Jordan

So this last week I went to Jordan. It was very fun and educational.We went a lot of places, but I want to tell you about my two favorites; Petra and Jerash.

Petra was really awesome. It’s recently been named one of the new 7 wonders of the world. The Nabateans had cut into this stone that reminds me a little bit of St. George. Because we had gotten up extremely early it was kind of dark in the canyon for the first little bit and that was really beautiful, and it was nice to be cool. We saw the treasury, probably the most famous motif and that was really amazing. I just can’t imagine how they carved that out of the mountain. They must have had patience or something. Seriously that’s what amazes me more than anything else.

I went on this longer hike, which was a little more miserable because now it was getting hot, to this monastery. Oh my goodness it was so sweet! I couldn’t stop staring at it. The carvings were just incredible. I also saw the ‘end of the earth.’ Then I kind of wandered off by myself and just sat there looking at the rock, at this beautiful place God had created.



Another place I went to in Jordan was Jerash. It’s one of the best preserved Roman cities in the world! These ruins gave me a great idea of what it would’ve been like back then. The temple, the theater, the plaza, the cardo, the gates, the dried up fountains, everything was in such great condition and it really helped me picture it.

After a while we went to the hippodrome to get a peek back in time. It started with Roman soldiers showing us what techniques and formations they would’ve used back then. This was actually very fascinating. When I saw all of the formations I thought, hmmm that makes sense, but I never would’ve thought that up! Then some men came out and fought. During these battles right before someone was about to die they paused the game and we gave a thumbs up or thumbs down deciding their fate. It was pretty sweet. We killed most of them. There was this one time when they used a tomato or something and red stuff splattered everywhere. It was super gross. I can’t believe people used to watch that for entertainment. That’s so disgusting to me.

Next the chariots came out and did a chariot race. This part was AWESOME! They were going so fast around those corners I was sure they would fall out, but they didn’t. Also the horses were absolutely gorgeous. Benjy would’ve loved them. Afterwards we were taking pictures with the soldiers and such and Karissa said we should see if we could get a chariot ride. Of course me being me I said, ‘no, it’s okay. I don’t think they’re allowed.’ But she was extra pushy and persuasive towards the men and we went on a chariot ride around the hippodrome! It was sweet and I’m not going to lie, quite terrifying!

The trip was really fun but I was really excited to get back to the Jerusalem Center. On our way in one of the security guards said, 'Welcome Home.' I couldn't help but smile when he said this. This building that was so foreign to me 3 months a go has become my home. These strangers have become my friends. I have less than two weeks left and I have very mixed feelings. I'm ready to come home and see family and friends, but I'm going to miss my practically perfect life here.

So you want to be a tourist:

1. Do you have a tag or some type of identification hanging from your neck?
2. Are you carrying a water bottle big enough to last you the whole entire day?
3. Are you wearing Chacos or Keens?
4. Do you have a hideous purse (money pouch) or a fanny pack?
5. Are you wearing a white v-neck shirt? See you're bound to sweat a lot, and so it has to be white. A plain white t-shirt is just horrible, but a v-neck isn't too bad.
6. Do you have a camera hanging from your neck or wrist?
7. Are you wearing headphones so you can hear your tour guide?
8. Are you following someone who's holding a sign up as high as they can? Or is this a more getto group and your guide just has an umbrella?
9. Are you wearing matching hats? (These are my favorite, because they're always bright.)
10. Do you look like this?

O Galilee! Blue Galilee! Come, sing thy song again to me.

Yesterday I got back from a 10 day trip to Galilee. It was absolutely incredible and I have no idea how to 'sum it up' into one blog entry. I rafted in the Jordan River, went to sacrament meeting overlooking the Sea of Galilee, hiked in Golan Heights, swam for hours where Christ walked, swam in natural springs, ate a fish with its face, fins and tail still in tact, went to churches for just about every miracle Christ performed, and this list goes on... I went to Megiddo, Jordan River, Sea of Galilee, Caesarea Martima, Nazareth, Tiberias, Mt. Arbel,Mt. Carmel, Mt. of Beatitudes, Mt. of Transfiguration, Capernum, Nain, Dan, Caesarea Phillippi, and those are probably only 1/3 of the sites. There were a lot of historical and archaeological sites and those were….nice. I'd say I'd spread my Galilee trip out over a few entries, but I have less than 4 weeks left and so many things to blog about so just prepare yourselves for this long one. There are a few experiences straight from my journal:

The first day I went to Nazareth and it was incredible. We went to three churches here;to the Orthodox church of the Annunciation and Mary’s well, Basilica of the Annunciation, and St. Joseph’s church. I have always loved the story of Mary and the Annunciation. I can’t even imagine having that much faith, especially as a 14 year old. I love her praise unto God after the angel leaves. I love Joseph. Ever since we sang “When Joseph went to Bethlehem” in primary he has been one of my favorite people in the New Testament. We talked a lot about Joseph, his obedience, and faith, and his loyalty to Mary in such a hard situation. Mary and Joseph are some of my heroes. I’m so impressed by their strength, and their submissiveness. I loved walking the streets of Nazareth. That’s where Jesus walked as a boy and where Mary and Joseph lived before Christ’s birth. I really loved Nazareth. There were so many beautiful feelings that I felt there and I’m just sad we were only there for a few hours.

Our next stop we got out and went on a hike to overlook the Sea of Galilee. It was so beautiful. As I looked out I was so overcome with feelings of gratitude. I am so blessed to be here. Christ performed so many miracles on this lake and I get to see it. It is absolutely beautiful and I understand why Christ would make this his headquarters for a time. It is so beautiful. I honestly felt like crying tears of joy when I saw it. It was very windy on the top and I kept thinking about the story where Christ calmed the waves. I wish I could describe better how amazing it was, but words can’t express the beauty or the feelings of my heart.

A lot of the mornings I had New Testament. We met out on this lawn right in front of the Sea of Galilee. It was an amazing experience learning more about events that happened right there! We talked a lot about the apostles dropping their nets and following the Savior. Brother Manscill said, “Look out there. Can you picture an abandoned boat and nets? Why is it abandoned? Who left the boat and nets? Where had they gone?” I’ve always loved the story of the apostles leaving straightway and following the Savior, but now it has so much more meaning to me.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was watching the sun go down every night. There are beautiful sunsets there and such a peaceful feeling that comes with me. Last night I was sitting there with some friends watching the sun go down and I thought about Christ sitting with his apostles at the end of a physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausting day. I’m sure they also found comfort in the sunset. How can you not feel Heavenly Father’s love when there’s a sight like that?

The last night in Galilee I really wanted to bear my testimony. I haven’t wanted to bear my testimony in a long time so I figured I needed to act on it. I tried to stand up a few times but so many people wanted to go so I decided I’d just bear it in my heart and then write it down later. However a few people around me said I should go up so last minute I went. I talked about how I felt so blessed to go to beautiful landscapes that had been made sacred by Christ. It breaks my heart when I think of leaving and how, but I know that I can take these places with me and I have that spirit within me always.

The meeting ended with a quartet of boys singing Hymn #335 Brightly Beams Our Father’s Mercy. It talks about Heavenly Father’s mercy and the first verse says, ‘But to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore. Let the lower lights be burning; send a gleam across the wave. Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save.’ I’ve always loved this analogy and it really hit me tonight. I do want to be a lower light. I want to shout from the mountain tops and go forth with a trump and let the world know my testimony. I realized this when I thought I might not have the opportunity tonight to bear my testimony and I was so sad about that. After the testimony meeting today I just felt love for everyone there. I want to be a better person, to be a help, a ministering angel in someone’s life.

After the meeting I just sat there for 10 minutes thinking about what I had just heard and felt. I felt physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted and it felt so good. I think this gave me a glimpse of what Christ felt like at the end of the day. I looked up at the beautiful sky and thought about Christ looking up at the stars and speaking to his Father up in heaven at the end of the day. I walked along the beach with Bridget afterwards and we talked about how amazing this experience has been. I am so blessed to be here. My knowledge of the gospel and my testimony has grown so much. I’ve loved being in Galilee and it was sad to leave. This land will always be dear to me now. I wonder if the Savior knew the last time he was in Galilee that it was the last time he’d be there. What were some of the thoughts and feelings he had? The main thought I have is that I never want to forget the sacred feelings I’ve felt here. I want to take them with me.

These are just a few of the amazing experiences that I had, hopefully I can tell you about the other ones later. While I was out here I re-memorized The Living Christ and I wrote my own. I wanted to share some of it with all of you:

...He is Emmanuel, the creator of the Earth, and the Redeemer of the World. He is my Savior, God, and King. I know that Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane so many years ago for me. It is because of this act “though [my] sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18) This selfless infinite act encompasses all my sorrows, trials, sadness, and grief. It is because of the Atonement I can completely cast my burdens on Christ. The most beautiful words spoken throughout all of time were on that Easter morning when the angel said, “He is not here, but is risen.” Christ is the immortal son of God. He stands on the right hand of his Father, and most importantly He lives! Of this I am completely certain. This truth has been confirmed to me at many times throughout my life and it is the sweetest knowledge I could have.

Jesus is the Christ, the Redeemer of the World. He is my shepherd and my truest friend. He is my hope and my light in a world of darkness. With Him I never stand alone. I can bear any trial with him at my side, for with him nothing is impossible. He will lead and guide me if I let him in. His hand will forever be stretched out if I will but reach out he will lead me home.
The Jordan River
A beautiful hike in Golan Heights. Yes that's me hiking in a skirt. That's what you do when shorts and capris aren't allowed and it's so hot you're dripping sweat.
This is a synagogue in Capernum. Oh I loved Capernum so much, I can't believe I didn't include that in this post. Oh well, I couldn't include everything. This synagogue is built directly over a synagogue from Christ's time. The basalt layer you see on bottom is from the synagogue Christ would've taught in during his time in Capernum. I also saw Peter's house where Christ taught. Oh there are so many things I didn't mention. Anyways, I'm standing on a step of Basalt stone. Christ must've walked on that step at some point.

Photogeneticy

Dear Self,

I notice that you have been struggling lately with your photogeneticy. I thought I'd give you a few pointers. I know this post will embarrass you completely but hopefully it will help you avoid these mistakes in Galilee.

Try to not have your hair all over your face in the picture:

Make sure you know what everyone else is doing before you make a stupid pose:

Make sure the lighting is sweet:

No more swimsuit pictures next to Brooke:

Instead, stand next to Ramzi:

Don't strike poses that make you shorter. Not a good idea.

Don't put your hand on your waist simultaneously with your friend unless you want to look like moms.

Don't try these turning around pictures. They just never work out.

What to say? I guess don't ever, ever stand like this again. It's just awkward.

So you have a lazy glasses day? That's fine but I suggest taking them off for pictures from now on.

Nervous, big smile face = double chin. Don't do it.

Instead of squinting to the point of looking Oriental why don't you just pull those sunglasses off your head onto your face?

Need a good self esteem boost? Stand in the middle of a panoramic picture.

Most importantly try to smile and look pleasant all the time. You never know when people are taking your picture.