DVD Media

Hey everyone. I had a couple people ask me about getting individual files of movies from the DVD made. I've posted them all on YouTube now, you should be able to find it here:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Dookie670#g/u

Some of the videos had to be split up because YouTube has a max of 10 minutes for each video. There's a million different ways to download videos from YouTube, but if you need any help you can always ask me.

I posted all the pictures in the slideshow to one album in picasa. I'm still getting use to the new program on my mac, and have over 4500 unnamed faces on my computer to go.(That's including mission pics and such) So if only half of you are tagged know that it's not a preference thing. :) Here's that link:

http://picasaweb.google.com/joshua.leduc/EMailedSlideshow?feat=directlink

Picture This

I was on the airplane with Angie during our first flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna. After talking for a few minutes she told me to do this, and I liked it so I thought I would share:
Find the time as often as you can to close your eyes and picture yourself walking from the Center to anywhere in the city. Play out everything in your head- who you're with, who you would stop and talk to on the streets, which way you would decide to go to get to your destination- and see yourself walking every step of the way. Even imagine dumb things like walking through Damascus gate to buy gummies or buy a cheap falafel.
It's the best way we can think of to keep the streets of Jerusalem cemented in our minds. Take a few minutes to see our beautiful city everyday.

I think about you guys every single day and how much I wish I could see or talk to even just one of you. I love you all SO, so much.

We were just there...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8425094.stm

Fun Video

Why do things like this happen?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8432267.stm

Phone Number

Hey guys. I miss you all.

Just incase you are interested, I have a new phone number. 928.750.5567

Today in sunday school we talked about becoming a Zion people. I couldn't stop myself from dwelling on the fact that for 3 1/2 months I lived in a dang close to Zion world. My heart throbbed with longing for the unity, love, dedication, and equality that we experienced together.
I left that sunday school with a renewed desire and ambition to do my part to contribute to the the development and striving for Zion wherever I am.

Thanks for teaching me so much guys and helping me catch a glimpse and taste of Zion.

Guys...

I miss you.

Talk in Church?

Help. Tomorrow. One o'clock. Twelve minutes. I have no idea how to fully capture everything that we learned while in Jerusalem. And, its hard because these things are so precious to me...it's scary to bear my soul to a ward that has changed so much while I've been away, and not knowing if they'll really care about any of my experiences...

I just want to go back to Jerusalem. Talking about it is so hard. I feel like it's so hard to say anything, because it's so personal. I know you guys probably feel the same way. Jon...you really hit the nail on the head. "Hey! How was Jerusalem?" "It was.....really great." (Understatement of the Century.)

Anyway. I love you all. I miss you guys, and I am excited for the New Year's Party. Anyone that can come, please do! And thank you Alison for putting it all together!

New Years Eve Party!

Hey Everyone!

I hope that everyone had a merry Christmas! I sent an e-mail out, but just in case someone didn't get it there is going to be a New Years Eve Party at my house in South Jordan at 8:30 p.m. December 31. If everyone could bring a treat to share and RSVP that would be awesome and feel free to bring your boyfriend/girlfriend or anyone else that you would like. There are driving directions in the e-mail, but if you didn't get the e-mail, let me know and I'll be sure you get any information you need. It should be tons of fun and I love you all so much!

Email from Kathryn...don't know why she didn't post it, but I will!

So I just had a bit of a freak out moment!
1) of course... I miss you all!
2) Sad note: I did a stupid thing on my computer... I've somehow managed to erase my "Viva la Vida meets Love Story" video and the "Jerusalem Orange Blossom Special" recording from the informal talent show. If anyone has those recordings I'll be forever grateful for them! Let me know.
3) Loved the Cat calendar Taylor! Thanks for that.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I love and adore you all.
Love Always,
Kathryn

Meow!

i just want Taylor to know that the Cat Calendar made my week. I made my twin sister look at it with me and she loved it too. She didn't really get it, but she isn't one of us so what can she really do? Merry Christmas my loves and I miss you all.

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night! I love you all and miss you daily. Some of my Jerusalem missing-ness dissipated today as I got to see Josh and go to lunch with him, he even got the whole tour of my hometown. But more than anything I wanted to say Merry Christmas from your SBP. And of course a special thanks to Taylor for all his hard work on the cat calendar. Now we can truly celebrate Christmas thanks to the Cats. Love you all. Miss you all!

PEACE

There's not one day that goes by that I don't ponder on our amazing experience we had in Jerusalem. I am so grateful for the experiences that we shared together.

May your Holiday be filled with PEACE, LOVE, and JOY. May our hearts be turned to Christ (the prince of Peace) as we enjoy the celebration of his life.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Dang Leanna beat me to the Christmas post...Leanna, I actually don't mind the tuna corn pitas at all either. I would eat them any day. lol

Well actually, it is officially Christmas day here in Japan already so Merry Christmas from Japan to you ALL!!


May the Spirit and love of Christ fill us all this special day.

Here are some bonus pics :)


Sorry kinda went overboard with the pics. But as Adam Bahr would say,
SURE DO LOVE YOU...ALL.

The secrets out!

Guys....I secretly have a craving for tuna fish pitas with corn. I love them. I didn't want to tell anyone because I didn't want to be the weirdy of the JC. But now that the semester is over I feel like I can finally come out of the closet. Please don't judge but I whipped up some tuna mayo corn and pita. Not quite as good as Akhmed made it but it satisfied my craving.
There is a craving I can't satisfy and that's you guys. I don't become attached really easy but I seriously miss you. One early morning (3:12 am) suffering from jet lag I sat and watched/listened to all 3 of our CDs. AwSoME! I balled my eyes out. So a thank you to everyone that made that possible. I can't wait for a reunion. You are truely amazing individuals who have impacted my life for the better. I love you. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dangerrrrrrr

“Cat-lovers may be more neurotic than other people as a result of a feline parasite. Once you are infected you cannot get rid of this parasite and the numbers of them slowly grow over the years...giving them a suicidal attraction to cats.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1525429/Parasite-that-makes-cat-lovers-neurotic.html

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article1161725.ece

The wait is over....Kitty Cats of the Middle East 2010

Make a Smilebox calendar

I wanted to add quotes to every month but the program wouldn't let me so here are my favs:

It is impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens. ~Cynthia E. Varnado


In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him. ~Dereke Bruce


There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat. ~Tay Hohoff


If cats could talk, they wouldn't. ~Nan Porter


There are two means of refuge from the misery of life - music and cats. ~Albert Schweitzer


A catless writer is almost inconceivable. It's a perverse taste, really, since it would be easier to write with a herd of buffalo in the room than even one cat; they make nests in the notes and bite the end of the pen and walk on the typewriter keys. ~Barbara Holland


If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much. ~Mark Twain


Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia. ~Joseph Wood Krutch


The cat could very well be man's best friend but would never stoop to admitting it. ~Doug Larson


There is something about the presence of a cat... that seems to take the bite out of being alone. ~Louis J. Camuti


As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat. ~Ellen Perry Berkeley


The problem with cats is that they get the exact same look on their face whether they see a moth or an axe-murderer. ~Paula Poundstone


Cats can work out mathematically the exact place to sit that will cause most inconvenience. ~Pam Brown


After scolding one's cat one looks into its face and is seized by the ugly suspicion that it understood every word. And has filed it for reference. ~Charlotte Gray


A cat can be trusted to purr when she is pleased, which is more than can be said for human beings. ~William Ralph Inge


The reason cats climb is so that they can look down on almost every other animal - it's also the reason they hate birds. ~K.C. Buffington


A cat is an example of sophistication minus civilization. ~Author Unknown

Library at 12

Ok, so who ever was smooching in the library the last week needs to fess up. These are potentially who it could have been:

Baby Face and Yours Truly (this is very likely)
Jesse and Michelle
Aaron and Sam
Steph and the kitchen boy... bringing her joy
Morgan and a fish
Clark and Kate P.
Clark and Lauren Ricks... a little rerun of the romance that began in hawaii
David Healey and Kate H.
David Healey and Bone saw... it did happen once
James and Jessica
Patchy and someone from the tribe of Gad
Marni and a Kitty


.. your thoughts?

My current thoughts on our situation

Pros of being home in America:
I've been baking and cooking lots of delicious food!
My immediate family is all together for the first time in a few years.
I get to drive.
I get to sleep on my own schedule.
I have lots of time to read.

Cons of being away from Jerusalem:
I'm not living in the center.
I can't walk to the city every day.
I can't barter in stores.
I'm constantly freezing here.
No delicious tuna fish pitas for lunch.

But the worst thing- yes, it gets worse- is that I'm not constantly surrounded by all of you, my dear Jerusalem friends. Things are different now, but let's not change the love we feel and show toward one another. I love you all and I miss you and think of you every day! I saw Anna and Kali on Friday, the day after we had all said goodbye, and we freaked out from happiness. It felt like home to see their faces. I can't wait to see you all again! Have a Merry Christmas! I can't wait to spend a little time Friday morning after I wake up to read the Nativity with my new found appreciation for it. Don't forget to spend time Christmas day focuses soley on the Savior!

I love you all so much!

Address

Hey! Does anyone happen to have Raja's address to the Good Samaritan Center in the Christian Quarter? I am trying to send pictures to Jamiel, our 105 year old friend. If you have it it would be WONDERFUL if you could send it to me. Thanks so much! I love you all! Hope you are doing well. :] Isn't it wonderful we know about the real meaning of Christmas?! Remember it!

My Mom just helped me do this.

I wanted to post something but i couldn't find how to do it. So my Mom came in and did it for me. I feel like a little kid right now. So yes around 8:30 i am done for the day and now I get up at 7 and have a hard time going back to sleep. But when i get up here no one has food ready for me most days, my Dad made it the first day i was home, no most days my mom tells me to make my own or get something out. then i cry about how I miss Jimmy and they all laugh at me. i know its a bummer.
I love and miss you all.
Randi

One Day

Aloha!

I looked up and pondered the lyrics of this song and realized its more than just a good tune. How fitting it is to the principles that we learned on the trip along with what we learned about the conflict. This song will always take me back to Jerusalem

Anyways here are the lyrics.
Oh and I like Jon's analogies about coming home. Good job Jon, you summed it up good.
Miss you all

One Day

Sometimes I lay under the moon
And I thank God I'm breathin'
Then I pray don't take me soon
'Cause I am here for a reason

Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know someday it'll all turn around because

All my life I been waitin' for
I been prayin' for, for the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play, one day

It's not about win or lose 'cause we all lose
When they feed on the souls of the innocent blood
Drenched pavement keep on movin'
Though the waters stay ragin'

And in this life you may lose your way
It might drive you crazy
But don't let it phase you, no way

Sometimes in my tears I drown
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know someday it'll all turn around because

All my life I been waitin' for
I been prayin' for, for the people to say
That we don't want to fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play, one day

One day this all will change
Treat people the same
Stop with the violence down with the hate
One day we'll all be free and proud
To be under the same sun
Singing songs of freedom like

An Interesting Article

http://www.bitterlemons.org/issue/pal2.php
I found this article on bitterlemons.org. It's pretty interesting and says some intriguing stuff about US/ Israeli/Palestinian relations.

Apartment available

Fellers and females, my friend Parker Andrus is trying to sell his contract before the end of this year. If you know anybody that needs a place to stay, have him or her call Parker at 801-719-8886. The apartment is in the Glenwood complex. Rent is about $275 per month. My friends Brett LeFevre and Matt Erickson, way cool guys, are in the apartment. I was planning on living there but decided I'd like to live by my cousin instead, so my friend Parker is in a bind. Yo se embarasada. Love, Patty.

Been There Done That...

This is from Sister Brown, if anyone wants it. I love you guys.

Jerusalem, Kidron Valley, Bus 75, Hebrew University, Mt Scopus, Mt of Olives, Augusta Victoria Hospital, Crash Corner, Salah El Din Street, Damascus Gate, US Consulate, Rockefeller Museum, Orson Hyde Garden, Lion’s Gate, Dung Gate, Jaffa Gate, Zion’s Gate, New Gate, Garden of Gethsemane, Garden Tomb, Jimmy, Omar, Baghdadi, Shaban, Five Shekel Shop, Good Samaritan, Citadel, Israel Museum, Shrine of the Book, Knesset, Ben Yehuda, Jaffa Street, Mahane Yehuda, Western Wall, Upper Auditorium, Upper Room, Seven Arches Overlook, Haas Promenade, Nebi Samwil, Under the Center, Synagogue, Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Elah, Bet Guvrin, Lachish, Micah’s Cave, Laundry Room, Computer Room, Tel Beersheba, Wilderness of Zin, Ben Gurion’s Grave, Mizpe Ramon, Kibbutz Yotvata, Taba, Cairo, Dead Sea, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Suez, Pyramids, Sphinx, Saqqara, Memphis, Papyrus Factory, Sound and Light Show, Oasis Hotel, Sheraton Hotel, Luxor, felucca, Karnak Temple, Carriage ride, Luxor Temple, Luxor Train, Egyptian Museum, Khan-al-Khalili Bazaar, Hard Rock Café, Old Cairo, Muhammad Ali Mosque, Mt Sinai, St Catherine’s Monastery, Morgenland, Jericho, Quruntul Monastery, Tree of Zacchaeus, Herod’s Winter Palace, Wadi Kelt, City of David, Area G, Warren’s Shaft, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, Arabian Culture Evening, Passover Dinner, Yad Vashem, Mt Herzl, Hebrew, Arabic, Judaism, Islam, Ancient Near East, Old Testament, New Testament, Luke, Israeli Folk Dancing, Arab Folk Dancing, Forum Lectures, Announcement Sessions, Linen Exchange, Choir Practice, Student Christmas Program, Good Samaritan, Lina’s, Laundry Room, Bomb Shelter, Gym, Jordan, Mt Nebo, Madaba, Shobak Castle, Turkish Bath, Petra, High Place, Amman Branch, Jabbok River, Jerash, Old Amman, Baptismal site, Sallah, Bethlehem University, Tent Restaurant, Church of the Nativity, Manger Square, Shepherd’s Field, Kotel Tunnel, Davidson Archaeological Park, Wohl Museum, Burnt House, Sack lunch, Snorkeling, Separation Wall, Caesarea, Megiddo, Nazareth, Ein Gev, Sea of Galilee, Nof Ginosar, Mt of Beatitudes, Tabgha, St Peter’s Primacy, Capernaum, Kursi, Gamla, Qazrin, Fish Restaurant, Ice Cream in Tiberias, Mt Tabor, Nain, Bet Alpha Synagogue, Gan Hashlosha, Beth Shean, FHE, Hazor, Tel Dan, Banias, Nimrod’s Castle, Akko, Al-Jazaar Mosque, Bet Shearim, Sepphoris, Muhraqa, Bahai Gardens, Templar Cemetery, Haifa, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Church of the Redeemer, Terra Sancta, St Mark’s, Alexander Nevsky, Herodion Fortress, Messiah Film, Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Final Exams, Bethany, Lazarus’ Tomb, Bethphage, Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, Upper room, Dormition Abbey, St Peter’s in Gallicantu, St Anne’s, Church of the Flagellation, Class Programs, S’ Mores, Violins, Flute, Piano, Musical Numbers, Organ, Whipples, Allens, Emmetts, Manscills, Hamblins, Browns, Okiishis, Dicuses, Eran, Tawfic, Security, Oasis, Journey of Faith, Testimonies, Scarves, Olive Wood, Taxis, Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Gummy Candy, Pillow Cereal, Head Sets, Cell Phones, Security Cards, Free Day, Ein Kerem, Caving, Hiking, Jordan River Rafting, Falafel, Swarma, Pomegranate drink, Halva, Pita Bread, Nutella, Hot Chocolate, yogurt, Aladdin, Old City, Austrian Air, Delta Air, JOTT Buses, Shekels, Ramadan, Succoth, Crusaders, Byzantine, cistern, Open Mike Night, Goals, Birthdays, Group Study, Photos and many, many more.

Hey there!

I see that we are almost halfway there to having everyone from our group be contributors to the blog....snaps for you guys :)

Just a quick little reminder, this blog is for us. ALL of us. Don't be shy people, post whatever you like on here. We'd love to hear how your first few days back have been. And EVERYTHING and EVERYONE is important. We're family, right? Even if you don't think you have anything interesting to say, just say hi or something. Really. We'd love to hear it!

Quick sidenote: Do you guys feel like walking dead at around nine o'clock every night? Jet lag is killing me! I don't remember it being this bad when we got to Jerusalem, but that's probably because they had us on such a tight schedule and we were so busy. Even still, I hope this goes away sometime! Let's take a poll. Who thinks going there was worse for jet lag, and who thinks coming back was worse?

Pictures GALORE

Okay guys.. I went through all of my pictures and posted every single one that had you in it! :] Here is the link.. feel free to go through them and take as many as you need! Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! http://picasaweb.google.com/sissibob5
Love You!
Little Lyndsay

Homecoming Talk

Many people have told me that the Jerusalem study abroad is like serving a mission. I guess it is only natural that the bishop in my parent's ward cornered me and decided on the spot that I should speak in church. I have 5-10 minutes to somehow sum up my experience in the Holy Land.

Meanwhile, I hope you all make it home safe! I miss you all! I am in Provo until December 2nd so if you are around and want to do something let me know!

Emmett Photos--Egypt

A few photos to enjoy. For updates on the Emmetts in Jerusalem go to beitemmett.blogspot.com

And so it begins

Do not come down from the mountain!

Back Home

Wow... I have never been a blogger, or have i ever blogged, in my blogging life....

I get asked two questions.

#1) How is it being home?
#2) Do you miss Jerusalem?

I have come up with two answers, analogy's if you will, to answer these questions:

#1) I feel sick... its like i just had a big feast and shoved as much food as i possibly could into my mouth, and now my body is trying to figure out how to digest it.

#2) There is a time and a place for everything, now its time to apply the place in everything.

That came to me last night and i liked it so much i wrote it down.

I love you all. I have had fun these past couple of days, skiing with Teren and Richie, doing the lights on Temple square with patchy, Teren, Brooklynn, Amy, and running into Jane randomly on the street. We tried to have fun even though we were all so jet lagged. patchy fell asleep on my couch, and both Brooklynn and Amy fell asleep in my car when i took them home. haha

You should have seen Teren trying to ski at first. You thought it was funny to see him playing enemy/ defenders you should have seen that kid on the mountain!!! he is a natural. we were so proud of him, and had so much fun. but even more funny was seeing how cold he got while looking at the lights on temple square. he said "how do people live like this?!?!?! seriously!" haha it was funny.

I look forward to spending time with more of you. thanks Angie for the blog.

This is my first time ever posting something on a blog.... and it took me a half an hour to figure out how to do it. At any rate, I miss you all and can't wait to see you again.

Thank you Angie for putting this together! This is is awesome, and it will be a huge blessing in years to come! I'm glad everyone is doing great, but I miss you all too!

I was just reading through Elder Holland's talk, and I cannot tell you how much each of you has touched my life in the greatest way! You all have such wonderful testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ, and I hope you always remember that you have that testimony and your many talents to share with the rest of the world! I have all of you guys to look up to the rest of my life, and I feel so blessed to have 81 more friends! You're 81 more people I hope to become more like. (hope that makes sense. ; )

Love you Jerusalem Crew!
Lauren Hays

Shabbot Shalom

SO it is weird to have church on sunday haha. I just wanted to say hello to everyone and thanks to Angie for setting this up! I miss you all! I hope you have a WONDERFUL MERRY CHRISTMAS! :] I love you!
Little Lyndsay

MEXICO!!

Hello Jeru Family!!

I miss you all terribly. I made it to Mexico safely after an additional 26 hours of travel but as you can imagine I had a lot to talk to my family about. Since today was Sunday we didn't do any work but we start building tomorrow. Are you all over your jet lag yet? It didn't hit me to hard on the way back.

I seriously am going through withdrawals from you guys. A nice lady from the ward is letting me use her internet right now but I don't have phone service and I probably won't get the chance to write again until I am home. I MISS YOU!!

Jeremy: are you still planning a party first weekend after school? Could we possibly arrange to do baptisms in conjunction with that? I'm not sure how early we have to reserve a space but I for sure can't do it this week. I'll try to get on organizing as soon as I am back in the U.S.

Mexican landscape is so similar to what we saw in the Holy Land! There's tons of desert dotted with greenhouses and little shanties selling soda pop and yard decor (you remember the cheesy fountains and statues for sale along the highway?) I felt so at home driving to Guaymas,

I sure love you all. A LOT. Thanks Angie for setting up the blog!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE,

Molly

Would it be totally pathetic of me to admit to borderline weeping at a primary nativity program? I love and miss you guys SO much. I'm excited to see what adventures, successes and happy everafters fill this blog. :)

Best Moment of the Weekend

I was walking to Temple Square to go to a friend's wedding when I hear a horn honking and people yelling from a car.  I saw Brooklynn, Amy, and Jon!!! Guys, just because we're home, definitely does not mean we won't see each other.

Kitty Calendar

I feel that not to many of us are taking the kitty calendar seriously... diseasey would be disgusted with you.... I still need pics from you guys. My e-mail is taylor.dame@gmail.com have a merry christmas.... may it be filled with egg nog and fruit cake

Merry Christmas J-Ru Family!

This is our first official blog post. I just want to test it to see what happens when I post... if it says my name, etc.

I hope you all found the blog okay and that nobody has trouble getting set up! If anyone does, feel free to email me and I'll try to help you out. This is my first team blogging experience, also.

Salt Lake is really great! I learned yesterday at Temple Square that it really is cold here. Freezing cold. But it is wonderful to be home!

I hope you are all enjoying being with your families and seeing your friends again.

Merry Christmas!