We visited a well-preserved cave that was typical of the place people lived. This area would be where the animals slept--yes, in the cave with the people.
Waiting to go down into the "stable" which was actually a cave, where Jesus is said to be born. There is a church built around and over it.
The spot where the Nativity is said to have occurred. 
Even though it was crowded it was still an amazing feeling to be there.
The wall separating the West Bank from the rest of Jerusalem. We went through to buy our olive wood souvenirs.
The whole group on the Mount of Olives.
We visited the Orson Hyde Memorial Garden in Jerusalem.(Reyna ate an olive straight from this tree. Her reaction? BELCH!)
In March 1840, Orson Hyde told of an extraordinary spiritual experience he had as he lay in bed pondering where the Lord would have him serve. 
He later recorded parts of this experience in a letter: “The vision of the Lord, like clouds of light, burst into my view. … The cities of London, Amsterdam, Constantinople and Jerusalem, all appeared in succession before me, and the Spirit said unto me, ‘Here are many of the children of Abraham whom I will gather to the land that I gave to their fathers; and here also is the field of your labors.’ ”
The following month, during April conference 1840, the Prophet commissioned Elder Hyde to go to Palestine and there dedicate that land for the return of the Jewish people.
After a long and arduous trip fraught with suffering and personal sacrifice, Elder Hyde arrived in Jerusalem. On Sunday, 24 October 1841, Elder Hyde climbed the Mount of Olives, and just as he had seen in the vision, offered a heavenly inspired dedicatory prayer.
In one of the prayer’s opening paragraphs, Elder Hyde focused on three themes: (1) the gathering of Judah, (2) the building up of Jerusalem, and (3) the rearing of a temple. The balance of the prayer, for the most part, is a supplication that these three objectives be accomplished.
Visiting this garden made me wish I knew more about why the Jews need to be gathered. It was during the 1840s that the gathering began and it continues today.
This olive tree is said to be about 900 years old....or dating back to Jesus' time, depending on who you believe. However old--it is definitely ancient.
Our guide, Joseph, got us into a private portion of the garden
and we were able to sit and read scripture, to talk and just feel the Spirit. 
It was definitely a highlight of the trip for everyone.
No idea what this was, but of course, we needed to take a picture of it!
Eventually I bought three of these for our "wise men" costumes in the nativity.
No idea #2...but something fun was happening!
Mary's spring in Ein Karem, the home of John the Baptist. Elisabeth lived here and it's believed that at a spring near this one, Mary and Elisabeth met while they were both expecting. It was here that the baby in Elisabeth's womb leapt at hearing Mary's greeting. Luke 1:41-44
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