Judean Wilderness

From my journal, October 4th, 1989:

"Last stop for the [field] trip was on the way back through the Judean Wilderness towards Jerusalem. We climbed a hill overlooking the Wadi Kelt and hill after hill of natural terraces and goat trails among sparse vegetation. It was another 'great and terrible' wilderness like Sinai. Christ, John the Baptist and others spent much time wandering those hills, receiving spiritual rejuvenation and preparation. We got there just as the shadows were stretching toward the oblivion at sunset. Bro. [Kelly] Ogden talked a little about spending time in the wilderness on our own a bit, and the images of the shepherd and his flock throughout the scriptures. We sang 'Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd' and 'Redeemer of Israel.' I guess we could have sung 'Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains,' but we've learned that they definitely aren't plains, and while we're here they aren't far either."