Good Bye Jerusalem

Going...

Going...

Gone!!

Good Bye Jerusalem--It has been an adventure. We enjoyed our last sunset, our last walk in the Old City, our last Arabic meal of pita, hummus and salads, our last fresh squeezed orange juice, our last bargaining deal, and our last visit to the Garden Tomb. We have seen the beauty of this land through all seasons. We have had a year of climbs, both spiritually and physically. We have "seized the day" and "embraced the sweat." We have had tears and laughs, up's and down's. We have learned to appreciate the "Call to Prayer" at 4:00 a.m. We have made many new friends--work colleages, students, Branch members, and locals. We have learned to love the people--Arabs and Israeli's, Jewish and Muslims. We have become more knowledgeable about their beliefs, customs, and circumstances. We have come to understand their aggressiveness and passion. We have walked where Jesus walked and come to know Him intimately and have felt deeply of His sacrifice for us. It has been a year that has changed us, and we will remember it for the rest of our lives. Jerulalem will be in our hearts forever. Now--homeward bound to see the family we love and have missed dearly. Good Bye Jerusalem--until next time.

Egypt

Trip to Jordan

"Listen up Tanner--This is what it is all about."
Tanner gives a thumbs up to the Treasury in Petra

Funny camel.
Tanner is in awe at everything in Petra.
After the big hike this is what we found--the Monestary!
The Emmett family and Tanner.
Tanner and five year old Will have become quite the buddies.
A silouette jump shot--Tanner and the Emmett kids.
Amazing things to see in Petra.
Mom and Brooke in our twin-er shirts.
Roman ruins in Jerash
Tanner met some cute Palestinian girls.
Student shot with Tanner.
Dad, Mom, and Tanner at the Mosque in Amman. (a bit blurry)
Tanner with cute Sister Whipple, one of the service couples. She reminds us of Grandma.
Tanner at the Jordan River where Christ was baptized. What a great trip. (Sorry I got carried away with the pictures)

Five sheet cakes, 100 people, PARTY!!!
Birthday kisses--and this wasn't the only one. How could it get any better!?

Faculty field trip
The students are always doing "jumping photos." We decided the faculty needed to do a "jumping photo." so here we are jumping. We don't get quite as much air as the students.

We have been to the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem many times, and it is always crowded with people. It was crowded on this day, but I was determined to get a picture of me by the star, the place where they say Christ was laid when he was a baby. As a student was taking a picture, Craig jumped in the picture--a rare time when we get a picture of us together.