These are a few of my favorite things...

The markets:

The Different Gates to the Old City:

The Western Wall:

Sabbath day visits to Gethsemane and the Garden Tomb

Awesome Friends (I wish I could show all 80 here):

Girls Nights:

The many styles of architecture:

Finding hope amidst the conflict:

Beautiful Old City get-up:

Scenes like this:

The Jerusalem Center:

This is where I got to eat everyday!

Midterm Studying Break:

Dance Parties in the Manna Cabana:
Picnics Outside:

The view from my balcony:

4th of July party

Beautiful Sunsets:

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.

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.

Another Tender Mercy

Ever since the first week here I've had this weird desire to see at least one person I knew from home. I didn't think this was likely, but I was wrong! In June we were having a 'Meet the Branch' activity. I thought one of the members looked a lot like a seminary teacher I had as a freshmen but then I figured there was no way. Well when she introduced herself she said, "...I taught seminary in Provo." Then I blurted out, "Oh my goodness, you were my seminary teacher." We didn't have time to talk because we made the connection right before we had to rotate to meet other members in a different room. So later while we were having refreshments she came up and gave me a big hug and said she remembered me and Marie. (Marie was in the class as well and we had so much fun.)

It has been so fun to come to church and see a familiar face from my past. It's always fun to catch up on each other's week, and she gives the greatest hugs! Plus we're slowly recalling memories from 6 years a go. Well today she taught the Relief Society lesson and I had serious deja vu. It was so great. Later we saw each other at the Garden of Gethsemane and we talked for a little while. Who'd have thought that I'd have the opportunity to discuss the Atonement in the Garden of Gethsemane with my seminary teacher who taught me the New Testament? I have been so blessed.

"Each life that touches our for good reflects thine own great mercy, Lord; Thou sendest blessings from above thru words and deeds of those who love." (Hymn #293)

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Last week I went to Bethlehem. At first I was having a hard time picturing the modern city of Bethlehem thousands of years a go. Then we walked through the older part of the city and I could see Joseph leading the donkey with Mary on it walking through the crowded, narrow streets seeking for refuge.

We went to the Nativity cave and it was...different. The nativity cave now has a big shrine built around it. It doesn't look like a cave at all because it's all decorated with big, gaudy ornamentations. I touched the exact spot where Christ was born. It was neat but definitely interesting. Talk about the plain and precious things being taken away.

My favorite part of the day was when we went to a nearby cave where St. Jerome, a monk, lived and translated the Bible into Latin. This translation was kind of a parent to other translations of what is now the King James Version of the Bible. All of the students and teachers (80+ people) crammed into this little cave and we sang Christmas carols. Because this cave isn't as 'famous' as the nativity cave it hadn't been all decorated. It was just a simple cave and so it was very easy to picture the humble nativity scene there. I'm so grateful for that night so long ago. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father would send his son Jesus Christ and I'm grateful Jesus Christ came to redeem and save us all.

When we were singing I thought a lot about all of the angels rejoicing and singing praises. I don't know exactly where I was this sacred night but I like to think I was looking down on that beautiful scene smiling and singing.

I Love the Hymns

I have so many things to say, and I've come to the conclusion that no matter how hard I try I can't tell you everything. So I've decided to share a journal entry. My thoughts were all over the place, but I still wanted to share it:

It is a beautiful Sabbath morning and I'm in the Garden of Gethsemane. I've come here once before, but I was on the outskirts and I didn't stay for long. We just spent the last half hour singing Hymns. Now as I try to think of words to express my feelings I can only hear others testimonies that have been written down in Hymns.

"Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord, I'll share they love again according to thy word."
I am so blessed to be here. I know that I'm only here because of the love others have shown to me. I'm here because of the love Jesus Christ proved when he suffered in this very garden thousands of years a go.

"Come cast your burdens on the Lord and trust his constant care."
How easy this is. Because of the Atonment I can truly cast any trial any heartache that comes my way on the Lord. He will take care of it. With his help I can be led home.

"To those who fall how kind thou art."
I am imperfect and I will always be imperfect. I've made so many mistakes and I know I'm not done making them. It's so comforting to know that even with my mistakes Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are ready to welcome me in with open arms. I'm so thankful for the gift of repentance, this gift of saving power.

"He shed a thousand drops for you. A thousand drops of precious blood." Sitting here and looking at the intricate details on the beautiful Olive Trees I can't help but feel extremely humbled to the point of almost feeling insignifact. I'm such a small part of all of this, but I know that my older brother Jesus Christ knows and loves me. He suffered here in this garden for me.

"He only could unlock the gate of Heav'n and let us in."
Christ was the only one perfect enough to redeem the world from sin. Christ is the only one who could provide an infinite Atonement. Heavenly Father sent His son for me. It is through this I can return to live with my Heavenly Father again.

"I believe in Christ, so come what may."
Life is hard, but I know it has to be. I know that with Christ nothing is impossible. I can bear any trial with Him at my side.

I'm so thankful for the opportunity to be here. At least once a day I'm hit with this overhwelming feeling of gratitude. I don't know why I've been so blessed to have this experience, but I'm trying everyday to get the most out of it.

One Time I Killed a Lion

Another time I killed a bear... Then I waited around a well hoping to get myself an Isaac, but it didn't work. Then I discovered I'm a little claustrophobic.

Walk Like an Egyptian

Okay so I’ve actually never heard this whole song. I just know I heard this one phrase over and over again when I was in Egypt. There are so many things I want to say but I don’t have very much time so I’m going to try and sum it up saying the highlights and using excerpts from my journal.

We had many stops on the way to Egypt. At one point we stopped to have this hike. This is one of the wildernesses that the children of Israel would’ve wandered in. It was beautiful, but I’m pretty sure I couldn’t do 40 years here:

At another stop the tour guide took us away to a dessert. We played around in the sand like we were little kids. It was so much fun. The sand was very fine so it felt so good on our feet. After a while of goofing off the guide talked to us about how many sacred things have happened in the dessert. Then he sent us with a piece of paper off to find our own little spot in the dessert. I’ve always thought the dessert was such an ugly place, but as I sat there I really came to love it. I can understand how so many prophets would go to the dessert to escape from the world. There is such a beautiful solitude out there. I was very disappointed when the horn blew and we had to go back. This is the view I saw when I was all by myself in the dessert.

While in Egypt I went to…the Pyramids! It was so incredible. They’re so much bigger than I thought they would be. They’re huge! Also I was way impressed by how rigged and imperfect they are. The pictures and movies portray them as perfect buildings, but they aren’t all smooth. You can see the layers of stone and to me that seems like you can just see the history of it. We went inside one of the pyramids and it was crazy. The walkway to the tomb was very small and short. I started getting pretty claustrophobic, which hasn’t happened since the rainbow slide at Westridge. Once we got to the opening and saw the empty tomb we sat around and talked for a little bit. We sang, “I am a child of God.”It was really cool with the acoustics, but I felt sorry for the other people around. I love singing but I just feel like sometimes when we sing at some of the sites we’re interrupting other tourists’ experience.

After we saw the pyramids we headed to the Sphinx. On our way a man in a suit asked me, “What’s your name?” Well I was kind of creeped out so I just shook my head and walked away. Later on a girl came up to me and told me he was our security guard. Didn’t know that. Well the rest of the time he’d come up to me and say, “What’s your name? ha ha ha ha.” And the fun just continued…When I was in front of the Sphinx a little boy offered to take my picture. He organized the picture so it looked like I was kissing the Sphinx. How original I know. Well after that picture he started repositioning me. He pulled me forward and had me bend down. I was really confused as to what I was posing for. Was I leaning on the pyramid or over it? It just didn’t make sense. Well the little boy took the picture and started laughing hysterically. So then he handed me my camera and I saw this treasure:

One of my highlights of the trip was riding a camel along the Nile River. It was really fun to be in this line of 40 camels with a bunch of my friends. It was such an amazing experience. I loved seeing the beautiful green fields, and I was humbled as I saw these little huts that some people call homes. I’m so lucky, I’ve been so blessed. After the camel safari we had a Felucca ride down the Nile back to our hotel. It was so beautiful. This picture doesn’t do it justice, but it gives you an idea. If you look closely you can see the other ½ of our group riding camels.

So I decided that after this extremely long post I’m going to try and post more frequently and they’ll be shorter. The problem I have is there’s just so much that I want to say so I put it off and it turns into this project. Just know that I want to say so many more things, but I’ll try to summarize as best as I can.

Lately....(A picture narrative)

I walked on the wall that goes around the Old City. It was absolutely incredible. I could spend an hour in one spot looking at every angle and still be fascinated.

I went on an awesome field trip. We went to a bunch of different overlooks and saw the city from different views. We also saw many other places mentioned in the Old Testament including Bethlehem, Bethel and the Judean Wilderness. This picture shows a beautiful Jewish cemetary. There are so many cemetaries here, because the Jewish people want to be here when Christ comes.

I walked around Jerusalem. Okay I do that everyday. How lucky am I? Anyways, on this particular walk I saw the old steps to the temple. Aren't they beautiful?

I saw Dome of the Rock. I've loved going to places that other people find sacred. Sure it's not like going to the temple, but there is a nice spirit in these special places.
Speaking of places that other people find sacred...This is the Western Wall. It is one of my favorite places I've been to so far. People believe this wall was a wall of the temple. When I went I was so amazed at what I saw. Some people held on to the wall crying, others stood there rocking back and forth while reciting scripture, and others wrote prayers and stuck them in the wall. It was so beautiful to see everyone doing their own kind of worship. Friday night we came to this wall to join in the Jewish festivity of welcoming in the Sabbath and it was packed! The girl's side sang songs, but the boy's side was awesome! People over there were in a big circle jumping up and down and kicking their legs. It was so funny to see our white boys wearing kippahs intermixed with all of these Jewish soldiers in their circle. I sure wish we had a party every Saturday night like that to welcome in Sunday. But at our party I'd make sure the girls side had dancing!

On Saturday, which is Sunday out here, we went to the Garden Tomb. There were a lot of people there so we didn't have much time at the actual tomb. After we had all gone in we went to a pavilion in the gardens and sang Hymns. It was just incredible. The easiest way for me to bear my testimony is through song so I felt so lucky to be singing "He is Risen" to people walking around the gardens. I'm pretty sure that's the closest I'll get to bearing my testimony out here since we're not allowed to discuss the gospel at all.

Yesterday was a free day so I went to Tel Aviv and hung out at the beach all day. It felt so good. School out here has definitely been stressful so it was fun to go out and have a nice relaxing day. Also it was nice to be in the sun and not dripping sweat.

Today we went on a field trip to Jericho. I saw the oldest building ever made. (It's a tower that's now in the ground.) Then we hiked up to a beautiful monastery. This monastery was somehow built right in the middle of the mountain. How in earth did they do that without modern technology? After we looked around at the monastery we went to an overlook of the Judean Wilderness.
I leave for Egypt on Thursday. I'm way excited! Just know that I won't have access to a phone or computer but I'll try to post as soon as I get back in two weeks.