Earl Fairbanks

Upon returning from Israel I continued to attend BYU for the next two years. Then, for the summer of 1975, went to work in Los Angeles to earn the money needed for the next semester. While working at Owens-Illinois (a glass factory) I met Raona Kara Lines at a young adult conference held at Cottontail Ranch in Malibu Canyon. The rest is history.

We were married on 6 February 1976 in the Los Angeles, California Temple. An Associate of Arts degree was earned at Santa Monica College. We moved to Utah where schooling was continued in Electrical and Automation Technology. In 1982 we accepted work with Amoco Production Company, USA and moved to Evanston, Wyoming. Seven years later we transferred with Amoco to Farmington, New Mexico. We continued to to work for Amoco. An early retirement was available in May of 1998 and we took it. We have eight children. Abin, Richard, Michael, Jerrie, Samuel, Rebecca Aaron, and Milo. Abin was called to the Mexico Oaxaca Mission. Richard went to England.

Michael was in Argentina. Jerrie went to Brazil and Samuel ended up in Indiana. We have five grandchildren: Jeremy, Miriam, James, Rachel and Joseph (Joey).

My favorite memory of the Semester in Israel was the testimony meeting we had on the Mount of Olives. I will always cherish the things which were said the spirit was so strong. I’ve thought many times since about the experiences we enjoyed while on the semester abroad. I’ve never been on anything like it since and probably never will. It was a miracle! How LaMar Berrett and Keith Meservy ever put our trip together I can’t imagine. We went everywhere and did everything! That is how I feel about our Semester in Israel. There really are not the words to express how grateful I am for having the opportunity to go to Israel with such knowledgeable, capable men.

Thank you so much LaMar Berrett and Keith Meservy for a once in a lifetime experience!