Back from Egypt

First I wanted to acknowledge the Wilkinson/Kjar Family and the passing of dear little Bennett. He was such a joy and sweet boy. I love you and your family and you've been in my thoughts and prayers this week. Thank you for your courage and faith.

We just arrived home, to the Jerusalem Center, from a 8 day tour of Egypt. As many of you know, Egypt has been a bit crazy this last. We were so well protected while we were there and weren't ever in any danger. I think we learned so much from being so close to everything and talking to the Egyptians about the riots. It really opened my eyes to the disagreements between the middle-class and the government. I learned that many of the younger and educated citizens are started to work together in order to make changes in their country. They would like the a new government to be appointed and for the President to leave. They started the demonstrations the first day that we arrived in Cairo and we didn't even know it until we'd arrive in Luxor. 

 I couldn't believe the the pyramids were just side the big city of Cairo, in a place called Giza.  We all went crazy on the bus when we saw them in the distance!  WOW!

                                                              Danielle and I at the pyramids

                                               Pyramids at the pyramids.....we are so clever.

                                           The only kiss I've gotten in weeks....lame.

Dad....I've been thinking...I bet mom wouldn't mind if you switch out her car for one of these.  Frugal.....that's the spirit!  A family of 7! That's definitely a record!

                                                       The Step Pyramid

                                    A camel just chillin' on Sinai...look at how they bend their knees!  Their lips totally flop around when they walk and their feet look like big gummies! 

                                                             The felukahs on the Nile!



While In Luxor we rode camels, felukahs (sail boats) on the Nile and really enjoyed the incredible temples and tombs. When we returned to Cairo by a night train we realized that the government had shut down all of the country's internet, and later text messages and cell phones. The demonstrations were being organized via Facebook and this was a way to try to control them. The riots broke out again after the call to prayer on Friday evening. Christians and Muslims alike left their worship services and came out to protest. The government issued a 6:30 pm curfew for the entire city. One of our friends there wanted to participate and went to guard the Egyptian museuam from looters and was shot in the leg twice with rubber bullets.

The demonstrators feel that the elections have been completely skewed and desire a better democracy. I don't feel informed enough to explain more but it's all over the news.

We also hike Sinai this morning at 2:30 am...it's now midnight. I should get to bed. It was breath-taking. I can see why Moses would go there to commune with The Creator.

Sunrise on Mount Sinai

Mount Sinai on the way back down.

                                                

I'm so grateful for the freedoms I've always had. We are so blessed and have so much opportunity to progress in our lives. Seeing the poverty here is very sobering and makes me want to give financially and also do all that I can to help them.

I had a special experience while driving home from Egypt. The phrase, "But the children in Africa are starving" often is said by someone who feels bad for throwing away food. Many people have responded to that phrase by saying, "Well, we can't get it to them anyways and so calm down." Well, yesterday, as I watched these adorable kids playing with palm leaves, dirty faces and barefoot, I realized I COULD do something for these "starving kids in Africa." We'd all received enormous box lunches that we couldn't finish and so with permission of the professors, I ask my friends to pass up extra food for the kids. Within a minute we had 25+ big rolls and veggies down to these cute kids. They started scarfing it down and I sat down and smiled bigger than I had all day. As we pulled away I learned a good lesson: I can't save everyone nor give to all people, but God will help me to see what I CAN do and who I CAN help. I will respond and try to see those opportunities. It was very comforting.

The first mate of our boat, about 6 years old.  He would climb the mast and took care of the sails.  Sooooo cute!

I love you all and hope all is well. God bless.  -Synth

Learning and wanting to grasp it all...

Teaching sunbeams was soooo good today and I felt so happy about it and excited to be a mom one day. The lesson was about pray and at the beginning I just couldn't get their attention. I finally got their attention by posing with my arms in the air and saying, "Do we pray with or arms like this?" then arms on my hips, "What about like this?" "No!!!!" they screamed back! They were enthralled! ha ha Mid-lesson little Jacob said, "I go pee pee" while sitting on Kaitlyn's lap. "And time for a bathroom break!!!" ha ha We jumped up quick before we had any excitement!

 I laughed so hard when I walked into Omar's Olive Wood Store.  He definitely caters to Mormons!  He is an incredible artist!

Kelsey, my roomie, and I.  She always leads us in yoga and dance parties in our bedroom.  :)  No boys allowed!

This is a mosque across from our rest stop for lunch.  I wish the bathrooms had been as pretty as this building...

I also went to the Garden of Gethsemane today for a couple of hours and was able to study alone there. It was so peaceful and neat to be able to be at the site where Christ paid for my sins. I loved that the plaque on the outside of the walls said something like, "And his friends stayed not with him..." It reminded me to support others selflessly when they are in ruts. It's easy to interpret a friend's bad mood as an insult to us but most of the time the other person is just feeling hard on themselves. It's then that we must "stay with them," remember who they are and their potential and love them even more.

Hope all is well at home! -Synth

Western Wall-Way Wonderful

 This is the St. George Monastery in the Wadi Kilt...a large canyon where Christ fasted for 40 days. 

 We're definitely in the desert.  This is the road to Jericho were the "Good Samaritan" story took place. 

As we were doing homework in the dreary library....my roommate Kelsey burst in and made us run out to capture the sunset over the city....I don't remember who those people are but this is our view from the Jerusalem Center.

We had a really awesome experience tonight at the Western Wall. It's the Western Wall of the old destroyed temple. It is sacred for Jews around the world and is especially busy on Sabbath eve. To be respectful woman are asked to approach their segregated area with a scarf over their head. I was touched at the reverence of a lot of the woman. People really are searching for solace and God in all parts of the world. Many bring a prayer written on a piece of paper and they cram it into the old wall rivets. Most of the women will then walk backwards from the wall as to not "turn their backs on the wall." The destruction of Herod's temple in 70 AD devasted Jews who were dispersed around the world and transformed Judaism and how they worship. The temple mount is the most sacred place on earth but the Muslims own the temple now. This is the closest place to their ancient temple and so it is constantly being visited. There were thousands of people there tonight. The sides are divided for the men and women and all of us girls from the JC were congregated together. We were all adorned with our skirts and scarf/veils and suddenly I noticed that some of my friends were doing Jewish dances. A huge group of Jewish (?) Argentine girls our age were teaching them. Of course I joined in....come on....let a cultural bonding moment pass me by. Never! It was the best! Singing "Shabbat Shalom!" (Welcome Sabbath) and laughing like little schoolgirls. If you are asking yourself, "Did Synthia talk to these girls in Spanish after and feel extremely happy?" Well your answer would be....Bing Bing Bing....Yes! I felt a bit shy.....kidding....but sadly I had to rush back to the bus and couldn't exchange email addresses. ha ha...no pass along card allowed in the Holy Land.

After Michelle, my sweet roommie, and I organized, talked and bonded in our room for a few hours for our Friday night fun. It was so relaxing and chill.

Michelle and I....she's so wonderful!

Week 1- Wow...lots has happened

We went on our first field trip on Monday. I was actually pretty sick for the first half of the day, I'd thrown up a bit the night before, but everyone helped me to be as comfortable as possible, sit in the front of the bus and asked how I was feeling. I am in charge of the music on the field trips and love that. We sing hymns at a lot of the places we visit and my favorite was singing in the Protestant Lutheran Church of the Ascension. It is on the Mount of Olives, which is believed to be the place that Christ ascended into heaven.

I really enjoyed my Old Testament class today and wanted to tell you about a few parts of it. The readings that we did were from Gen 29-36. The Old Testament is coming alive to me as Bro. Judd shows me how it applies to my deepest needs. I really love that he continues to show us how Rachel, Jacob, Isaac, Rebekah etc. are good people who are covenant worthy and can obtain the celestial kingdom but they aren't perfect. Rachel's flaws seem to shine as she struggles with her fertility problems. She feels envious and tries to force the Lord's will by gathering mandrakes. Mandrakes were believed to have helped barren women get pregnant. She also takes some of her father's idols and hides them from him. She is a human, an imperfect yet beautiful who has the potential of exaltation. God knows her weakness, lack of faith at times and wants her to be so happy. He still makes covenants with her because she is trying. I love that. Someone in class also pointed out that Jacob loved to serve Rachel. That made me smile. Service for those we love can be so pleasurable and exciting.

We attend church with the local branch here and I was asked to teach the 3 Sunbeams in primary on Sunday. My favorite was when we talked about "feasting upon the words of Christ." The Sister in charge of sharing time asked the kids, "How do we do that since we don't eat scriptures?" There were a few ideas and then one little kid in the back was thinking really hard and rose his hand and said, "Well, maybe we cold put the words in a chicken and then eat the chicken." "Well....good answer but not really what we looking for...." ha ha. We showed them that God has a body and our bodies are like His. It was so cute. We taught the Sunbeams...and it was their 2nd week ever in Primary. So funny!

I've made a lot of great friends here and felt so blessed to be around such quality people. I'm still quite tired because of Jetlag and staying up late studying but really happy. I miss home but know I'll be back soon.

I can't facebook or Skype here and so email is the easiest way to reach me.

-Synth

Jerusalem!

Jan. 5th, 2011
We arrived yesterday in Tel Aviv in the afternoon and they threatened us all the way home to NOT FALL ASLEEP YET! Since we are 9 hours ahead of Utah, I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 11:00 pm here, cause it was the afternoon back home. This morning though....I was really tired.

So, this is what we've been up to:

The JC (Jerusalem Center): After entering the Center (Arabian Palace) I told the girls next to me, "I just want to put on a gown and dance around to princess music!" (Okay, so that's a bit dramatic, but you should see this slab of architecture! It's breath-taking! The best part is the view of Jerusalem. This morning I couldn't believe that it was the true balcony scenery. I feel like one of the most blessed girls alive. I'm able to get to know the city where Christ walked and from a Latter-day view.

My roommates: They are so sweet and down to earth!

The Oasis (cafeteria)- delicious and nutritious

This morning we went out walking from the JC to The Old City. (I'll tell you more later)

Most of the students here are a couple years younger, so happy and friendly!

The service couples and professors and JC workers are so cool and excited for us!

I'm trying to retrain my brain to not smile at those that pass by me. Smiling at young Arab men could be very dangerous because they won't necessarily see it as an innocent expression of global friendship, as I'm trying to portray.

Love you all!
-Synth