Feb. 18 District Conference

Feb. 18 District Conference

In case you didn’t catch the idea from the title, today was Israel District Conference. We had Elder Rasband (in the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy) here with us, which was really neat. I loved listening to all the testimonies and stories of all the speakers. I have realized how difficult life can be for the saints here. How the Seperation Wall has isolated the saints in the West Bank. I can see that these people testimonies are so string because of the hardships they have to face. My favorite part of the day was in the Student’s Fireside with a musical number. The music was so beautiful, I don’t remember the title but it started out with the Becca on the piano, Courtney N. and Danielle on violins, and then Courtney B. on the cello; then Jen singing. I just felt a surge of the spirit when they started playing. The meeting was question and answer which was great as well but the music is what really made me feel the spirit today. After the meeting I just knew that I needed to get out and write. So that is what I did and this is what I wrote:

I Will Come

Lord, you want me to fly,

To fly on my own.

So, I try a little bit harder,

Flap my wings a little bit faster,

Push myself a little bit farther.

My goal beyond the haze in the distance

So far away is where You are.

When my heart fails me -

I can no longer keep going.

Is when you send your Son

To aid me; help me keep faith; remind me:

My family, united

Once again, my driving force.

Loved ones no longer near,

Heavenly Parents:

Loving, desiring my return.

My mind is set:

“Lord, I will come.

How could I stay?

After what you have done.

Lord, I will come.”

Here

Here ––

Here Lord is where I long to stay.

Here, where your love is sufficient..

Lord it is here, in Your arms that I feel safe

Safe from the cold, from the loneliness,

From the trials and the hurt.

Here, in Your arms, I long to stay.

But, Lord why am I so quick to distract/

So quick to turn and wander...

To leave Thee Lord. Why, Lord, am I so fallen?

So easily swayed back to the natural man?

Time and time again, Lord I leave Thee,

Taken for granted, with only myself,

My wretched ungrateful, forgetful self to blame.

Without fail Lord, I stumble, I cry, I fall,

And once again you are there.

There to help, to send me a friend

To dry my tears, to lift me up and let me try again.

It is here, Lord, here with You,

Continually ascending higher

Here dependent on You.

Here ––

Here Lord is where I long to stay.

Here, where your love is sufficient..

Lord it is here, in Your arms that I feel safe

Safe from the cold, from the loneliness,

From the trials and the hurt.

Here, in Your arms, I long to stay.

Forever At His Feet

Forever At His Feet

~St. John 9:1-12

–He stopped for me.
On the corner of the street I lie with no sight-–
At His feet I plea.

“Who did sin?” ask the three
When they see my eyes clouded by forever night.

–He stopped for me.

Astounded that I was chosen when you didn’t leave;
My hands search for Him in my delight.
At His feet I plea.

Spittle made from clay, and I believe;
His thumbs anoint mine eyes, my wretchedness despite.
–He stopped for me.

“Go wash in the pool of Siloam,” directs He.
As I washed, came colors to my vision bright:
At His feet I plea

Through His love He has made me free
Never will I forget the man in White who showed me light.
–He stopped for me.
At His feet I will plea.

Photo: Mark Mabry

City of David/Hezekiah's Tunnel

City of David FT:
Well, I woke up feeling like I was getting up 3 hours before I was supposed to even though I only got up 5 minutes earlier than normal. Got ready and prepared for a cold tunnel with cold water. We walked there and I walked with Kyle and John and Kelsey... the back of the group group.
Once we got to David’s City we walked around looked over the Kidron Valley and the Tiroypian Valley and then could see the start of the Henian Valley (all of those could be spelled wrong) We learned about how this could have been near Laban’s palace (saw what could have been and olden day toilet). Then saw in the glasi (built up wall for defense) the different time periods between the Canaanite time and the Temple period (not sure if it was the first or the second temple period) Then we went down to where they think King David and Solomon were buried which was very against the norm because the dead were usually buried outside the city because dead bodies were seen as unclean and would defile the city...
Down into Hezakiah’s tunnel, the stairs were super steep and it was pretty dark, I am glad the people around me had lights with them otherwise it would have been an awesome but crazy experience. Once I had my water shoes on I started shuffling at the top of the stairs then I looked down and realized that there were two European men just on the stairs watching me, I just laughed and was like sorry; to which they just were like oh no problem and laughed at me or with me Im not sure of the difference. haha. Once again I was in the back of the group which was fun. My friend Kyle was able to get his pants up super high (to the point of them being booty short length, I got mine mid thigh which I thought was pretty good but Kyle def. won). The water was surprisingly clean and not super cold. I didnt need my jacket in fact it was kinda warm and stuffy in the tunnel but it was so much fun. for the most part the water was up to my ankles, only on occasion did it make it above my knees. Once out of the tunnel (approx. 30 min. later) there was a little area with 4 mini pillars where Aimee, Kelsey, and I pretended to be water fountains. Then the two european men from earlier came out of the tunnel and one was just in his underwear and a t shirt while the other was in a white speedo. We all were dying trying to contain ourselves. Um Kyle may or may not have gotten them in the back of some of my photos haha.
After we walked around the corner of the Pool of Siloam (where the blind man was healed) We read the story and Bro. Harper has such great insight on all of the scriptures. I loved how he emphasized how the man’s testimony was all that mattered and that the Pharisees and saducess could only focus on the fact that Christ performed the miracle on a Sunday and therefore was of the devil. They couldn't accept the fact that he was doing the work of God. After I read my poem to the class (Forever at His Feet) I got super nervous to read it in front of everyone but I am so glad that I had that opportunity. Afterward a lot of people asked if I had written it and if they could have a copy, I was really happy that people liked it. I wasn't sure if the whole meaning would stand on its own but I think it did which I am thrilled about. I wonder if my writings will ever go anywhere and become an accomplished hobby. That would be amazing, being able to write for the church and do things I love to do.
After lunch I went to Jimmy and Omars (olive wood carvings). I felt the spirit so strong there with all of the stories that wood was telling. Omar said in 2 to 3 weeks he might have the blind man being healed done. I had asked about it and he showed me the crippled being healed and I was like no I want the one of the blind man. He jokingly said oh well then Ill just take off the stick and then he will be the blind man. So I said oh well then can you add the Pool of Siloam too. Then he was like ya but got all excited like he was seeing an ideal come to his mind then he told me that if I would give him 2 to 3 weeks that he could have one. Ah I got so excited cause that would be amazing! I just wanted to buy everything in the store. It was all such a God given talent. I seriously teared up in the store because Christ really was here and He really did heal so many people and administered to the poor, hungry, and needy.
I just want to end with something spiritual and bear my testimony: I know this gospel is true. I know that we are children of our Heavenly Parents and because of that fact they love us unconditionally. I know that they are so proud to call you Their son because you are devoting your time to serving His other children, and I know that there is a purpose that I am here in Jerusalem wether it is merely to be able to share this experience and touch someone's life. I know that because Joseph Smith believed in God and was willing to pray to Him we have the restored gospel. I know that Christ suffered for our sins and that He is the ultimate example. I know that even through hard times Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always there to help us get back up and walk again. I say these in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.