Attempt to catch up....

Oh my goodness. Life is sooo busy here! But so wonderful, so I can’t complain :) I wish I could blog more, but it’s impossible to find time for everything as it is...I’ll try to do some quick summarizing of the last week or so, because tomorrow we leave for Turkey for a week!!! Soooo excited, and I’m sure I’ll have lots to post about when we get back. Let me try and talk about some of the highlights of this last week :)

Monday we had an all day field trip. It was neat but it was long and hot and we were all so tired from the beach day the day before. Still though, we saw a lot of neat sites and even got to watch some Bedouin women weaving rugs (Funny story - while we were there...they offered us these little shot-glasses of lemonade looking liquid...when I went to grab it, it was hot! Turns out it was tea. We all looked at each other super awkwardly cuz we didn’t know if it was okay to drink...it tasted...interesting!) It was so long ago (weeks here feel like years) so I don’t remember much else about that day...sorry! 

The rest of the week has been pretty stressful with classes. Had my first two quizzes/tests and didn’t do nearly as well as I needed to/would have liked. I definitely need to crack down more and study harder...it’s rough. But I do enjoy what I’m learning...especially in Old Testament! 

Wednesday we had a couple of orientations about Turkey, so we can know what to expect. I’m soooo excited! I had no ideas we would be visiting so many incredible sites. It’s going to be amazing. 

Today was an absolutely amazing day. I love Sabbaths here. I love singing in the choir in church. I love having church meetings with incredible people from all over the world. I love walking around the Old City in our church clothes and having everyone say “Hi Mormons!” I love feeling the spirit soo strongly here. 

A group of us went to St. Anne’s (a church next to the Pools of Bethesda that was built in honor of St. Anne - Mary’s Mother) because the acoustics there are amazing. We sang hymns, and listened to other groups sing hymns as well. It was soo powerful. The Spirit was so strong. One Italian group sang “Amazing Grace” - I love feeling the testimony of other people and other faiths, especially through music...it really touches me. I love how even if our beliefs are different in many ways, so many people love and appreciate Jesus Christ and His role in our lives the way I do. 

Then we went to the Garden of Gethsemane again. I got to speak with the gardner again (he remembered me from two weeks ago which meant so much to me!) I love walking through the city, and I love getting to experience it with all of my friends whom I have grown to love so much! 

Tonight we got to watch a CES fireside by Elder Holland that was re-broadcast. It was AMAZING...my favorite part was when he said something along the lines of “When He comes again, I want to be caught right in the act of living the gospel and sharing the truth. I want Him to recognize me not by my title but by my life.” This really touched me. It got me thinking...What if Christ were to come again here, now? Would He see me serving and loving His other children? Would He be proud of me? Would I truly know Him? It was just an overall amazing talk, but that was the part that stuck out to me the most and really got me thinking....

I had two amazing conversations tonight, with two different amazing girls here at the center. It’s amazing how even after such a short time, we are all family here and I truly have a deep love for every single student. I want so much for everyone to be happy, and I want so much to know and love each of them! It’s an incredible feeling, and I know it’s because the closer I am to Christ, the more I am filled with Christ-like love. I hope to always be filled with that kind of love and concern for others...it makes life so much more meaningful. 

 Erin, Alyssa, Sarah, Madi and I :)

 The Orson Hyde Park had a gorgeous view of the city (and the Dome of the Rock). 

 Madi and I :)

Jacqe and I :)

There’s so much more I want to say, but it’s REALLY late here now (cuz of the conversations I had) so I’m going to add a few pictures and call it good!

Day at the Beach!!!

Okay, today was AMAZING! Such a fun day! For those who don't know me very well...some of my favorite things are the sun, the beach, and friends. Put them all together, and you have the perfect day! Today was our free day, so pretty much our entire group decided to go to the beach in Tel Aviv (a.k.a. the Mediterranean Sea!!!!!!) The weather was GORGEOUS, and the water was amazing...not cold at all! (But very very salty). As soon as we all got to the beach we immediately ran in and started playing in the waves. It was an absolute blast! I could have stayed there all day. Then we laid on the beach for a while, took lots of pictures and then walked around the streets for a while. It was kinda like a huge Farmers Market, so it was fun to just see everything that was there. Needless to say it was the best day in a while...soo much fun!! :) :) I love being in Israel!! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy! I took LOTS more, but here are just a few. 

 Hollie and I :) Love her!

 The guys' pyramid...only took them about a dozen attempts. Very entertaining to watch! 

 One of my favorite pictures of the day. The guys are so fun!

 Gorgeous beach! Can't believe I was on the beach, in Israel, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea.

 The people I hung out with for most of the day (walking around the streets). They're awesome!

 I'm in heaven :) 

I love my life!

Is this real life? :)

Wow...life is incredible! I absolutely cannot believe I've only been here a week and a half...it feels like it's been months! I love the Holy Land (the views, the culture, the special spirit here...all of it) and I feel so close to all of the other students here. I can't imagine what it will be like in three and a half more months...I know I'm not going to want to live. It makes me sad just thinking about it. 

I don't have tons of time, but I want to catch up all up at least a little bit before another crazy fun-filled weekend (I'll post again in a few days once things hopefully calm down). This week was just really busy with classes, but I was able to go out into the city a little bit which was wonderful. I finally spent a little bit of money! My favorite purchase so far is a leather Jerusalem scripture case. There's one merchant here who in particular loves us "Mormons" and he sells BYU JC stuff, scripture cases, even CTR rings. He was so friendly and so kind. Pretty much everyone in this city is that way. They always ask "You Mormon?" when they see us (must be obvious!) and then when we say yes, they say "Ah, my neighbor!" and smile. They are wonderful people. 

Last night (Friday night) we went as a huge group to the Western Wall to watch the Jews bring in their Sabbath. It was an incredible experience - I absolutely loved it. It was full of people praying, singing hymns, dancing...touching the wall. There was a really incredible unity and devotion that you could feel. I'm constantly amazed by the respect and devotion these people have for their God (who is also our God). It makes me want to be better, and to show my devotion and my love and gratitude towards my Heavenly Father more.

Today was District Conference (kinda like Stake Conference but it's a little different here). It was really wonderful! A few things that I loved the most. 

#1) There are a lot of Russian people in our branch, as well as people who speak Ukrainian, Spanish, etc. And several of the guys here in our group served their missions speaking those languages. So they were able to be translators for several of the members during the meetings. It was sooo neat to watch. For example, my friend Jay served in Russia, so he was helping a few ladies from Russia with the translating. He came to Relief Society and even translated for one of them who gave a talk. It was really really amazing the spirit that was there, and you could tell how grateful the people were for these willing, kind, incredible young men who wanted them to be able to understand what was being said. (The guys of the church are incredible! I love, appreciate, and look up to each and every one of the 23 here this semester). 

#2) Anyways, one of the things that blew me away...one of the speakers was talking about how these Russian women would drive an hour and a half to church each week, for years...to attend 3 hours of meetings that they couldn't understand a word of (they normally didn't have any way to translate). That was incredible to me...such an example of obedience and keeping the commandments, even when it's difficult. Put things in perspective for me for sure. 

#3) Another story that was amazing to me. The District Relief Society President spoke and she talked about how she was born in the Bethlehem area, but didn't join the church until she was over in the states, at BYU actually. She said something like "I had to go halfway around the world to come to know Christ." I thought that was so ironic, yet so amazing. She was born where Christ was born, but didn't come to know of the truth until she was in Provo, Utah. Just goes to show that its not the PLACE you're in that is important, but the relationship you have with our Savior. It gave me hope for when I have to leave at the end of this semester. I don't have to be in the Old City to feel close to my Savior and to know that He lives. 

#4) We sang as the closing hymn "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" - looking out over the city. This is one of my favorite hymns, and it touched me more than usual today. I felt so close to my Savior and felt so much peace and joy. Some of the lines that really struck me...

"He lives to hear my soul's complaint...He lives to plead for me above...He lives to calm my troubled heart...He lives to guide me with his eye...." I have gained such a strong testimony of my Savior's love for me, and His hand in my life (when I finally humble myself and turn my life over to Him and allow His will to happen)...I just felt really humbled and grateful today again. That seems to be happening a lot lately. It's a wonderful feeling.

After church, we went to the Garden Tomb as a huge group for my first time. It was...incredible. (I know I use that word a lot...but it's the only way I can try to describe it) There were a lot of different groups there, and everyone kinda split up and sang hymns in different areas. We sang hymns and had a girl playing the violin...it was soo powerful and I felt the spirit so strongly. It's definitely a place I want to go back to, many times this semester. Even if it wasn't the "exact" site...it doesn't really matter. It's the person we worship and love and testify of...not the place. Gordon B. Hinckley has said that if it wasn't that exact place, it was nearby. So it's good enough for me. :) 

Another neat thing - during the tour the volunteer giving us the tour was explaining where Christ was "probably crucified"...it's now a bus stop. She made a really good point though...she said, "When Christ lived here on earth, it wasn't a "holy" place...it was real life, real people." I hadn't really thought about that. It's the "Holy City" but in reality, Christ really was just living in a normal place, with normal people. I don't know why that was such an "aha" moment for me, but it really touched me. Kinda gave me a feeling of hope and power that I can make average, normal places special and "holy" in a sense by being Christ-like. I don't know if that makes any sense, but it was neat for me. 

There's probably so much more I could say (and want to) but I need to get some other things done, and get ready for a crazy weekend. Another update will come soon! Hope you're all doing well...just remember, stay close to Christ and Heavenly Father, serve others, and be happy!!! Life is GOOD! :)

My Special Place...

I found "my place" here at the Jerusalem Center. I've been trying to find a place that I can be alone to do scripture study and prayer. Every room has a neat patio overlooking the city, and there are tons of random corners and classrooms everywhere but...no where really struck me as "my spot". But last night, I walked around the outside of the Jerusalem Center (still within the walls) for the first time. The grounds are beautiful. There are balconies, flowerbeds, gardens, etc. I found a little perch off to the side of the building (where no one can really see me, and no one ever walks by) that overlooks the Old City. I sat there for a couple of hours last night...praying, reading, pondering....as I watched the sun go down. It was probably one of the prettiest sunsets I've seen, and I was just totally in my element. It was peaceful, the weather was perfect, the sky was gorgeous, and I just felt so much peace and joy. I felt extremely close to my Heavenly Father and my Savior, and I couldn't really stop smiling even after I came inside. I was just so...content. It's hard to explain, but I just never wanted to leave that spot. I'll probably be spending quite a bit of time out there. :)

So my challenge to all of you....find your own special place and spend some quality time there, alone, praying and listening. You'll have an incredible experience too - I know it. We all need some "me time" in this crazy busy world. It's nice to take a moment to regain an eternal perspective.

...ESPECIALLY when you feel like you're drowning in a sea of homework. We now have five classes instead of the two we've had for the past week...and my workload has doubled or even tripled. There's so much to read and know, and I'm a little (okay a lot) overwhelmed. There are pros and cons of having  all of my friends in all of my classes. It's really great when it comes to studying (if we actually force ourselves to study) but c'mon...we practically live in a clubhouse, with so many options that are so much more fun...we can either be really great influences on each other when it comes to doing homework, or we can...become distractions to each other. My first test is Friday, we'll see how it goes!

Pictures...finally!!!

Okay, here's the scoop. It's really hard to upload pictures, so you only get this many for now...it was really hard to narrow them down since I've taken over 200!!! But hopefully this will be better than nothing :) I don't have tons of time, but I'll try to explain each picture at least a little bit:

 This was from my first night here...this is our view from the JC every night :)

 I love this city, and I love this view. The Dome of the Rock is my favorite thing to see. 

 Beautiful sunset...one of many :) 

 Me and my roommates! Left to right: Kaylen, Nicole, Katie and me :)

Some of us with the gardner in the Garden of Gethsemane...so neat!

 Me, Jay, Alex and Cal at the Pool of Bethesda

 I'm so strong :)

 Ancient ruins in Jerusalem. Nbd. 

 Me at the Western Wall. 

 Pilgrimage complete :) So neat to be a part of.

 My home. :) Most beautiful building, in the most incredible place! 

 Great ratio. :)

 Candid!! We're so happy to be cave-diving...okay not really cave-diving...but still. :) 

 Fact: Some of the greatest people in the world. :) I love them all so much!

 Aw...family pic!

 In the Christian quarter of the Old City on top of an Austrian Hospice.

 O Jerusalem....:)

 Me with Bethlehem behind me...so unreal.

 Me by a grotto near Bethlehem...it was most likely a cave like this that 

the Savior was born in, rather than an actual stable.

During our field trip, at one of the sites. This was at Nabi Samwil. 

More to come later....enjoy!! :) 

Pool of Bethesda, Western Wall, Bethlehem...just to name a few :)

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

Okay, first off I have to add some things from last night. We ended up kinda having “games night” last night with everyone, and it was sooo fun! We played “Honey if you love me”, and I just have to say...most hilarious round ever. Wow did we have some awkwardness...sooo funny though. And of course no one was able to break me. :) David, our reign of un-beatableness continues. Then we played Sardines. Again...sooo fun. Good times, good times. Several of us were hiding in a storage closet, and we had to get real close. So basically it was a great bonding night haha. If we had any personal bubbles before tonight, they are now gone. We also played Apples to Apples, Bang, Never Have I Ever, etc. Just an overall fun night. 

Oh I also spent quite a bit of time playing the piano which I really enjoyed. :)

Anyways, as far as today goes....since Saturday is the Sabbath here, Sunday is a free day! It was our first FULL day with no plans, so as soon as we finished breakfast (around 8:00) a group of us took off to explore the city! Such a fun day.

First we went to Aladdin (the money changer) and I exchanged money for the first time. I’m so proud of myself, I haven’t really spent any money yet! Then we went to the Pool of Bethesda. Even just typing that now, I can’t believe I’ve been going to these places that I’ve read about and heard about my whole life. It was really, really neat. I loved visiting this site. I’m so glad we have 4 months to see everything...we weren’t rushed at all, so we took our time walking around, taking pictures, re-reading the story, etc. If that was the only thing we did all day, I would have been happy. But we walked around the Old City some more, just stopping at random places along the way. We also went back to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to see more of it. A beautiful building, for sure. So different than what I’m used to, but really neat. 

We also visited the Western Wall for the first time. This is such a special place to many people, and it was so special to be there. The deep love and devotion these people have for their religion is incredibly touching. Many were leaning on the wall, kissing the wall, praying and crying as they sincerely prayed. I wrote my own prayer and put it on the wall. I felt so humbled to be there, and to be even a small part of something so amazing. It’s definitely a place I’ll be going back to and visiting again.

Last night was really laid-back and fun. Dallin and I did some swing dancing (he’s really good at all the lifts), which was a blast. Then a group of us played werewolves, then some of us watched Finding Nemo (while doing homework...ish....haha). I seriously feel like I’m living in a clubhouse with so many fun people. It’s like a constant sleepover that never ends. :)

Monday, September 3rd, 2012

Such a great day! Today was our first field trip, and we went to several different sites that overlook the city of Jerusalem. First we went to the Seven Arches Hotel Overlook, which gave us a good view of the geography of Jerusalem that we are trying to learn. It really helped me to orient which direction things are in relation to each other. This city is incredible, and fascinating to learn about - I love it! One thing Bro. Judd told us that I thought was really neat was about some of the steps south of the al-Aqso Mosque which date back to the time of Christ. These steps are one of the few places we can be sure Jesus actually walked, and Neil Armstrong visited that specific place for that reason. He said that it meant more to step there (where Jesus walked) than to step on the moon. That was just a really neat story that I enjoyed. 

Next we went to August Victoria (the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Ascension). This was one of my favorites. We sat on top of the Mt. of Olives and sang a hymn. We obviously don’t know exactly where on the Mt. of Olives Christ ascended into heaven, but we must have been very near to the spot, if not in the same spot. Inside the church was gorgeous! Probably one of the most beautiful churches I’ve been inside. I’ll post TONS of pictures soon...I promise!!!! We also sang a few hymns inside this church, and the acoustics were amazing. It was really really powerful. We can’t proselyte here in Israel, but we can sometimes sing hymns and there’s no way others can’t feel the special spirit that those songs about Christ bring into the room. It was so neat. 

Another site we went to was a hill overlooking Bethlehem. Probably the highlight of the day. It’s amazing to me how many incredible people probably crossed that same hill we stood on today (between Jerusalem and Bethlehem). So much history involves that area. Ruth and Naomi, Jacob and Rachel, David as a young shepherd, Lehi and his family (from the Book of Mormon), Mary and Joseph, and of course...Jesus Christ. We read several of the scriptures about these stories, and it was so incredible to be standing there, not having to “imagine” where it was...but being able to actually see it. We also sang a few Christmas hymns, overlooking the town of Bethlehem. I loved it. :)

Another spot I really loved...Haas Promenade. This was a lookout that showed the city of Jerusalem (again) from the south. Bro. Judd explained to us that where we stood would have been Abraham’s first sight (as he came over that last ridge) of the Mt. Moriah, where he was to sacrifice his son. We talked about that story and what an incredible example of trust in the Lord and perfect obedience Abraham emulated. Definitely was a special moment for me. 

We ended the day at Nabi Samwil. This was a really unique and interesting site. This is where traditionally the tomb of the prophet Samuel is. We were able to go in the basement of the mosque and see the covered tomb where he is believed to have been. Men and women went on opposite sides of the tomb (unable to see each other) and it was neat to see women praying and touching the tomb and reading scripture. It’s incredible to see others finding things that we don’t understand, so sacred. It makes them sacred to me, just knowing they are sacred to someone else. And I admire them so much for the respect they show to those things that they hold sacred - it inspires me to do the same. We had a really great devotional from this site as well. We talked about the young King Solomon asking for wisdom and an understanding heart. Bro. Judd applied it to us and asked us “What are you asking for this semester?” For we know if we ask, we will receive (if it is a righteous desire). It was really powerful, and really got me pondering and thinking.

There are so many facts about all of these sites (and others) that we visited. I really want to learn so much more than I currently do. There’s so much still to know, and I’m so excited about it! I say this a lot, but I’m just so grateful to be here; to have this opportunity. I’m loving every minute of it. It’s just going to keep getting better and better. :)

Oh, we also got FHE groups tonight :) And now I have LOTS of studying to do...:/ School’s a bit stressful...but it’s okay, it’s worth it! 

I Stand All Amazed...

First...I have to send a shout-out to one of my best friends (since we were little kids!) Meg Lasater...now Meg Costantino! Today is her wedding day, and I’m so happy for her! :) We’ve talked about this day our whole lives, and I wish I could be there to share it with her (esp. since it’s in Hawaii!) but I guess being in Jerusalem is a pretty good excuse...I love you Meg!

Today was an amazing day. Here in Jerusalem, Saturday is the Sabbath - so this was our first one. I’m doing choir while I’m here, so that was first thing this morning and I really enjoyed it. We had a great turnout, and the music is wonderful. I’m especially excited for the Christmas program we’ll get to do for the community. Seeing all the students in church clothes, bearing testimonies together, and singing with them just made me love them more...we really are family for the next 3 1/2 months!

Let me just say how incredible it is to have sacrament meeting in a room overlooking the Old City. It’s unreal. Partaking of the sacrament meant more to me today than I think it ever has. It was hard not to get emotional as I realized that the Atonement took place HERE. I have known it happened my whole life, but now I am HERE, where it took place. As we sang the sacrament hymn, I just looked out over the city, thinking about Christ living here, teaching here, healing here, dying here, and being resurrected here. It was powerful, and the spirit was so strong. It was also Fast Sabbath, so we got to hear testimonies from some of the locals/visitors. They were so touching. One in particular was amazing. It was a man from Chile who spoke of his conversion story. Basically he was given an assignment in school (at age 15) to write a paper on “The Mormons” because they (The LDS church) had just bought the land that their school was currently on. He said he got some copies of the Liahona and the Book of Mormon to look at for this assignment (which he got an A on), but once he finished the assignment he was planning to get rid of the materials. But he decided to open up the book, and he found the promise in it - that he could know the truth (Moroni 10:3-5). This touched him, and he did just that...he found the truth, and was baptized. The Santiago Chile Temple now stands where he was given that school assignment, which changed his life. His simple yet powerful testimony was incredible to me, as were all of the others. It’s so neat to hear from so many people, from so many countries, and from so many backgrounds. Gospel Doctrine class and Relief Society were also wonderful - I loved all my meetings today so much. :)

After church we had a few hours before dinner (again, we were fasting). So a big group of us went to the Garden of Gethsemane for the first time. It was a very hot day today, and there are a lot of big hills in Jerusalem. It didn’t help that we were fasting...I was tired, sweaty, hungry, and SO thirsty.  I even was complaining a little bit. But when we got near the Garden of Gethsemane...it hit me. I was about to see the assumed place where Christ suffered the sins, pains, sorrows, and injustices for ALL mankind. My “afflictions” seemed so petty in comparison - definitely a humbling but very neat experience. The garden was beautifully kept, and had a neat spirit to it. It was nice to take the time to ponder about the Atonement, and about Jesus Christ. I know He lives. I know He performed the Atonement on our behalf, because He loves us. I am so grateful for the mercy He extends to me, even when I feel I don’t deserve it. And I’m so incredibly blessed to be here, to have that testimony strengthened even more.

A few of us were also able to talk to the gardener for a little bit. He was such a kind and humble man, and it was remarkable to hear from him. He is the only gardener for the garden (What a job!), and his father was the gardner before him (for 43 years) and his grandfather before that. So neat! He explained to us how he keeps up with the gardening, he told us about the trees, the olive oil, etc. I really loved talking to him. He said he would give me something made from the tree next week - I am excited! It’s definitely a place I’d like to go to many times this semester while I’m here. I also cannot wait to see the Garden Tomb...that’s what I’ve been looking forward to most. 

To wrap it up, it’s been an amazing Sabbath, and I feel so blessed! :) Pictures to come soon, I promise!