My new home!

Well guys, I finally made it to Jerusalem! It was a long long journey, and the jet lag is very short of being desireable, but we are here! Most of the group arrived Thursday around 6 pm Jerusalem time (10 am Utah/Colorado time). We were welcomed at the airport in Tel Aviv by our New Testament/Old Testament teachers. Sadly, 16 of the students got stuck in New York due to bad weather, and still haven't arrived yet! They had to spend the night in the airport, but they should be here sometime tonight.


On our bus ride from the airport to Jerusalem, I couldn't decide which way to look out the window, because everything surrounding me was so beautiful! We made our way through Judea, which contrary to the christmas hymn "Far far away on Judea's Plain," is not at all a plain, but beautiful rolling hills! You can see a field (almost "white, ready to harvest") and then behind that field are hills. The picture doesn't capture how hilly it really is, so you'll just have to believe me: Judea is not a plain.

After driving for a half hour or so, we got our first view of the Old City part of Jerusalem, Dome of the Rock and all. It was breathtaking! Shortly after, we arrived at the Jerusalem Center (known to the people here as "the Mormon University.") We were greeted by the families of our teachers, the service couples, the Director of the center and his wife, and many other Jerusalem Center staff members. The Jerusalem Center is equisite. I can't believe it is going to be my home for the next 4 months! The architecture is just stunning, and the views are unbelievable! This is the view of the Old City from the balcony attached to my room! You can see the Dome of the Rock (with the gold roof) center left.

This morning we woke up bright and early and had our first field trip! In order to get familiar with Jerusalem, we had a tour of the city. There is so much to see and so much to do, I don't know how I'll manage getting to it all! We made our way through East Jerusalem and passed the Garden tomb and Gethsemane. Then we entered through Damascus gate to get to the old city. This city is seriously so old. It's amazing to see in real life the things and places that I have been taught about since I was young. We then crossed over to West Jerusalem and had an hour to explore a street in West Jerusalem that had lots of little shops. This is where I made my first purchase with shekels. Erica, Lizzie, Jamie, and I bought some gelato. I'm so excited to get to explore this amazing place! I'm also so excited to get back on a normal sleep schedule. :-)

My Journey to the Holy Land is Nigh

The long awaited arrival of my depature to the holy city of Jerusalem has come! I have been waiting for this opportunity for over a year, and now that it is here, I can hardly believe it! In about one hour, I will be boarding a plane headed to Washington D.C. From there, I will head to Vienna for a few hours, then I'll be on my way to Tel Aviv in Israel. For almost four months I will be living in the BYU Jerusalem Center, an incredible work of architecture located on the Mt. of Olives right in the heart of Jerusalem. About 80 other BYU students will be joining me as we study the life of Christ and explore the land that he walked upon.

I'm about to leave behind a familiar world and enter a sacred land where Jesus Christ lived, walked, talked, blessed, performed miracles, wept, prayed, was taunted and crucified, and then rose from the tomb as the one who overcame death and made it possible for me and everyone to do the same.

Although I am sad to leave behind Sam, my family, and my friends, I look forward to making new friends that will be like a second family to me for the next four months. I hope you will enjoy reading my blog and join me on this incredible journey that is surely awaiting me!