Somewhere Significant, Jerash, & the Jordan River

I'm not sure where this first picture was taken, hence the title "somewhere significant," because I'm sure that it was, but the reason I included it was because it is one of the best jumping pictures I have ever seen, and definitely the best jumping picture I have ever participated in.

This location is also unknown to me... perhaps the same significant somewhere? I just thought these pillars were majestic and blog-worthy, especially as they swayed with the wind! I personally couldn't tell when I got up next to one and looked up, but many students claimed one of them moved a lot.

This is Jerash

More Jerash

And... more Jerash

Perhaps my best picture at Jerash! If you ever want to know what we do at sites... this is your answer. We are picture-taking fiends. Sometimes I forget to look at what we visit because I'm so busy finding someone to take my picture, someone to be in my picture, someone who wants me to take their picture, etc.

Jeeerrraasshhh.....

And, Jerash.

Not Jerash. Me, planking, at a theater in Amman, Jordan.

Stuck in my head this entire day was:

"Jesus came to John the baptist,

In Judea long ago,

And was baptized by immersion

In the river Jordan's flow."

Petra

This was actually our first night in Jordan, before we got to Petra. We stopped the buses to get out and see the beautiful sunset.

In the slot canyon (the Siq) leading to the treasury

Petra has beautiful colored rock, and this is a good example

The walk to the Monastery was taking a toll on these two ladies.

We stopped on our way up to the Monastery to take advantage of the beautiful view

Monks at the Monastery

Our inside excitement coming out

Inside the Monastery looking out

Yes... the Monastery again.

The view of the end of the world

Royal Tombs

The Treasury! Although no Harrison Ford

Doctor and Sister Peterson are the cutest and most adventurous couple I've ever met! They went all the way to the Monastery, past that to the lookout point, and then we found them like this--walking out holding hands. I hope I'm like Sister Peterson some day. She is the sweetest and most positive lady I've ever met.

I took a horse ride out.

Hezekiah's Tunnel, End of Finals, & Tel Aviv

Sarah and I showing off our immodesty as we prepare to enter Hezekiah's tunnel--usually pants that don't extend to the ankel are strictly forbidden.

Inside Hezekiah's Tunnel. Periodically we would hear shouts filtering down from those ahead of us: "Turn off your lights!" It quickly became one of my goals to return to Hezekiah's Tunnel and complete the entire 1749-ft long journey without lights.

At the exit, after we'd made it through

Sarah and I wanted planking pictures... and were running out of time. So we decided to go simultaneously to be more efficient. Considering the time spend recovering from almost face-planting into the water... who knows if it was actually any quicker. But we conquered double-planking!

Nate's creativity...

John Chapter 9 tells the story of a blind man, told to wash in the pool of Siloam to receive sight. These steps next to Chloe and I are the excavated steps of the pool of Siloam.

The City of David/Hezekiah's Tunnel field trip was our last as Brother Huntsman's class. I was very sad to be leaving Brother Huntsman, but very excited to be taught by Brother Harper as well. I learned so much about the Old Testament, and especially the background of the Old Testament from Brother Huntsman; thank you! Now on to conquer New Testament.

 This was a snapshot taken last Thursday night of very deranged Madelyne and Rachel as they struggled to prepare for their last final. Just in case I forgot basic greeting norms, I had "HELLO!" written on my teeth in pencil for the duration of the night. Perhaps more worrisome than anything else was the lack of comments I received; do I act so strangely on a regular basis that having messages written on my teeth is not out of the ordinary??

I finally made it to Tel Aviv! Bike riding all morning was a blast, with only one flat tire and one scraped knee--neither of them mine.

I love the beach. I don't know what it is about water and sun, but they always make a winning combination in my book. I even escaped with minimal sunburn! Kudos to Spencer, whose dedication to sunblock has truly inspired me. /being sunburnt is miserable and I like to avoid it.

Zoo

The animals that live in the Zoo...

...and the animals that visited the Zoo.

We ended the day with a celebratory stop at the waffle bar for Analise's birthday!

The Garden of Gethsemane

"I believe in Christ-- my Lord, my God!

My feet he plants on gospel sod.

I'll worship him with all my might;

He is the source of truth and light.

I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.

From Satan's grasp he sets me free,

And I shall live with joy and love

In his eternal courts above.

I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!

From him I'll gain my fondest dream;

And while I strive through grief and pain,

His voice is heard: 'Ye shall obtain.'

I believe in Christ; so come what may,

With him I'll stand in that great day

When on this earth he comes again

To rule among the sons of men."

I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that He is the literal son of God and that He performed an atonement that not only allows mercy and justice to be reconciled, but also allows Christ to know the exact misery and frustration that each human being experiences. I believe that the witness held in the Book of Mormon of Christ is true. I testify that in certain circumstances, I have felt love and peace I could not have created on my own. The gospel of Christ is the single most important facet of my life and my identity. I strive to "talk of Christ," "rejoice in Christ," and "preach of Christ." The greatest happiness I have ever experienced in my life has come from trying as hard as I can to follow God's prophets and to align my actions and attitudes as best I can with how I feel the Lord is directing me.

I believe in Christ, so come what may.

A Night Outside

Since arriving in Jerusalem, it has been a great goal of mine to sleep outside on my balcony. Goal: accomplished. Thanks to the provision of a hammock by Michael, I was able to spend an entire night under the stars very comfortably. Due to the increase in bugs and spiders lately (I have personally killed two spiders in my room, and found another IN my shirt the other day), I liberally applied bug repellent. I escaped without a single bite!

Snorkeling in the Red Sea

Hailey, Maddie, Rachel

Last Sunday we went to Eilot to snorkel in the Red Sea. It was a blast. The weather was quite hot, which made it a good day for the beach. I unfortunately left both of the swimsuits I brought to Israel in Turkey, but a very kind Natalie Pennington brought an extra to Eilot that she let me borrow. After one go in my tank top and shorts, I was very grateful for the swimsuit; it made a surprising difference. My wonderful mother has told me that she is sending me a swimsuit so I will be prepared for Galilee. Thank you Mom!

This past week or two has been very busy with homework. Next week is finals, after which I will only have two classes for the rest of the semester... and needless to say, we are all very excited!