Highlights from Jordan

It would take several blog posts to detail everything about the Jordan field trip. It was incredible! Because I’ll be going back two more times I’ll focus on some aspects (like Petra) in later posts. But for now, here are two Petra teasers:

It would take several blog posts to detail everything about the Jordan field trip. It was incredible! Because I’ll be going back two more times I’ll focus on some aspects (like Petra) in later posts. But for now, here are two Petra teasers:

Loved the long camel ride I was able to take from the restaurant to the Treasury!

Asmah was a great saleslady. I loved chatting with her and learning more about her life.

While Petra was clearly a highlight of Jordan, I loved the scripture connections we made throughout the trip.

Brother Huff teaches on Mount Nebo, talking about Moses overlooking the promised land. I felt a special spirit here.

Maccherus was a favorite site. Josephus tells us this is where John the Baptist was put in prison. We went into details about how King Aretas IV reacted when Herod Antipas tried to divorce his daughter and stood on or near where Herod would have had his birthday party.

A fun part of the trip was visiting the LDS branch in Jordan and hearing from the first woman to serve as a sister missionary from Jordan.

I loved visiting the Ammon Citadel. The people of Ammon or the Ammonites are mentioned ~150 times in the Old Testament and it was good to learn more about them. We were on the site where Uriah was killed as a result of David’s perfidy and reflected on the difference in integrity between David and Uriah.

I loved the Jabbok River where Jacob wrestled with an angel. We also talked about how “Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed” (Genesis 32:7) about his encounter with Esau -- but he didn’t need to be. Everything turned out okay. How often are we “greatly afraid and distressed” about things that won’t really happen? We can worry less and hope in Christ more.

Loved the hot bread fresh out this man’s oven!

We had a great experience at the King Abdullah Mosque. It was extremely informative and I felt a great spirit being there.

Our final stop on the trip was the traditional site where Christ was baptized. We sang together and read verses about Christ’s baptism.

Some students dipped a toe in the water.

Others got a bit wetter.

This was probably the best field trip of my life. Loved every minute of it - especially the personal connections with the students! Can't wait to be there with Lani and our older children.