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