Shephelah Field Trip

Today we went on the Shephelah field trip. Shephelah means the low hills. It contains the cities Beth Shemesh, Azekah, Mareshah and Lachish; then Aijalon, Sorek, Elah, and Guvrin Valley.
Our first stop was Beth Shemesh that looks over the Sorek Valley. Sadly it was cloudy and drizzling, but on the bright side it wasn’t super cold or windy. Plus, I learned that pictures turn out better when it is overcast (Who knew? I didn’t) It was gorgeously green. The rain has made everything beautiful. I was expecting desert when I came but love seeing the green grass, breath taking red poppies, yellow and purple mustard flowers. I could have stood on the top of that hill the whole day but they keep us on a tight schedule here. Thus, we get out of the bus get to our destination, learn what has happened at each place, sing some hymns if time allows, take some pictures, and back to the bus. Anyways, back to Beth Shemesh: it is believed to be the place where the story of Samson takes place.
Stop 2: Azekah. This is hill overlooked the place where the battle of David and Goliath is thought to have taken place (The Valley of Elah). Our class reenacted the story of David and I must say I have some great actors in my class. I have heard these stories countless times in primary, sunday school, and seminary; but, going to these places and having this amazing chance to come to Israel and be able to put a place with the story. To see the mountains/hills that would have been the Philistine and Israelite camps is adding a whole new element to my testimony.
Stop 3: City of Lachish. This was a Israelite city that was taken over by the Assyrians. It is amazing that they were able to conquer the city because the city was on the top of a hill then had walls all around. The Assyrians built a siege ramp which would have taken many lives and time; though, in the end they ended up taking the city. Moral of the story is that if we do not have God with us we cannot prevail. We walked up to the top of the city and had the other class attempt to attack (throw rocks up the hill...um they didn’t even come close to hitting us...so if it had been a real battle I think my class would have had the winning advantage). Also, the Room of Letters is here... basically a room where they found pottery shards that had writing on them. One of them says, "And let [my lord] know that we are watching for the signals of Lachish, according to all the indications which my lord hath given, for we cannot see [the signal fires of] Azekah." This means that when the signal fires at Azekah could no longer be seen that they had been destroyed by the Babylonians and that Lachish was next to be conquered. I imagine that it would be terrifying to think that I was the next city to have to go to battle. It is amazing what people had to live through back then.
Stop 4: Fortress of Mareshah looks Guvrin Valley. This city is known for their olive presses, wine presses, Sidonian cemeteries, and then dovecotes. Yep, they raised doves for food, rituals, and sacrifices. Mareshah was my favorite place though because we sang hymns in the bottom of a cistern (a hole dug in the ground to store water) and I felt the Spirit so strong singing all together. We sang: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, Be Still My Soul, EFY Medley, and How Great Thou Art. The first song brought me into the mindset then by the second song I was tearing up and crying by the end. I kept thinking of how seeing the same valleys and rivers that are described in the Bible is so amazing. I am truly having the experience of a lifetime and am so grateful to be able to here, my purpose here is still unknown to me but I hope that I will be able to live up to all that God has in store for me. I realized there is so much I can be. Now it is my choice to Be. Then, we learned how to use a sling like David used on Goliath. I wasn't half bad haha. My athletic ability has come in handy.
Stop 5: Last Stop-Bell Caves. It was interesting there. They mined chalk here, digging from the top and then hollowing out holes that ended up looking like bells. We sang some more song and then took some pictures. One of the exits to the cave was shaped like a heart (thats for my mommy cause I know that she loves them)

Catch Up!

As for what I have been doing... Living in Jerusalem and seeing the Dome of the Rock every morning is amazing! I still feel like I am living in a dream. Then we have taken field trips to Jericho where they think that the Israelites came and the walls came tumbling down, then we saw the kings high way, Judean wilderness, Garden Tomb (thought to be Christ's tomb), and the wilderness of Sin. (Places mentioned in the OT) I have looked over Bethlehem but haven't been yet. I dont know how to constantly prepare myself for everything I am learning here, and to feel the Spirit adequately. Then this past week we were in Jordan. I went to Petra! Oh my goodness it is amazing what they could build back then and how they could survive in the middle of no where. They were extremely creative in how they had water systems and could store water if they had to live purely off of rain water. Oh and guess what?!!! I rode a camel! IT was the highlight of Petra for me! It was so so much fun. The most surprising thing here is seeing how many people smoke. Then we went to an Islamic mosque. It is amazing how many similarities there are between our religion and theirs. Though I still disagree how the women have to cover up out of respect but the men don’t have to do any of that. Gender equality is a lot different here... Simply smiling at people is flirty and a woman isn't supposed to go out without the accompany of a man (brother, father, or husband). While we were in Jordan we saw Mt. Nebo (where Moses died/was translated), Machreas (where it is thought to be the place that John the Baptist was beheaded, so a Herodean palace). Also, we went to the River Jordan where John the Baptist baptized Christ! It was really neat to be in the place or a similar place that Christ would have been in. Also, I love how much we sing here. We are singing hymns in other's churches, Roman citadels, Greek theaters, on top of mountains, on the bus, in valleys, and pretty much at every stop. I have truly come to know how hymns and singing is prayer unto God. It amazes me how quickly the Spirit will come when we sing of Christ and our testimonies. Random quote that I love: "Virginity is dignity, not a lack of opportunity" ~our guide's son

2nd Sabbath

Sorry I haven't posted very much. But today, my second Sabbath I had the best spiritual experience so far. It wasn't much but it meant a lot to me. I learned to always look Heavenward. I know that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and knows me. He has helped me get through so much and I am so grateful to Him. A group of us watched Reflections of Christ which is a great movie and the photographs were so moving. This is where I got my inspiration for this poem. The photo here is Mark Maybry's.

Eyes Cast Heavenward

There, on the cross is where you hung.

The two beside you faced the ground: defeated.

Eyes lost in despair the hope gone.

Lord where were your eyes?

They were skyward, to your Father.

Never faltering but dying on the cross.

On the cross for your brothers, your sisters,

For me, for your family.

You, died triumphant.

You died that man might be.

That we all could be.

Lord you are hope.

Paving the road we all walk.

At the end of the road you will be there waiting.

Waiting to embrace me and say,

"Job well done. Come and live with me forever more."

This road that I struggle to follow is not the one beneath my eyes

But the one that is skyward.

With thee as my focus

My eyes will forever more be cast heavenward.

Day 4: My First Sabbath

Today was my fist Sabbath in the Holy Land and the highlight of today was after church when a group of us went up to Orson Hyde Park. We ended up talking to some kids with broken English outside the center that were playing soccer. It changed my view of the people here. Just being able to relate to these kids by saying Barcelona, Manchester or Ronaldo. Then later at the park hearing all the different sounds from the city is what inspired this poem if you can call it that.

The Unseen Smile

Noises all around: Call to Prayer, recited scripture,

Voices that sound like horns, bells clanging

Everything so foreign,

So many clashes of cultures.

But, yet I feel peace in the stillness within.

Muslims, Christians, Jews worshiping here.

Paying tribute to their God.

With all I find thee, Lord.

You reside in all that is good.

In truths in every belief,

In eyes of the children,

In people’s faith.

Coming here with biases,

Fearing those whose belief unknown to me.

Thank you Lord for helping me find the love you

Have for them, for showing me the light in their Smiles.

January 2 - 3: The Day of Traveling (January

Tuesday:

4:30 AM - wake up, get ready, pack the car, on the freeway and I feel sick with nerves

6 AM - arrive at the airport and check in

8:35AM - take off from Salt Lake City airport

...sleep....eat...back asleep...

4 hours later

LANDING in New York City (too bad that was the short flight and my butt is already numb)

My first time in New York, stuck in JFK

6 hours layover - eat, call family one last time, start homework, and meet the people that will become my family

8:55 PM - take off for Tel Aviv

Wednesday:

2:40 PM - landing

baggage claim, customs, find the man I don’t know who holds a sign for “JERUSALEM CENTER”

1 hour bus ride

seeing the country, who knew Jerusalem would have traffic?

Arrive at the center... ARRIVE AT THE CENTER! It hits me. I am here. Here in Israel; specifically in Jerusalem. This is my home for the next 4 months, here where the Savior once lived. How in the world did I get so lucky? It is amazing being here. We walk into the auditorium and half way through the orientation the blinds open and right before us is the Holy City at sunset. I wanted to cry with all the emotions that were running through me. Being a sunset type girl, this was better than I could have asked for. The orange/red sun setting on the city. The light shinning on all the mud-brick buildings, illuminating the Dome of the Rock, the minarets pointing skyward. There is so much I want to say but words just can’t describe everything. Hopefully when I learn more I will be able to fully describe the things I see.