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

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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.

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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 ;)

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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 :)

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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. 

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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

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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.

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