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Alison Batt

Undercover LDS travel agent, specializing in recruiting and W.C. locations

Cheri Faust

The cheapest offering made at the Sphinx

Roena Fermantez

S.O.S Swimmer
Michelle Furniss

Most quotable traveler
Allan Gunnerson

The yellah yellah/ let’s go man
Sarah Gunnerson

The group soloist
Sarah Hintze

Scantily clad club member
Dave Huffaker The "still solid" man Elizabeth Johnson

The Sinai Conquerer

Emily Johnson

The most friendly and willing to take pictures of others Heidi Johnson

The B.F.F with the locals



Petra Survivor Terilyn Larson

The "bed" ouinJamie Lawson

Best at getting free souvenirs Lyndee Lichfield

Border entry yoga expert Mandy Martineau

The next talk show comedian Charles Merrill

The jelly fish snack Jena Peterson

Most willing to leave EgyptKari Rall

Be aggressive, be be aggressive
Julie Rappleye

The most desserts consumed in one evening Rae Ann Shelly

The comes in first girl - to know people's names, climb Mt. Sinai, ect, ect, ect. Art Turner Most

creative hearing Monica Williams

Master of make up application on the move Tammy Wiser

Dessert Critique Transportation: ancient, modern, or a mixture of both
Great Archaeological discoveries "I know there was a pyramid somewhere around here. hmm..."
Good jokes and those who will laugh at them for us
Those who make us feel exotic and vice versa Chacos ... and duck tape. Never leave home without . . . both. Two for one deals, The art of bartering without being a burden
The locals, willing to show us what their lives are all about

And all the travel agents and staff, hotel staff, shop owners, fallafel makers, ect, ect, ect.

Day 16 - July 6, 2008

Waking up at 3:15 am is a tough thing to do! With our luggage out at 3:45 and a quick breakfast of juice, croissants, rolls, and cheese we were on the bus about 4. As we drove to the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv we listened to a few last words from Brother Gunnerson. Less than one hour later we pulled to a stop. A security guard got on the front of the bus and walked down the aisle then exited the bus through the back door. Did we mention he had a machine gun? No worries...it was slung over his back. A few minutes later we arrived at the Airport and went through security with few delays, though a few in our group did have their suitcases searched. We said our first goodbyes as Charlie and Terilynn were not flying with our group.

We flew to Paris, France via Air France. The food was also an adventure...was it really food? We landed safely in Paris and prepared for our 4 hour layover. Many of the group walked the airport in search of food, toilets, souvenirs, etc. Others were able to take naps, read, or have one last game of cards. Art was booked on a different flight he missed and since our plane was full he had to wait for a later flight. Bye Art! Our longest leg was to New York. The flight was long but we were happy that our individual movie screens were working!

When we arrived at the baggage claim in NY, our suitcases were pretty much the last ones off the plane. Some of our group was spending the night in NY and others were flying on to California so many good byes and see ya laters were said at this time. Wonderful friendships were created while we were adventuring through the Bible Lands. For those of us who were continuing on to Salt Lake City we had to check our luggage (again) and literally ran to catch our flight. It was a bit tricky getting through security, but we all made the plane! Thirty+ hours and about 7,700 miles later we arrived in SLC just before midnight. Wahoo! What an adventure!!!

Day 15 - July 5, 2008

Our last day began with a quiet excitement. This was because it was our last day and Brother Gunnerson had saved the best for last. Walking around the Garden of Gethsemane we were able to ponder the truth that the Savior had suffered for each and every person who has ever lived on this earth. Even though there was a busy road just to the side of this site it was unbelievably quiet and peaceful.

A little way up the road visitors can walk through the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden. The garden overlooks the Old City of Jerusalem. Here we took a few moments to have a short meeting with hymns and words from Brother Gunnerson. We discussed the importance of understanding and respecting different religions. Testimonies were shared and all were uplifted. We strolled down the walks and took pictures of the beautiful surroundings.

Racing to the Jerusalem Center for church we were reminded that our bus driver’s nickname is “fast Eddie.” We arrived in record time to find our prayers answered as we just barely made it in time for the sacrament. It was fast and testimony meeting. A new group of students had just arrived at the Jerusalem Center. We were able to relate to some of their experiences.

After Sacrament meeting we boarded the bus and headed to Bethany for a dip in Lazarus’ tomb. Lunch again consisted of Falafel, and a reminder to those who prefer other foods that this was our last chance to munch on this Mid-eastern treat.

A short walk from lunch brought us to the Garden tomb. As soon as we entered, we could feel this was a special place. The garden is well kept with many outdoor benches and areas set up for groups to meet and worship. Our guide was a sweet British man who shared his beautiful testimony of the Savior’s death on the cross and resurrection. He didn’t claim straight forward that this was the tomb, but showed us many facts that strongly lead to this spot. We know it was in a garden next to the place of the Skull outside a city gate. This was an ancient garden, right outside Damascus gate, and next to the small mound that looks like a skull. Crucifixions always took place along a major road and here the main road leading to Jericho runs parallel to the garden. We know Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man whose tomb would have been large and spacious. This is the only tomb of it’s grandeur our guide has seen. Also, when Mary entered the tomb, Mark writes that she entered and looked to the right. This tomb has the mourner’s room right as you walk in and the place to lay the bodies is unusually to the right instead of straight ahead. There are two places to lay bodies. One has an extra alcove carved at the base of the bed to make more room for someone’s feet. The other bed has never been used or completed, showing that this is a new tomb. Many facts point to this tomb. Above and beyond all of these was the undeniable feeling. The majestic feeling that was beyond anything felt at any site thus far. This was hallowed ground. This was the place where the Son of God was buried and rose again on the third day, bringing to the world life from His death, removing all sorrows, and opening the portals for all God’s children to return to Him. These feelings were powerful and unmistakable. We walked into the tomb and enjoyed the sweet peace there.

A short testimony meeting was shared and a few quotes expressing Latter-Day prophet’s feelings about this place and the events here. This officially ended our tour.

After a quick shopping spree in the old city, a delicious dinner, and an awards ceremony, we frantically are packing for our long excursion tomorrow. We are excited to see you all again!

Love,

your family and friends returning from the Holy Land

Day 14 - July 4, 2008

This morning we started off with a group photo at the Mount of Olives. After snapping a quick pic we traveled up the mount to the BYU Jerusalem Center. It began with a short video introduction about the center itself, then we attended an organ recital. The room where we listened to the recital overlooks the city of Jerusalem. It has such a beautiful view! Walking through the gardens we found many plants that were around during the time of Christ. The restrooms were also a hit. They were easily 6 ½ stars on a 5 star scale.

A small scale replica of the city of Jerusalem is at the Israel Museum. It was great to be able to put places in perspective and exciting to recognize different sites we had visited the day before. While we were at the Israel Museum we were privileged to be able to see the original Isaiah scrolls on display. Normally replicas of the Isaiah scrolls are shown to the public; however since it is the 60^th anniversary of Israel the originals are on display. They are approximately 2200 years old. It was such a humbling experience to think that those scrolls were written near the time the Savior walked on the earth.

There was a sadness and mellow feeling that came over our group as we walked through the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. Our tour guide Roley allowed us to see the exhibit at our own pace with a one hour time limit. This was much appreciated as the other tour groups drove us crazy. It was quite crowded and difficult to see all that we wanted. The children’s memorial was touching. Over 1.5 million Jewish children were killed during the Holocaust.

Our journey then took us to the city of the Savior’s birth…Bethlehem. As we were traveling into an area governed by the Palestinians our guide did not travel with us. We met a Palestinian guide, Sam, once we entered the city. Our first stop was the Christmas Tree Restaurant where we were able to choose falafel or shawerma. Most of us are at the point that if we didn’t have one of these again we would be grateful! In Bethlehem we also made stops at St. Catherine’s, Jerome’s Grotto, and a Christian gift shop. St. Catherine’s church is the traditional location for the birth of the Savior. Jerome’s Grotto is where the Bible was translated from Hebrew and Ancient Greek into Latin. The product is the Vulgate Bible the Catholic Church now uses. This event was the precursor to our English King James Version of the Bible. Olive wood and trinkets galore were seen and purchased at the Christian gift shop. Once again we were also given a welcome drink… very yummy!

After a short scouting trip by Brother Gunnerson and Roley we stopped at a shepherd’s field overlooking Bethlehem. We had a short meeting with hymns we normally sing at Christmas and read the Christmas story from Luke and Matthew. This was also one of the highlights of the trip!

Our last stop of the day was the Wailing or Western Wall where the Jews were welcoming the Sabbath Day. This was our second trip to see the wall. There was quite a variety of people who were worshipping and observing. We also said goodbye to our guide Roley. We learned so much from her and are grateful for the time she spent with us. Love you Roley!!!

After dinner at our hotel a few went out shopping, some tried to get to bed early, and others just spent time together. Our last full day is tomorrow. We are a bit sad at this, but are excited about the sites we will be able to see.

Happy 4th of July! We did not have really any celebration to commemorate our nation's birth, however we were able to remember our Savior's birth which truly makes us free.

Day 13 - July 3, 2008

The Old City isn’t really that big. . . unless you’re walking the whole thing. But it’s striking, and very worth the trek: The Muslim mosque, the Western (or Wailing) Wall, the Dome of the Rock, Via Delarosa, the Golden Gate, Lion’s Gate, the Pool of Bethesda, St. Anne’s church (Sara sang a beautiful solo and we sang a great hymn), and then, just outside the Old City, the upper room (one of three possibilities) at Mt. Zion.

Four populations make up the Old City: Armenians, other Christians, Muslims, and Jews, and the blend is probably the most beautiful part of the whole experience. They’re so close, and each can live and exist and love their Jerusalem together.

To finish out the day we hiked the half hour through Hezekiah’s Tunnel, a waterway whose 8^th century B.C. construction still stumps even the most accomplished of engineers.

After dinner lots of our group went shopping. Some of the girls even had Dead Sea mud facials!

Day 12 - July 2, 2008

Today we started out with a tour of the Kibbutz where we were staying. We learned that those living on a Kibbutz do not own anything including their toothbrushes, underwear, etc. Those items are all property of the Kibbutz. A living space is assigned for each couple or single adult. In years past children were housed in a nursery or house for children where there was a nanny of sorts who would care for them. When Israel felt threatened in the early 1990’s with chemical warfare scares the parents in many Kibbutzim voted to have their children under their own roof. They had so much fun bonding with their children they’ve kept it that way ever since. We saw a few bomb shelters while on our tour.

We said goodbye to the Sea of Galilee and off we went. Dead Sea here we come! Our first stop was actually a rest stop where we were able to take pictures of the lowest spot on earth. Brother Gunnerson was tired of the long line for the ladies…so he guarded the men’s room to hurry us along. Some of us had ice cream while other preferred water or soda. Our bus driver Eddie enjoyed his hot milk…did I mention it was HOT?

We continued driving south to Masada. Herod the Great had built a mighty fortress when he was in power. The fortress included three palaces, a bath house, multiple cisterns, store rooms, a synagogue, a church, and aqueducts. A mass suicide occurred here in 73 AD. The zealots who were living in the fortress did not want to become servants of the Romans. It took 3 years for the Roman soldiers to construct an earthen ramp to the fortress. We also saw the wall and the army camps the Romans built during the siege. The night before the Romans were to overtake the fortress, lots were cast to see who would kill everyone and then themselves. Only two women and five children were found alive the next day when the Romans entered the city.

The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947 by some Bedouin shepherd in the caves at Qumran. We saw the caves in which they were discovered and the ruins of the Essenes village. The Isaiah text on the scrolls includes all 66 chapters that we have in our King James Version of the Bible. Later this week we will be able to see the original Isaiah scrolls, a very rare exhibit, at the Israel museum. This is in conjunction with the 60^th anniversary of Israel.

Our last stop today was at the very salty Dead Sea. We had a grand time changing in the sauna/bathroom (it was just really hot). Most of the ladies were sweaty as though they had just jumped out of the shower. Lyndee was the first to experience salt water in her eyes. Let’s just say it hurts…a lot! Slopping the mud all over your body was the thing to do. We looked like women and men from the deep. Most of our group made it out into the 30 foot deep water. We were bobbing around like corks. You know that move where you bounce up to before going in for a deep underwater bob? It didn’t work. Some successfully tried floating on your stomach with your arms and legs stretched out, head up. The great thing is you cannot sink! It is quite remarkable as we have all gained weight eating the great foods here in Israel and Jordan like ice cream, bread, pasta, and rice.

We drove up the route of the story of the Good Samaritan to the beautiful city of Jerusalem. For many this was the first time driving into this special city. You could feel the energy in the air as we drove through the tunnel to our first views of the Dome of the Rock, BYU Jerusalem center, and the Jerusalem landscape.

After a quick stop at Jimmy’s, a seller of olive wood nativities, we drove a few blocks to the hotel. Dinner was an enjoyable experience. They even had sorbet and ice cream. Yum! We look forward to our busy day tomorrow. The old city of Jerusalem, Hezekiah’s tunnel, and St. Anne’s Church are of few of our stops.

Happy Birthday Roena!!

There was a terrorist incident in downtown Jerusalem today. All of us are well and would not have even known it happened except for the news on TV.

Day 11 - July 1, 2008

On this magnanimous day being the 1^st of July 20 ought 8, we began our glorious morning by going to see what has been nicked named “the Jesus Boat.” This special piece of antiquity, which was a first century fishing boat, was found in the mud on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. It went through an interesting journey making its way from the mud to the museum. The boat had to be kept wet at all time while they were digging it out or else it would have crumbled. To move it they had to completely cover the little boat with polyurethane foam. Before it would be stable enough to put in a museum for our viewing pleasure it had to be soaked in a special solution for a few years. It was a cool experience to say the least. As fun and exciting as this was, our next experience was one of the best parts of the day.

We went out onto the Sea of Galilee on this ark-ish type boat. After finding a quaint little spot out on the sea we stopped to have a little meeting where we talked about how Jesus calmed the raging sea and how Peter walked on water. We also sang some hymns, Master the Tempest is Raging was a personal favorite. Being able to talk about the miracles that Christ performed while on the Sea of Galilee while there was an amazing experience. On our way back to port we had a little dance party…well Lyndee was the star of our dance party, and it was fun!

After a short bus trip, we arrived at the Mount of Beatitudes. This is the accepted spot where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. We had a study session with Matthew 5. A few testimonies were shared about the Savior. It was a really cool experience to be able to sit down and study the events of the Bible in the place that they happened.

We then went to Capernaum which is also the home of Peter and his mother-in-law. There is also a synagogue that is believed to be built on the ruins of the synagogue where Christ taught.

Eddie (our bus driver) took us to a little place for lunch in the Golan Heights area. On our way to lunch we passed through a military zone where landmines were fenced off and soldiers were participating in training exercises…they had tanks! We had the choice to have falafel, schnitzel, or Druse bread that was more or less like crepes. It was back on the bus and we were off to the next stop.

In the scriptures this area is referred to as the coast of Caesarea Philipi. The Savior taught here about his divinity and revelation shortly before His Transfiguration. It consists of the springs that feed the Sea of Galilee. We read some scriptures, viewed the ruins, took pictures, and quickly returned to the bus.

The next site was the Banias waterfall which is the biggest waterfall in all of Israel. Lots of young Israeli girls were visiting the falls so it was a bit difficult to make it to the bottom of the falls for pictures. Brother Gunnerson taught us that as we saw the falls we were looking at the rolling Jordan River. Back at the hotel we enjoyed a watermelon bust (super yummy!), swimming in the Sea of Galilee, and dinner. While swimming, a kind man tried to come to the heroic aid of our dear friend, Roena who was surprised by his arrival and attempt to save her from drowning. We ended the night by relaxing with card games and socialization. Some took the opportunity to pack as we leave in the morning for Jerusalem.