"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem" The Saviors birth!

Destination: Bethlehem, Israel
Date: March 2011

Walking the streets of Jerusalem
March 2011

Our travel group.  My in-laws and five of their six kids and spouses
Jerusalem 2011

Since today is Christmas it seems appropriate that I write about my trip to our Saviors birthplace, Bethlehem.  This was an amazing trip that my in-laws put together to bring all of Trent's siblings, and their spouses, together for a special couples trip.  We all met over in Tel-Aviv and from there made our way through the Holy land in this very special group.  Between all of Trent's siblings we have twenty-six kids.  Most of the time our gatherings are hectic due to the volume of children and their never ending need for us parents.  This trip was special because it was just for grown-ups.  Not all of Trent's siblings made it on the trip but for those of us who did it is something we will never forget.  Now when we look at each other we know we have walked where Jesus has walked, and we shared this sacred experience with one another.

Found on a wall just outside of the Church of the Nativity
Bethlehem March 2011

The Church of the Nativity
Bethlehem March 2011

The bell tower that sits at the top of the church
Bethlehem March 2011

After being in Israel for four days we finally made it north to Bethlehem.  During our visit to Israel we had a Jewish tour guide with a Palestinian driver (who had a duel passport).  When we had to cross out of Jerusalem over to Bethlehem, which is now under the Palestinian Authority, we had to leave our Jewish guide because he was not allowed to enter Palestine.  We had to cross the border and we were able to do that in our vehicles with only a border check of passports.  Once our driver made it across we met our guide from Palestine.

A sign near Bethlehem on the Jerusalem side of the border
Jerusalem March 2011

Bethlehem as seen from the Jerusalem side of the border
March 2011

Our Palestinian guide claimed to be a Christian Palestinian.  He also claimed to be of direct lineage of the shepherds who followed the star to witness the birth of our Savior.  Though he wore a gold cross around his neck the cynic in me questioned if his claim to Christianity wasn't just his ploy to make a buck.  I guess I will never know since I just had to take his word for it, and since I've never met a Christian Palestinian I couldn't say I've ever had an experience like this before.  

"8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2:8

Though Bethlehem is only a six mile drive from Jerusalem it is a world of difference.  The streets are littered and in need of repair.  There is spray paint on walls and it looks like every building is in some sort of phase of construction and none of it complete.

 "4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called^aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)" Luke 2:4

Our guide in his family's wood carving shop
Bethlehem March 2011

When we met our guide it was at a very clean but deserted cafe.  There were twelve of us in our party and we had the whole place to ourselves.  Beside seeing the lamb on the rotisserie in the front I would have thought the restaurant had been shut down long ago.  We enjoyed a typical meal of schwarma, or falafel pitas with some hummus and canned sodas.  Once we were full our first stop was to our tour guides family business, a wood working shop.  

He took us down to the shop where his father and brother-n-laws all whittle statues and figurines depicting Christian symbols and many events of the life of Christ.  However, they also made figurines of other religious faiths but most were of the Christian denomination.  The shop was dirty and dusty and used some very primitive tools but some sophisticated ones as well.  The statues they made were beautiful and there was no denying the craftsmanship that was put into making these figurines .  The statues faces alone were magnificent and there was a real difference between the artist and the beginners.  

Some of the machinery used to carve seven  figurines at the same time
Bethlehem March 2011

My favorite nativity I purchased at our guides store in Bethlehem, made of real olive wood of the area

Of course the tour ended at their family's shop where we could purchase any items we wanted to take home with us.  Since the statues were made with olive wood from the area they were smooth and beautiful.  On top of the shop is the apartment home of the patriarch of the family and from there each apartment of the family is built on top of one another, with the youngest married members living on the top.  From there the rebarb sticks out of the roof of the apartments to make way for more apartments to be built on top continuing this never ending vertical version of Dallas' Southfork. (Can't say it wasn't my dads dream to have all his kids live in a wing of a huge house, but I don't think he would have wanted us all on top of each other!)

The hanging lamps that line the center of the Church of the Nativity
Bethlehem March 2011

Some of the beautiful mosaics that are being preserved on the floor of the church
Bethlehem March 2011

From the carpenter shop we finally made it over to the birthplace of our Savior.  Though I would have loved to see it depicted like it was in His day, of course the passage of over 2,000 years has changed that.  There was no inn or stable but instead the Church of the Nativity has been built on top.  This church was built back in the 4th century and then rebuilt again in the 6th with more repairs made by the Crusaders.  Once entering a low lying doorway into the building it is much like a Catholic chapel.  There are remnants of old tile mosaics that express what a beautiful chapel this must have been at one time.  Unfortunately now it is dark, dusty and didn't have the feeling I was hoping to have at such a holy site.  

 "15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." Luke 2: 15

Walking down into the original cave of the nativity
Bethlehem March 2011

I truly hope I don't sound sacrilegious describing what I saw but it had such an effect on me, because it was not like anything I had ever imagined when I think of the birthplace of our Savior.  Once inside the building and up towards the alter there is a side set of stairs that leads down to the actual spot that is designated as the place where Christ was born.  Winding down a small narrow set of stairs we passed through canvases and fabric that are hung to hide the cave like walls of this room. With the amount of dust and dirt on these fabrics I think I would have preferred the cave structure.  

 "12 And this shall be a ^asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."Luke 2:12

The mark that represents the spot of Christ's birth
Bethlehem March 2011

Many people stop to kiss the ground in this alcove so it is very busy
Bethlehem March 2011

Once down in the cave area there is what looks like a fireplace with a star inside, this is where the babe was born and wrapped in swaddling clothes so long ago.  It was adorned in the finest materials of marble and the craftsmanship was beautiful, and much fancier than I would have thought should have been there, but that is not what mattered.  What mattered was the feeling I received being there.  To be right there where the Savior was born, or even if it wasn't exactly that spot I was there in the vicinity.  It was all a very moving experience.  Once I had put aside my thoughts on what the world had done with this holy sight I was able to feel the presence of angels.  It was a very sacred experience.

Another cave nearby that doesn't have all of the adornments better represented the birthplace to me in my mind
Bethlehem March 2011

Down around another set of stairs there is a better example of what a stable looked like in the days of Mary and Joseph.  It was on the side of the hill and looked more like a cave like structure.  This is where I was overcome of the sanctity of  where I was standing.  Here without the grandeur, in a simple cave, I could better identify with what I had imagined for so many years.  So my testimony was buoyed and strengthened with this visit.  Being there and reflecting on the events of Luke 2 I felt the spirit whisper to my heart that He Lives!  He was born!!  My heart is full even writing this and putting my thoughts down, it really is hard to describe the feeling of this holy place.  

 "13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14 ^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men." Luke 2: 13-14

While we were there we all lingered together, as couples, or privately thinking about the miracle that happened here under the Church of the Nativity.  Presently the church is sectioned off and owned by different churches.  Each church wanting to own a bit of this holy site.  I don't think that is how the Savior would have like to it,  but I am grateful that we are able to have access to this area.  

A Bedouin man shepherding his sheep
Bethlehem border March 2011

The poverty these nomads live in near the border.
Those train cars are made into makeshift homes and barns for their flock
Bethlehem March 2011

After visiting this area we got back on our van and began our exit from Palestine and headed back to Jerusalem. Along the way, and just after the border crossing, we came upon a shepherd and his flock. They were coming in from the fields and this nomad, bedouin, was bringing his flock to his makeshift pen he had set up with his very temporary living quarters. We asked our bus driver to stop and we got off the bus to get a closer look. My sister-in-law "T" is a photographer and she has no fear asking for permission to take someones photo. She walked briskly over to the bedouin and using hand signs, instead of a language he did not understand, she asked to take his photo. The man graciously accepted and even brought out a few lambs so we could get close ups of his flock. It was a sweet experience.

 "9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the ^aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you ^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people." Luke 2: 9-10

Our little group having an impromptu devotional on this holy land where the shepherds followed the star so long ago  It was a humbling visit
Bethlehem March 2011

While "T" got her photos,  I stood there on the bluff looking over the valley back towards Bethlehem. I couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed.  I was standing at a bedouin camp of a shepherd that had just brought his flock in for the night.  I was standing in the field where those shepherds long ago saw the star and the angels proclaiming the birth of our Savior.  I felt like I had been transported back two-thousand years ago to a simpler time  At that moment I had to say a prayer of thanksgiving to my Father in Heaven for sending down his only begotten Son to save us from our own sins.  So at this Christmas time I hope we can all remember these humble beginnings but most of all remember that He lives!  I have been to His birthplace and it was testified to me that He lives!!

 "11 For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord.

14 ^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men.

 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16 And they came with ^ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." Luke 2:11, 14-16

I have a firm testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ.  As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is often questioned if we are Christians.  I hope that by reading my blog, and getting to know me in person, you may understand that I am a Christian.  I believe in the same God of the Bible, the same God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  I know that my Savior was born in Bethlehem so long ago and was later crucified so that I could be forgiven of my sins.  I know this is a gift I must be worthy.  I pray that  by my daily actions, my works on this earth I will be judged and be  found worthy to live with Him again someday.  This is my testimony to you and I pray at this holiday season we can all take time to remember our Savior, Jesus Christ.
--Courtney

Merry Christmas Everyone!! Our Christmas Card 2012

Destination: Christmas!!
Date: December 2012

Hey everyone we are off on our next adventure over to the Mediterranean.  Hope you don't get sick of our adventures.  I'll try and take good notes so when you plan your next adventure you may have some good tips.  For now just enjoy our Christmas card below.  My daughter Leah wrote this little gem and she has quite a take on our family.
Enjoy!!

And we are off!! Christmas Mediterranean Adventure 2012

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Love, Bella, Colton, Elder Cory Collins, Clay, Bailey, Leah, Lexi, Courtney, Trent and of course Trixie!

                                                                                                                                                                                        Christmas 2012

Dear Everyone, 

I (Leah) have decided to write our family Christmas letter this year.  I hope you like it.  I looked at other Christmas letters and think this is the way to do it. 

Colton - 16, In 2012, Colton could barely make his bed each morning, and yet some how the school accepted him into the National Honor Society. We also let Colton stay home this past summer and work at Texas Armoring for a few weeks while the family went on vacation. He earned some money and then he lost it all when he got his first speeding ticket. Haha  Colton is in 11th grade, plays football, is the Varsity basketball team manager, and is planning to leave on his mission for our church right out of high school.  My parents say he is one of their favorite kids.

Bailey - 14, Bailey is out of middle school and loves high school. She is in swimming and pep squad. She cheered at every football game and she loves eating! (lunch with Colton at school). Bailey tried out for the swim team and made it and we are all dragged to her swim meets that are long and boring unless she is swimming.  My mom did get my other sisters and I cheer uniforms to wear to her games and Colton’s football games so that makes it a little more fun to go watch.

Clayton - 10, Clay has most recently received his black belt and he loves to use it against Colton. He now has a new motto which is “If you don’t want to quit it, don’t join it”. I think he says that because it took him so long to get his black belt and he was always begging my mom to quit.  Clay also started golf and he mostly likes it. We see some potential in his golf swing. He also wants everyone to know that he is a pretty smart 5th grader and has really funny instagrams.  If you do follow him you’ll know he wants to be a cartoonist or puppeteer like his hero’s Charles Schwarz or Jim Henson.

Lexi - 8, Lexi is the tallest 2nd grader in her school (I’m not kidding she really is!)  She has been doing very well in soccer. She makes a lot of goals on our team but the coach says she needs to run more because she gets tired easy.   This year Lexi and I are getting used to not being in the same class, which I love, but isn’t Lexi’s favorite.  I think she likes having me in the same class to remind her to do her homework.   She (and I) were also baptized at Thanksgiving time with two of our cousins.  All of my dads family came and we had fun with all of our cousins.  One of the best parts was the zip line my Grandpa put up at his house so we could all play on it during Thanksgiving.

Leah - 8, That’s me! I am a very smart little girl and my teachers all love me.  I’m a very good soccer player and I also got baptized.  I’m pretty tall too but Lexi is taller.  I also finished 1st grade this year and am in 2nd grade now. Hurrahhh!   I got scriptures for my baptism and started reading from the very beginning.  I am almost done reading the Bible.  Lexi and I do a lot of the same things like soccer, dance and piano lessons.  I like to practice everyday but Lexi doesn’t.  Lexi is better at keeping our room clean and picking out my clothes everyday.  I don’t really care about that stuff.  My parents tell me everyday that I am their favorite kid!                                                                                                                                                                

Bella -5, Bella finished Spanish pre-school this year... so exciting.  She is now in kindergarten at Canyon Ridge with Lexi, Clay and I.  She likes riding the bus with us everyday and has only gotten her folder signed three times this year.  She also thinks Lexi and I are her twins because she calls us “her twins”. She is also learning how to read but I think this letter will be too long for her to finish so I could say anything I want about her.  Mostly she is nice, but since she is the baby, she’s a big boss.  

Cory  -19, My cousin Cory came to live with us in May and he worked at my dad shop to make money for his mission.  Cory’s room smelled a little stinky, but at least he takes a shower.  He just went into the MTC and is going to Guatemala City South for his mission, that is the same mission my dad went on.  I am really glad he is serving a mission, and now that he is gone we have aired out his room and it doesn’t smell anymore.  Now if only we could air out Colton’s room.  I don’t know why the older boys smell so bad.  

Mom and Dad- Old,  My mom and dad are getting old.  My dad had a big birthday this year which everyone said that he is now “over the hill”.  My dad has a cool job so he was chosen to make a “I’m a Mormon” video for our church.  We all got to be on it and talk about how much we love living in Texas.  The video doesn’t come out until spring, it will be found at www.mormon.org.  My mom is busy being our mom.  She is lots of fun and only mean sometimes.  She started writing a travel blog called globetrottingtexans.com and it is fun to look at the pictures.  She writes too much so I only look at the pictures.  She and my dad went on a long trip around the world in March and only took Bailey and Clay with them.  They were gone for a long time but I got to spend time with a babysitter and my Nana and Aunt Kym.  The best part was having my cousin Lily here to play with.  I hope they don’t go on any long trips without us again.

Merry Christmas!  I hope you liked my Christmas letter.  I have never written one before.  My brother Colton did help me write a few things but it was mostly all me.  Have a fun Christmas break and think about Jesus.

Love,

Leah 

Kids in the NYC Urban Jungle Part 2

Destination: New York City, NY with Kids!
Date: December 2011

All Six enjoying the walks through the city
NYC December 2011

Kids in New York at Christmas is one of my favorite combinations.  The Empire State Building, Rockefeller Plaza, FAO Shwarz, Central Park, and the zoo there is so much to offer.  If the winter isn't overwhelmingly cold it can be a playground for the entire family.  

Ready for the show to start!
NYC December 2011

Leah and Bailey are excited to see the show
NYC December 2011

As I have mentioned in my adults post about NYC, no trip is complete without a visit to a Broadway play.  While we were there with the kids we did just that.  We took them to see Spiderman, and Lion King.  At the time they were the best shows for kids.  Though I wasn't overly impressed by Spiderman it was my four-year-olds favorite.  At the end of the show the villain and Spidey fly over the audience and have a huge fight sequence which is pretty amazing and the best part of the show.  Since we had pretty good seats I can promise that it felt like some of the villains sweat dripped on me while he flew above my head.  I can see how it made a lasting impact on Bella.  

Off to see Lion King
NYC December 2011

Lion King is another great show for kids.  Though I had taken Colton and Bailey to see it in LA about eight years ago I was glad to see it again.  There is just something magical about seeing it on Broadway.  We bought our tickets for these shows on ticketmaster.com.  My recommendation is that if you aren't in Manhattan seeing shows very often, then splurge a little and get good seats.  It can have a huge impact on whether you really liked the show or if it was just okay.  

Terrible pic of the cast but I couldn't help myself
NYC December 2011

Waiting outside the theatre to get our picture taken with a Rockette
NYC December 2011

Out of all the shows playing in NY however, the very best at this time of year is starring the Rockettes called Radio City Christmas Spectacular, http://www.nyc.com.  I had taken my kids to see it back during our visit in 2006 and loved it.  It was great to know it was even better the second time around.  There is a Christmas spirit that is hard to describe watching such a fantastic performance.  I had no idea the Rockettes were so amazing!  The choreography, an appearance from Santa all the way to a live nativity at the end.  I loved how it encompassed everything I love about this time of year.  So if I could only afford to see one show at the holidays it is for sure the Rockettes!!  

Colton taking a dive into a bathtub full of gumballs at Dylan's candybar
NYC December 2011

Capturing the fun at the original Dylan's candy bar
NYC December 2011

Bailey with her jawbreaker lip stick
NYC December 2011

Another fun place to visit is Dylan's Candy bar, www.dylanscandybar.com There is sometimes a temporary one open near Bryant Park during the holidays but it isn't nearly as impressive as the original.  Plus the original is by Serendipity III which is always worth a visit for the frozen hot chocolate, www.serendipity3.com

Outside the AMNH with the Teddy Roosevelt statue
NYC December 2011

Bella posing with a diorama at the museum
NYC December 2011

Clay with a Lincoln statue not far from the entrance to the AMNH
NYC December 2011

The kids posing with "Dum Dum"
NYC December 2011

My kids loved visiting the American Museum of Natural History, www.amnh.org, which is featured in the movie  Night at the Museum.  They wanted to see all of the characters that were made famous from the movie.  From Dum Dum, the Easter island statue, to the statue of Teddy Roosevelt out front, they wanted to see it all.  I love that movies can make my kids want to learn more.  We went through every nook and cranny of the museum while we were there, and even topped the day off with a visit to LeVains Bakery, www.levainbakery.com that is only about three or four blocks away.  

Waiting for their hot chocolates and cookies outside LeVain's
NYC December 2011

Leah loving her LaVaine hot chocolate on our walk to the museum
NYC December 2011

Of course Central Park is one of my personal favorites.  We had to visit the Central Park Zoo, www.centralparkzoo.com and see their quaint exhibit, and of course see where the animals of Madagascar once lived.  From there we continued our walk through the park and watched street performers that entertained the kids for almost an hour as Trent and I took a well deserved rest on a park bench.  The younger kids were drawn into the puppet show and couldn't get enough even though it started to rain and we had to take shelter underneath a near by bridge.

Taking a break as we walk through Central Park
NYC December 2011

The kids enjoying a street entertainer in the park
NYC December 2011

Leah is mesmerized
NYC December 2011

Trent and I taking a break in the park. I love it!!
NYC December 2011

There is just something about being in Central Park at Christmas that makes everything seem right in the world.  Watching the leaves fall, and the ice skaters on the ice, there seems to be an adventure around every corner, www.centralpark.com.  

Wishing this was our subway stop
NYC December 2011

Just outside the Plaza after taking our own little tour
NYC December 2011

Of course if I was to ever afford a stay at the nearby Plaza Hotel, which is where Macaulay Culkin's character stays during Home Alone, that would have been my pick, www.theplazany.com.  It is a fabulous hotel with amenities I don't have room to write down, and its accessibility to Central park would make it my pick for the ultimate stay in NYC.  

Bailey loved playing this foos ball made of Barbies
NYC December 2011

My kids would say it isn't the accessibility to the park that would make the Plaza their choice it would be the accessibility to FAO Schwarz, www.fao.com, or Build-a-Bear, www.buildabear.com or even the NBA store, www.nba.com/nycstore/ that would make it their choice as well.  All the stores on Fifth Avenue, www.visit5thavenue.com, are worth a browse but of course after Tom Hanks famous movie, Big, who could forget the oversized piano they have a FAO Schwarz.  Of course at this time of year it is packed but there's also something about crowds that equal Christmas spirit to me as well.  

Lexi wanting to adopt this baby doll
NYC December 2011

The display of legos, the baby hospital with "real" nurses that wanted us to adopt a baby, dolls, trucks, dinosaurs, every toy collection we could think of, made FAO a big draw for our kids.  The almost life sized stuffed animals, the toy demonstrations that go on around the store make this a fun for the whole family activity that doesn't have to cost a thing.  I will admit we had given our kids a few gift cards so they could enjoy buying a gift here or there at the toy stores we visited during our trip, but FAO ended up being completely free for us. 

Colton begged to get this Yoda backpack
NYC December 2011

Posing by the life sized Lady Liberty at FAO Schwarz
NYC December 2011

Let me explain....at one point the kids were doing great.  They were enjoying the demonstrations, getting their pictures taken with the life sized lego displays, and then we had a melt down.  We told the kids we were just going to buy one family gift, either a game we could play together, or a lego set we could build together, maybe even a craft, and since three of the middle kids couldn't decide we walked right out of the store, and goodbye to anything we could have purchased.  I felt like it was well worth our time because we had been entertained and it was all free in the end!

Colton enjoying the NBA store shopping
NYC December 2011

Clay getting ready for his helicopter tour
NYC December 2011

Our last big splurge for the kids was to see the Statue of Liberty.  Since we hadn't made it out to the island we decided to take a helicopter tour of the bay and up the river to see the city.  We went to Liberty Helicopter Tours, www.libertyhelicopter.com, and waited our hour and a half to get on board our helicopter.  With a six o'clock departure time we knew it was going to be a night flight, which was kinda cool at Christmas time to see all the lights of the city.  It however, didn't give my kids the best view of Lady Liberty because even though she is lit up, because of FAA restrictions we could only go so close.  So I'm not sure if my littlest kids have any idea how big she really is.  They didn't have much to compare her to, so it was hard to get a perspective of her grandeur. 

The Brooklyn Bridge from the helicopter
NYC December 2011

Leah enjoying the view from her front row seat on the helicopter
NYC December 2011

The city looked amazing.  The lights were up and though we did have to take two helicopters to get all eight of us into the air we all had a great tour of the city.  Plus I should mention that the staff at Liberty Helicopters is very professional and very safety oriented.  There was never a chance to be put in any danger because of the specific precautions they take, especially with the little ones. 

Love Clays refection in the window behind Colton as Colton contemplates if he's a
 man or a muppet (sorry my kids joke during the trip)
NYC December 2011

On the Top of the Rock with the Empire State Building in the back ground posing with my Bailey girl
NYC December 2011

Colton loved his Dad for taking him on this trip ;)
NYC December 2011

The entire week went by in a flash.  We walked, rode the subway, and traveled in cabs a few times.  The kids loved it all, though cabs were their favorite.  Subways are fun too, but as they pointed out, we had to walk to a subway station where as the cab picks us up at the front door.  Even little Bella's four-year-old legs kept up as we trounced all over Mahanttan.  We went to the Top of the Rock,  http://www.topoftherocknyc.com, to get the best view of the Empire State building and everyone ohhhed and ahhhhed over the urban jungle we could finally behold in a birds eye perspective.  

Pure joy viewing the city
NYC December 2011

The gang at the Central Park Zoo
December 2011

A little sisterly love at the zoo
December 2011

Bella usually fell behind a little during our walks
but she managed for herself pretty well
December 2011

I will always have a special place in my heart for NYC especially during the holidays.  The city does a great job with the decor and it has a fun spirit of Christmas.  I love the team work it requires our family to navigate this urban jungle and I think it will be a family favorite for a long time.  So if you are headed to NY anytime soon just read the few posts I've made and pencil down an itinerary.  There is sure to be many other great places to visit or restaurants to experience and if you find something please please please let me know.  I would love to add it to my next trip itinerary!
Safe and Happy Travels!!