Week 11: 11/11/11 at 11:11 pm!

1. I just needed to give a shout out that this past week was week 11, 11th month, 11th day, 11th year of the millennium, 11th hour and 11th minute I celebrated it with 10 other people. (Actually I celebrated it with more, but just for fun's sake I'll say 10 others). We took a break from studying for our last final and did a count down. When we hit 11:11, we wrote down our wish for the upcoming year and went around yelling and bugging everyone else that it was 11/11/11 11:11. It was epic.

2. November 6-12
SUNDAY: Yad Vashem (the Israel Holocaust Museum) and Mt. Herzl
MONDAY: Roman Catholic Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and hung out in West J
TUESDAY: Classes and Finals Prep
WEDNESDAY: Finals Prep and Judaism Final (Class #3 done!)
THURSDAY: Classes, Orientation for Galilee!!!, and Rampart's Walk (walked on the Old City walls overlooking Jerusalem from the Old City)
FRIDAY: (2 months until I enter the MTC!!!) Class and Finals Prep
SATURDAY: Church and Garden of Gethsemane

3. The tender mercy of this week kind of happened alongside with Week 12, but I'll get over it. My roommate has been having abdominal pains for a while, and the pains became really bad yesterday before church. They continuously got worse, so our home teachers gave her a blessing, and the doctor gave her pills to help with the pain. At about 9 that night, the doctor came in and did a little pain test (push somewhere and see if it hurt). Well, it hurt on the right side...where the appendix is. So we went to the hospital to see what is going on. The hospital was an experience in itself. When we finally found the hospital, we went through a shopping mall area to get to the ER (we found out later there was another way to get to the ER, but it was still weird going through the shopping area). Seeing all the Jews (ultra and reformed) was an experience too. But now you're probably wondering what happened to my roommate and curious to why I'm putting this experience in the tender mercy section. After she was tested for all the basic things, then was tested for more specific things by 4 different doctors, it was diagnosed that she didn't have appendicitis. If she did, she would have had surgery and be recovering while we were in Galilee. The Galilee trip is the longest trip we have which covers a good amount of our New Testament course. The tender mercy is that she was able to be tested, not have appendicitis, and she is now feeling good enough to go to Galilee. So whatever happened of the million things that were treated, it worked. My roommate's doing a lot better and is able to go to Galilee. :)

4. This week the funniest thing has been in the works for a while. On Thursday, we had our orientation meeting for Galilee. The head people decided to do an EFY line dance/flash mob for the faculty. Since I was an EFY counselor, I got into the thick of the...planning...committee. We've had a few days before where we wanted to do it, but it failed because we didn't feel like the whole student body was ready. But this time we gave people a little more heads up, so we decided to just go for it. The day came, and I sat in the front. I volunteered to be the one to figure out music, so when it came time to decide who would instigate the dance, I became the spokesperson. After the orientation, I raised my hand and said I had an announcement. I went up to the mic and got out my iPod and my roommate's speakers. My hands were shaking soo bad!!! I then turned to Bro. Skinner, our Academic Director, who was in charge of the meeting and said, "Actually this isn't an announcement, but a question for you Bro. Skinner. Are we going to party in Galilee? Cuz we like to party." Then the EFY music of 'We Like to Party' (the Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich dance, you may know it) came on. We split the song into sections, so more people would stand up as time went on. My back was to everyone else, but from what I did see it looked pretty much awesome! I didn't know how the faculty would react but not at all what I expected! I expected some laughs, some smiles, even some confused faces...but no. It was the lack of reaction that got me! They didn't even seem to be phased by the flash mob like it happens every semester or something! But the best ending was when Bro. Skinner came back up to the mic after I turned off the music and sat down. He said, "Tie me to an ant hill and smear my ears with jelly." None of us knew what this meant which was the best part of all! Another epic event!!!

5. I love it when spiritual moments happen in the most unexpected random times. That has happened a lot more than I thought it would here, but maybe it's because I'm looking for them so they show up easier. Fridays are the movie nights typically, and we watched "The Robe" this last Friday. It's movie kind of like the 10 commandments in the sense of when it was made the atmosphere of the movie. First off, there were about five of us and five others who came in and out of the movie.there since everyone else was studying for our final which was an essay. I took time off to destress for a bit. By the end of the movie, there were only three: one of the faculty's wives, another girl, and myself. I liked the movie though. The movie was about the perspective of the Roman soldier who crucified Christ. It went through his life a little bit before, but mostly the effect afterwards. I realized while watching this movie that Christ had such an impact on so many people during that time. Since the apostasy happened, I didn't even think of the people who were effected after his death and how they went through life. Not only did Christ have an impact on others, but they had an impact on other people also. It was an everlasting effect. We have that change on people also. Whatever actions we make in life we pay it forward to someone else--good or bad. I know that pay it forward is meant for a good connotation, but sometimes in life we make bad payments. Our actions aren't as good as we hoped for, but those actions are still impactful. After the movie, I thought about all the people who have made huge impacts in my life and realized how much I was grateful for their good choices and actions, so I can be motivated to do good. It's just wonderful how we don't have to go through this life alone and how together we can all lift each other up to a higher state. Amazing.

I will be in Galilee for the next 11 days! (Another 11, just wanted to point that out) I won't be blogging next week since the Internet is super slow in Ein Gev. Just warning you, so you don't get too disappointed from missing your weekly reading of this blog. ;) Love you all!!!

Week 10: You can have the Holy Land on your hand.

1. This last week we had some finals, and one final was about the field trips we went on. We needed to know the geography of the land, so there's a trick we learned about our hand that I will teach you now. If you put your left hand up, the knuckles and fingertips represent some of the cities in Israel while in between the fingers represent valleys. Your index finger's top knuckle is Jerusalem and Bethlehem is the next knuckle (middle finger). Another fun place that you may recognize is the Elah Valley (in between middle and ring finger) where David and Goliath fought. There are more places on the hand, but now when you look at your hand you can picture Israel :)


2. October 30-November 5
SUNDAY: Knesset (Israel parliament building)
MONDAY: Walked around Tzurim valley (right next door) and had a Halloween party which involved dressing up (I dressed as a rancher...a Jolley Rancher), going to a silent movie with a live organist (our branch president), and dance party afterwards!
TUESDAY: Bethlehem Field Trip: Bethlehem University, Tent Restaurant, Church of the Nativity, and Shepherd's field.
WEDNESDAY: Tomb of the Kings (random huge tombs) and some of our boys played basketball against a Palestinian team which I went and supported with some other girls here.
THURSDAY: Studied...took a final...the end
FRIDAY: studied...took another final...then partied that night!
SATURDAY: Church and Garden Tomb


3. This week we had the amazing opportunity to visit Bethlehem University. The students there I admire so much. Some wake up at about 4 am to get to class at 8 because of how long it takes for them to get through security. For us it only took about 10 minutes, but since they are Palestinian, security takes longer for them. Sometimes they can't even get through. The soldier tells them to leave, they're not going through today. Also getting out of the country takes at least 3 months in advance to plan because they have to get permission from the state. Even then they may get rejected or not find out until their plans don't work anymore (I know some college students who decide to leave the country for a few weeks spontaneously). This is just for visiting countries, if they want to live somewhere else, they have to get an invitation from outside the country. So students have pretty much no opportunities outside of Israel, and inside of Israel is tough because of the economy. Also depending on where you were born decides what privileges you get. Inside the West Bank (Bethlehem, Gaza Strip, Ramala, and other areas), these students can't even go outside without getting special permission. If you were born in Jerusalem or outside of the West Bank, you can go in and out of the West Bank pretty much as you please (unless the soldiers don't like you that day). The students are mostly women at the Bethlehem U because usually the men get jobs without needing much education, so if the women want to make a living of their own, they have to go to school and do well. If I remember right, there are 75% girls. I just feel so blessed to have a university nearby, and if I'm late to class or I don't show up, it is really my fault. I'm also grateful to be able to travel pretty much whenever I want if I work hard enough and find the time to do it. I'm able to work anywhere I want, and I don't need an invitation to live anywhere in the world. My life is one huge blessing.

4. Something funny that happened at Shepherd's fields is that we went right before sunset and were having this devotional about what the Shepherd's went through and a little bit about the Savior's birth. Right in the middle of it, this herd of sheep walks right behind us. Our professor then proclaims how he didn't plan any of it, then another herd of sheep walk by maybe 5 minutes later. It was so funny how we are really experiencing the Holy Land with and without having to use our imaginations.

5. Also in the Shepherd's field which was a spectacular view of Bethlehem, we sang Christmas songs and during this time I felt so connected to how the night of Christ's birth was like. It was so peaceful (except for the two instances with the sheep), and the song "Silent Night" was definitely touching because the night was truly silent. We did hear randomly a car and a dog barking, but compared to the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem, Bethlehem was totally the better place to be born. I'm now in the double digits of how many weeks I've been here in the Holy Land, and I can't believe how much I have grown spiritually and intellectually. I just feel so blessed with these types of experiences to know what it was like. Yes, I didn't need to have this study abroad to have a testimony of my Savior, but my testimony has definitely grown because of it. I just don't want to waste a moment the next 6 weeks, so I can be strengthened as much as I can. Love you all!!!

Week 9: Kristine was in which city last week? A. Ammon B. Philadelphia C. Amman D. Vernal

1. This past week, we went to the country Jordan, and its capital is all the names up above (except Vernal). During Old Testament's times the capital's name was Ammon. Then the Greeks took over the area and renamed it Philadelphia. Afterwards, the Arabs regained control and returned the name to Amman (pronounced "Ammon" so pretty much the same name).

2. October 23-October 29

SUNDAY: Israel Museum and then had a lazy day

MONDAY: Head for Jordan then visited: Mount Nebo (where Abraham saw God and was translated), Madaba, and Machaerus (where John the Baptist was beheaded)

TUESDAY: Petra!!! (watch Indiana Jones 'Last Crusade') then headed to Amman and wandered around

WEDNESDAY: King Abdullah Mosque, Philadelphia Citadel and Museum, Jerash (saw a gladiator fight and the theater there had great acoustics!), Jabbok River (where Jacob saw God and his name changed to Israel), and had a night out on the town of Amman (story later)

THURSDAY: Roman Theater, Jordan River then headed back for the JC

FRIDAY: Classes and made school kits for humanitarian

SATURDAY: Church and Garden Tomb

3. After Turkey, many of us like 2/3 of the JC got sick. It wasn't as big of epidemic after Jordan, but a few students and one of our professors are sick again--super sick. One of the students I have only seen once since we got back. A lot of people had a cough or sniffles, but I was one of the few blessed to be spared. I don't know what happened or why I was saved, but I'm doing great. I've only been sick once this entire semester so far, and I hope it stays that way.

4. There's an intensive BYU Arabic program going on in Amman. So on Wednesday night, many came to our hotel to show us around. A girl was friends with a guy in my group, so she said we would go to this super good and cheap restaurant to try some local food. Well, we headed down and you know how cities are different at night then in the day? Let's just say...we got lost. She kept asking for directions and people kept leading us down different paths it seemed like. But don't worry, Mom, we made it just fine. I just got to experience all of Amman, the super sketch and the ritzy places. The restaurant we went was good, but I don't think I've ever been so nervous when we went for a taxi. Since it took us about 45 minutes to get to the restaurant and we wanted to go to this delicious fruit and ice cream place, we decided to get a taxi. Well, we didn't have enough room for all of us to get into one taxi. I got the group that didn't get into the taxi with the Arabic student. She explained to him where we were going and to put on the meter, but he didn't speak a lick of English. Once we shut the door and started going, I think I was starting to have a panic attack. All these possiblities of getting dropped off at the wrong place and then traveling lost again but this time without a translator were running wildly through my mind. Looking back at this night, it was such an adventure and so funny how freaked out we were at some times, but sooo worth it! You may not think this is funny, but I think it's hilarious :) Oh btw, we got dropped off at the right place with our Arabic student right behind us.

5. We went to the River Jordan, it was not what I was expecting. I don't know what I was expecting, but whatever it was didn't happen. There were places set up, so people could go down to the river and be baptized. Some people were baptizing themselves, and some were just washing themselves. I washed my hands, and it was a cool experience to know that Christ was baptized in the river somewhere along those banks. But it was the experience I had there that was changing me. We sang some songs, our professor gave a little devotional, two students bore their testimonies, and said a prayer together. The Holy Ghost was feeling so strong there. The thoughts I had were about what we talked about in Sabbath School the previous Saturday. In Romans, we talked about baptism and the importance of immersion and I made a connection with baptism a little bit. We are immersed at baptism. Even if one pinky finger is up, we have to redo our baptism. It's like our commitment. We shouldn't just sprinkle our commitment to the Lord, but be completely immersed and committed to following him. (I know, how many times can Kristine use commit and immerse in one paragraph? But I'll do it a little more.) Yes, I know there are times when I fail at being fully committed or immersed to following my Heavenly Father, but he allows me to try again. When I fail, through his grace he lifts me up again and again.

Well, the next two weeks are my finals weeks for most of my classes. Wish me luck!!!

Week 8: If I were a Jew...

1. On Friday, I was able to attend a Reformist Jewish synagogue. It was soo much fun! Pretty much the entire time I thought of our sacrament meeting. I especially loved the family in front of me. There was this girl who held the book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and asked her dad if she could read it. His blunt no and her plea to read it reminded me of when I wanted to read during sacrament meeting. I also loved how this same dad was talking to another dad during one of the songs (we sang for about 45 minutes straight) about some sort of game that recently happened. There were also the singers who...well...let's just say everyone knows who's singing. The elderly people who glare at the youngins who don't behave. It just amazed me how similiar people are around the world and even in churches. Another tidbit about Jewish people is that the typical observant Jew doesn't turn on electricity or ride in a motor vehicle once Shabbot begins (Friday at sundown) until an hour after sundown on Saturday. It may sound weird or difficult, but it's actually really nice. All day they cannot work...on anything. The focus is God and their family. I love it because that's how the Sabbath should be. Sometimes we get caught up in church and the activities but miss out on why we have the Sabbath. The Jews have their priorities straight when it comes to God and families in my opinion.

2. October 16-22

SUNDAY: Eilat!!! Snorkeled in the Red Sea. LOVED IT!!!!!!

MONDAY: Field Trip to City of David (overlook and a movie showing Jerusalem's transitions), Hezekiah's tunnel (if you want to see me, you most likely will see a video of me on my professor's blog huntsmansintheholyland.blogspot.com), and olive pressing

TUESDAY: Classes

WEDNESDAY: Went to the Separation Wall and had Danny Seideman explain to us the conflict here more in depth along with THE visuals

THURSDAY: Studied for my last mid term (Ancient Near East) for 10 hours straight with only 1/2 hour dinner break and hour forum break!!! It was a very long day...

FRIDAY: ANE mid term and visited the Reformist synagogue

SATURDAY: Garden of Gethsemane (I LOVE it that I can keep coming back to the place where I opened up my mission call. That place will always have a special meaning in my heart now)

3. I love having our professors living in the same building as us. They are able to close up see how...well...stressed we are. For instance, Brother Huntsman noticed how we were all stressing for our midterm exam on Friday and he had scheduled for a quiz (which takes about as much time to study for as an exam) on the same day. He could sense our stress and said that the quiz was due on Friday, but he won't be in his office until Sunday (aka if we turned our quiz in tonight, we would still get full points). Love you Poppa Huntsman!!!

4. I am a very clumsy person. Anyone can testify to that and prove it by the look of my kneecaps (or review the very beginning of this blog). Well I was walking down the steps in the forum, and I don't know what happened. I just completely biffed it. I looked like I was trying to slide face first into the steps. The best part about it was I fell right in front of my professors, their wives, and the doctor. At least if I got hurt, I would have been treated right there and then. :)

5. Since we are on a time difference and busy schedule, last night we finally finished conference and not picking favorites or anything, but I LOVED Elder Yamashita's talk "Missionaries are a Treasure of the Church". This talk just got me even more stoked to go on a mission. AHHH!!!! It's still hard to imagine that in a year from now, I will be speaking and even thinking in a different language. I will be over half way finished. My life will be changed forever, and I don't even know how it will!!! BAH!! I'm just so blessed to be serving for my Lord. Love you all!!! (Oh and btw, my mission's name has changed not the boundaries just the name. I will be serving in the Adriatic Mission. Woot!)

Week 6: What does Jerusalem look like from the top of trees?

1. I've been a little slow with updating the blog but well here it is. Last week, a group of my friends and I helped our Judaism teacher build a sukka. A sukka is a structure which Jews build before week of Sukkot (Feast of the Tabernacles). They eat every meal during this week under the sukka. Now you may wonder why this has to do with looking at Jerusalem from the top of a tree. Well there can't be anything over the table they eat in the sukka, and there was a nice branch hovering over the sukka. I felt adventurous and decided to remember the good old days of climbing a tree and headed up. Mom, I'm still writing so I made it back down, but I did get a nice view of my teacher's house and the street. Two days later, we were olive picking to make olive oil, and I guess I didn't fill my need to climb trees. I found a lovely tree which had many branches to climb up. That was the tree where I had a great view of Jerusalem. This place is so beautiful. I wish my pictures did it justice.

2. October 9-15

SUNDAY: Field Trip to Shephelah which included Gath, Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Valley of Elah (where David beat Goliath), Bet Guvrin, and Lachish

MONDAY: Went out to the city then headed our way to build the sukka; even though it's not April we had a Passover meal that night which is called the Sedar meal

TUESDAY: Classes and donated blood (hardest time I've ever had to give blood, all the forms were in Hebrew and the needle was quite bigger than in the States...)

WEDNESDAY: (Sukkot Eve) Classes and olive picking

THURSDAY: (Start of Sukkot) Church of Saint Mary Magdalene (Russian Orthodox Church), Jewish cemetary (largest in the world), and a sketchy Tomb of the Prophets (supposedly Haggai and Zechariah were buried there)

FRIDAY: Humanitarian activity and an Informal talent show!!!

SATURDAY: Garden Tomb and church

3. On Wednesday night/Thursday morning, I bought a calling card and talked to my parents and some of my best friends. It was such a tender mercy for me! I've been missing home a bit...ok a alot...and one of the first things my parents mentioned was that the phone wasn't fuzzy at all. It sounded the same as if I was calling from Provo. It's amazing how technology has improved even in the past few years.

4. On Friday, we had the informal talent show which was sooo much fun!! This reminded me of the variety shows at EFY because ANYTHING could happen during this time. Any talent whatsoever could be shown. I participated in an improv game and two of my roommates and I lip synced to "Send Me to Glory in a Glad Bag" but as Chinheads. I'm sure you could You Tube it and guess how I looked. It's sooo funny!!!

5. During this week, I had the opportunity to pick olives and climb trees, but it's not just the experience of picking the trees that changed me, it was the pondering afterwards that changed me. Before we started picking the olives, our academic director gave us a forum on the symbolism of olives. Olives taste sooo bitter (don't ask me how I know), but after they get pressed, the sediment goes to the bottom, and the pure oil comes to the top, the taste is sweet. Watching the olives get crushed, pressed, then tasting the end reminded me of how my life could be. Life stinks sometimes and tastes so bitter, but after the difficult times, life is so sweet. I could write down and reflect on those times for you, but only I would be grateful and feel my Heavenly Father's love for me. Remember those times so you can share this blessing with me for Heavenly Father does love you. He will always be there and see you through. Believe. Hope. Endure.

Week 6: Was the crossing at the Red Sea?

Midterms have been a bit hectic last week, so the center has been partying the last few days from being cooped up in the center. Therefore, no blog until the middle of the week. Sorry.

1. Did Moses really part the Red Sea that we know today? No. There was a mistranslation from Hebrew to Greek. The Hebrew term is 'Yum Suph' for the sea where the Israelites crossed. The Greek translation thought that suph meant 'red', but it actually means 'reeds'. 'Yum Suph' therefore translates into Reed Sea not Red Sea. Traditionally the Red Sea is how we know it today, but there are different areas where scholars believe it happened. Blew my mind.

2. SUNDAY: St. James Church (saw a live service), King David's Tomb, and walked around Jewish Quarter

MONDAY: a bedouin village, Tel Beersheva, and Tel Arad

TUESDAY: Judaism Midterm

WEDNESDAY: Old Testament Midterm

THURSDAY: Hebrew Midterm

FRIDAY: Palestine/Islam Midterm and my missionary buddy (the only other one who will receive their mission call here in the JC) received his call! He's going to the Boston, Massachusettes Spanish speaking!!!

SATURDAY: (Yom Kippur, aka Day of Atonement for Jews) Western Wall and the Garden of Gethsemane (fitting right?)

3. On Friday after finishing finals, I hung out with the little girls of the center. I love having the families here at the center. They are my tender mercy. Whenever I see little Melia, Marissa, and Abby, I just get so excited. There's nothing like having kids here in the center to brighten these walls. The families tell us that the center is boring without the students, but the center would be stressful all the time without the little kids. They add such a dynamic to this center that no student could bring. I love the families.

4. If you hadn't noticed. Last week was kind of...well...stressful. We had almost all of our midterms last week. On Monday night, everyone was a bit looney. I'll tell you about my looney experience. I felt like I was all over the place because I had a study group to get to while planning some other things at the same time, and giving good luck notes to people made in FHE (Friendship Home Evening since we're technically not a Family). I delivered my notes, but I wanted to do it in secret. So I got into the room where I delivered my notes and then I went to my room to get my study stuff (I was already late to my study group, so my stress levels were beginning to rise). I got to my room and realized that I left my keys in my room. We usually keep the back door unlocked, so I went through the room where I left the notes (because I knew it was open) and wandered through the patios to get to my patio. Once I traveled through about 3 patios I got to my patio which was locked. Now things were getting desperate. I noticed my roommate's laundry was on the ground outside (we occasionally hang our laundry outside), so I picked it up and treaded back through the patios and my friends' room (which no one was in the entire time). As I hustled to my study group, I saw my roommate at the end of the hall, and she had the strangest look on her face and asked, "What are you doing with my clothes?". I couldn't handle it anymore (a lot of the times when I'm stressed, everything's funny); I dropped everything which consisted of my roommate's clothes and paper and pens for FHE along with spoons (we were going to play the game Spoons). I went to the ground and started laughing my head off. Those around me started laughing too. Eliza joined me on the floor because the sight looked hysterical, and my roommate, Suzy, looked at both of us wondering if she should get the doctor. That's just one story that started off the night. The rest of the evening had many more instances of stress was getting to us. It was pretty dang funny.

5. On the Sabbath, there was a special musical number performed by two Hebrew University guys. It was really beautiful, but the most intriguing part was their hymn selection: Adam-ondi-Ahman. As they were singing I thought of the States and how much I miss it. I missed the fall colors, the first snowfall, stars, BYU football games, Skittles, friends' stories, and family members' hugs. There's so much in the country of Adam-ondi-Ahman that I miss. But then I realized, there would be so much that I would miss if I was back in the States: call to prayer 5 times a day, Jerusalem's beauty, pita corner in the Oasis, buildings 3 times older than my home country, Kathryn's laugh (you just got to be here to know), going to class with the same people and all being in the same inside joke, bartering for clothes and souveniors, the local children's smiles, the smells of the market, and seeing and feeling what my Savior saw. Yes, it was a different world at the time, but I have traveled in the Judean Wilderness. I have walked by synagogues where Christ may have taught. I have felt His love for me in the Garden of Gethsemane. I may miss many things at home right now, but there is nothing I would trade right now to be home and miss this experience. I read a speech from Elder Holland, "Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence." He talked about the time when Oliver Cowdery lost confidence in his revelation to read the plates. "[He] missed the opportunity of a lifetime because he didn't seize it in the lifetime of the opportunity." So if you were wishing you could be in my shoes and experience Jerusalem, don't sit watching opportunities for the lifetime of that opportunity may end soon. I'm so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost, so I may be prompted for when those opportunities do come I may be able to follow those promptings and fulfill the most of my lifetime with opportunities not missed. Please don't sit wishing for your Adam-ondi-Ahman but find where you're needed right now.

Week 5: Happy Rosh Hashanah Everyone!!!

1. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish holiday of the New Year. They celebrated the eve on Wednesday and Thursday was the new year. It was cool to walk around in the Jewish quarter of the Old City and see everyone happy and buying food for the party that night!!! It reminded me of Christmas Eve and how everyone is buying last minute presents. Holidays are just so much fun!!!

2. SUNDAY: Got over our Turkey 'hangover'. Almost everyone was sick and were either sleeping or studying for classes we didn't study for the previous week.

MONDAY: Field trip to Neot Kedumim (Bible nature walk; reminded me of camping in the mountains, seriously we started a fire and made our own lunch in the woods)

TUESDAY: Classes

WEDNESDAY: (Rosh Hashanah Eve) visited Dome of the Rock and the Jewish quarter, and had a Arab Culture Evening and Palestinian Folk Dancing (soooo much fun!!! We dressed up and had a great time!)

THURSDAY: (Rosh Hashanah) Classes

FRIDAY: Classes and Humanitarian Activity (we made over 2,500 hygiene kits)

SATURDAY: Church, Garden of Gethsemane, and General Conference (because of the time difference, we're watching General Conference over the next 3 Sundays. Crazy)

3. This upcoming week is mid-terms and, so last week I've been stressing a bit on mid-terms and some other things. On Thursday, one of my friends e-mailed me, and he mentioned about having more faith. I was struck by that and searched more into it. I found this talk by Elder Gene R. Cook titled "Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ". While reading this talk, it just continually lifted me out of my 'depths of despair'. There were 6 points he talked about: be believing, commit yourself, do your part, pray, expect trials of your faith, and expect the Lord to act. "Life is all upstream--all uphill." I need to do my part and have faith that the Lord will help me through all my stresses right now. Everything will turn out great in the end.

4. When I visited the Jewish quarter this week with my friends Eliza, Shalyn, Tiffany, and Charlotte (aka Lottie), we just wandered around and enjoyed the festivities. We were walking around this building which had an empty corridor and tunnel which was weird because there was people everywhere getting stoked for their New Year's party. We were walking down the corridor and Lottie walked towards the tunnel. I all of a sudden heard this BOOM!!! My first thoughts were, "Lottie stepped on a mine. We're going to die!", and I gasped and started to breathe faster. I looked freaked out to everyone else, and Lottie started laughing her head off. She had stepped on a balloon. Since the balloon was in the tunnel, the noise made an even louder sound which scared me out of my wits! I shouldn't have been scared because Jerusalem is pretty low on danger despite what everyone says (most of the craziness happens at night and on the West bank which is plenty of miles away). Now looking back, my reaction was dramatic and funny, but at the time my heart took a while to calm down.

5. General Conference was actually wonderful tonight (or Saturday morning for pretty much all of you). One of my favorite parts was when we sang, "Redeemer of Israel" for I'm in Israel. It's crazy how understanding the geography and the people makes me realize more about scriptures and songs. For instance, the words "Israel will shortly be free" means so much to me now that I'm over here. I didn't think about the war that is happening over here, but the lack of proselyting. We, as members, are not allowed to preach the gospel. We can't free those who don't have the whole truth. There are many good people out there who understand good parts of how to live their lives righteously, but I want to show them so much more. Another part was "For why in the valley of death should they weep or in the lone wilderness rove?" There are so many valleys over here it's quite ridiculous. I thought I knew valleys since I've only lived in valleys, but these valleys are seriously V shaped. For instance the Kidron valley right between Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives is just a road maybe plus some wiggle room for houses. It's interesting though with the Kidron valley because that is where Christ walked to the Garden of Gethsemane and he would have past by this Jewish cemetary which is still there today. Hence he walked in the valley of death to suffer for us. Also the wilderness is seriously on the other side of Mount Scopus. We are on the side which faces Jerusalem and the other side (which is a walking distance) views the Judean wilderness and when I say wilderness I mean desert. There's nothing out there. I can't even imagine someone walking through a valley of death to suffer or walking in the Judean wilderness for forty days fasting. Yet Christ did. He did those things for us so we may be saved. He is our Redeemer of Israel.