End of Winter Semester 2017

It was a fun start to a new semester when Alexa
came into my office and asked if I would help her
find the "secret library" in disguise.

For those who read my blog, please know I have not fallen off the earth! This has been an extremely busy week as we have been finishing up the semester and getting our winter semester students ready to leave. 

We've had a farewell dinner, a night of memories along with checking students out of their rooms, turning in keys and cell phones, just to mention a few last minute details. The buses leave at 7:30 PM to take them to the airport.

The roses are blooming outside and the weather is beautiful. This is the best time of year because it is not too hot, the hills 
are still green and the flowers are still in bloom.

Roses of all colors are in full bloom at the Jerusalem Center right now.

Tuesday night was the farewell barbecue dinner outside on the patio for the students. There was a grand array of food: salmon shish kabobs; hamburgers & french fries (favorites of the students); watermelon; salads of all varieties; flatbread & hummus and the students' favorite dessert, ice cream.  Bernd, the organ repairman from Denmark in the white shirt above, was thrilled to join us. He wanted to sit outside in the sun because yesterday it snowed in Denmark.

Photo below:  

A very hungry cat perched and ready to jump . . . looks down 
from the screen above the food area.  

Luckily the cat stayed put as it watched and meowed for food.  It will be sad to tell the students goodbye.  Our next group arrives May 3.

Highlights from Winter Semester, 2017

Beautiful girls at the Temple Mount. 

Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.  People are waiting in line to go into the Tomb of Christ.

91 of us attended the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.

"At my age, I am no longer responsible!"

The Step Pyramid in Egypt with Summer, a very talented student.

 

Buying jewelry in Egypt.

Fun on the dance floor of a dinner boat in Egypt. Cute Travis actually got
me on the dance floor that night.  Oh, my . . . I was out of my element.

This wasn't my idea!

Arabian Night dinner.  

Cute Allie always has a smile and can sing like a lark. 

Clay is a long-lost cousin on the 
Holyoak side of the family.

Joshua is extremely talented and says

after playing our organ he is inspired

to continue working on his piano

and organ skills. 

Another "Benny Goodman" . . . . that's his real name!  He was excited to participate in the formal talent show so he could play our Steinway piano.

The smiles of Haley and Lindsay always brightened our day.

Ryan plays a mad harmonica and John plays guitar.

Haley at the Church of Holy Sepulchre with man who holds
the key to the door and opens it at 4 AM each day.

Joshua at John the Baptist Church.

Travis grabbing a bite of lunch.

Great memories with students at the YMCA carillon on a Sunday.

This student ensemble sang at a special fireside in February.

Shopping with girls at an art shop in the Old City.

Haley is very talented and promises to take organ
 lessons when she returns to BYU in Provo.

Dinner after an afternoon of shopping with the girls. They
walked my legs off and I was very happy to sit down.

Serving breakfast to some very special visitors in our apartment. 

Pizza was one of the students' favorite meals at the Oasis dining room.

Coleman has a beautiful tenor voice
and sang "That Night in Gethsemane"
Saturday night at our last event of the year.

Lindsey lugging her suitcase up 150 steps to the top floor.She sang "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" in our last Sacrament meeting and it was gorgeous!       
               

What a beautiful backdrop for such a pretty girl!

Cassie is a darling girl with great personality.

Excited to return home but worried about the weight of the bags.

The students were packed and all of their luggage was on the 8th floor. 

Just a few minutes before they were to leave, it was announced their flight was canceled and they would not be leaving for another 17 hours!!  Five students were planning to walk at their graduation the day after their arrival home and some were in weddings. To say the least, everyone was stunned and disappointed. 

      

Keys had to be returned, clean bedding had to be reissued and students prepared for one more night at the Jerusalem Center.  However, they made the best of it and some very ambitious students decided they would make the last day extra special for those missing their graduation ceremonies back home. The next day and morning they were to leave, graduation took place. Graced with homemade graduation hats, the five graduates walked onto the stage to the traditional Pomp Circumstance music then sat down and listened to a wonderful graduation message by Dr. Ludlow.  Diplomas and flowers were given out and then came the confetti and balloons!  This will be a graduation they will never forget!  

What a wonderful semester!  Each semester brings new faces with great ambitions. Each semester is unique and special in their own way and we have felt so privileged to have had the opportunity to lead our future leaders!  

"All aboard.  The buses are here!"

PHOTO:  The FINAL goodbye with service couples and professor's families after 17 hours waiting from the night before.  The students were ready to board the buses leave to return home.  
They were a certainly wonderful bunch of coconuts who will always have a place in our hearts.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.  Eleanor Roosevelt