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.

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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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