2014…year plus the rest of 2013….

Oh my word. Can I be any more lame at keeping up with this blog?
I will attempt to post our adventures for 2014 with pictures.
And then start another new years resolution to keep it up each month.
hahahahahahaha.
no
really
i promise to try.

THE END

As I sit here nearly one year later, memorializing our trip, I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for having had the opportunity to take this trip. Layton was so inspired to make this miracle happen for us. This truly was a lifelong dream and my most impossible reality came true. I wish it hadn't taken me a year to complete this entry but it has. Such is life. The pictures bring back such swelling in my heart and it's like I can remember the good part of every single day. I didn't think it could be so but when Brother Wilcox said that after we travel to the Holy Lands for the first time, our hearts would yearn to return. Even with all of the unrest over there, my heart yearns to return. I can't explain it but it is an aching. One that I want to share with my children and Layton again. One that draws me more than I can explain. I don't foresee it happening in the near future or ever but I didn't see Layton and I going there either or at least until we were in our retirement years. Who knows? If not, I will see it again from afar off, heaven, I hope. I want to be the person that can say, I walked where Jesus walked, everyday, no matter where I am at. I want to be the person that will behave as if he were walking beside me. I have so far to go. Maybe by the time I finally figure it out I will be with Him.
Thank you Layton for this inexpressible gift.
Thank you Joseph Smith for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ on the earth today.
Thank you Heavenly Father for knowing my deepest righteous dreams.
Thank you, my brother, my Savior, my friend, Jesus Christ.
I am so blessed.
In His Holy Name, amen.

Day 17- Monday April 23, 2012 HOME

THIS IS OUR LAST DAY OF OUR TRIP OF A LIFE TIME!
From the Agenda:
Early this morning we transfer to the Amman International Airport for our return flights. We arrive back in the United Staes filled with memories of these wonderful lands where the scriptures, the greatest books ever written, were created.

Obviously we were confused as to which day it was but with swollen eyes, faces, feet and ankles, we enjoyed every minute. Without this trip, our testimonies would not have faltered but because of it, they were strengthened. We feel so blessed to have the gospel and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He is our brother, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Friend and we are so blessed to have walked in his footsteps for 17 days.

Good Bye Holy Lands

Back to the real world soon

Going Home

Don't forget anything, we are almost to the airport

Peace out

Back in SLC- our newly returned missionary chaffer !

Wasatch Mountain Range!

After 18 hours on the plane, We made it!

Day 16- April 22, 2012 Sunday-PETRA,JORDAN

From the Agenda:
This morning we drive approximately 2 1/2 hours to explore Petra. Petra was recently voted one of the "Seven New Wonders of the World", it is also known as the Rose-Red City. We will walk down the narrow canyon to the breathtaking view of the Treasury, Petra's most famous landmark. We will have time to explore this fascinating city carved from the cliffs of the canyon and experience some of the best ruins found anywhere in the world. After the tour we will return to the intercontinental Hotel in Amman.
**Petra was AMAZING and we enjoyed seeing these ruins and experiences very very much. Worth the trip!

I think this was on day 15 but the agenda says 16 so who knows!

When walking into the grounds, we had NO IDEA what we were about to see! It was a LONG walk too!

Older people choose to ride ... it got pretty bumpy 

Oh man, you can see Petra Bank in the back ground- we were in for a thrill

Woah Nellie, or was it Ned?

Ham

The Bank all stone carved out of the mountain in the Roman architecture - this is at the beginning, after our walk in...we thought this was the end.....not so....

We thought that all of these caves were dwellings but they are burial ground caves. This whole place was a public place for the dead and also for theatre programs put on by the ancients.

wonder and awe

Yes, let's Climb

Hard to tell but we are standing at the very edge of a massive drop off!

Of Course......!!!!

Yeah, that's right, me and  my ride back!

Yee Haw!

At this  point....what the heck.....with my newly purchased necklace

Last Night out to dinner with all of our great NEW friends!!!