Its Crunch Time

Finals week has come around once again. We don't have quite as many tests and papers as last time but I'm still feeling a lot of pressure to try to do somewhat decent in these classes. Sigh* we'll see though, its tough. I just pray that I don't lose my scholarship while I'm here. I knew studying abroad was going to be a lot of work but I was not mentally prepared for everything that would be required, well on the bright side I know that I've learned A TON, so I'm happy about that. I am so grateful that the faculty has scheduled time in Jerusalem after all of our tests are done so that we can enjoy our last days here free from tests and worries. The program here is really excellent, they certainly know how to make the absolute most of the time and money that we have invested in it. Our time here has been so comprehensive and thorough I'm impressed with everything that they arranged for us to see and learn. And yet, despite the massive amounts of things we've experienced here I'm still afraid that I'm missing things. I guess I'll just have to come back with my family someday ;D

...25

Masada+Cave Eleven+Dead Sea= FANTASTIC DAY!

Finally! I have now seen and walked the grounds of Masada. I've been looking forward to that part of the trip for quite some time and it did not disappoint! What a remarkable place with a history that is as dramatically heart wrenching as it is complex and uncertain. I would be interested in learning more about the people involved in the siege of Masada during the First Jewish Revolt, so if any one knows any good books...:D

We got permission to hike to one of the caves that the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in. Cave eleven was the last of the caves that they found scrolls in and I got to walk around in it:) Turns out our professors had done some exploring earlier in the year to try to find out which caves we're which because they are not marked nor are they highly trafficked tourist locations, which made it all the better. Our professors are awesome, just sayin :D

...26

Hezekiah's Tunnel by Candle Light

Today was super fun. We got a small group together to go down Hezekiah's tunnel a second time, but this time we did it by the light of small oil lamps. Way fun:) I didn't expect it to work as well as it did and it was really enjoyable to be in a small group so we could stop and play as we desired. Startling each other in the dark is a truly fantastic means of  entertainment and we discovered that the excellent acoustics make it easy to conjure up creepy voices for all to hear :D After we had our fun in the tunnels we hiked back up the valley and visited the Tomb of the Prophets. We were really fortunate because it turned out that it was supposed to be closed on Sundays but there was a man there that was willing to let us in if we gave him a donation. We were happy to do so and enjoyed exploring the tombs with the candles that he let us use. Today's involved a lot of fire, dark caves and exploring, so definitely a good day in my book!

...27 

A Beautiful Sabbath

I have just had the most lovely Sabbath a soul could ever hope for. It was filled with things that I love most; the gospel, wonderful discussions, and Dustin. I've learned so much today and I can sleep tonight knowing that the time I invested in life today was well spent. Oh for the sweet joy of living.  :D


28 days

The Blog is Back

       Ok I'm back in the mode of Blogging once again. While I was in Galilee it was just simply too much of a fight to get the internet to work in any kind of a constant or convenient manner so I bagged it. BUT never fear I will eventually be posting pictures and stories of all my out-of-Jerusalem travels so that you can be a part of those awesome experiences as well :)

        Speaking of experiences I had a new one today. I was headed into the old city this afternoon when apparently every single Muslim in Jerusalem was trying to leave. I've never experienced a crowd like that before in my life! It was Friday before sunset during the beginning of Ramadan so I suspect that's what caused the crowd. Well at one point me and my two other friends were trying to get through Damascus gate and slowly I found myself sandwiched in between three very sweaty Arab guys and one very Orthodox Jew. Now when I say 'sandwiched' I mean literally squished to the point that I might as well have just been hugging them fiercely like a long lost friend. It was completely nuts and to make it even more uncomfortable I'm pretty sure that the Orthodox man isn't supposed to be in contact with any other woman but his wife and here I was involuntarily smashed against the poor guy. I felt pretty bad, I hope he'll forgive me. Anyhow it was quite the experience, on the upside I certainly feel all the more closely acquainted with the locals now ;)


29 days!
   That's right! TWENTY NINE days until I FINALLY get to marry the man of my dreams! I have been engaged for 202 days...that is way too long, I don't recommend it. Just sayin' :D

The Testimony of an Apostle

Elder Holland has been with us here in the center for a few days! Its been crazy to walk up the stairs or go to get some juice at the oasis and bump into Elder Holland. He spoke today in Sacrament meeting and it was the most beautiful talk ever. I am so very touched with what he had to say to us and I never want to forget it. I have so much respect for the men who guide and direct the Church in the direction that our Lord desires. They do so much for us, I am sure that I will never fully understand but in the meantime I am so very grateful.

42 days!!!

Cyrus the Great

            I have a new historical hero. Cyrus the Great by all appearances seems to be a pretty good guy. He was the king of the humongous Persian Empire and tons of power at his fingertips and yet he allowed the scattered religions to regroup after the terror of Babylonian rule and worship in “the place that makes them happy.” (hehe I like that translation J )In the Old Testament he is praised up and down for not only allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem but also funding the rebuilding of the temple. I’ve been doing some reading about a Persian cylinder found with a decree from Cyrus allowing peoples to return from their exile and also legitimizes his own rule. It’s likely that it was used for propaganda purposes and yet it seems to also have some measure of truth to it because the Jews were able to return to build their temple. I wish I could read a journal written by Cyrus the King of Persia, I wonder if I would find one of the first examples of benevolence alongside extreme wealth and corruption absent from ultimate power. 

LOOK! LOOK! I GOT A LETTER! Plus a picture of my Dustin! :D This has got to be the best letter I've ever read in my entire life.

Whoever that studly man is on my desktop could you please stop distracting me, I'm trying to do my homework ;)

The Upper Room

We're running out of days here in the actual city of Jerusalem, and we have been out every day this week trying to see everything and soak it all in!
    So this is a good time to tell how awesome Brother Harper is. He is just so passionate about teaching and is constantly doing just that. Not because of some puffed up ego or that he likes to hear himself speak, but because students are following him around all the time, asking him questions! Trying to glean from his reservoirs of knowledge and wisdom! I myself got to ask him some questions today and I really learned a lot by what he had to say, and have taken to heart challenges that he has given us, things I can apply in my life, especially as a mother.
    We were in a room which could very possibly be the place where the Savior initiated the Sacrament, and Brother Harper bore such powerful testimony of that sacred event that takes place each week. He warns us not to take it for granted as just a mere tradition and not to be followers of the letter of the law only, but to also understand the why we do it. I really like that.
    So I've learned lots, and not just seeing historical and sacred places, but gaining new perspective to the scriptures I have always loved. The more I learn the more I learn how much there is to learn, and feel like i know so little! But that's okay because that means there isn't a finite amount of information! We can always add to our knowledge and understanding! There's a wealth of truth out there, and I want to know it all!

...Oh, and...I learned how to tune a guitar today! :D

A traditional location for the Last Supper

The eye of the needle 

...45

The Temple Mount

Now its been done, I have finally walked upon the holy ground of the Temple Mount. So many people of such a variety of beliefs and backgrounds have regarded this ground as sacred since before the time of Abraham. That is something that I just can't entirely wrap my mind around. I thought that by going and standing in the places where sacred events occurred that I might understand them better, but actually I am just all the more perplexed as I realize that I know absolutely nothing about them. I just can't possibly comprehend the awe that these places deserve. I want to increase my learning of these places so that perhaps along the way my understanding may increase if even just a little. There is so much history and depth to the stones upon which we walk here. 

...46

a day in Jerusalem

..47

Jimmy's Breakfast

Jimmy is the owner of a local olive wood carving shop and he invites the JC students every semester over for a brunch. It was a lovely time, but hardly as lovely as the carvings he has. I'm not going to lie when it comes to a fallafel or a carving I'd take the wood any day. Too bad they all cost a million dollars otherwise I just might buy the whole store ;) There is a lot of talent out there, I'd love to be able to carve as the artists for the shop does, its simply beautiful.

...48

Suheil Sbitany's

We spent most of our afternoon over at the Sbitany's home. They invited us over for lunch and it was a lovely meal, I'm getting used to Arabic food, 'tis pretty tasty. Suheil showed us his daughters wedding videos which I thoroughly enjoyed. Not gonna lie I can't stop thinking about the topic of weddings and marriages so this was a very pleasant way to spend our time. However, sweetie, how would you feel if I brought home a two year old little Palestinian girl? Lilas here is the cutest little girl ever! She and I did all kinds of playing and teasing today and it was such a pleasure, I'm sure you'd love her ;) Although I'm not sure how her mom or grandparents would feel about her being so far away so I suppose I'll have to let her stay ;( There has been a lack of little kids in my life, the JC is packed full of really awesome and super amazing...adults (young or otherwise), but not many two year olds running around unfortunately. Well anyhow, I'm glad to have made some good friends with our neighbors, it certainly makes for a good time.

...49

Via Delarosa

Today I got to walk the stations of the cross. This is the way that Christians have found to memorialize the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. With a large group of people from all over the world we walked the streets of Jerusalem, stopping at fourteen different places where events may have happened, symbolically teaching us the reality and difficulty of Christs steps down these streets and to what purpose he suffered that pain. It was a beautiful experience to unite with so many different nationalities and people all in an effort to come closer to Christ and to understand his sacrifice for us a little more. There is just not quite another place on earth like unto Jerusalem.

Tomb of Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The Center of the Universe

...50!

Time to Spare

We only have two classes now and it leaves us all a lot more room so be able to go and see Jerusalem during the day. Our time here is running short, suddenly we have so much we need to see. Thankfully classes are lighter now so we have the time to go.

..51

4th of July in Israel!

I never knew that celebrating Independence Day in a foreign country could be so much fun. We had a barbecue with hamburgers which was a fun reminder of home and we also blasted american music all throughout the center which was enjoyable. We played all kinds of ridiculous games and even had a dance party. Its been a really enjoyable fourth of July, the people here make it all worth it. I have yet to meet someone who is not just an excellent human being. It makes for a really enjoyable time and a good, comfortable environment to learn and live in.
   Also a group of friends and I went back to visit the Sbitany family. They are such a pleasure to be around and its really fun to spend some time with the locals. They have the cutest little grandchildren and I love just spending time in a home with families again. All the history and politics to be learned here are incredible, but I think my relationships with the people are what is most valuable to me. (even being a history major ;)

...52

Whew, I can breath

Classes have slowed down so much, I'm so grateful for it too cause for a little while there I was worried I wouldn't make it through alive. But I'm so much stronger for all the work I put it, now the struggle is just to retain it as much as possible while I continue to learn. This place is like trying to get a drink from a firehose as they say. I don't mind, I'll soak it all in :)

...53

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem

I spent the day walking in the city where Christ my Savior was born. What an experience, there's nothing quite like it. 

...54

Bashir Paper DONE!!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAHHOOOOOOOOOO! This is a glorious day! At last my paper is done. Now I just pray that its everything I need it to be. Bashir's Palestine class was jolly, its just such a relief to have the work load finished. I am looking forward to this second half of the JC experience. I suspect it will involve the inside of a classroom a little less and the artifacts of history a little more. :D

...55