Jewish Quarters

Catie, Jamie, and I decided to go to the Jewish Quarters between our classes. We had such an awesome experience. We had a short period to go into the city, so we only went to two places.  Our first stop was the Temple Institute.  It was a very cool experience. The Temple Institute is a place where many of the “Temple Vessels” are displayed. In ancient times, the Solomon built a temple because God commanded it but then it was destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians. Then the second temple was built by Herod but destroyed again in 70 CE by the Romans. After the destruction of the second temple, the people were devastated. God did not command them to build a second temple at this time, probably because most of the Jews were scattered. In the current day, the people believe that they will be commanded to build a temple again. However, they believe that they can only build the temple where the first and second temples were, meaning the Temple Mount. This is definitely a problem, primarily because the Muslims own the property and Dome of the Rock sits on the location. Technically the property belongs to David’s descendants because he was the only one that ever purchased the land. Anyway, the Jewish people believe that they must prepare for the next temple because God has promised that there would be another one and the scriptures do state that there will be another one built at that location. As a result, they have begun building and constructing vessels to go inside the next temple. They are constructing it after the manner of the ancient temples. Among the vessels are the golden menorah, the golden incense altar, the golden tabled for the Showbread, the golden crown of the High Priest, and other garments.  It was really interesting to go hear about their beliefs and see all the objects. The woman who was guiding our group told us about how much they love the temple and they can’t wait until they can build it again. It made me think a lot about how much I love the temple and I am so grateful that I have the fullness of the gospel.

Jamie and I at the Burnt House

After we went to the Temple Institute, we went to the Burnt House. The Burnt House is a house that was built during destruction of the second temple by fire. The house shows marks were the fire would have burnt the brick. It was really interesting, especially the video that went with the presentation. Anyway, the day was amazing and I am really glad that I was able to spend a day in the city, especially with these girls! I love spending time with Jamie and Catie. It was such a fun day!

City of David

Yesterday we went to the City David, which makes up ancient Jerusalem. Its over 3,000 years old and many biblical stories have taken place here. Our day began with a look out over the City of David. Next we watched a 3D movie which featured the City of David. It was an epic movie! :) The highlight of the trip was going through Hezekiah's tunnel. This tunnel was built by King Hezekiah. The workers started from opposite ends of the city and worked their way towards to middle, during the Assyrian conquest of the city. It was built so that the city could have a water source protected during the attack as well as a place to escape if the city needed to escape. My class went through the water tunnel and it was so much fun! The water came up mid thigh at the highest point.

Hezekiah's Tunnel

Inside the Tunnel

all wet after the tunnel

While drying off, we visited the Pool of Siloam, where Christ healed the blind man with spit and clay. After that we went to the ruins of David's palace and the tombs of the Kings of Judah! It was a pretty amazing day filled with lots of wet adventures!

Dome of the Rock and Jewish Quarters

Yesterday was yet another amazing day! Today Catie, Jamie, and I went to the city for our free day! Our first stop…Dome of the Rock and Temple Mount! It was incredible! I can’t even begin to describe how much I loved going to this site. The Muslims built the Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount because they believe that this is the spot where Abraham sacrificed Ishmael. Inside the Dome, there is a big rock in which they believe was the sacrificial altar. I wish we could have gone into the Dome of the rock, but it is not allowed. Anyway, the outside was beautiful and we had such an amazing time taking lots of pictures of the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. 

Dome of the Rock

After the Temple Mount, we went to Jewish Quarters on the Cardo Street. The Cardo Street was the main street of the Byzantine ear in the 4^th century. It had a lot of old remaining ruins and pillars. It was really neat to see. Our second stop was the Broad Wall, which looks like a pointless pile of stones but it has so much more meaning. The Broad Wall was part of King Hezekiah’s building in the 8^th Century BC to enclose a new quarter outside the city wall. Right next to the Broad Wall was the Ariel Center, which was my favorite stop for the day. I loved going to the Ariel Center to learn more about the First Temple Period. There was an audiovisual show that describes all the city’s history from 1000 BC to 586 BC. Another group was there too, so we had a lot of fun learning about the city, as well as learning how to write our names in ancient Hebrew. After we got out of the tour, we had about an hour to spare before our reservations at the Hurva Synagogue, so we, of course, got ice cream! I can’t believe how much ice cream I have eaten in Jerusalem, but it is all SO good! MMMMmmmmm! I love it! The Hurva Synagogue was really interesting because it told a lot about the Jewish History as well as the site, but I had a hard time focusing because I was so tired! I am glad we went to the site though because it had a lot of amazing pictures spots. 

Stephanie, Jamie, me, and Katie at the Ariel Center

Overlook from the Hurva Synagogue

 For the rest of the day, we shopped around and enjoyed the city. I truly love the city! It feels so nice to just walk around, look at the shops, and smell the spices. I remember the first day in Jerusalem that I was a little bit culture shocked and I never thought I would ever feel comfortable. So much has changed since I first arrive in Jerusalem. I sincerely am loving every minute of my experience here.   

Arab Night

Last Wednesday, we had Arab Night! It was so much fun! We first went to the forum room to hear about the Arab culture. The Arabic teacher talked about the culture and customs of Islam, particularly prayer. Two men sang the call to prayer for us that is announced throughout all of Jerusalem five times a day. After the call to prayer, the Islam people pray, so the two men demonstrated for us how the people pray. It was really interesting to hear about their religion. I have a lot of respect for their beliefs and the loyalty they have to Allah. 

After the forum, we went ate Arab food in the Oasis. Early in the day, a group of us volunteered to help prepare the meal. I loved preparing the meal because the chiefs would teach us all about the Arab food and how to prepare it. I was in charge of preparing a dish that had stuffed zucchini with wine leafs that had rice in them. Also, I helped prepare the chicken burritos (well that is what we would call them in America). They had an Arab spice, so I didn’t like them very much, but it was fun to prepare. My favorite thing to help with was the cookie dough! I don’t know if I was much help preparing it, but I sure did help eating it when the chief was not around.  

Anyway, so we had dinner in the Oasis with the many dishes that the students helped prepared. It was really nice! To commence the Arab Night, we had a dance in the gym. It was not ordinary dancing though. Some of the local Arab people came and taught us how to do their form of dancing. Basically, you hold each other’s hands in a circle and do a lot of stepping and skipping. All of us had so much fun learning how to “dance”! By the end of the night, we were all extremely happy until we thought about homework and the midterm the next day.   

"Not Another Tell?"

Last Monday, October 4th, we went from Tell to Tell in the Shephelah, low hills, seeing lots of historical sites.

Tel Tzafit: Biblical Gath of the Philistines, home of Goliath 

Tel Maresha :“Bell Caves”, olive press, columbaria, cistern house, tombs

Bell Caves

Dove Cote

Olive Press

Tomb

Megan, me, Chelsea, Lizzie, and Allysa

Highlights:

• Brother Jackson explained how Olive Oil is used to bless because it is symbolic to the atonement of Christ. Through his blood we are healed because he spilt it for us. The oil is a representation of Christ.  
• Also, I really like seeing the Dove Coat. It was AMAZING! A couple girls and I had a lot of fun taking pictures. 
• The final stop at Tel Maresha was my favorite because we went into these little rooms that had tombs that were painted. 
• Lizzie, Alyssa, and I climbed into the tombs to take some funny pictures. We had so much fun, especially getting ice cream afterwards.     

Tel Lachise Ancient fortress city of Judah

Tel Azekah: View of the Valley of Elah, Site of David and Goliath

using my sling shot on the site of David and Goliath

Old City Adventures

Last Thursday a couple of us went to the Old City to enjoy the amazing historical sites. All of the sites that we went to say that this is where Christ did this or this is where this happened in the scriptures. There is no way to know that the place is EXACTLY the spot. All the churches believe that they have the “correct” spot, so I just study, learn, and feel the spirit in all of the sites. I know that most of the historical things happened around the area so I accept that and enjoy the site. 

Anyway, we first went to a look out point over Dome of the Rock. This is where some say that Christ started his Via Della Rosa. The spot in ancient times would have looked over the ancient temple of Herod. Well, if this is not the place then it does not matter because I got a great view of the Dome.

Dome of the Rock

Next we went to the Church of the Flagellation. This is where a Catholic church resides that believes that Christ was flogged by Roman soldiers prior to his Crucifixion. After that we went to the Church of Condemnation, which was next to it. In this location is believed to be the place where Christ was put on trial before Pontius Pilate. We also saw the Ecco Homo arch, which spans the Via Dolorosa, and then made our way to the Convent of Sister of Zion. At the Christian Convent it is believed to have been the spot where Pilate present Christ and said “Ecce Homo” meaning “behold the man"

Church of the Flagellation

After we were all drained of visiting the sites we made our way through the Old city to get some ice cream!! I love ice cream and this time it tasted even better than usually. As we entered through Damascus Gate we stopped by the Roman Plaza. This is where the people used to enter to get into the Old City in ancient times.

  

Ice Cream with the Girls!

Roman Plaza

 On the way home, we all talked about how neat it is to walk where Christ walks each day and to study the places at the places in Jerusalem. It is amazing to be here and to learn off him!

 

Egypt

Egypt was such an amazing experience! It is impossible to put into words all of the wonderful experiences I had while traveling around Egypt, studying the scriptures, and getting to know the people in the land, so I will give only a few highlights from the trip!!

Day One: The first day we spent mostly traveling but we stopped at a few Biblical sites on the way including Tel Beersheba and Tel Arad. Finally we ended up at the Kibbutz Keturah where we played in the sand dunes, enjoyed a wonderful BBQ, and swim party.

Tel Beesheba

Day Two: We mainly spent day two traveling and crossing the border into Egypt. However, we were able to attend a LIGHT SHOW at the pyramids which was AmAzInG!!! I kept having to pinch myself to believe that I was actually in EGYPT!

Light Show at the Pyramids

Day Three: Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Papyrus factory, Saqqara (Mastaba and Zoser complex, Memphis, and flight from Cairo to Luxor

Giza Pyramids

I love these girls!!

Building a Pyramid at the Pyramids :)

I can't believe I was there!! I love the Pyramids of Giza!

Sphinx

Memphis: Ramses II

Zoser Pyramid (first pyramid ever built)

Sheraton Hotel with my roomate Jenelle

Day Four: Valley of the Kings, Funeral Temple of Hatsheput, Falukah Ride, Camel Safari, carriage ride through the city, shopping in the Suuq, and night stroll through the Winter Palace

Temple of Hatshepsut

Falukah Ride through the Nile River

Camel Ride by the Nile River

Day Five: Motor boat ride, Karnak Temple tour, carriage ride, Luxor Temple Tour, swimming at the hotel, train ride from Luxor to Cairo

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple

Luxor Temple

Watching the Sunset over the Nile River :) Breath taking!

Train Ride from Luxor to Cairo

Day Six: Old Cairo, Egyptian Museum, Hard Rock Cafe, and Khan Al-Khalili Bazaar

Hard Rock Cafe in Cairo

Day Seven: Cairo Citadel (Muhammad Ali Mosque and Al Nasir Muhammad Mosque), Marah, Elim, Rephidim, and over night at Moganland for a 2:00 AM hike to Mt. Sinai

Muhammad Ali Mosque

Head dress for inside the Mosque

Class at Rephidim

 Day Seven: 2:00 AM wake up call for Mt. Sinai, go home to Jerusalem

At the top of Mt. Sinai

Watching the Sunrise on top of Mount Sinai

Egypt was incredible! I had such a great time making lasting memories and creating great friendships! I LOVE EGYPT!!!