August 5, 2022

Patty joined us on a morning walk.  Our plan to go to Hebrew University was foiled—closed on Fridays (and Saturdays).  We ended up going to Augusta Victoria and into the Lutheran Church of the Ascension.  The young man at the door, when Jim told him he was an organist, pretty much handed him the keys to the organ. He probably shouldn’t have done that, but Jim loved playing the 1910 Sauer organ, with its rich foundations, 5-6 seconds of reverb, and electric key action.  Very different from the Marcussen organ that Jim plays at the Center.  We had nachos for lunch, plus beans, rice, pico, guacamole, etc.--not bad at all. The Palestinian chef at the Center works very hard to accommodate all tastes!

 

Details everywhere. Loved the lamb kissing the shepherd.

We headed to the YMCA carillon again. Before the recital, we toured the King David Hotel lobby (where Biden stayed on his recent visit).  Rich and famous people!  $$$. Eighteen students and some parents showed up at the carillon! Afterwards we went to the infamous Jimmy’s Bazaar where he treated us (and many other BYU students) to pita and hummus. But no olive wood purchases this trip. 

 

 

Biden and Trump signatures!

 

The prettiest floral arrangements everywhere

Beautiful Hillary Wheeler Taylor visited on the Sabbath with her family. Jim did end up speaking this week--even with 6 speakers on the program. He talked about his big three blessings (gospel, career, marriage) and how they had come to him in unexpected ways.  He loves talking to a single adult crowd.  They seemed to enjoy it.  They looked up Jim's Ensign article while he was speaking.    

            

That afternoon, Jim went with the student group to Orson Hyde garden for consecration of olive oil that previous semester groups had pressed here at the Center.

The first in-person concert in 2-1/2 years took place Sunday evening. Deanne arranged for all the student ushers and gave them assignments (reminds her of Creche hosting!).  We met at 6:30 for a run-through. The concert was at 8:00 pm, and very successful.  Almost a full house.  Jim introduced Jim Kearl (BYU Director of the Center) who gave Neomi Weinstein flowers and thanked her for her work in presenting over 1000 concerts in all her years.  Neomi was the musical director here for 20 years and just retired during Covid. The chamber players played Mendelssohn's Trio in D minor, and Fauré's Quartet Piano Quartet in C minor.  Everyone was pleased.  

  

Jim joined the students one day to visit Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found; the oasis at Ein Gedi; Masada, which is one of the most impressive sites in all of Israel; and the Dead Sea.  It was 107 degrees at the Dead Sea, and the water was like a hot tub.  Jim has floated in the Dead Sea on other trips, so he gave it a pass this time.

While Jim was travelling with the students, Deanne went with the service couples to the Tomb of the Prophets where Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are buried, according to tradition. We had a gracious Palestinian guide who lives on the premises and truly loves to tell the stories of the tomb. Afterwards, the Earnshaws surprised us with a side excursion to the local pita factory! What a treat. No appointment needed. Just walk into the kitchen and watch the production. The reward--a steaming HOT fresh pita. Ammunition Hill, the site of one of the fiercest battles of the Six-Day War, was our third stop. It's always sobering to visit places where there has been war and contention. Sadly, most places here remain troubled. The second treat for the day was pizza! Although not the best pizza (I'd give anything for a slice of Pizz'a Chicago right now!), it wasn't bad at all. 

 Tour by candlelight

        

 So much pita!

                            Pizza at Ramot Eshkol

We've been working with director Eric Huntsman and the students on the Upper Room event this week. It is a program recalling the Last Supper with scripture reading and music. A lot of thought has been put into the program and, finally, we are making music with the students!

We had a loud celebration including fireworks in the neighborhood just outside our patio. It was the Islamic New Year (Al-Hijra) on July 30. They celebrate big here. The next morning there were more fireworks even though, in the daylight, you really can't see them!

More carillon time. These students are the best.  Several took a turn playing the carillon. No lack of confidence here. One student said he only knew how to play Mary Had a Little Lamb. Well--he did it on the carillon! Jim joined him for the second time to jazz it up a bit so we had "Concert Variations on Mary had a Little Lamb." Afterwards, of course, we had the obligatory YMCA pose!

                                          

Moon over Jerusalem

Our morning walk (3.5 miles) took us to the Orson Hyde Memorial Park to Gethsemane, then the Church of All Nations. Straight up the hill is the Dominus Flevit Church (Latin for “The Lord Wept”). In Luke 19:42 we read of how Jesus entered Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday and stood on the Mount of Olives where he wept as he looked out. The view from the altar window is of the Dome of the Rock (Islamic house of worship) which is an interesting juxtaposition.  The road upward passes the huge Jewish cemetery on the Mt. of Olives. Finally at the top of the mount, you have a panoramic view of the Old City and you can take a camel ride if you like! We didn't.

We met with the directors of the Center this week to work on the script used in the introductory video shown to tour groups. They are eager to update the video and asked our input. WE are eager to get the tours going. In the interim, we will use the existing video and hopefully start tours soon.

Many times we think about the impressive place we are living. We both have been here before but it all looks different than we remember. What a treat to be here and really be able to visit (often!) the significant places right in our midst.