Simply A Good Day

I woke up this morning and my first thoughts were, "wow I'm so glad to be alive!" and "I'm content just to simply exist" :) Today has been such a simple Sabbath, I read books and went to the Garden Tomb, I enjoyed church tremendously and we had a lovely fireside. I am so grateful for a day of rest, I need them and love them so very much. Even though I don't have an action filled story to tell today I am as happy as ever. I'm pleased with where I've been, I'm loving where I am, and am really looking forward to where I'm headed.
  Here in Jerusalem I hear or see fireworks going off every day. I'm not entirely sure why they set them off so frequently, and initially I thought it was kind of anti-climatic. My perspective has changed recently however, because of the sweet and loving example of my kind roommate.
                     I want to be the kind of person that grins happily at every individual firework.

...56

Back from Jordan

     So its hard that some of the most exciting parts of my experience here aren't easily recorded on this blog. I had no idea how much of a luxury wifi is in other countries. I will never take internet for granted again. Well I will post pictures and stories from my field trips eventually, in the mean time I think it best that I don't fall behind in my promise to post every day. Today was the second day of my New Testament class and let me tell you I am SO excited for this class! I've been loving the Old Testament and I feel like I have a more solid foundation for other scriptures now, however to learn about the life of Christ is what drew me here in the first place and now I get to study it intensively. These next two weeks we're spending in the center and I'm excited to work really hard to learn every thing I possibly can in that time. After that we go to Galilee for about two weeks and then just a little over a week back in the center for finals and then I'm headed home. Wow, I can't decide if that's a forever long time or if its a terribly short time from now. Its good to be loving life where you are and yet looking forward to whats up next even more.
        Life is good.

...57

JORDAN!

I am now in a new country! I've only been to two other countries besides the US before today and its been really interesting to see the subtle differences between them. I CAN'T WAIT FOR PETRA TOMORROW! I've been looking forward to that one for some time now:D

...62

All the things you can think

So I should have been thinking about the contrasts of the first and second intifadas of Palestine while thoroughly exploring the effectiveness of the civil disobedience against the Israeli government verses the violent reactionary choices of the more recent Palestinian actions but, in truth...

all I could think about was him.

...62 days

THE CELLO!

I played the Cello! I would LOVE to learn to play someday.

...63

Enjoying the Streets of Jerusalem

Today was spent mostly studying and preparing for papers that are due soon ect. So I'll tell you about how awesome yesterday was. We had a free day to study, sooo of course we all went out and spent the day in the city. You see that doughnut? Yep that one that's as big as my head? It was delicious! Freshly made in this little Jewish bakery. "I do not regret doing that" ;)

Ok so that was one cool thing about our city adventures, but do you want to know the BEST part of walking the streets of Jerusalem? Look at the second picture, do you see the little ramps that connect between each set of stairs? Sliding down those slick limestone ramps is very nearly one of the most enjoyable activities I have ever experienced :D hehehe so you just walk down the street and make sure that you hit every slanted stone with solid footing and some traction-less sandals and you'll be sure to get your money's worth out of your trip to Jerusalem:D Its ALMOST as satifying as going out of your way to crunch every brittle leaf on the side walk, or better yet to shatter all the puddles of ice between the  Ricks building and the I-Center.

 Life is splendid :D 

...64

The Church of Mary Magdalene

...65

The Hardest is Past

So my hardest finals are done. Yaaay! I still have much to do but I think I'll be able to handle it more or less without much stress. I've learned so much this semester. I went back through my notes and was astounded at how much material we covered and how well I understand it still. I hope I can retain it, and for the things I don't remember I still have all the class materials saved and organised them so I can reference them. For the first time in my life the possibility of me teaching an Old Testament Class is not so daunting. I feel like I have a scriptural foundation to build doctrine and principles on that I've never had before. I love the Old Testament!

...66

Finals week

Test...I am so done with taking tests!

...67 (I can hardly wait :D ) Remember when we were over 200?

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Hezekiah is my hero, pretty much one of the coolest characters of the Old Testament. And guess what, today I got to walk through the fortifications that he had built in order to protect Jerusalem from the Assyrian threat. Because he was obedient and worked hard to build up the city he was able to save if from destruction. He's pretty awesome, and its really quite remarkable to see real evidences of his greatness.

...68

Jerusalem Bells!

Today I played the bells of Jerusalem for the whole city to hear. From the YMCA tower in West Jerusalem the I had the chance to play the beautiful hymn Near My God to Thee. That was quite the experience! Not a chance you get every day and probably will not ever get again. This day, I am thankful that Mom had me take piano lessons as a little girl.

Alternate Titles to this Blog Post

In the attempt to beat the system, we found out mind-melds don't actually work.

They warned us about the water in Turkey, but I think the parasites out here are far worse.

Mormons don't normally have horns, but they really help with finals.

PFS (Pre-finals stress) really causes your skin to break out. 

Head antenna really help the wireless out here.

Not quite the hundred monkey theory, but the six-freaking-out-students theory has been equally revolutionary.

             -(Suggestions by Luke, not Skywalker, but still a borderline Jedi. Though he prefers ninja)

Ok this is Brianne again, all I have to say about this is that I am thankful for saving powers of Israeli gummies. They are probably the only effective antidote to complete insanity caused by hours upon hours of study.  

...well mostly effective

...SIXTY-nine!!! 

Dominus Flavit

"Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

Matthew 23:37

This tear shaped church is the traditional place where it is said that Christ looked over Jerusalem and said these words. It is a lovely small place, kind of pulled away from the streets and has a beautiful view of the old city. I really liked it there, I would love to go back sometime and watch the sunset.

..70

Israeli Folk Dancing

I've decided that I really love Israeli Folk dancing. Its just simply a pleasure that is undeniable :D I love my friends here that make little events so enjoyable! I am surrounded by good people. I wish that it wasn't a dying way of celebrating because I think it would be a splendid way for good people to have such a good time because they're doing good things.

...hehe its just been a good day.

...71

Passover Dinner

Ophir my Israel professor hosted a Passover meal for us to participate in. Its such a neat tradition, don't feel to different that what Christmas or thanks giving for us is like. I think I'd like to hold a Passover meal at home sometime if I could. It teaches beautiful lessons and stories and is a wonderful way to involve children and families in the reality of the scriptures and to celebrate together.

The Chefs 

...72

Two Test Down and Three Hundred Million to Go!

Yep, more studying homework and tests. Story of my life. Although I think I'm going to shake the foundation of the universe and actually go to bed early. At least that’s the goal, we'll see if it happens.

...73

Current Politics

Last week I went to visit Yad Vashem the Israeli Holocaust Museum. I had been shocked to learn of the differing opinions and politics that surround the Jewish perspective of the Holocaust. Today I was even more astounded to learn that just yesterday it was vandalized by what was likely radical Orthodox Jews (although this hasn't been confirmed). I've been learning about how many different branches of people even within the same religion/ethnicity but its something completely different to see it happen here where I live. I will try to be sensitive to politics in my blog here so if your interested in the situation I would look up more about it online. If I've learned anything about modern politics from being here in Israel its that even as  complex and confusing as the American news reports can be, they are way simplified and the whole issue is much more complicated than they can or choose to portray. There are so many layers of opinions here, it is simply not enough to categorize the issues between Palestinians and Israelis or even moderate vs radical Palestinians or Orthodox vs Secular Jews. It all sums up to a quote I once heard...

                    "If your not confused than you don't really know whats going on."

                                        

This was last week when we went to visit the Holocaust Museum

This Graffiti was found yesterday morning.

Loosely translated it says:

"If Hitler hadn't existed, the Zionists would have invented him."

"Hitler, thank you for the great Holocaust. Only because of it did we receive a state from the UN"

"Persecuting Jews! You declared war on Hitler in the name of the Jewish people. You brought about the Shoah!"

"The Zionists wanted the Holocaust!"

These are difficult things to read. I have never been exposed to opinions such as these before. Suddenly learning about the origins of the different Zionist and Jewish branches has hit me closer to home. 

...74

The land of the Bible

We got to herd sheep, grind Hyssop, eat figs, plow the ground, draw water from a well, make pita's from scratch and all kinds of fun things today. You could say that we got to touch, taste and smell the Bible today, what a way to bring it alive.

...75

Something beautiful

Of all the wonders I've seen today, this little picture is high in the running for most beautiful.

;)

                              To be fully described at a more reasonable hour of the day.

...76

The Garden of Gethsemane

I went to the Garden of Gethsemane today for the very first time. Its a beautiful little place, I was surprised at how small it was, its just a fenced off grove of Olive trees that is really well taken care of. I really like it there. The Church of All Nations is right next door that commemorates the acts of Christ in the garden. A group of us went in and sang hymns in the church, I really loved that. The priest there seemed to really appreciate it, I thought that was really neat. I feel closer to my fellow Christians when I go to places like that beautiful church. I am grateful for all the religions and good people that fill the world.

...77

Its the weekend!

       Yay for Fridays! Except when you have to work on midterm papers. Well at least its interesting and I am continually finding out that I've learned more than I'm aware of sometimes. That's always a fun experience. 

       The very best part of today was the long and fulfilling Skype date with my man Dustin Murdock :D Life is always so much more enjoyable after having a precious conversation with him. He inspires me to do my very best in my classes and gives me the joy and motivation I need to make the very best use of every valuable experience here. 

Thank you for your meaningful support sweetheart. 

...78

A Good Old American Birthday Party

It was Brother Ludlow's son's birthday today and they held a casual party for him with the students. It was somehow quite refreshing to have some regular cake and birthday party, felt a little like home. Accept for the fireworks as candles part, that's not a typical tradition for my family and I just can't figure out why! ;) I think I'll implement the fireworks and cake excitement into all future birthday parties that I have any say in (assuming my Dustin likes the idea as much as I do). It makes for a well deserved and harder earned birthday wish that's for sure. 

I love the people here, its beginning to feel like a family. 

Joe blowing out the 'candles' on his cake

Brother Ludlow and his two adorable daughters

The epic sword fight!

79!!! we're in the seventies now:D

I got an A :)

All this studying and work and I got the A I'd hoped for. And guess what, I have another exam tomorrow. The classes here are going to be the death of me, hey but at least I'll be smarter ;) Unfortunately I must retire with another short and barely satisfactory blog post. They'll get better soon I promise, I'm going snorkeling this weekend in the Red Sea so you can know for sure that there will soon be a day when I have something exciting to report.

..80

Tests part 2 and Birthday Party

Well I think I did really well on my tests today! It was a late night and early morning studying, but I think I pulled it off! I really love this class, it's hard work but I know what's expected of me and I feel like my grades are reflecting that.
The highlight of the day was an invitation extended to celebrate a birthday party with one of the girls here, compliments of her mother back home. We went to West Jerusalem and had scrumptious ice cream (what was the name of that flavor I tried again? It was delicious!)
So it's been a productive and fun day and...Yaaaaaawwwwn...I'm wiped out, mumbling like a sleeptalker. sorry it's another short one but I'd best be off to bed!

This is my professor Brother Huntsman, I love the Jerusalem Center and everyone who makes it what it is.

Awesome Bubble man on the streets of West Jerusalem

Priscilla the Birthday Girl

Exploring the rooftops of the Christian Quarter 

...81