Making History!

Egypt. If you were to ask me last summer if I would ever imagine traveling to Egypt I would give a clear, assertive no. The past eight days I have been in Egypt and have loved every second. It has been absolutely unreal!  As the news may have informed you Egypt turned out to be more of a battlefield than anything else. We were blessed to see many of the sites we had originally planned to visit and the political upheaval only interefered with our JC group at the end of our endeavors. I must say I never felt fear or even worried about our safety because our teachers and tour guides here were very protective and kept us away from the choas erupting nearby. I am amazed by all of the events that have transpired this past week. I was sittting on my professors bed with twenty other students watching the news and asking questions about the situation, the government, and the possible results of such a rebellion. The riots we were witnessing (as I am sure many of you did) on the news were happening just 15 minutes away from our hotel. It makes me sad to see the people I have gained a love and respect for here in Egypt are being directly influenced and hurt by the internal contention within Egypt. Change is necessary, whether it be good or bad Egypt will never be the same! We were told we may be the last JC group to travel to Egypt for quite some time which is sad but I am grateful to have traveled to Egypt at a time when history is being made.

 I am grateful to be an American where my rights and freedoms are not only given to me but protected.  

 On our way to Egypt we took many stops to see archeological sites. This is Kelsey and I rockin the hard hats. She was my Egypt buddy for the week. We roomed together in many different hotels and on the midnight train. She is a party in a half. She is loud, spunky, and doesn't take crap from anyone. To describe or respond to anything she would always say, "that is hot." Haha Love her!

LOVE this picture. These are two of my three roommates. Left is Skyler and right is Victoria. We just saw our first pyramid. I can't describe in words how excited I was but this picture does some justice on the excitement level of our bus!!

 Rach and I taking a little jump off the pyramid. No big deal!

These are the Giza Pyramids behind me. These bad boys are gorgeous and definitely a highlight of this trip. We went inside a few of them and honestly pictures cannot do justice.

 Of course the camels (Kris this is for you). We saw hundreds of camels throughout our stay in Egypt. They are always decorated in elaborate clothing of some kind. I cannot help but laugh because these are such strange creatures yet everyone rides them around like horses. We actually got to ride one around Luxor on Wednesday. One thing I have learned from this experience is that I cannot take anyone on a camel seriously.

 The Sphinx and all its glory!

Oh the Sphinx...this picture was a work in progress. It took numerous tries to get the perfect angle and I am still kissing his chin. However, it is the craziest site to witness twenty people standing alone with their eyes closed, puckering while making subtle adjustments to go up an inch or to the right a tad. Many people were pulling out their cameras not for the Sphinx but for the line of people trying to steal a smooch.

 The most tender moment of the trip was at the Sphinx. I was taking a photo for a friend and a Muslim mother rushed over to me, pointed at the camera and then back at me. I was very confused as to what she wanted from me. Finally I understood...I am blonde. Haha there are quite a few blondes in the JC group and we figured that is was like being a different race to have blonde hair. She gathered all of her children around me so they could have a picture with a blonde. I love children and when all these kids (whom normally refuse pictures in Jerusalem) came running my direction with open arms and precious faces...I couldn't ask for anything better.

Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut. One of my favorite places we went all week. Hatshepsut was the Pharaoh in the 18th Dynasty. She was the longest ruling woman and one of the most adored Pharaohs in Egypt's history. She was depicted as a man throughout her ruling. Look up the history for more details it is phenomenal. This Temple has girl power written all over it!

Cute man at Hatshepsut's Temple.

Colossae of Memnon

Ramesseum. This place is HUGE!

  

We took a boat across the Nile to go ride camels. This is the gang playing a little game called "signs" in order to pass the time away.

 This is my camel driver named Abraham. We were lectured numerous times about the dangers of camel drivers but I loved my driver. He is 17 years old and dreams of going to Paris. His English was pretty good so it was fun to carry on a conversation with him about his family and his passions. At the end of the ride I gave him a dollar but he wanted a kiss...sorry Abraham maybe another time!

 My wonderful twin and a bent pyramid.

 The boys trying to recreate their own pyramid!

The overnight train ride was a PARTY!!! We packed lots of people in a tiny, sweaty room to play games and talk the night away. Sleeping was not a problem. We play so hard in the day that by the time the moon comes out, my little eyelids have no choice but to shut down.

 Hiking Mount Sinai. This was BEAUTIFUL!! Thanks to you mom I love hiking. We all got a wake-up call at 2:30 in the morning. Drank some nasty brown water they called hot chocolate and off we went. It was dark most the way up so we used our little headlamps. When we got to the top it was breathtaking. We sang lots of hymns and took many pictures. We read Moses 1 the night before we hiked it in order to get a better perspective of what we would be in for. I cannot believe that I stood in the same place that many marvelous, spiritual events took place so many years ago.

 Bliss! Although it was cold on top (thanks grandma for the jacket it was wonderful) I felt so warm and peaceful. There was a devotional and a little testimony meeting on top. I am beginning to understand why I am here and what I want to take from this wonderful program. I am blessed! Sitting on top of the mountain overlooking the land below I felt a feeling of power and worth unlike ever before. I know this program is changing me and I just hope that I am accepting and open to the wonderful adventures ahead of me. 

A few random, beautiful shots: 

 The Nile at night!

(Ramesseum) All of the architecture here is beautiful. Grandpa if you were an Egyptian you would be creating amazing structures like these. Brilliant!

Dad this picture is for you! I am very proud of this pic. It is on top of Mount Sinai. Thanks for teaching me how to take a panorama shot. I am using it often:)



Egypt here we come!

Today has been a great day. Sabbath is always a wonderful day. Sacrament meeting is always a beautiful adventure. The students here are stellar, therefore the talks are wonderfully prepared. The view isn't too bad either...I don't think I will ever get used to the large glass windows overlooking the city where Christ lived.
I have been out of YWs for a year and a half and now I am back in. I have been called to be a young women's advisor. I met the four beautiful girls for the first time today. Three of the four live in the building because their parents are faculty. I love it! I love girls (for that is all I have known) and so being in YWs is comfortable. Honestly purity just radiates from all of these darling girls...can you see my excitement!?! I am blessed!
 After church we went to the Garden of Gethsemane. It is beautiful and full of Olive trees. I read about the suffering and agony that took place in this sacred garden from Talmage's, Jesus the Christ. Jerusalem is amazing. I am sorry I cant post pictures right now, otherwise I would post a beautiful picture of an olive tree or the sunset or smiling BYU faces. Honestly, I am starting to understand why I am here. I want to soak everything up while I can. All of these students here have been gathered from all over the place (mentally and physically) into this beautiful center. We are all here together for a reason. It is beginning to sink in that I am living here. I often feel this is just a vacation but in reality we are students living here. It is up to us what we get out of this experience. Being away from home, in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by studs (Brock) (both students and faculty), constantly being spiritually uplifted is a learning experience. I am learning more about myself and what I want to become. Today, I have had many personal confirmations that I am here for a reason.
Oh another wonderful experience this week is the humanitarian activity on friday. I love service. We made hygiene kits for two hours on friday. I was called to lead this humanitarian group of joy along with Brother and Sister Bentley(who are so sweet and fun grandparents to us wild, crazy kids). There is a wonderful committee and all of the students here are so excited to serve. Jared, the DJ of the day, was SO hysterical and fun. Music soothes the soul and it turned into a large dance party. Service+music=GOODNESS!
Now we are off to EGYPT! We depart tomorrow morning. I am so excited. Riding camels, boating down the nile and visiting pyramids. YA GIRL! We have had orientations, meetings, and mass emails stressing over the water and sanitation issues in Egypt. After all the meetings we then had a meeting not to be too anal. haha it just makes me laugh.
Water, diarrhea, "squatty toilets," don't matter Egypt is going to ROCK!!

On Monday we went on a field trip down to Jericho. Literall down.We dropped 3500 feet in elevation over the span of 17 miles. Luckily, the bus driver is very well qualified for the roads were winding all over the place. Field trips are my favorite. The 80 students here are separated into two groups based on which Old Testament teacher you have. Although we see the same sites, we go in different orders. Brother Judd is my Old Testament teacher and guide for field trips the first half of this semester. I love him. Old Testament ROCKS!!

 The Wabi Quelt. This desert is located between Jerusalem and Jericho. It is also the place of the famous "Good Samaritan" story.  I can't fully express how wonderful and rewarding it is to be here and associate the stories I have been taught my whole life to the actual place it occurred so many years ago.

The Wabi Quelt in all its glory. I could not believe how beautiful the rolling hills of the desert are. I felt like a little ant in a large sand box. The hills went on forever...

  

The Saint George Monastery located in the Wabi Quelt. 

A few of the many troopers standing in Herod's Palace.

  

 King Herod's Winter Palace. CRAZY!!!

 The Mount of Temptations (or general area)!

 A little BYU Pride!

This is one of my darling roommates named Skyler. She is absolutely hysterical and brilliant in her own beautiful way. There is always a disney song, movie quote, or cheesy joke coming out of her mouth. I love her. We spend many late nights and early mornings talking and listening to the Tangled soundtrack. Oh how I love it!

Banana Pita!

The days are long to me but the weeks just fly by. I feel like I have been here for ages but in reality its only been a day short of two weeks. I love it here. We are all getting into more of a rhythm as we began classes, field trips and free Sundays. I am still adjusting to the wonderfully prepared Mediterranean food (spices are a little funky) but the pita bread is divine. I eat a peanut butter/ chocolate nutella filled pita once, most often twice every meal. On very special occasions they have bananas-which in that case I add a little more flavor by putting sliced up bananas into the collection of goodness. I love it and have converted a few followers to this divine treat. Oh and big news....I may or may not have found a bigger Celine Dion fan than my obsessive self. His name is Spencer. He is absolutely hysterical. He owns all of her songs on itunes, makes up interpretive videos to her most powerful ballads, and has been to her concert. This boy is legendary. Haha but we shall have a duel soon enough.
The classes here are wonderful. Honestly I feel like a sponge trying to absorb a waterfall. It is just too much but too good to stop wanting more. I love to learn. This trip has taught me the power of education. All of these wonderful places are exotic and beautiful but it has been pointed out to me that without knowledge, none of this would be as spiritual and sentimental as it had been thus far. Knowing the stories and people in the scriptures allow for a deeper more appreciative understanding of all the incredible sites we get to see. I love this. I honestly feel inadequate when it comes to doctrine. I feel however, well equipped with the strength to learn and not be discouraged. In fact when I don't know or understand something (which happens a lot I may tell you) I get a feeling of passion and curiousity rather than discouragement because I want to learn. I don't want something wonderful and magnificent to pass me by because I don't fully understand a concept. Therefore questions are key. I ask lots of questions. I have learned to get over the pride/fear issue by simply asking. I am grateful the people here are so patient and willing to answer my questions, it definitely makes this quest for knowledge much easier. I love it. I love to learn and I know by the end of this trip the knowledge I gain will be rewarding and something I can treasure for the rest of my life.
The people here are wonderful. I love to see the many diverse cultures and religions. I enjoy witnessing how other people worship and perceive God. We all went on a field trip last friday to the Western Wall. It was so beautiful. There were many men and women praying, reading the Quran, dancing, and sobbing. There were many mixed emotions but yet they were all in unity at the same time. The Jews know how to party. The men on the left side of the wall were going crazy and letting themselves go, literally. There were men on each others shoulders just dancing and having a blast. The women were a little more quiet and reserved, though there were some groups who were also enjoying themselves quite a bit. The farther away we went from the wall the louder the women (as well as men) became. A group of girls and I just joined into random singing and dancing. I felt like it was a combination of girls camp/EFY, Jewish style. It was really fun. They were all so warm and welcoming to us. I am grateful for their example of kindness and acceptance.
Yesterday a large group of students went to play soccer at a random park in West Jerusalem. We all took a bus and went to one of the coolest parks I have ever seen. The weather was beautiful and perfect for playing outside. It felt so good to get out of the center and away from the city for a brief moment to just enjoy the weather and atmosphere.  We all played on an old soccer/basketball court. It was really fun because all of the students here are wicked good at soccer. I love soccer but the option came up to run. So of course I chose the latter of the two. A small group of girls and I went around this beautiful park. It has been a good three weeks since I have purposefully went on a run, so today was the perfect opportunity and oh how I love those endorphins. I am destined when I grow up to live near a park. It doesn't matter if its in a busy city or suburb, a public park is necessary. While running, we ran into an outdoor gym. It was CRAZY! All of the machines were identical to any machine found in an average American gym except the fact they were metal, brightly colored, and included no weights. You just lifted or benched or pushed your own weight. I don't think I can fully express how cool, unique it was but hopefully I will have time to run to Hebrew University for a second to put upload pics. We then did abs and a little yoga. Girls day at the park=golden!
We all just got back from a field trip to Jericho about an hour ago. It was absolutely wonderful. We saw Herod's winter palace, the Mount (general area) of Temptations, the area of the Good Samaritan (Wadi Quelt), Elisha's spring, and many ancient ruins. It was wonderful and I will make a seperate blog about this field trip with pictures because my writing cannot fully express how beautiful it was.
I love it here and I love anyone who would take a moment to read this silly blog of mine. Thank you for your support and love. In a place of constant change and stress, find the something you love (if you haven't already). Whether it be running or a banana pita-for the simple joys in life truly have greater purposes.

Jerusalem: Take Two!

There are so many pictures and stories to tell, however there is simply not enough time to do so. Here are a few highlights of the past week. I love being here. There are so many things to learn. I am currently excited to begin my journey of discovering the Old City and the Old Testament.

Ramparts Walk. We got a breathtaking view of the Old City by traveling along the outer walls encompassing the city.  

I love Cemeteries! There are numerous cemetaries covering the Mount of Olives and East Jerusalem. I am in Heaven.

We are on the walls of the city in front of Mount Olives.

The Dome of the Rock.

Wailing Wall. I loved getting a closer view of the ways both the Jews and Muslims worship. This wall is a sacred site for Judaism for it is the remains of the Jewish Temple. People from all over the world come to pray to this wall for purposes of speaking directly to God. There were many women reading the Bible, writing and saying prayers next to this wall. To see such sacrifice and physical devotion to God is refreshing. 

The Augusta Victoria Tower is one of three prominant towers overlooking Jerusalem. It was absolutely freezing to be on top but the view was well worth the countless flights of stairs.

Elias Monastery. This building overlooks Gibeon. This is perhaps one of my favorite sites we have visited thus far. The view is spectacular and is the place of our ancestry. 

I am standing in front of Gibeon and Benjamin Plateau. We sang a hymn and read the history of this beautiful land. The scriptures truly come to life when we can see the actual location of what we are reading. It is unbelievable.

This is our beautiful Jerusalem Center. It sits on Mount Scopus overlooking the Old City.

This is Zedekiah's Cave. We happened to run into it. This cave is the largest cave in Jerusalem. This cave goes all the way under the Old City! Ya girl!

Jerusalem!

    Four planes, mature Austrian babies, lots of girl bonding, no sleep, and lost luggage brings me to one of the most beautiful places on Earth. I am so excited, words cannot express my happiness. I love the people. I love the center. I love the faculty. I love it all.
I will try to post pictures as often as I can but it may be difficult because of the internet here at the center.
   Jet lag is the current obstacle to overcome. Heavy eyelids are a very common site around the center. Luckily the excitement and spontaneous adventures keeps us all on our toes. The teachers radiate charity and love. Thanks to their efforts we are all slowly becoming a family. There are a total of 82 students here from all over the country. It is simply the common bond of being in the Holy Land that brings us together. I have never met so many outgoing and energetic people at one time. It is a blast!
    Though we have only been here for a few days, it feels like I have been here forever. Some of the highlights these past few days include the introduction of the Call to Prayer, viewing East Jerusalem from the auditorium windows, lesson of the Abrahamic Covenant, touring through both the East and West parts of Israel, and visiting the Western Wall.
    This culture is so interesting. I have never seen anything like this. We have been drilled to respect the current clashing relationship between the Palestinians and the Jews. It is a very sensitive topic and one that must be handled lightly. It is not our place to judge or pick sides while we are here. We are here to learn and develop a stronger testimony of Christ and His ministry within Israel.
    The people here are extremely nice. It may have to do with them wanting our money but no matter their intentions, they are friendly. We are trained not to smile, proselyte, look men in the eyes, or carry on friendly conversations. The merchants in East Jerusalem practically sing, “Mormons, Mormons “every time we pass by. They know who we are and seem to enjoy our stay in their homeland.
    The BYU Jerusalem Center is beautiful. The architecture, landscape, location, everything is just perfect! In my opinion, the auditorium is the best room of the entire center. Ironically enough this room is the place we perform the most important Sabbath activity, the sacrament. There are rows and rows of seats that face a wood stage and podium. A beautiful organ is located directly behind the seats. When the organ is played, nothing can stop the Spirit from entering this room. Although everything about this room is majestic, the windows are the most beautiful and breathtaking aspect of this room. There is a wall of windows overlooking the Old City directly behind the podium. It is the most beautiful site I have ever seen. I know this vision will only get more beautiful and sentimental as we continue to study about Jesus’ life and the history of Jerusalem. One of the most spiritual moments on my trip thus far occurred the first night of our arrival in this very room. All the students were gathered together for the first time in this auditorium to sing hymns and do a little housekeeping business. The students, strangers only 24 hours prior to this moment, began to sing and one of the professors slowly opened the curtains (hiding the windows) to expose this beautiful site. Pictures cannot do justice. I don’t know if there is a faster way to feel the Spirit than by singing church hymns and overlooking Jerusalem. I am blessed. In this moment I truly recognized the significance of this experience and how blessed I am to be here.
     One of the most unique and surprising cultural aspect of Eastern Jerusalem is the Call to Prayer. This prayer is broadcasted for Muslims five times a day over loud speakers. The first night of my arrival I forgot that such a prayer was delivered at five in the morning. I woke up in a panic thinking a man was serenading our window. In utter fear, I hopped out of my bed and went to my roommate’s bed in order to calm down and comprehend what was going on. Honestly, it is a beautiful prayer. The man offering it has a wonderful voice but oh how it catches me off guard. Even after several days I still get startled to hear a man’s voice echoing throughout the walls in my bedroom but who knows maybe one day it may become relaxing and even therapeutic. Let us hope anyway. I admire these wonderful Muslim and Jewish people for their faithful religious dedication. They are humble and willing to sacrifice for their beliefs. I am excited to learn more from them.
     I still don’t know very much about the land I am in. I am trying to soak up as much as my little brain possibly can. My curiosity is increasing each day. The academics here will not be easy, in fact it will be rather difficult, but that is how we learn eh? I am so excited to learn and become more educated about my ancestors and the land of our Savior. I will try to update at least once a week if not more. Thank you for you support and love. I love you family!