Thoughts and stories, by Pal

For my last entry about my trip to Egypt, Petra, Jordan, and Israel, I will put various items in which may be unrelated, as I want to include all the notes I took!  I hope readers have enjoyed it.  Writing it has brought many inspiring memories back, and I'm writing it as much for myself as others, so I can come back and read them now and then. The last day, a Monday, April 30th, 2018, We went first to the Mount of Olives, and the Orson Hyde Memorial Park.   I took the above photo, With Ashlynn and Whitney Christian, but there are interesting facts on the internet: The  Church of All Nations , also known as the  Church  or  Basilica of the Agony , is a  Roman Catholic  church located on the  Mount of Olives  in  Jerusalem , next to the Garden of  Gethsemane . It enshrines a section of bedrock where  Jesus  is said to have  prayed  before his arrest. Close by is the Orson Hyde Memor...

As December comes, with its hustle and bustle to get ready for Christmas, it is so important to take a few minutes each day, and contemplate about Jesus Christ, His life, and His teachings.  To feel gratitude for our Savior will truly help us remember what we are celebrating at Christmas.  It is so disturbing to realize how much the world, and even our own country, wants to consider it just a holiday, and not allow any mention of Jesus Christ.  Many businesses don't say "Merry Christmas", but just "Happy Holidays".  Other places don't allow manger scenes, etc.   Last night, after attending a beautiful fireside in the historic St. George Tabernacle, (for Temple workers) we drove around the St. George Temple and were delighted with the beautiful lights.  Also there were many spectators there looking at the life-size manger scene, and listening to the Christmas hymns which were being played loud enough for people to hear across the street.  There are ma...