The Value of Meditation and Pondering

As we travel through the Holy Land you will be filled with anticipation to see the many places and sacred sites you have studied about and imagined for your whole life in the scriptures. Prepare yourself to be "present" in those places, resisting the temptation to want to move on too quickly to the next place on our itinerary. Seek to be still and feel the Spirit. Ponder. Meditate. Pray. Write not only about what you will learn but the emotions you feel. Close your eyes and just soak in the experience.

Study a few scriptures and learn how Jesus took time to meditate: Matthew 14:23 / Mark 1:35 / Mark 6:30-32 / Luke 6:12-13 / Matthew 4:1-2 see footnotes

See also President David O. McKay's instruction:

"We pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. In our worship there are two elements: One is spiritual communion arising from our own meditation; the other, instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us. Of the two, the more profitable introspectively is the meditation.

Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as 'a form of private devotion, or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued reflection on some religious theme.’ Meditation is a form of prayer… Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord.” (April 1946 CR)

And President Gordon B. Hinckley's counsel:

“We need the Spirit of the Lord in our lives more. . . . But there is hardly time to reflect and think and pause and meditate. I daresay that most of those in this room today have not taken an hour in the last year to just sit down quietly, each man to himself, as a son of God, reflecting upon his place in this world, upon his destiny, upon his capacity to do good, upon his mission to make some changes for good. We need to”

“I’m going to make a suggestion to each of you. .... Take occasion and arrange your affairs in such a way that you can be by yourself, maybe under a tree in the backyard, maybe in the locked bedroom of your home, where you can think. Read the scriptures and think of sacred things and think of yourself.

(Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 335).

Money

Cash is preferred in Israel, but many places also take credit cards. You should travel with some cash on your person for incidentals, daily lunches, & emergencies. Most participants rarely ever need to change money for their trip to Israel.

Most vendors in Israel will accept the US dollar, and you will get change in Shekels regardless.

However, if you would like to the US Dollar can be exchanged easily for Israeli Shekels in Israel upon arrival or in the US before leaving. Check the current exchange rate before changing money. The current rate for a shekel is 0.30. So if something is 4 shekels it is $1.20

Wifi

Each hotel will have some wireless internet access (occasionally for an extra fee) that should allow easy access for your mobile devices.

Cell Phone Service

Unless there is an urgent need, you will likely not need much cellular service while on the trip. Most can communicate from home via wifi at the hotel (Facetime, Skype, Zoom) not needing an international plan. In fact, as much as you can disconnect from home, the better your experience will likely be. If you need cell service, be sure to contact your carrier and arrange for an international plan while you are out of the country. Other options, including sim card rental, may be available, if necessaary.

Laundry

Laundry Services from the hotel are available for a fee. Most participants pack light and wash their clothes in the sink and let dry, if needed. Plastic bags (to wrap wet washcloth, laundry, etc.) and small amount of laundry detergent might be helpful to bring with you, if you choose to do some wash this way.

Other questions?

Don’t hesitate to call, text, or email.