Little Victories

Guys, let's talk about small victories. I am all about celebrating the little joys (us pious folk sometimes even call them "tender mercies") because there are significantly more of them then the massive wins.

1. I worked out. For the first time since I've been here in Jerusalem. I know objectively that I love working out and it makes me feel/sleep/think/act better and I could go on and on about how I brought the wrong type of shorts or how much it really wrecks my hair washing schedule but I've just plain been LAZYYYY. There I said it. But. BUT. Finally a two nights ago I ran laps outside on the huge patio then biked in the Center gym while studying for final #1 of 5 this week. Here's an amused-with-myself/hoping-nobody-walks-in selfie to document.

2. I dropped my phone flat on it's screen a few days before I came and the front cam has been so janky ever since. For the first two moths there was a huge shard of glass obstructing the camera but it finally got jostled (all the jogging, probably. lol jokes, jokes) enough to clear enough space for me to send pictures of my face to my loved ones. Oh, what an age we live in. 2016, here's to you!

If you're waiting for the tiny victories, those were the two victories. I exercised 1x in the last two months and my front camera is usable. Lol. That's it. Nothing to see here, folks.

African love Egypt

Egypt was S U R R E A L. So so cool. We packed in SO much in the week that we were there. We'd get back to the hotel at midnight then have to be at breakfast the next day at 5. They're great about making sure we're getting the most bang for our buck!

You know that scene in Prince of Egypt when Moses runs through the palace grabbing pillars? ^^^ ya

At first I took SO many pics then I got kind of bored of it and just wanted to soak it all in.

Highlights:

12 pyramds in one week

group bonding!! lots

the nicest hotels i've stayed in maybe ever? 

traveling by felucca down the Nile River 

Nile River dinner/cruise

camel tour led by local youngsters

carriage ride around Luxor at night

bus tour of Cairo at night

when the hotel made a BYU cake for us

lunch at TGIFridays upon landing in Cairo lol

listening to "My House" by Flo Rida maybe 8123x

getting 4 hours of a sleep then hiking around the Sahara Desert wearing a lot of clothes

so much sweat... truly non stop sweating

swimming at the hotel overlooking the Nile allll afternoon

wandering the markets

valley of the kings- stunning

flying in and out of cairo 4x on EgyptAir same week as the attack

& obvs much much more

Field trip: Bedouin weaving factory, Beersheva & Tel Arad

On Mondays we go on field trips guided by our professors. We learn a lot. I have it all written down and when I come home I'll show you my schoolwork if you'd like because honestly, it's extensive. 

A few takeaways:

1. Everyone shopped at the same place before we came here haha. I match someone every day.

2. It was pretty surreal to be going through scriptures about reading about the very place we were standing and walking around in. We went to the place where Abraham was commanded to take and sacrifice Isaac!! We also wandered around Tel Arad and saw the ruins of an ancient Israelite temple. It had similarities to ours today, very cool.

3. I am in the middle east. 

4. !!!!!!!!!

Western Wall, Garden Tomb & Al-Aqsa Mosque

FRIDAY: We had the most incredible experience at the Western Wall. We got there just a bit before the Sabbath began at 7:18 pm. I was able to write a quick prayer on a piece of paper and we headed towards the wall. Some people call it the wailing wall, and the closer we got the better I understood that. We drew nearer and as we waited our turn we were able to watch first hand others' experiences.

I saw so much beauty and light in the faces of these faithful women and girls as they worshiped. I know that the Lord is pleased when we worship Him- in whatever capacity we're able to. Surely this applies to all of His daughters.  One of the girls on the trip mentioned how sad we would be if all of the temples had been destroyed and we only had one wall left of the SLC temple. I felt so blessed!!!

Ellie, Sabrina (some of my frans) and I huddled up (early enough in the year it's still chilly after sundown) and talked about how grateful we feel for the Gospel and also just the chance to be here. What a privilege. I feel like I have had so many experiences feeling God's love- I have no excuse to ever deny Him or our relationship.

We joined up with a huge circle of orthodox Jewish schoolgirls (+ some other JC [Jerusalem Center, from here on out] girls) and we swayed and joined hands and danced around while they sang their equivalent of primary songs, I'd imagine.

The cherry on top came when they broke out in Matishay's "One Day"- music video included here for the full effect.

Someone leaned over to me and said, 'THIS is making the Sabbath a delight,' and that really sunk in. Dancing and singing with those sweet sweet 8th graders was one of those moments you want to take a mental picture of and capture forever. 

Saturday:  We celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday here. After Fast Sabbath in the morning, we took a bus to the Garden tomb (still fasting lol). 

I didn't know we were allowed to go inside?! It was so strange it was just in the middle of the city, we walked through this gate and all of a sudden we were in a total sanctuary. Everyone there was reverent and quiet as we walked around the beautiful grounds and then were able to take a quick turn inside the tomb.

He is not here for He HAS risen! Honestly the trip was pretty quick and we were in the metaphoric 11th hour of fasting so I'm looking forward to going back and spending time meditating and pondering. 

SUNDAY: Al-Aqsa Mosque aka Dome of the Rock! 

It was kind of fun to cover the three largest religions in the world in three consecutive days.  The Dome of the Rock was stunning. The top alone is worth 70 million dollars of gold lol. Which my smart friend estimates at 11/oz that's 4,000 lbs of gold.

Everyone here is so happy and fun and welcoming. Above are some of the girls I've really clicked with and will from henceforth be referring to: Abby, me, Savannah, Caroline, Ellie and Sabrina. HAPPY HAPPY!

JRU: I've arrived

What a week!! I am loving Jerusalem so so so so much y'all.

Where to even begin? I feel like I learning so much.  I am taking Old Testament, Palestine something, Israel something, Arabic, Near Eastern Studies, and field trip class. 

We celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday here, and this past week was so great! I sat and looked out at the city and felt God's love for me and just so much peace. There is an incredible feeling that comes from the assurance that you're where you're supposed to be doing what you're supposed to be doing!! 

I came in with a few doctrinal questions and I feel like I am already receiving so many answers. 

It's been amazing of course to see where the Savior has walked and taught and performed miracles- but I am also LOVING old testament!! It has always been so hard for me to connect with and understand but my teacher is phenomenal and I am learning so much. It'll be an awesome semester.