Back Home from Jordan

My days in Jerusalem are now numbered. I’m told that it is 38 days left :o)   :o(

On Thursday we returned from Jordan. It was very hot. I’m glad that I did all of my hiking on the other trips. This time with it so hot I just stayed on the lower path and enjoyed the beauty from below.

 This is me cooling off in air conditioning and a mint lemonade—it was a bit tarter than I like, but it helped to normalize my body temp.

This semester we were able to participate in Petra by night! It was expensive, but I’m glad that I went. It was great to walk along the Siq by lantern light and see the Bethlehem star!

Here are the participants in our race at the hippodrome in Jerash. It’s a race between the two classes and I don’t think my class participants have ever one. But that’s okay. Since we’ve just switched classes, I lay claim on both of them! Besides, I believe in the willingness to compete. From left to right: boys: Marco (served briefly with Adam in Singapore Mission); Romney (knows Nancy Packer); Dallin; Ben (his mum is going to be one of Rachel’s colleagues when she starts working at BYU-I); Hayden and Spencer (I taught him back in Provo six years ago!!!!!. girls: Mads, Amy Anderson; Amy Thornton; and Amanda.

The coffee might be recommended from Australia, but not by this Australian.

Down at the baptismal site on the way home it was so hot that I couldn’t get enough water. I think that it took me two days when I got back to re-hydrate myself!

I finally sent my paper off today!!!!! It’s quite the relief, but now I’m having the normal doubts about whether it’s good enough. Will I ever get over those feelings of inadequacy?????? I celebrated by going to the bakery with Ron and Jill :o)

Tomorrow we’re off to Bethlehem. It’s always a great day—but long. Ron and I are both flying solo because Jeff is off excavating at Gath and David has other responsibilities. I always like having someone else—less stress for me :o)

Well that’s my week in a nutshell.

This week I have been remembering Pres. Packer. I was very sad to hear of his passing. What an impact he has had on my developing testimony. I will greatly miss his powerful talks. I had the opportunity to meet him a couple of times. He was very gracious to me and I will always remember his kindness.