I have a sickness when it comes to any change in my routine or life, such as moving or an impending trip. I begin to get antsy about preparing to leave and want to start packing up. I find myself physically holding myself back from hauling out the suitcases any earlier than a week before departure. It's not because I am a highly organized individual--any of my friends/family members can attest to that--and I don't think it's even because I am afraid of forgetting to pack important items. It really is because I am highly anticipating the adventure ahead of me. In order to not get too carried away, I have tried not to think too much about the upcoming trip, which is actually really hard because so many people keep asking if I am excited to go. So, in order to relieve some of this anticipation, I find myself making lists: menus for the kids while we are gone, the family's day-to-day schedule for the the babysitter, grocery items, outfits I want to take with me, bills that need to be paid before I go, rooms I need to clean, etc., etc. But now, with a sigh of relief, I have made it to the point in time (less than a week before departure) that I can decently allow myself to start working on those lists and, more importantly, think about where we will be in a few short days--the Holy Land! After a year of studying and teaching from the New Testament in Sunday School, I am really looking forward to the opportunity to visit the land where so much has happened, and literally walk where the Savior and His Apostles walked and preached the gospel. When asked if I am at all nervous about travelling to Israel, my honest response has always been that I am not worried about my safety, just about feelings of disillusionment over the commercialism of the Holy Land. It was with great relief and joy when I read the following quote by President Kimball:"Go to the Holy Land, but don't go as a tourist; take your Bible and study. It changed my life and it will change yours...!"
This is EXACTLY how I want to experience the Holy Land.
Pres. James E. Faust: "The most important reason you're here is to find the Savior. But you won't find him in the Garden Tomb. You won't find him on the Mt. of Olives. You won''t find him in the Galilee. You have to find him in your heart. He said, 'I stand at the door and knock; if any man will open...I will come in..."
