of the Lord. What an experience to sing Angel's We Have Heard on High! 9 And, lo , the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid .

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold , I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes , lying in a manger.

We ate lunch at "the tent restaurant" which served us a staple Israeli meal of wheat pitas with a bunch of different humus like sauces, BBQ meat and watermelon for dessert- delicious! The restaurant itself was open air and had a fun lounge like feel where we sat on couches and ripped pitas with our hands. Maybe something more like what Christ would have done?

What a joy it is to know that Jesus was born and he lived a perfect life, performed the atonement but also that "his life, which is central to all human history neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary" but that He lives! I am so grateful for him and to be here studying his life and coming to know him better. I know that along with studying, the way we come to know him is to be His hands here on the earth, to serve like he did and to love those around us. I am trying to remember that this week as I meet others from all different faiths and try to love them as Jesus would.

I love it here and am so blessed to be here in  a land that is loved by so many of different faiths there really is a special Spirit here.

Kenzi and I outside a Greek Orthodox church where they believe the Shepherds would have been when the angels came

                                                 

Shalom from the Holy Land! 

4th of July!

Even though we did have to go to class on the Fourth of July, we had a great celebration afterwards! First we went and did Hezekiah's tunnel all in the dark- NO LIGHTS AT ALL! it was the darkest I have ever experienced in my life but so much fun. After we had a special American dinner of hamburgers, corn on the cob, fruit salad, and of course ice cream and apple pie! It was super yummy and I forgot how much I like American food! After dinner we played outside for a while then we had a Minute to Win it competition in FHE families and a dance party after. Sister Ludlow was great and made a special flag cake we lit with sparklers and sang the star spangled banner. Altogether it was a very patriotic day and I realize how blessed we are to live in a country thats focus is on freedom and the emphasis that it really was supported by God. I was reminded of the book 7 Miracles that Saved America that Grandpa Bob recommended. It reminded me that there were so many times where America should have not been able to break away from Britain but with the Lords help anything is possible!

Nate really happy about his hamburger

the oasis decked out in style

YUM!

Fun table

FLAG CAKE:)

Making our "USA"

The Ludlow's littlest daughter Melia and I

Having fun out on the grass

Kenzi and I! She has some pretty sweet red pants...

I love my life:)

Free sabbaths we enjoy the peacful atmosphere of the Garden Tomb

Fun day biking in Tel Aviv- Maddie and I got the "cruisers" and needless to say go with the mountain bikes- they are much more reliable and comfortable!

Helpful gardening group with Father Sebatian in the middle


Yummy meal that father Sebastian cooked for us to thank us for all our hard work


Helping out Father Sebatian plant his garden



Mt Nebo




Maddie, Hailey and I on Mt. Nebo- where the Lord took Moses to show him the Promised Land


On top of the roof at Amman Jordan eating ice cream and playing Mafia- what a fun night:)