One week has already gone by and I can't believe how much I have learned about the land, the culture, and the scriptures. Every minute is filled with classes, orientations, or field trips and if it is not planned then the students go out in the city. I am loving every minute of it, even the long hours of studying late at night.
Wednesday 9/1: Arrived at Jerusalem/Orientation
Thursday 9/2: Orientation Walk through East Jerusalem, the Old City, and West Jerusalem
Friday 9/3: Class/Free Day at the Center because of Ramadan
Saturday 9/4: Sabbath Day and Walk to the Old City
My Roommates and I before our first Sabbat (which is Saturday in the Holy Land)
Sunday 9/5: Free Day :) Old City, Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Church of the Redeemer, Money Exchanger, Omar's Olive Wood Shop, Ice Cream, Zedekiah's Cave
Damascus Gate
Church of the Holy Sepulcher
Golgatha: The believed site of the Greek Orthodox where the rock of which Christ's Cross would have stood.
Stone Of Unction: spot where the anoiting and wrapping of Christ's body after his death has been commemorated.
Crack in the wall where they believe the earth was cracked by the earthquakes at the coming of the Savior
Beautiful Artwork
Candles symbolizing their prayers unto God
Some people believe that Christ's Tomb was here
Some people say that Christ was buried here
two tombs
Center of the World (Between the Tomb and Golgotha)
Church of the Redeemer
Zedekiah's Cave
Zedekiah's Cave
Monday 9/6: Geography Field Trip
Seven Arches Hotel Overlook
Deir Mar Elyas/Alias Monastery (Bethlehem is behind me in this picture)
Augusta Victoria
Haas Promenade Overlook (View of City of David, Moriah, Kidron Valley, Bethany, Geshtemane, Mt. of Evil Counsel, etc)
Nabi Samwil (Gibeon- Joshua 9-10)
Tuesday 9/7: Class Full Day
Wednesday 9/8: Study Day/ Rosh Hashana Party at the Rabbi's House
A couple of us got invited to go to A Rabbi's house for a Rosh Hashana feast (It is the Jewish New Year)! It was a lot of fun and very interesting. I learned a lot about their religion. The Jewish people are very faithful and have great devotion to God.
Thursday 9/9: Study/Shopping/Egypt Video
Ramadan Treat with the Girls on our shopping day
Friday 9/10: School/Western Wall
The Western Wall was an amazing experience. We saw Herodian stones that date back to the time of Christ. I talked to a lot of Jewish people who explained to me their beliefs. They pray at the wall because they believe it is a Holy Place (It is the wall of Herod's temple). It was amazing to be there and see how devoted these people are to their faith.
Saturday 9/11: Sabbath/ Garden Tomb
Going to the Garden Tomb was amazing! We went on a mini field trip there. The Garden Tomb at this location is not exactly sure (like everything else in Jerusalem) but it does not matter. The spirit can still bare witness to everyone anywhere that HE LIVES! It was a great opportunity to reflect on the Savior's life and resurrection. Our class sang a number of hymns in the Garden Tomb, and I was able to feel the spirit very strong testify of him.
Sunday 9/12: Tel Aviv Beach :)
the group that went to Tel Aviv for our Free Day :)
The Beach is AMAZING! The water was perfect and the beach was beautiful!
Monday 9/13: Conquest Field Trip/ Pool of Bethesda
Good Samaritan Inn (Byzantine Art Work)
Jericho
Oldest City in the World
Wadi Qilt (People would have gone from Jerusalem to Jericho on this road)
The Savior walked probably walked the Wadi Qilt on his way from Jericho to Jerusalem
Pool of Bethesda
Place where Christ took the crippled man into the cistern to be healed
The whole day was absolutely incredible!! My favorite part of the day was our last stop to the Pool of Bethesda. We went into St. Anne's Church to sing because the church has amazing acoustics. A small group of us began to sing "How Great Thou Art" and then an oriental group began to sing it with us in their own language. It was an amazing experience. All of our eyes were glistening at the end of the song because we could feel the spirit.
Tuesday 9/14: Study, Study, Study :)
So far it has been an amazing experience! Next week we leave to Egypt and I am so excited!! :)
After waiting and planning for my experience in Jerusalem it is finally here!!
The flight was twenty four hours long! I had to be at the airport at 5:00 in the morning for a 7:20 flight from Salt Lake City to Denver, Colorado. After we arrived in Denver, we had an immediate flight to Washington D.C., and then a two hour lay over before we boarded to Vienna. The flight to Vienna was almost ten hours long, but it was not too bad besides the freezing cold airplane. I was able to sit next to a really cute girl, Rachel Reese. We had so much fun talking and playing games, so it made the trip go by really fast. After Vienna, we boarded our flight to Tel Aviv. There was so much excitement from all the students to get to Tel Aviv so we could FINALLY begin our adventure!! We arrived in Tel Aviv after twenty four hours of flying to load into two big buses to the BYU Jerusalem Center.
View of Jerusalem from my the patio of my bedroom
Arriving at the BYU Jerusalem Center was one of the most overwhelming feelings. My eyes began to water as we drove up to the gates and I realized just how truly blessed I am to have the opportunity to be here. I know that this experience will strengthen my testimony and knowledge of the gospel.
