I honestly don't remember even half of what we did, saw, and learned. We walked so much that I lost seven pounds on the trip! The things I experienced were interesting, beautiful, awe-inspiring, spiritual, and mind- and soul-expanding in numerous ways. 

Our most memorable experience occurred in Jordan, on a bedouin-led desert tour of Wadi Rum. It was cold, so many of us bought scarves and had our guides wrap them around our heads for us (best $15 I ever spent!). Looking legit, we ventured out into the desert in pickup beds, where we took in beautiful, unreal views. 

People have asked if we felt safe in the Holy Land. We absolutely did. The people in Israel and Jordan were friendly and welcoming. They are grateful that tourism is finally starting back up again, helping the economy in their countries. Although it was a little disconcerting to see soldiers armed with automatic weapons everywhere, they didn't trouble us at all. The only time I felt at all nervous was when we walked across the border from Israel into Jordan. It was all a bit intimidating, but also not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Other than the Israeli checkpoints and signs warning about minefields here and there, I couldn't tell I was in a war zone. On the surface at least, things seemed peaceful (although there were signs in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Jericho warning Israelis to stay out of Palestinian cities and vice versa, on risk of death). All of our local guides, whether Jewish, Muslim, or Christian, Israeli, Palestinian, or Jordanian, expressed to us that they long for peace in the Middle East, especially so that their children and grandchildren can live in safety.

After observing different groups of people at worship—Jews praying earnestly at the Western Wall and welcoming in Shabbat with joyous dancing and singing; Muslims answering the call to prayer five times a day; Christians lighting incense and prostrating themselves in a church supposedly containing Jesus' tomb; and Latter-day Saints partaking of the sacrament in the Jerusalem Center, which sits atop Mount Scopus, overlooking the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, and the Old City—the biggest Holy Land lesson I came away with is that no matter how it was being done, we were all expressing our faith in and worshipping the same God. No matter what, whether you're religious or not, we're more alike than different, and there's room for all of us to live peacefully side by side. 

Oh, and guess what I found outside of Nazareth Village? A Little Free Library. Books for the win! Speaking of, I'm looking forward to another wonderful year of reading, reviewing, and hanging out with you here at BBB and on your blogs. Here's to a great 2026.