What a day... :0)- Happy Birthday Samuel!

So we just had such a great day.  We just walked in from spending the evening in West Jerusalem.  We went to dinner and got frozen yogurt after.  Our taxi van guy pumped up the music and blue lights for a dance party all the way home.  It was such nice weather and we had a fun new group with Emily, Cori and Abby.  They are so funny!  We ran over to the Russian Orthodox Church this morning after class and then came back and had Falafuls at the Oasis.  Yummy!  We then realized that there weren't any museum cards left and so we stayed and studied, did laundry and chatted with Sarah G. in her room as I made a map of Israel.  It was fun to get to know her better.  She asked me all about the mission and it was way relaxing.  Then we headed out to the city, got popsicles and gummies (from the open market –extra hygienic- stands) and enjoyed our beautiful Jerusalem.  We stopped at Shaban’s store, one of the main salesmen that caters to Mormons.  He always has warm pitas and fruit juice waiting for us.  There was a fun festival going on and we got lots of samples…(I’m starting to notice a pattern: Synthia’s fun= food. ;)  Then we wandered around an artist colony, passed an ancient windmill and found ourselves with a lot of other friends on Emek Refaime Street for dinner.  I rarely ever go out to dinner here and so it felt like it was such a special occasion.  J 

Only three weeks left and I'll be home.  Happy Birthday Sam! I love you!

Galilee...

To be filled in soon....

The Wilkinson's Blog

My cousin and her family are really special to me. Their adorable 2-year old just passed away and here is an beautiful, inspirational blog about it. Please feel free to pass it along.
http://www.sunshinepromises.blogspot.com/

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

We had such a neat day today.  It was really rainy and windy when we went out.  We did some fun shopping and then ended up at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  It is one of the most holy sites in the entire world for Catholics.  The Greek, Roman and Armenian Churches have their own sections.  Andrea Hale advised me to make friends with the Armenian priests.  That made all the difference. We got to know this young priest who was in the seminary right now who grew up in Vancouver.  He was a DJ before becoming a priest.  He’s in the process of deciding if he would be celibate or not.  If he chooses to be celibate then he can continue up the latter of priests in the church but if he wants to have a family then he can only be a priest at a local church.  He took us around to all the secret areas and even took us in front of all the lines.  It was so neat to hear him talk about his faith but also the quirks within his religion.  He said that there is a lot of enmity between the priests in the three religions.  He explained that the cultures divide them.  It was a very happy day. I love these girls that I've become close with.

Our two religion teachers have their families here.  They have 11 children between the two families. Tonight they put on a talent show that was so fun!  They were doing skits, gymnastic shows, poems, piano performances and dances.  I loved it and totally want to do that with my kids some day. 

It feels so good to be done with our Judaism and Islam classes.  I loved them but am excited to have a little bit more time to explore the city. I feel so privileged to be here and having this experience.

Finals & Exploring the Old City

This week we have been and will take more finals.  During our last month and a half we are going to Galilee and Jordan and so most of our classes are ending now.  There

Tomb of the Kings: We went to what looked like a construction sight in someone's backyard and were able to see an ancient tomb. It is in the middle of the city and was really cool.

Swarmas: We got them.  They're delicious meat wrapped in a big tortilla. 

Running in the mornings: The other morning I was heading to the gym and some girls invited me to go out running with them.  I've not been running outside of the center boundaries yet.  We did a 3.5 mile loop, saw some beautiful overlooks and it felt so good.

The Waffle Bar: A big group of us went out at night and stopped at the infamous "Waffle Bar" where we got a Banana Boom waffle dessert.  Wow.  It was chocolate fudge sauce, ice cream and banana goodness.  :) Definitely going to make these at home.

We also visited a variety of churches and met people that spoke a bunch of our mission languages

I have some great friends here who are soooo good to listen to me and chat whenever I need their help.

Wandering the city with Victoria and Neal: I was feeling really stir crazy because I haven't done anything but eat, workout, study and sleep for DAYS!  So, we ordered a van and we went to a big crazy market and just walked around and then wandered the streets of Jerusalem for house.  I got to hear all about some of my friends' families and it was really nice.  Then we watched this new movie, the "Nativity Story" and I loved it.  As we were reading Luke 2 the other day, the realness of Jesus' birth hit me hard.  It makes me happy because I want to feel and see things differently.  Everyone talked about "how Jerusalem changes them" today in church and I really want to have a change in me.

The Holocaust Museum: Today we went to the Holocaust Museum.  It was really graphic.  I've been to several similar ones before and so it didn't jolt me like it did others but it definitely got me thinking.  

Disclaimer: On the blog I only say the good stuff that happens here.  Life is wonderful but not perfect.  :)