Dear Friends and Family, December 2011
We are so grateful to have spent a year in Israel while Frank taught in the BYU Jerusalem study abroad program. It was challenging, but we felt very blessed by new friends, the beautiful view from our balcony, the evening call to prayer, visits to the Garden Tomb and other sacred or historical sites. We miss the gracious Israelis and Palestinians who work at the Jerusalem Center, the expatriate families who worshipped with us in the Jerusalem branch, and the daily interaction with amazing BYU students.
Frank taught three semesters of students, with daily classes and field trips once a week. We took our kids on as many field trips as their school schedule permitted. The out-of-area field trips were a special treat: Carrie and I visited Jordan, and we all loved Galilee. Megan and Carrie went to Egypt with Frank in fall of 2010, and I accompanied Frank to Egypt in January, just as the revolution began. We were blessed not to be involved in any violence, and with some minor itinerary changes we were shepherded safely back to Israel. The summer semester students went to Turkey, where Frank taught about Paul’s travels.
Since returning home, Frank bought a guitar and learned some of his favorite Coldplay songs. He spends his time researching, teaching the Gospel Doctrine class, and updating Jerusalem Center materials. We are planning for another year’s stay in Jerusalem beginning in 2012.
I am grateful for all I have learned the past year, such as how to drive with “chutzpah” and park with two wheels on the sidewalk, how to speak a few words in Hebrew, Arabic, and metric, how to help BYU students paint a mural for a Palestinian school, and how to build a gospel-centered home far from grandparents, temples, and Deseret Book. (Grand- parents came for Christmas, but only for 2 weeks.)
I testify that the Spirit can touch us in incense-filled churches, on mountain tops, in mosques and synagogues, and in ordinary living rooms, like the one in Bethlehem where the sacrament was blessed in English and Arabic. We didn’t need to come to the Holy Land to know that Jesus Christ lived, died for us, and lives again, but it has blessed our family to be immersed in the Bible and other scriptures, to consistently remember the Savior, and to witness Heavenly Father’s love for people all around the world.
Megan (16) spends her free time on piano and viola, writing poems, and practicing driving. Compared to home-study seminary in Jerusalem, she is very grateful to have seminary in the middle of her school day at Mountain View. One vivid memory from Jerusalem was shaking Elder Holland’s hand when he came to Israel to dedicate the Tel Aviv meetinghouse. She also cherishes memories of observing kindness and generosity in unexpected places. All our children have grown during their first out-of-Utah experience.
Carrie (14) babysits for neighbors, plays the piano, sings in Lakeridge’s Acapella Choir, and participated in Model United Nations. Challenges during the past year: Petra (Jordan) in triple digit heat, high expectations at the Anglican school, including Hebrew class, and keeping in touch with friends who were 9 time zones away. Rewards: walking where Jesus walked, great friends next door, creating unity among young women in the branch.
Lisa (10) likes to play with her little sisters, draw, play the piano, and learn the flute. She learned a little Serbian, Spanish, and Hebrew last year. In Jerusalem, Lisa loved singing hymns near the Garden Tomb. She says she understands the scriptures more as a result of our time abroad, and she loves having dozens of BYU student friends.
Amanda (7) lost a tooth in King David’s citadel Museum. Did you know the tooth fairy flies all the way to Israel to pay in shekels? Since returning home, Amanda started piano lessons and enjoys art after school. Her smile and great imagination light up our home! Amanda is excited to be baptized in the Jordan River next August.
Emily (4) used to write her name “em-uh-lee” (M-U-L-E) but figured out the correct spelling in time for preschool. Highlights from Jerusalem: body surfing in the afternoon waves on the Sea of Galilee. Lowlights: getting carsick at the West Bank border crossing (a place where we always say, “Act natural!”). Quirks: Emily used to like her blanket chilled in the fridge before bedtime. For months after we returned, Emily prayed that we would not miss the plane when we go back, and that we would have fun in Galilee.
Judd Family Funnies 2011
We ate at the Oasis Cafeteria once a week. Emily often asked, “Can we eat at the cougheteria?” And Amanda once said, “I wish we could LIVE here!” With all the delicious Israeli and Palestinian cuisine, our little kids’ favorites were cocoa and Nutella on toast.
Carrie’s stuffed animal said, “Will you marry me?” Amanda’s animal replied, “No, I’m not even 12!”
Amanda: “Stop making me laugh! I don’t like it!”
Emily said, “That’s not a good idea! That’s a bad good idea.”
Reading a restaurant sign requiring shirt and shoes, Amanda said, “What, no pants?”
Frank showed the girls an ad for a training toilet that played the BYU fight song. Carrie said, “Daddy, that’s disgusting!” Jill said, “Girls, someday you will marry someone just as disgusting as Daddy, and you will LOVE him!”
While reading Matthew chapter 8, Frank posed the question, “Why were they raising pigs when Jews didn’t eat pigs?” Amanda said, “Because of the Golden Rule?”
Emily: “These flip flops are mine because they grew out of Amanda.”
At Latrun military museum, Lisa read the words “armed corps” and said, “Armed corpse? Yuck!”
Emily said, “I’m four, ‘cuz I just had a birthday party, so I’m like a teenager.”
As they settled down to read a story, Amanda said to Frank, “Daddy, can you read it rightly, because usually you say there once was a google-berry-bonk-boink.”
Emily said, “Mom, I need some medicine because my throat hurts when I scream.”
Amanda to Emily: “MY dad can beat up YOUR dad!”
We hope your Christmas season is filled with joy and the peace which the Savior brings!
Love, the Judds
