Anne Marie and her friends came to visit. They went into Bethlehem
where Mohammad Alshiabat took them on a tour of Bethlehem.
Brinn Arnell, Amber Pulley, Mohammad, Anne Marie, and Heidi Alter went
to the Church of the Nativity at Manger's Square, Shepherd's Field, the
Herodian (Herod's Palace), and Mohammad's home for lunch. They are in front of the branch house.
Sunday we went to the Temple Mount or Dome of the Rock. We went through security without showing passports or waiting in line. While we were there, 2 Jewish boys came on the mount. The Palestinians chant Allah Akabar- God is Great at the Jewish boys surrounded by Israeli Security.
There are groups of Muslim men and Muslim women that study and discuss the Koran here. Some come before work. This man left the group to talk with us. He said he hadn't been religious until he was older.
Cute Anne Marie
The Dome of the Rock was built in the 600's. The Prophet Mohammad dreamed he ascended to heaven from here. The rock inside is sacred to Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Christians and Jews believe Abraham cam here to sacrifice Isaac and Muslim's believe he came to sacrifice Ishmael.
An archway near one of several exits.
We then went to the YMCA tower where we played the carillon bells with the Jones.
On our walk from the Old City to YMCA
We then went to Shaban's (Ali Baba's Souvenirs) for fresh squeezed pomegranate juice, souvenirs, and a lot of hospitality. The man in the middle brought us the juice.
Monday we got up early and drove up to Galilee. Brinn left Sunday night to get back to work. This is Peter's Primacy Church on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. The caretaker cleaning the beach.
We reflected on the Beatitudes on the grounds of the Church of the Beatitudes.
We ended the day at the Dead Sea. " Look Mom, no hands."
Tuesday morning we went to Hezekiah's Tunnel and the City of David.
In the afternoon we did readers's theater with students at Spafford School
The students read and speak English well. They just need practice.
About 15 students come to an after school program at Spafford School. Students from BYU help the students with English. BYU students were in Galilee so I brought Anne Marie and friends to help.
Church of the Holy Sepulchre entrance. If only the main door could talk.
This room is the traditional site of the Last Supper, near Dormition Abbey.
We stopped at the wholesale produce market across from the fire station. Our friend Osmond runs the store and had his little guy with him. Blaine told him his son was eating the profits.
It appears that you had a fantastic time with Annmarie and her friends. It really makes me homesick to see pictures of all these wonderful places we miss so much. I was glad to hear that visitors still go to the YMCA Carillon to play the bells.
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