It was a busy two weeks. On April 21 we had a wonderful experience with Elder and Sister Dieter Uchtdorf visiting the Center. The students had a private devotional evening with them in the Upper Auditorium.  With Deanne conducting the choir, the students sang “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Both Elder and Sister Uchtdorf gave messages of being faithful and enjoying life in the gospel. 

On Sabbath, we were up early for the big District Conference with Elder Uchtdorf.  We had the students, district people, and tourists, for an overflow situation (approximately 400 in attendance!), but everyone was cool about it.  Jim played a long prelude including two piano duets (Holy City and Spirit of God) with Patty Barker.  We had local speakers, but also Elder Roland Baeck from Austria (and Abu Dabai). Harriet Uchtdorf spoke and the meeting ended with Elder Uchtdorf.  He’s very smooth and very friendly and everyone loves him.  District members stayed around for a while for visiting and everyone got to shake Elder Uchtdorf's hand.  What a great opportunity for the students this semester to end their time with a visit from an apostle.  

In the evening we had the Upper Room program, preparing students for the final week of Jesus’s life.  The program includes music and scripture readings.  Patty and Jim accompanied the choirs.  This semester's student have been exceptional and we loved working with them.  We told them we were leaving a couple of days earlier than the semester's end and they all made a fuss over us and told us how much they appreciated us.  That felt good! 

The students also held their Crazy Hair Day for spirit week. They were very creative, as always.

Alyse Frogley and Jesse Hansen (Pringle cans held their hair up)

Addie Larson and Bethany Duffy (yes, those are real watermelon rinds!)

Seth Clawson and Fielding Demars with cornrows

Then we were off to Provo on April 23! Fortunately, there were no issues with the  flights and connections or luggage. We arrived safely in Utah 24 hours later (door to door). It was a little strange walking into the house, but it felt really good to be home and with family. And yes, the house was still intact! (Not a surprise.)

Jameson and Erika graduated from BYU with degrees in Political Science and Family, Home, and Social Sciences respectively. A great accomplishment and proud Mom and Dad moment! Also, Jameson was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant from the BYU Marriott School of Business Army ROTC program into the Wyoming National Guard. Two days later, Jameson drove to Casper, Wyoming, to begin his training at the police academy. Erika drove to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to spend some time with her family. (Jameson has to live at the Academy for one month.)

Standing left of Jameson is Major Roland Griffith who administered Jameson's oath. 

On the right is MSG Justin Day, Jameson's National Guard recruiter.

While home we made a point of having every kind of food that we cannot get in Israel. First stop was El Gallo Mexican in Provo. Salsa never tasted so good! We also enjoyed Thai, BBQ at R&R (pork!), Chinese, and even a second trip to El Gallo before leaving! A special treat was a lunch at the Foundry Grill at Sundance with Jack and Jeannie. It was an early anniversary lunch for us as there really isn't any "fancy" place in Jerusalem that we have been drawn to.

Fish tacos!

We had many visits with friends and family. Jack and Jeannie had arrived home from their mission at BYU-Hawaii so we were able to join in their homecoming and family gathering. Christina Broberg hosted a wonderful lunch for about 50 Welches and Brobergs! Jim had Thai lunch with Kim Gardner and Chinese lunch with David Harmer, and Deanne met up with the local Welch Women for lunch at the Trellis at Thanksgiving Point.

At an AGO symposium on campus, Jim lectured on Organs in Israel. Several local friends and a few Jerusalem Center former students came to see us there. The Sunday before leaving, Jim played a solo organ recital at our Oak Hills Stake Center. It was a Jerusalem-themed program and featured the new additions to the Schantz pipe organ. Again, family, many friends, and more students came to visit.

Here is the link to the video of Jim's organ concert.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk_Z9SOw6h8

It was beautiful in Provo with lots of green mountains and colorful flowers popping up. There was still a lot of snow in the mountains, too.

Nicholas is now in charge of the house before he heads to Duke Law School in August. Despite all the wonderful happenings in Provo, it wasn't hard to get on the plane again to return to Jerusalem. It took 23 hours door to door this time. The new students are here and ready to go. So are we! We have already made several connections with family, friends, the Bay Area, missions, etc. All fun.