The River Jordan

Yesterday, before returning home to the center, we took one last trip out of Jordan. We got to go inside of a Mosque and went to a museum. Both cool. But really, the part of the trip that made it worthwhile was going to the Jordan River.

We sat along side the river talking and reading scriptures. I had never thought so much on the event of Jesus of Nazareth being baptized. The scriptures tell us that he descended below all men. The Jordan river is at one of the lowest points on earth. He literally descended below man.

I spent most of my time by the riverside contemplating my own brothers and their influences and impacts on my life. I can't say that I had any intense spiritually enlightening experiences. I didn't need to go to the sight of his baptism to know that he is the Christ. But it certainly strengthened my testimony of his example.

Just a Camel

The second day in Jordan was one of the longest days I can remember. After getting through the canyon to the treasury, all the students were released for free time. I spent about eight hours walking, hiking, and climbing more stairs than I ever knew existed! By the end of the day my legs were sore and I could barely stand on my feet. The morning started out at about 11 degrees Celsius. But I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

Now I could talk about the Monastery, the High Place, or other smaller locations like the amphitheater, many caves and countless other sites. Don't get me wrong, they made the trip. But you can't experience Petra through my words. I wouldn't do it justice. It isn't sight seeing, history, or hiking; it's an experience.

Instead, if you choose to indulge me, I want to talk about a mini highlight of my day. I got to ride a camel! It was only a short walk around the area, but I fell in love! For one thing, you cannot appreciate the size of a camel until you are standing next to it. They are big things! As they stand, and kneel back down you are tossed back and forth. I have a very priceless picture of my face when the camel knelt down to let me off. I won't be sharing that here. It was a very sweet camel, and I even paid him with a kiss when it was all over ;) Now that is an experience!

Petra by Night

On Monday the 27th my fellow classmates and I headed across the Israel border to Jordan. It was an early day; really, every morning in Jordan started at about 6 am. We spent hours on the bus and hours just chillin at the border. But it was an amazing couple of days!

Our first night some of us went and did Petra by night. We were all going to spend the day at Petra the following morning, so this was optional and at our own expense. It was worth it. At first I was disappointed that I couldn't get any pictures because it was so dark, but then I realized that there truly was no way to capture the beauty of walking through the canyon at night. It was absolutely gorgeous. I wish I could express the beauty of it or show you a picture, but like I said, it's just one of those things.

We wound through the canyon, tall sloping walls of rock. The sky above was pitch black, the path lit up by covered candles. I don't think I had seen so many stars dancing across the sky, even when up in the mountains away from the every day light pollution. I found Orin's Belt and the Big Dipper. But the most incredible thing was looking up and walking out of the canyon to see the treasury looming before me. It was a sight you can't even imagine.

Now, it's not the same as seeing it at night, but try and imagine walking out and seeing this astounding sight! If any of you ever get the opportunity to go to Petra I would strongly advise doing Petra by Night. Once in a lifetime opportunity. An optional activity that certainly impacted my perception when I got to see it all in the sunlight!

Judean Wilderness

On Thursday my class took a field trip to Jericho. Which is an 8 hour walk from Jerusalem, if you were wondering. We went to the spring and to one of Herod's Palaces. It was probably my most favorite field trip yet. But what made it so amazing was being in the middle of nowhere. Literally.

We were headed to the Judean Wilderness and I turned to the girl next to me and said we are in the middle of nowhere. It wasn't flat, it wasn't mountainous. It was, however, dusty and rocky. It was a sight I had never seen. Our bus dropped us off and we trekked to a little pavilion where we talked about the parable of the good Samaritan.

After we concluded we trekked again to the pick up spot. As I was walking around I just looked out at this great expanse of absolutely nothingness, and yet, it was everything. It was absolutely incredible.

I began thinking about wandering around in this... mass of dust and rocks with no end in sight. To live in this environment and all that it would require. Truly devastatingly discouraging. You're hiking and then you keep hiking. Over each hill is another hill and there is absolutely no end in sight. Incredible.

This is Israel

Last night I had a very cool opportunity. For starters, students aren't allowed in the Old City at night. However, last night was an exception. The Jewish Sabbath starts at sundown on Friday. We were given the chance to go to the Western Wall for the Sabbath and it was an amazing experience.

I had already stopped by the Western Wall on a previous day and put a prayer in the wall. Compared to that day, it was packed. There were so many people crowded up to the wall. There were groups singing and dancing. I even joined in one of the dance circles and pretended to sing songs I didn't know in a language that I also don't know. It was a blast!

What struck me most though, was the reverent spirit that was present. The thought occurred to me that this is Israel (the people from the Old Testament, not the place). These are God's people and He is patiently waiting for them to recognize it. He will be the Savior of Israel and they will come to know him. Still, the spirit was very much present. Between the sweet songs and the dancing, you could feel the gentle presence.

Falling in Love With the People

I have now been to the Holy Land for just over a week. Time has flown by. I feel like I've been here forever, and yet there is so much I haven't experienced. There's so much I need to experience.

When I got my acceptance to the Jerusalem Center, it didn't feel real. Up until the day I left, it didn't feel real. It was when I was in the plane going to Tel Aviv, watching the little electronic map track the flight, that it started to feel real. The excitement I had bubbling inside me on that plane has not stopped since I landed. There are new discoveries around every corner. The people. The sites. The culture.

With just a week of classes under my belt, I've just started to skim the surface of these things. I have an Israeli class and a Palestinian class. I cannot even begin to express the enlightenment I have been faced with. In the US we are often fed a single story. Given one snapshot. It is grossly misleading. Not only have I learned to understand the people better, I have experienced them as well. They have been some of the nicest people I have met. They are genuine.

I have also been given better insight into the Islam and Judaism religions. My love for the people has grown and my appreciation for their faith has increased. I am a Christian, but that doesn't blind me from the truths that these people have. I know my love for this place and its people will only increase with my time here.

He is Risen!

My first Sabbath (Saturday) in Jerusalem I had the opportunity to go to the Garden Tomb after church. My knowledge about it is limited so I would encourage you to do some research for yourself. This site is run by a Protestant group. It is a sight that is believed to be the death place and place of resurrection for Jesus Christ. I walked around the garden and went inside the tomb. There were different groups there and each would sing a song throughout the time their. My group sang Nearer My God to Thee. It was a neat experience.

Now, on Sunday, after seeing some other sites in the city, I went to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Again, I would encourage you to read up on this site. It is run by Catholics, and is believed to be the site of the death and resurrection of Christ. I stood in line to enter the tomb. I noticed the ritualistic dedication and worship of those there.

I'm sure you see a problem. Both cannot be Christ's place of death and resurrection. And honestly, we don't know for sure if either of them are. The place could be unknown. But what I do know, is I felt a different kind of spirit at each place. I did not get a burning revelation that one was false while the other was true. No. It's not important. But I could feel the difference. And it is not my place to say. I've heard other students say they prefer one over the other. You do not need to hear that from me.

What I wish to express, is something touched upon at the Garden Tomb. We do not worship the rocks Christ walked upon or the stones where his blood dripped down. We worship Him. We worship Him and His great sacrifice for us. It doesn't matter where it took place. It matters that it happened. Why do ye look for the living among the dead? He is risen!

Let Me Share My Dream

When I was fourteen, I dreamed about going to Israel. Of course, my dad said no because of the unstable environment. Now, almost six years later, I am living this dream that I never thought would come true.

On January 7th I left my Utah home to live and study in the Holy Land for almost four months. I left behind many friends and a loving family. As the days neared my departure, I could think of little but the people I was leaving behind. Two of whom I wouldn't see for another two years, and another who moved to California just before I left. Four months is only a moment, but a lifetime when spent away from the ones you love.

The night before I left my big brother, already heavy eyed and tired, stayed up on his school night to play one last game before I left. In the morning he woke me to say goodbye. The words that have lingered on my mind are these: Miranda, things are never going to be the same. While he was referring to our childhood relationship of playing Legos and wrestling  in the living room, I thought about them a little more. I will not be the same when I return home. Things won't be the same because I won't be able to unsee and unlearn all that I have experienced while in this country. The people I come home to won't be the same either. Just because I am not there, their lives won't stop. We will live and learn and grow.

I have been in Israel for just a few days now, with some eighty other students. I have already seen myself start to grow. I have been out in the city only a handful of times and my knowledge has already increased. My appreciation for the people and the culture will forever be in my heart.  My hope is to document my experiences  on this once in a lifetime trip and share what I have learned and observed while in the Holy Land.