Shalom#37

THANK GOODNESS:   FALSE ALARM!!!

While we were on the Geography Field trip with the students....right after our experience with the Cat.....and just as Dr. Skinner is ending up his remarks...we hear a loud air raid siren go off in one part of  Jerusalem.....and then across the valley another siren goes off and then at least several more went off in different locations of the valley.  We looked at each other and said, "Oh,Oh, we are sitting ducks here on this hillside out in the open.!'  We watched and waited  for 

Dr. Skinner to make some comment but he just keep talking like nothing was happening.  Bob quickly calls the Jerusalem Center Security to see what we should do and of course the students were starting ask us "what's this mean?".   

Fortunately it was a False Alarm.....it did raise some concerns realizing that Gaza and the war is only 45 miles away in Gaza.

Shalom#36

Geography Field Trip

The first student field trip of the semester is called the Geography Field Trip.  The main purpose is to help the students gain a better understanding of the geography of the Holy Land and how it is closely linked to the scriptures.  This field strips stays within 15 miles of Jerusalem but has some of the most important areas described in the Bible.

We were so grateful to be invited to join the students because as we anticipate Todd and Tami coming this week and future guest....it helps us in our understanding of the area so we can be the "perfect tour guides".  We look forward to your bookings!!!

 From this vantage point on the Haas Promenade, Andrew Skinner is  describing the City of David behind him and the Hinnom Valley which in Joshua 15:8 tells how it divides the

 areas of Judah and Benjamin.  It is a spectacular view of Jerusalem and beyond.

So we are enjoying this lovely afternoon, SITTING ON THE GRASS, just enjoying the spirit and having this great appreciation of being in the Holy Land and the blessing of listening to Dr. Skinner give his profound remarks on the geography of the Holy Land and bringing it to life as he weaves the scriptures and Bible stories together to enhance our knowledge and understanding .....when out from the bushes comes a FURRY, LITTLE FRIEND!  Now anyone that knows my husband, knows how allergic he is to cats......I was raised with lovely, little felines, but we have never had any our whole married (43 yrs!) life.  Also, as the Physician here at the Jerusalem Center he had just given an orientation talk to all of the students and Professors that they should avoid playing or even touching the wild cats (because of infections) that are around the Center and all over Jerusalem.  Well, needless to say, for us it was hard to keep from laughing out loud while Dr. Skinner was giving his talk.

This was the most friendly little kitty.....just wanted to snuggle up with Bro. Allen..........

I tell you........it was one funny experience!

I will need to do a post just on Cats......they are everywhere in Israel....we can count on one hand how many dogs we have seen but even around the Jerusalem Center there must be a dozen or so that live on the grounds.

Shalom #35

Here are some pictures from our tour with Daniel Rona.  They are not necessarily in order........  

WE ARE AT A BEAUTIFUL NATURE RESERVE CALLED:  TEL DAN.   A STONE WAS FOUND IN THE AREA DURING AN ARCHEOLOGICAL DIG THAT HAS REFERENCE TO KING DAVID-....1,000 B.C.
Robin and Chris at the top of the Bahia Gardens, Haifa.  The port of Haifa is behind them.

On the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  We had just left visiting the Dome of the Rock and now behind us is the Golden Gate OR  the GATE BEAUTIFUL.    The Turks sealed the gate in hopes of keeping the Jewish or Christian Messiah from entering.
Morgan & Suzanne Davis at the Tel Dan
Robin & Chris Conkling  - Tel Dan
Robin and "Uncle Bob" .....Haifa
ROBIN AND CHRIS CONKLING - TEL DAN

Shalom #34

SHEPHERD'S FIELD OVERLOOKING BETHLEHEM

We spent a very cold but lovely afternoon on Shepherd's Field reading from Luke about the birth of our Savior.  As we watched the sunset over Bethlehem and listened throughout our head phones to the beautiful Christmas carols we were reminded of that Sacred, Holy night when the Angel's announced the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ to the Shepherds.


A Bedouin Sheperd woman brought her sheep to feed right by where we were sitting.  She allowed us to take pictures of her and her sheep.

Shalom #33

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM JERUSALEM - JANUARY 2009

We have received many emails from you concerned about the situation in Israel.  We found the following article on www.ldslivingonline.com and thought it might answer your questions.

DESPITE VIOLENCE, JERUSALEM CENTER REMAINS OPEN

Lacie Hales

01/06/2009 12;39 PM MST

Despite continuing violence between Palestinians and Israelis, the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies will start winter semester on schedule.

Israel started air strikes against the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Dec. 27 in retaliation to rockets being fired into southern Israel.  Israel lanched a ground invasion of Gaza on Jan. 3, and violence has continued since then.  Jerusalem is 48 miles away from Gaza.

Carri Jenkins, BYU Communications Assistant to the President, said plans were not going to change for the center because of the violence.  

"The University is very careful and prudent with the safety and security of our students," Jenkins said.

She said everything for the Center is going on as planned.  Students left for Jerusalem on Tuesday.".................

The students did arrive safely and are very excited about this semester.  They were informed before they left Provo that because of the conflict going on here there may be some restrictions because of safety issues.  Meanwhile, classes have started, they are about over their jet-lag, they are settling into their apartments - only about a dozen apartments have blown fuses-, they have had a get-acquainted dance, and have had their first Shabbat in Jerusalem last Saturday, which they thoroughly enjoyed.  Their program is moving forward and so far no field trips have been cancelled or delayed.  The past several days they have been able to start exploring the Old City.

We have 17 men and 61 women this semester.  Great odds for the fellows!  This is a wonderful group of young people and we already feel a closeness with them.  One girl is from Richfield, Utah....she was born after we moved to Mesa.......but we know the same people.  Yesterday a girl was wearing a ASU t-shirt and we found out she is from Phoenix.  It's fun learning about them and we find we have connections with quite a few of them.  

Bob's goal as Branch President is to give each person an opportunity to serve in the Branch while they are here.  This adds greatly to their over all spiritual experiences.  He has spent the last few days extending calls to the students to fill the vacancies in the various organizations - yes we even have a primary here -  so right now he has about 30 called...hopefully he will be able to  finished by this weekend so the Branch Presidency can have them all sustained on Shabbat and then they can  start setting them all apart.  Our R.S. President is moving in a few weeks so he called Sister Janet Skinner to be the new one.  She is a lovely lady with the best sense of humor.  She asked for Sahar (our wonderful Palestinian sister from Bethlehem) to be her 1st counselor and another cute sister April Fitzgerald  (from Morgan, Utah) to be her 2nd counselor.  They made cookies and visited every new sister/student last Shabbat.  

Well, now to settled down to blogging again.  Even though we were homesick for our dear family and friends, we had  a great holiday season with company from the states.  From Arizona -Morgan & Suzanne Davis and Jerry Owensby and her mother Coila.  Chris and Robin Conkling visited us from California.  We all had a great time together as we toured with Daniel Rona for 6 days.  After the tour we spent time here in Jerusalem and fortunately we visited Bethlehem before the conflict started because after that we were not permitted to go there.

Thank you for all your cards, emails and especially your PRAYERS.  We feel your love and concern for us.  We feel so blessed to be in the Holy Land and want you all to know we feel safe.  War is a harsh reality of life.....and after visiting the Holocaust Memorial....it was a very sober reminder of the wickedness of this world.  The only peace we can find is through our Savior Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments.  We like to chant with our grandchildren -CTR, CTR...which means CHOOSE THE RIGHT....when we do CTR we can have the peace our Savior has offered us.

We wish you all a very Happy and Healthy (and in these difficult economic times) PROSPEROUS New Year.