Trip of a life time.

This is the Capernaum where Jesus lived for three years.

I hope you enjoy my trip as much as I did. Mary White, Vanessa Mortensen and 85 others from around here or friends from all over made this trip together. I Hope you enjoy my blog.

Cairo

This ist he step pyramid.This is the bus we traveled in.

Here we see the some of the pyramids. We are about ready to visit the Mohammad Ali Mosque We have all ready visited the Cairo Museum where the discoveries from King Tut's Tomb are on display

Day 3 Monday May 26. Were in Egypt!!. Can you believe it.? Here we travel back in time over 3,500 years to when Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brothers and married anEgyptian woman named Asanath. You remember the two sons of Joseph and Asanath were Manasseh and Ephraim and we have heard theses names many time in Church History. Here we see the giant pyramids, temples and tombs of ancient Egypt. These people were very knowledgeable and a lot of our beliefs and ideals come from them . They recorded
records, they knew geometry, science of astronomy, medical science, methods of surgery they sought meaning and beauty from life. They had a firm belief in the after life. Most of the people about 95 present live in or around the Nile river which is the worlds longest river and flows the entire length of the country, the rest of Egypt is windswept Sahara Desert. The weather here is warm and they seldom have rain. None in 5 years now. The official language is Arabic. There are more than 80 pyramids in Egypt . As we enter the gates to the Cairo Museum we see papyrus growing and it is believed that was the material used to form the little basket that carried Moses into the the Pharaoh's family. We are able to see an illustration of how the stems were placed together in layers and then crushed under pressure to form a rough paper . The paper was originally white but age turned it brown. I guess that's what is happening to me. We were also told about the Lotus blossoms, which is in a lot of the art work done here. As we go into the rotunda we see three large statues of Ramses 11 . It is believed that he was the Pharaoh at the time of Moses.

Luxor &-Cairo

Here we see the spectacular 135 foot long solar boat. Constructed over 4500 years ago with the lumber from the cedars of Lebanon

Day 5- Wed. May 28 To day we fly back to Cairo and our first visit to the Giza Pyramids where we were able to ride the camels. They are tall and hard to ride.
And you think with every step they take we are all going to fall off.The Gisa pyramids are classified among the Seven Wonders of the World.

We are now at the Sphinx and are now going to a Papyrus factory where they show us how the papyrus is made. And of coarse we fell we must buy one or more. Then we will see the very large statue of Rameses !! And the Alabaster Sphinx. Now the very large step pyramid of Zoser

Jerusalem, The Gates

On the road where Jesus walked caring the cross

Day 7-Friday May 30 Jerusalem Today is our first sight of the Old City through the south Gate which is called the Dung Gate, because in the days of old all the dung , garbage, etc, was thrown out of the gate, I think our way is much better.
The gate that is three closest to the hotel is the largest of the city called the Damascus gate. Because Jerusalem has undergone so many destruction the wall has been built,destroyed, many times In Many places you can see three different eras in the present wall. The first stones are called Herodian because they are of the King Herod the Great time. about 3/4 of the way up are the Crusaders. the top 1/3 is of the Ottoman-Turks in the 1700's but the old part 1s 2000YEARS OLD.At the Davidson Central we see the archaeological remains at the ancient Ophel and the southern steps of the "Temple Mount.

Judean Wilderness, Jordan River

Day 8- Saturday May 31. This is also called the Mt. of Temptation We now travel about 20 mintues on the bus and come to a ancient site on the Jordan river that has been devloped by the Jeswish has a christian the baptised here.and my or may not be the place but it is a realistic type of site. Beging a couple of miles from Jordan river where he was baptized .
The monastery has housed monks for abnout 1400 years. From up here we can see the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho, amd in the hase Mt. Mebo to the east.

We are told this is the place where Jesus was tempted by the Davel for 40 days & he was told he could have evertthing in his sight. as you look out over the country it is pretty dry and hot, and I'm not sure I would want it, but our host told us in Jesus's day,the whole area was a thriving trade area . Anyway right now they have a monistary up here for visitors & a place to eat, and they have people trying to sell us something . Now this is a very deleste county but our guide told s in the days of Jesus it was a very flurshing busy place. with farms and trees but with the changes over the years it is now desert. It is dry, rocky, and no vegetation. We can look down from here and see some of the old water irigation system.

Western Wall, Jerusalem Center,

Day 8-Saturday May 31, The scriptural Sabbath was Saturday and as we observed last night at the Western Wall the Jewish people had began to arrive.around 5PM as the sun set on Friday Afternoon, There Sabbath will end as the sun sets on this Saturday. This is the Jewish Sabbath and 7th Day Adventists and in Israel it has been designated at the LDS Sabbath Day by the 1st Presidency. The Muslims observe in a special way on Friday's with special focus at noon prayers and then taking Friday afternoon off for family time.

This day we check out of the Olive Tree Hotel and go to the Orson Hyde Memorial Park on the Mount of Olives. Apostle Orson Hyde was sent be our Prophet Joseph Smith to Jerusalem in 1840 on Oct.24, 1841 Brother Hyde left the city early in the morning as the gates to the walled city opened and went to the Mount of Olives and prayed a revealed prayer of dedication. Another thing that President Lee set in motion in 1972 was to find a place where a memorial for Brother Hyde could be established in Jerusalem. It took 7 years to make all the arrangements but in 1979 Pres Kimball came and dedicated the park. We do not own the land or the park but the LDS building program built it in the name of Orson Hyde . We walk and talk and sing and bare testimony here in this beautiful quite place. Much of the talk centered on the ascension into heaven from the Mt. Of Olives. And that "He will yet come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven ' to the Mt of Olives

Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mount od Beautitudes

Day 9-Sunday June 1 This morning took a nice walk along the beach at the Sea of Galilee. We got on a Galilee boat for a ride from Ein Gev to the north shore at Nof Cinosar As we ride along on the boat we stopped about the middle for some devotional thoughts, singing and meditation. This is where we recall many stories we have heard of Christ walking on water, the fisherman and we sing the song "Peace Be Still" it was beautiful. Years ago there was discovered a very old fishing boat sticking out of the mud. It had been sunk into mud for hundreds of years. The restoration process was very technical and now the boat that is called the Jesus Boat is in a very nice museum close to the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Later on we visit Capernaum where Jesus lived for three years. Then the Mount of Beatitudes and later see the movie The Galilee Experience.

Tiberias,LDS Chaple, Nazareth Village

Day 10 Monday June 2 of our trip Today our journey will take us through Cana the famous site of Jesus miracle of turning the water into wine.
Today we well visit the Tiberias LDS Branch building it was a previously built home that the church has remodeled The only building plus land that the church owns.The small Nazareth Village which is a beautiful setting, to see the village life of Nazareth when Christ lived here. It is a place where people learn to live like Jesus did. They make there only olive oil and and harvest wheat by pulling a board that has sharp rock attached to it and pulling it across the grain. They raise there own sheep and then cut the wool and then weave it and then make there on cloths. And grow Olive tree and press the Olive oil for there own use.

Nazareth, the Jezreel Valley

Day 10 =Monday June 2. Today we learn more about the Transfiguration or story of Christ. As we go to the top of the mountain we find that our prayer are greatly enhanced as we whisk to the top of Mt Tabor. there are Catholic monastic convent and church sites at the top . The Transfiguration occurs about 6 mounts before the Passover where Jesus will give up his life. The event occurs with Jesus, Peter, James, and John. It allows for the apostles to receive the keys of the kingdom. They would recieve them from angelic ministrants, Elijah and Moses, the keys to bind on earth and it would be bound in heaven or to loose on earth and it would be loosed in heaven The church is very beautiful with two smaller chapels adjacent to the larger chapel dedicated to each of Moses and Elijah.
This is kind of the backyard of the boy Jesus as he passed this way as he went to Jerusalem. The symbol of the Transfiguration is the reality of the power of God to present, create, solidify ordinances and covenants that pertain to exaltation in God's Kingdom. As our prayers become answered to allow us to safely descend Mt. Tabor in a road-race style. We now go to Gan Ha Shelosha for fun, mostly to swim in the natural spring ponds that are there. The name means garden of Three. There is lots of trees and grass in the park around the ponds. It is fun to swim with the fish, as occasionally one will come and start sucking at the hairs on your legs. Our return to En Gev will take us thought the country side of Galilee that is on the west side of the Sea of Galilee We stoped at the newly acquired and dedicated Tiberias Chapel. There are only 2 branches of the Church in Israel Today we also visit the Nazareth Village which is make to represent the life and times of Christ.

Mount. of Beatitudes

Tuesday June 3 Day 11 Today we do much traveling This is the land of Deborah and Barak in the story in Judges. Allthoug we don't have time to stop there has been found many interesting artifacts dating back to Abraham and Ham. We continue North of Hazor through the valley surrounded by Lebanese mountains on the west and the Golan Heights on the right. We are heading toward the headwaters of the Jordan River.
On our left is the Israeli/ Lebanese border.

Te Dan- Banias - Golden Hieghts,Jordan River

Day 11 Tuesday June 3
Today we are traveling to the ancient Canaanite city of Hazor and then continue north to visit the natur reserves of Tel Dan and the cooling springs of water that create the Jordan River. Where we all took off our shoes and found it so refershing. Near here was where John the Batisth babtised Jesus.The site that we go to today is a site developed by a Jewish Kibbutz as a Christian Baptism site at the Jordan river. It's really a beautiful site and hunders of people are rebaptize. In fact Brother Halverson had baptised a couple of men from Africa who were foreign laborers there in Israel. into the church when he was the Jerusalem Branch President it is called Yardenit. on the way back we stoped along the cliff where the evil spirits were turned loose on the swine of the Gardarenes . Another day of beauty and adventure in Christ's homeland.

Megoddo, Haifa, Caesarea

June 4 Day 12 we woke up this morning and are all packed to leave the beach resort Een Gev. "All good things come to an end."Today we will travel a lot we are going to the Migiddo. At Megiddo at one time or another the Egyptians, the Canaanites , the Israelites, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, and the Persians all had control of Megiddo. Each group fighting for nearly 4500 years to control this Pass. Another name is Armageddon if you have seen the movie The Source it tells much about the water system We are walking through the water supply tunnel which is now dry it's 180 steps down and 80 steps up. It is so hard to believe the things these people have been able to build and it still stands.
This is also the Palestine area and the Missionaries of the Church have been serving here since 1886. How ever they can not talk about the church even if asked as it is against the law. Very hard to do but they do have members who have gone other places and joined the church. We visited the graves of two young missionaries that died there. One of smallpox and one from typhus because of the Turkish law which declared that those who died of infectious disease had to be buried the same day . So there bodies are here.
Now we are going to Caesarea Maritima which is where we are going swimming in the Mediterranean. This aqueduct provided fresh water. It runs 6 miles to the seaport city of Caesarea. In Caesarea is the location of Herod's Theater it was built 20 BC and seats about 4000 and is still in use today. A small dungeon like room in Herod's palace. The apostle Paul may have been impriseoned in one of these rooms. read Acts 23-26

Holy Mount-old City of Jerusalem

Day 13 Thursday June 5 Today we are back in Jerusalem and we will focus on the Old City of Jerusalem , The city of David of old Testament and Book of Mormon times. We entered the Dung Gate of the Old City and walk to the Temple Mount. This is where Isaiah and Jesus taught his disciples and large multitudes of others The Muslims do not allow visits inside of the mosques We do not open our scriptures on this mount The Dome of the rock is 8 sided ancient building with beautiful architecture. The Muslims say that this is where Abraham brought their relative Ishmael to be sacrificed to the Lord. the Jews and Christians say this is where Abraham brought Isaac to be sacrificed The dome has about $8 million of gold on it. Here also is the Western wall where 12 year old boys experience their Bar Mitzva(becoming a son of the law) The boys will be carrying and reading from large Torah scrolls. the men are divided away from the women,but the woman are allowed to look over the dividing fence and shrill and clap and throw candy onto the plaza this kind of reminds of of the story of the 12 year old Jesus being presented at the Temple however he was the one that stayed on to teach the priests and scribes there at the time.The Bar Mitzvah's are very happy and celebrated atmosphere. There are many sites that have been uncovered there in the old city , old road that take us back 700 hundred years before Christ. Hezekiah Tunnel
Far below the old David town
lies Hezekiahs tunnel which runs underground.
After 2000 years the water is cold and clear.
As we wade thru it, it's up to our ankles now to our rear.
It's a major work of engineering, inspiring to see.
I have clausterphobia I just want to flee.
It's 3/4 of a mile long, very narrow, dark and wet.
You must go on ahead you can't get out yet.
44 people are doing there best not to slip
Down into the bowels of the earth ,I dare not trip.
If an earthquick should happen
and I die in here today , Don't look for my body , I'm here to stay. By Lilly

Masada- Ein Gedi, Qumran,

June 6 Happy Birthday Paris Day 14
Masada-- to reach the Masada Fortress we went by cable cars. I was sick at my stomach and had to stay at the museum but could watch the others. This place was the last group of Jewish freedom fighters against the Romans it was built by King Herod the king of the Jews . It is located in the Desert near the shore of the Dead Sea.Herod ruled from about 27 BCE to 4 BCE. there was 980 men and there wives and children inside the fort. 8000 roman troops camped around the base. The Romans built a large ramp and used a battering ram to knock down the walls. IN the meantime Elezar Benn Yan gave a speech to his people and they said we will die rather than become slaves to the Romans. So they took there own lives. Only 2 women and 5 children lived to tell what had happened. Next it's Ein Gedi where David and Saul confronted each other. It is a stream running thru with large hills on each side and it's easy to see how they could communate with each other as the voices would carry well.

Last hours of the Savior's Ministry

This is Sheperds Field and I loved it. we sing ,told of the Shepherds and how they must have felt.


Day 15 June 7 This special Sabbath Day began with a visit to the Upper Room to commemorate the Last Supper.We had a testimony meeting here and Brother Halverson said it is not really known where the real upper room was but it is close. Left here and went to the BYU Jerusalem Center that over looks the dome of the rock, It was beautiful listing to the organ and it sounds like a wonderful choir. It was fast Sunday and we loved it. This was the Day to commemorate the last 24 hours of Jesus Life and then his resurrection. So we are now at the Garden of Gethsemane. With the sweet spirit here the songs we sang, the testimonies that were given and being able to go inside and be in the tomb room. Next we visited St. Peter's in Gallicantu, the site of Christ's judgment by Caiphas the high priest. This is the picture of the whole where it is thought that Jesus was thrown or lowered into for his night at Caiphas there are holes carved into the sealing where it is thought Jesus hands were placed while he was scourged. Later we went to a sacrement meeting at the Garden Tomb and then walked through the Damascus Gate and walked down the street where Jesus was thought to have carried the Cross.

Jerusalem- Model City, Yad Vashem

this is Day 16 Sunday June 8 Today is a very busy day when you are in Jerusalem Sunday is Saturday it starts at 5 Pm on Friday night and ends Saturday night at 6 P.mm. So under direction from Salt Lake we had Sunday on Sat. dose that confuse you as much as it does me. So on our Sunday June 8th we visit some important sites in the new City of Jerusalem. First the Israel Museum The part of Jerusalem, that we visited today is the new Jerusalem that has been under Jewish control since 1948 this is it's 60 anniversary. It is the largest city in Israel and is the capital. It is a modern city yet many of the building date pre 1917. There is a German colony, a British Colony, a French colony , and now we are driving through the Israeli parliament. an Americanh Colony and a Russian Compound. Now we are going to the Israel Museum and the part we are to visit is the Shrine of the Book where many of the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed were able to few the Israel Scrolls which are on display. The first time ever we as the general people can view them.They will only be there for 2 more weeks. We then visited the Holcaust Memorial. We had about 1 hour talk from a jewish guide giving her feeling about this part of there history. Very hard to see. From there we visited the Elm Kerem the traditional home of Elisabeth and Zacharias. Then a trip to Ben Yehuda Street ( a famous shopping area of modern Jerusalem.

home again, home again

Today is day number 17 Monday June 9 We got up at 2;30 Am and left for the Jerusalem airport because with 88 of us we knew it was going to take hours to get thought customs. By 8;AM we were on our flight to the London Airport traveled for 5 hours and had a 3 hour wait at the London airport but it is so hugh that you need about that much time. The plane is full and I set in the very last row. My complain is a young man who really likes his wine. About 2 hours into the flight after two bottles and has gone to sleep. we have 10 hours to go. Think I had better take a nap. Arrived home on Monday the same day we left at 5;05 how ever it is because of time changes and we have been up 23 hours and its the longest day of our lives. Happy to be back. Here is Joey to pick us up. Goodto see the family