Dead Sea

As I'm sure you've figured out by now, I'm really bad at posting as things happen.Though I may not finish this tonight, I wanted to start writing about my latest adventure now.  So, here goes:

Today was our free day. About half the students piled on buses to go to the Dead Sea and En Gedi National Park. It was a fun bus ride full of music, laughter, and a little karaoke. We then proceeded to hike around En Gedi. Our first little endeavor was to the "hidden waterfall". But really, it can't be hidden if you mark a path to get to it. The way there was absolutely beautiful. And of course, who can resist standing underneath pounding water. Just like a shower, right?

After lunch and some group split offs, we made our way to some other springs. Let me tell you, it was a tiring hike. It was steep enough that part way up I thought I was crazy for doing it. When we reached the top, one of the guys turned to me and said "sometimes you wonder why you're hiking up, but when you get to the top, it's always worth it". Let me tell you, it was worth it.

My pictures can't even begin to capture how incredible the view truly was. Let's be honest though, pictures can hardly capture a fraction of the magnificence of most things. The trek down the other side to the springs was also a steep little en-devour. But it was still neat to see even more water!

Better yet, after this tiring adventure, we made our way to the Dead Sea. We were all anxious with anticipation. The water was absolutely inviting! It was a brilliant blue and clear as day. I quickly stripped down to my swimsuit and ran out to the water. About waist deep, I finally took the plunge. All I can say is your center of gravity is very off when all you do is float!

 

And then of course, you have to get yourself nice and covered in the Dead Sea mud. It was one of the most enjoyable days I've had here. I can't wait to go back!

Facing my Goliath

This is a blog post I have been struggling to write for a few weeks. I thought time and space would make it easier, it hasn’t. It’s also more of a personal experience. I have no issues sharing my experiences, but when it’s something that close to me, I get iffy. I hardly talk about stuff like this to people, let alone post it. But hopefully you can find strength in my moment of weakness.

About three weeks ago my class went on a field trip to several places. Among them was the site where David faced Goliath. I had had a pretty hard night before and wasn’t able to sleep it off like I normally can. I was a wreck most of the day. I took pictures at all the sights, but never with me in them. I wanted to remember the places, but not the day I was faced with such opposition.

When we arrived in the valley of Elah, one of my roommates asked me if I wanted my picture. I quickly declined and she came to realize something was wrong. She hugged me asked again if I was sure I didn’t want my picture. This time I thought about it and consented.

I am so grateful for my experience. When I get home I plan to print out this picture and put it with the story of David. I got to go to the place where he faced Goliath on the day I was facing one of my Goliaths; the day I had made one of the hardest decisions of my life. We all have our Goliaths. But just like David, we can overcome them. Hopefully they’re not Bathsheba’s because he didn’t handle that one well.

Looking back, you’d think that after three weeks, it would be easier. It has only gotten harder. But, because of the choice that was so hard for me to make, I have been prepared to face the challenges that have come with. If I had not faced my Goliath when I did, it very well could have turned into a Bathsheba. More importantly I am grateful for my trials and this opportunity to become stronger and grow. I consider myself a God fearing woman and He is my greatest source of strength in times of trial like this. If there is nothing else you learn from me, remember it is my testimony that you are never alone.

Yad Vashem

This week things got a little switched up. We had our field trip day today and get our free day tomorrow. It was a very interesting field trip to say the least. We went to Yad Vashem. For those of you who don't know, it is a holocaust museum.

Before I talk about my experience, I need to tell you a little bit about me. I am heartless. At least that is the nickname my friends gave me after I didn't cry during the beginning of Up. I don't cry in movies, I hardly cry in real life. Furthermore, I can be a very sympathetic person and carry a lot of the weight when my friends are going through hard times. But I don't do empathetic very well. I can't relate and I don't pretend to.

I also have to talk about my brother. My brother is four years older than me and grew up my best friend. Sure we've had our fights, but especially since I've gone to college, we couldn't be closer (disregarding the 7,000 miles between us right now). Just to get a glimpse of this, I'll tell you a quick story. When he was about 16 he got pneumonia, which isn't contagious. At least that's what they tell you. When really, it's only contagious for a very short period. Because I was so concerned about him and did everything to take care of him, I caught it from him.

Now you're probably wondering what all this has to do with, well, anything. I promise, it does have a point. I started out walking through this museum just taking in everything. Some of the things I saw and read broke my heart and I felt sad, but I didn't really feel. It wasn't real to me, it wasn't personal. I sympathized but couldn't empathize.  My favorite part of the museum was reading the letters and journal entries, it made it more real for me. A few rooms in I came to a journal entry of a boy, maybe early teens, and it shook my entire world.

Tears streamed down my face, and for the rest of the museum I couldn't completely focus because his words echoed in the back of my mind. From then on, everything I looked at was completely real.  I felt. I truly felt for the people. There were times when I wanted to run, that I felt like I couldn't face these things.Each new thing I looked at, I couldn't stand still. I was so unraveled and several times had to just walk to a new room as story after story and picture after picture literally broke me to pieces.

I don't want to start a debate. I don't want to point fingers. Bottom line, I feel for the Jews and what they went through. I feel for all the people and families killed in the war itself, not sent to the camps but fighting for what they thought was right. It was all just a mess.

Now, when I think about the holocaust I will forever hear the words of that boy: We have to leave the ghetto tomorrow. I don't know if they'll let me be with my little sister.

Home

It's been quite a while since my last update. For two reasons really. One, classes have been keeping me super busy with midterms and everything. Two, there hasn't been too much to report. But, I'll give a fun little update so people don't start thinking I died or something.

Shortly after arriving here, a group and I were headed back to the center. We were probably here just over a week. It was after one of those free days and we had gone out exploring the city. Curfew is sunset. Well, we have to be back by dark, really. I remember turning to a friend and saying "let's go home." It only took me a moment to process what exactly I had said.

When we got back to the center, the sun was setting. It was an incredible sight. Eventually I'll get a sunset picture on here. I just looked out over the city and watch the sky fade into a bright pink. I realized how lucky I was to call this place my home, and that's what it has become.

While I was in Jordan, I missed the Jerusalem Center. I was only gone for a few days, but I missed my "home". When we got back, I just threw myself on my bed and enjoyed the familiarity of everything.

 I've been here just over a month, and yet I feel like I've been here forever. This truly has become my home. It's my home away from home, anyway. The people, the culture, my friends and classmates. I have grown to love this place so much, and am going to miss it intently when I have to say goodbye.

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!