Could it be more perfect? To celebrate the birth of our Lord in the place of His birth! We had the amazing blessing this year of taking our entire family - 13 of us - to Jerusalem from December 22nd to January 2, 2017. It was perfect in every way! We witness amazing blessings of health, of perfect weather! Blessings of safety, and of walking where the Savior walked! 
In preparation, we studied about Jerusalem, we read the New Testament, we prayed. One day in December I was straightening the books upstairs, and found a little board book of Christmas that should have been beneath our tree with all of our Christmas books. Little 4 year old Stephen saw the books, and picked it up to find a picture of the nativity on the cover. "Mom, Mom, Mom, we're going here!" Nearly everyday he asked if we would see Jesus while we were in Jerusalem. One day in Primary, they were talking about where Christ was born. Little Stephen on the front row, was jumping with his hand up!!! "Jerusalem, and we're going there!" They disappointed him, and told him he was wrong. I was glad I was close-by to explain that Bethlehem was close by to Jerusalem, and that he was indeed right! He was so excited to go! 
We had a family home evening about finding the Savior there. We watched the final testimony of Elder McConkie when he says, "In a coming day I will feel the nail prints in his hands, and in his feet. But I will not know then, any better than I know now that Jesus is the Christ." We talked about how lucky we were to be going there, but that unless we open the door, and let Him in, it won't matter that we walk where He walked. We have to open our hearts and minds to find Him within!
It was a miracle and indeed Life Changing opportunity we will never forget! We are most grateful for the opportunity! Having returned, now we don't want to be boastful that we went, but we see things totally differently as we study and read. We have been touched by the Spirit by the stories that He told, and we feel differently about the events in His life. What a blessing! We struggle a bit to know how much and what to share with others so that it doesn't come across as bragging that we got to go.
In preparation to going, when people found out that we were going - usually from the little kids who were so excited, often - everyday - someone would question me - "How can you take your family there?" "Why would you choose to go there?" I wanted to respond - "Why Not?" Of all the gifts I can give my children, a testimony of Him is my greatest desire! Today, my children have all been in the Upper Room where the Savior washed the feet of the Disciples. We have been on a boat on the Sea of Galilee! We have walked the steps up to the temple mount in Jerusalem! We have walked the same streets where he walked, and then where he carried a cross! We have taken quiet time in the Garden of Gethsemane! All these and more, are beautiful memories! We have stood at the top of Mount Carmel, and witnessed the changing weather clear for us to gaze upon that vista and see out to the Mediterranean Sea, and overlook the valley of Armageddon! What blessings!
I am abundantly grateful for the miracles that have been worked for my family to have such a blessing! Laus Deo! The tender mercies were so abundant everyday! I recorded in my handwritten journal, many of them, I hope to recount them here as well! I struggle with where to write and how much to record where.
I have a testimony that He lived! He walked and taught, worked miracles in that land of Jerusalem. He was there! I witness that the Spirit we felt in the Garden near the Garden Tomb was unmistakable! He Lives! What matters now, is what we do to show Him that we Love Him! I will serve and give and love to show others of His love! I have been so blessed!
I am beyond grateful for Bradley! He is amazing man of God! He has a vision that miracles can and will happen for our family! He recognizes the miracles often by calling me and together we kneel to thank Heavenly Father for the physical, monetary blessings and miracles that needed to happen for the money to be there to go - especially on such short notice! I am grateful for his example of serving in our stake! He is now serving as 2nd Counselor in the Stake Presidency. He never complains. He never grumbles about meetings at 6 a.m. or about serving until late into the night nearly every night of the week! He just puts on his white shirt and tie and prays with us, wishing us each well in our endeavors, while he serves completely! I am praying for him right now as he teaches in a ward conference today! Please bless him Father. I am so grateful to be sealed to him for all eternity!
