I was Petra-fied

Jordan was a blast.

Petra was definitely the highlight of the trip.

You may recognize it from the movie

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

While the movie would have you believe that the Holy Grail is hidden inside, the real story is equally mysterious. It was hidden by bedouins for years and only recently discovered by westerners. Today it flocks with tourists, all amazed by the amazing colors and the giant tombs carved within the rocks.

This is another site that I learned about in Art History, its amazing to see these sites come to life.

Treasury at Petra

Colors and patterns in the rocks

Both man made and natural caves found within the rocks

View from the hike up to the monastery

The Monastery that we hiked up to.

Rachel and I inside the Monastery

We found dogs, uncommon here in the middle east

ohh and cats... all too common

Thought I'd have a go at some camel kissing action...

Rachel wasn't as inviting I guess....

TOMS hiking around Petra

Heidi and hiking down from the monastery, overlooking Petra

It was an exciting and eventful day spent exploring and playing with some of my best friends.

I love Petra.

Tumblr

(Does this picture have anything to do with the following post?... no)

Remember how I'm being a terrible blogger?

Well... instead of waiting forever to put pictures on here with incredibly long captions explaining each one I decided to start a tumblr.

That way I can still post things quick and easy for my Dad to see.

I'll still be posting the long captions ect...

but incase you want a quick fix of kmp

just visit the tumblr here

Back Home

Were back home in Israel

after a quick trip to Jordan.

Loved it.

Tired from our long bus rides.

(see picture to the left)

I hope to update you on my adventures there soon but...

I only have 2 weeks left here in the Holy Land

and its going by way too fast.

So we'll see what I can do.

Funny Farryn

I have known Farryn Elizabeth Nichols since the first day of kindergarten.

Miss Bold's class to be exact.

Somewhere amidts our school plays, secret clubs, trips to the MESA, and struggleing with noon duties we became friends.

We have so many memories together

From the time she got her hand stuck in the table in the cafeteria,

to the time she played the role of Aunty Flow in our class production.

From the early morning drill team practices and competitions

to middle school graduation dances.

We made it through High School and Cheer practices, and now we are half a world away going on with our own adventures in life.

Since that first day in Kindergarten until now, I can honestly say that I've grown to love and apprecaite her more and more.

It seems like just yesterday (okay, I sound like a grandma) that we were setting up for her sweet sixteen bash, circus themed, complete with a jumper (big hit).

I wish I was there to celebrate your big 20th birthday with you Farryn!

You know if I were there, I would buy you a purple kitty shirt ;)

Enjoy this day Farryn! I know you will!

Happy 20th Birthday!

Walks in the city

Friday we had a fun chill day, we spent the first half at the Israel Museum.

We had a list of artifacts that we had to see for class. It was fun to see artifacts that we were actually learning about. One of my favorites was a heel bone with a nail still inside, showing how the crucifixion process worked. We saw tons of cool stuff, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, Fertility Goddesses, a steel sword from the time of Lehi, and tons of other things. They also had a huge model of the temple during the 1st century.

After we checked off the list, we explored a little in the modern art section. Interesting stuff thats for sure. There was a room full of butterflies, videos of people stuck on an escalator, and a room with wooden floors that creaked with every step.

I loved every minuet of it.

After we headed out on a little walk into West Jerusalem to try and find a street where a bunch of us were meeting for dinner. We called security to get directions and they told us we were crazy and to take a taxi, but we didn't want to spend any money so we ventured out to find it. After several stops to ask for direction and only one wrong turn, we found it about an hour later. It was fun to just wander around the streets, it was nice to be away from all the tourists and it felt like we just fit there.

When we got to the street, we decided on Burger Bar. It was my first taste of American type food since I've been here and let me tell you, it was heavenly. Jess and I split a burger with lettuce, onions, ketchup, pesto, and tomato (I picked off the tomato). It was divine to say the least. We just sat outside and enjoyed each others company. After dinner we went and got ice cream and then all headed home after a successful day of just plain fun.

I love the people here. The thing that makes me so sad about leaving here, is leaving these people. I have loved every second living with all of them. I just feel so comfortable with everyone here, we are all just in love with each other. My friendships here have been some of the biggest blessings in my life.

Jerusalem Winter 2011

No Regrets

Mount of Beatitudes

Another one of my favorite spots was the Mount of Beatitudes

We stood as a class overlooking the sea as out teacher pointed out to us the spot where the sermon most likely took place. We went and took a little peak around the church dedicated to the site and then gathered together again in a little meeting spot on the grounds. We read the sermon on the mount in the spot where it happened and discussed the verses and what they meant to us.

After that we had 45 min to find a quite place to think. I think those times we had to just ponder were the best of the trip. It was amazing to just sit on the grass and listen to all the people there worshiping and singing. I love the sermon on the mount, it may just be one of my favorite teachings in all the scriptures. My favorite verse 6 which talks about those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. I love that the savior speaks to us in ways that we can relate to and understand. We all know that feeling of hunger and thirst, its a sensation that fills your whole thoughts and controls the way you act. We need to relate that feeling to the gospel in our lives. To feel that literal hunger for more, to let that need for the gospel in our lives to occupy our minds at all time.

I love this place, I love the beauty that surrounds me here. But most of all, I love what I learn everyday. I learn how to draw closer to my savior and to keep his presence with me at all times.

"consider the lilies of the field"

Mount of Beatitudes

We also made some other cool spots that day. We visited Tabgha where story of Jesus feeding the thousands with the loaves and fishes took place. There was a cool little church with beautiful mosaics. I love being able to see where these stories of my savior took place.

One of our last stops of the day was Capernum, the city where Jesus lived during his ministry. I was a little sad that we went at the end of the day, just because we were so tired and it was hard to truly enjoy it, but it was an amazing experience nonetheless. It was so special to walk around the city where my savior actually lived, to view the remains of the homes of the people he healed. It was so touching to stand in the spot where the synagogue stood that he taught and healed in. I especially loved seeing the remains of Peters home, where the savior most likely stayed, and where he healed Peter's mother-in-law.

Peter's home is considered such a sacred and holy spot, that no one wanted to build on top of it. So they got all sorts of craft and built over it, they made a spider like building so that it just hovers over the ground.

It was a long day thats for sure.

I feel so blessed to have visited these places. When I read the scriptures I can actually see the places in my head. It has made the teaching of my savior come to life. I will never forget the week that I walked in my saviors footsteps, getting to know his beloved Galilee, and getting to know him and his place in my life.