Bourne Family: January 2010

We are thrilled to know that Katie arrived safe and sound in Jerusalem and that she loves basically EVERYTHING!!!!! Hearing all that she is beginning to learn and feel takes me(Judi) back to my life altering experience in Israel just a few short decades ago...Hence the memorabilia from MY trip! To see all of Katie's pictures and read about her adventures go to: katiebournesadventuresinjerusalem.blogspot.com

Here's an excerpt from an e mail from her:

Today is the Sabbath. I had a wonderful realization as to where I am right now. We sat down overlooking Jerusalem, and when they were blessing the sacrament it hit me…this is where Christ was bruised and broken. I can take a 5 minute walk and be in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Christ bled from every pore. I was taking the sacrament in the city where this happened. I have a few quotes that I want to share

“God does not need us to love him, but oh how we need God to love us.

“God knows our hearts and knows what we are capable of”

“If you understand the nature of God your testimony of God will grow”

*this is for Mike and Ash J “if you want to make God laugh…Tell him your plans”

Before dinner a few of us walked to Gethsemane. We walked through some dirt roads and between people homes. After walking through a gate it opened into Orson Hyde Park, which is a bunch of switch backs of pure beauty! The path is all stone with small flowers and trees everywhere. It overlooks the Old City the whole way walking down. After walking down a steep street we were greeted by some friendly guys. They knew that we were "the Mormons" and they took us into the private gated off garden. We all walked in and went silent. It was simply beautiful. Everyone separated and found a place to sit. We all were still, reading scriptures and writting, or just praying. I am excited to spend more time every sabbath in that garden. As my mom told me and as was mentioned in church today, it is not the location you are in, it is what happened in that location. I still can't believe I am here. I feel like I have known my friends for years, I can't wait to really get started this week.

We haven’t really started much yet- just getting acquainted with the city and the center and the people. But I know that this will be an amazing experience and I will learn so many things. I cant wait to share this experience with you. I love everyone and cant wait to hear from you. Please write to me:

dance_freak03@hotmail.com . dance_freak (use the underscore between dance and freak)

love from the Holy Land

Katie