Galilee

I decided that since Galilee was the most amazing time of my life, I couldn't possibly fit it all in one post.

Therefore, instead of continuing to put it off because I don't know where or how to start, I'm going to post in baby bites... sound good?

So why not start with my favorite part. The Sea of Galilee.

After a long day of traveling and site seeing, we were walking up over a hill and there it was. Absolutely breathtaking. We were all just in awe, it was one of those perfect moments that you could never duplicate. We sat in the tall grass with millions of wildflowers and just gazed over the glassy water. All I could think was "Is this really my life?"

We were only at the overlook for a few short moments before we had to leave, but as soon as we got to the Ein Gev, the Kibbutz we were staying at, we dropped our bags and headed straight to the sea.

We were all just giddy, we rolled up our pants and splashed around laughing and watching the first of the many sunsets we would watch over the sea.

After a good nights rest, our field trip that next morning started off with a boat ride on the sea. When we reached the middle of the sea (just for further clarification, its actually a lake, but Jesus called is a sea and so will I, it just sounds better) we stopped the boat and had a class devotional. We sang "Master the Tempest is Raging" and Brother Chadwick taught us the original way it was written.

But one of my favorite experiences with the sea, was just having time to contemplate. Brother Judd asked us to write a paper about our favorite story of the savior in Galilee. After about 5 seconds, I knew the one that I wanted. I chose the story of the Savior calming the storms found in Matthew 8:23-27. The part that really stuck out to me was verse 26 which reads "And he saith unto them, Why are you fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm" It made a lot of sense to my life at the time. Sometimes I think we get so fearful of the future, or the challenges at hand, that we tend to forget that the Lord is with us. Our overwhelming fear starts to take place of the faith that we have that the Lord will guide us in the right way. This story was a great reminder to me that even when the storms arise, the Lord is always in control. If we are doing all we can to follow him, he can calm those storms in our lives and allow us safe passage across the seas.

Eilat

Just a quick picture post from our day trip to Eilat.

Snorkeling in the Red Sea... Bliss

What do you do on the weekend with your best friends?

Yeahh... thats what I thought.

Taking Chances

One of the biggest challenges I've faced the last several months has been trying to decide on a major. I hated the stress of having to pick just one thing to study, I wanted to take a little bit of everything. I was major shopping and I decided that I wanted to take psychology, astronomy, art, creative writing, music, ethics, and all sorts of other classes. So while trying to decide on a major, I did my best to find the one that had a mix of just about everything that I was interested.

&& I think I've come to a conclusion.

This is a BIG deal.

Who knows, I'll probably change my mind about 4 more times... but I'm not getting any younger and I just needed to pick a track to follow, and if its not the right one, then the Lord will lead me to the right one.

So as of now... I'm planning on a Humanities major with an emphasis is Art History!

I can take some philosophy classes, some lit classes, Greek and Roman mythology, and a handful of Art History classes. FUN!

The only downfall is that now I'll be taking Italian every day for the next four semesters... A lot of work. But since I've come to Jerusalem I have a new found motivation. I realize that the Lord has big plans for us all, he does not want us to take the easy route. Learning a new language (no background whatsoever) will be hard, really hard, but I can do hard things!

As Celine would say... What do you say to taking chances?

photo via

Fact

Fact:

Being sick is no fun at all.

bottom photo - credible to the incredible Lani Liv

Change

I've been thinking about a change.

I'm making tons of them so why not add another right?

I photoshopped my hair to see what it would look like

red

Honestly.

What do you think?

My Heart

My heart has found permanent residence in Galilee

I don't even know how I can describe my ten day stay in Galilee.

Perfect is the only word that comes to mind.

Forgive me while I put off my posts another day or so.

Itinerary for the next couple days:

Sunday - Snorkeling in the Red Sea

Monday - Field Trip and STUDY

Tuesday - New Testament Midterm (already?!)

In other news:

I ran a 10 k yesterday...

with no training whatsoever

In the land of hills and valleys

not. the. best. idea.

For some reason I think I'm outdoorsy now...

I come home next month... what?

Jordan a week from monday.

I'm still alive. No worries.

Happy Birthday Zoe (:

I am so sad that I'm missing Zoe's 19th Birthday!

But since I'll be in Galilee on her birthday, I thought I would schedule a little blog post to air on her birthday.

Here are 19 things that I LOVE about Zoe Corinne Clement

1. She has an incredible sense of humor

2. She is passionate about life

3. She knows how to party ;)

4. She is absolutely gorgeous (& models for me constantly)

5. She is very creative

6. She works hard in school

7. She knows what she wants and goes for it

8. She makes great enchiladas

9. She knows how to make me laugh whenever I need it

10. She is a great friend and a great listener

11. She is always willing to try something new

12. She is strong in the gospel and loves the Lord

13. She has great taste in music

14. She has one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know

15. She is outgoing and loves making new friends

16. She is her own person

17. She would do anything to help her family or friends in need

18. She is great at sports

19. She dreams big, and knows she can reach those dreams.

I hope you have the best birthday!

You deserve it...

I miss you baby girl!

Dome of the Rock

Surprise!

You thought I would leave you for ten days in Galilee didn't you?

Well, I love you all too much for that.

Or maybe I'm just avoiding the paper I have to write before I pack?

Anyways... Spence showed me how to schedule my blog posts to publish on a certain day... So I'm taking advantage of that so you have something while I'm away.

Not that you care all that much haha

So I finally got to go visit the Dome of the Rock!

The Temple Mount is only open to visitors for a couple hours a day, so every time I have gone so far it was closed.

Luckily we got in today and it was amazing!

Remains from the temple that was standing here during Christ's time

I remember learning about the dome of the rock in my art history class, and I fell in love. I knew that I was coming to Jerusalem and when we talked about it in class, I was giddy thinking that I was going to get to see it in real life.

Let me tell you, Its is one million times more beautiful in real life. I love being able to look out on the city during church, meals, or any other time of the day and see that big beautiful golden dome. When I finally got to see it in person I was in awe. The detail and colors were so meticulous and made the whole area shine. I took a moment to walk around it by myself and just take in every little detail that I could.

Just doing some Yoga at the Dome of the Rock

Then we decided to have a little fun! We made friends with a couple little boys who were playing around. They were kicking a soccer ball around and then wanted to show off with some breaker moves. When It was time to go, they wouldn't let us leave! They kept saying no no no no no and grabbing our hands. They were absolutely adorable and so much fun.

It closed after an hour so we really didn't have much time. We just walked back to the center, stopping for love nuts and gummies on the way. Snacks which are probably long gone by now. Seriously.... best thing ever.

On another note... The mural is coming along beautifully! We have spent a ton of time on it and it just keeps looking better and better!

P.S. Something to make you laugh

Destined for Galilee

I'll be spending the next 10 days is good old Galilee

I'm so excited to be laying on the beach, just soaking up the sun.

But I'm even more excited to be studying the life and teachings of my savior, where they actually took place.

Goodbye Jerusalem

I'll miss you dearly

"The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the River Jordan. For every drop that flows into it, another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on, equal in measure. The other sea is shrewder, hoarding income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps. The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named The Dead"

The poppies are blooming..

Made me think of you mom.

I'd Rather Be Alone Than Dead

Alone.

A price that I was willing to pay

for my livelihood.

In a game

revolving around

stalking

secrets

and ultimately...

betrayal.

In the end..

I was willing to give up my friends

In order to stay alive.

Assassin is a serious game.

Not one for those with weak stomaches.

After loosing some of my best friends..

I was killed in a malicious act of trickery

by someone I trusted.

Lesson Learned.

Winning is more important than friends.

& never agree to take pictures.

RIP

- For those of you who have no clue what I am talking about... all the students in the center signed up for a game of assassin. You draw a name and your job is to "kill" them by slitting their throat with your finger. Once you kill them, you take on their victim.

Props to Sarah, who waited outside my room this morning, just waiting for me to come out.

You win most dedicated.

&& Even though I hate to say it... props to Emily for getting me to let my guard down. You know I can't resist pictures.

&& no props to Brock... told you that you couldn't kill me ;)

I'm still working on it

blahh blahh blahhhh

Excuses. I have none.

I'm just living life at the JC.

Not blogging.

Sorry about that.

I really don't want to neglect you biggest fans.

But a girl has got to do what a girl has got to do.

&& right now that is...

spend as much time off my computer

&& in the city.

I will get back to you soon.

I promise.

But to hold you over until then I thought I would clue you in on one or two things that have been happening.

First off.

FINALS ARE DONE!

thank heavens.

Second off.

Galilee in 3 days?

What?

Third off.

I gave blood in the holy land!

I love donating blood.

Its an odd obsession that I have.

Fourth off.

We have started our New Testament studies and I already LOVE it.

Fifth off.

I come home next month.

Not too excited about that one.

Sixth off.

We got to go on a quick little field trip to the kotel tunnels.

Seventh off.

I have cool friends.

Eighth off.

I'm just enjoying the Old City.

Love of my life.