Merry Christmas

The Herodian Wind was out of control

A.J. Sandwich (A.J to the right is a Palestinian student in
Bethlehem...I absolutely love this kid, so hilarious I called
him the Palestinian version of Kenan & Kel

Bethlehem:House of Bread:  What a wonderful day it was to go over to the west bank into Bethlehem. We started our journey from Jerusalem toward Bethlehem, similarly how Mary and Joseph would have travelled after going through the temple down to Bethlehem. We stopped by the Herodian, King Herod’s palace and tomb. How interesting it was to contrast  how Israel’s king lived in a luxurious and grandiose way compared to the true king of Israel, our savior who lived in a humbly and modestly.
We went to Bethlehem University with our Islam (Palestinian-Christian professor, Dr. Musallam). I loved the students we toured the campus with. We had good discussions with the students who told us how it was to live in the West bank. It is neat to touch base with those of diverse backgrounds and to realize we are all not that different.

The spot of where Christ was born.

  We went to the church of the nativity where supposedly Christ was born. Different church denominations own certain parts, the place where Christ was born is owned by the Greek Orthodox and another section by the Catholics. We sang Christmas songs in the Catholic chapel. The spirit was so strong. There is something about Christmas songs, no matter how overplayed never get old and the Christmas spirit is always felt.

Thee cutest baby lamb I could have held him forever.

We went to a shepherd’s field right as the sun was setting. I will never forget these moment singing O little town of Bethlehem, stars shining, silhouettes of olive trees and sheep baas in the background. I will forever reflect on Christmas what I felt here. I know Jesus came and was born in the town of Bethlehem as prophesied. He is the living bread . I know I can go to him for nourishment in every aspect. I know that He lived, and lives again. He is my savior and Redeemer, I say these things in his holy name, amen

DAY AND A LIFE IN JERUSALEM

How did the people live in day of Christ? I had the opportunity to experience with all senses the essence of what a day and life would be for people in the first century. I've had glimpses of how people lived back then because often I see the same way of living being practiced here now in the twenty-first century.

We started out herding sheep. The trick to having the sheep move was having good ol' billy goat be in the front of the herd only then would the sheep follow. I was a little afraid of the sheep (I'm not going to lie). But I was able to make a lot of connections to our Savior the Good Shepherd and I really enjoyed the experience. Shepherds stay in the back to protect the sheep from wolves. A shepherd can see what the sheep can’t because he has the perfect view. The sheep trust the shepherd completely. Sheep know the shepherds voice and will go where he wants them to go. A shepherd will not even leave one sheep behind. I know this reflects our Great and Good Shepherd too. I know and trust our Savior to see what we don’t see and thus trust that we are being taken care of. I know that he knows me individually and loves me. I am trying to identify and know my Savior more to follow his voice and command so that he can lead me where I need to go.

Here is a reenactment me and Austin and Sabrina did of Isaac and Rebekah at the well or in this case a cistern. Sabrina, (Brother Muhlestein’s daughter) was the camel that was being feed the living water haha.

Sabrina and I grounding hyssop.

Making pita, tea (herbal), and adding date syrup...delicious!

Turning water on the Giant WHEEL...of DEATH. Seriously I thought I was going to lose a limb. Moment of silence for all the limbless bible people.

Expedient for you to Understand

Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms—Doctrine and Covenant 88:79

Catching Austen sleeping during class.
He is so good at hiding his zzz's
By pretending he is thinking.
(I was scared to take this during lecture
 in front of my prof. but I did it.)

Studying in the city with the Cats.
They know there hebrew alphabet. 

I was reviewing my hebrew at
Hebrew University and
found people to talk to in HEBREW!

Life at the Jerusalem center consists of studying, eating, playing, studying some more, and sleeping. These are the essentials of life, right? My courses are molding be to be a better person, I hope. I’ve never had this hard of a work load. My head hurts with all the information I have and yet the more I learn the more I discover I don’t know anything. 

Shhhhfelah shfela Goliath's BACK

Goliath’s back, and you’re gonna be in trouble

Shfelah, shfelah, Goliath’s back!

He’s nine feet high and his chin is kinda double

Shfelah, shfelah, Goliath’s back!

He’s gotta big spear like a weaver’s beam

Shfelah, shfelah, Goliath’s back!

Now David went down to the Valley of Elah

Shfelah, shfelah, Goliath’s back!

I wish I could swing like David.
I almost did
When my rock flew backwards
 hitting my friend haha.

I have visited all parts of the holy land. All of my senses have experienced this land of old. Napoleon himself came to this land and described how I fell, "When camping on the ruins of those ancient towns, they read aloud scripture every evening in the tent of the General-in-Chief. The analogy and the truth of the descriptions were striking: they still fit the country after so many centuries and changes."

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

Arabian nights

Arabian nights

Like Arabian days

More often than not

Are hotter than hot

In a lot of good ways

Best Picture EVER... deep thoughts by laurel: Do camels kiss like they spit?
Ashley:I remember when I kissed a camel.
Austen: *drool, I wish I wish I was that camel guh.
Jess: This is the nastiest food I've ever had!
Addie: Is she really kissing a camel?
Audryn: Those fools.

I have been immersed in this culture more than I have in any other land, why?... Provided opportunities… I was able to help cook a traditional arabic meal, go to an amazing forum where singers from the call to prayer sang lines from the Qur’an , and then Arabic dancing. The end result a greater understanding and appreciation.

We asked our Islam professor what makes someone an Arab. He said anyone who speaks the language and is proud to be an Arab. I then asked if I could be an Arab, and he replied, “YES, Welcome!” So basically living in an area with Arabs for about 40 days, learning the language, and being proud=an Arab (that easy). 

My new name will be Larababa. 

Gunter Aeyptos

Ramesseun temple

Loose Lips

Deep thoughts by Gunter

Gunter as a Cartouche  

Zoser Temple with Gunter

Gunter's hat with Giza

Black feet, Black boots

A whisper in the wind

Planes, Trains, Automobiles and 8 other forms of Transportation

Night boat ride on the NILE

I’ve never used as many forms of transportation as I did in Egypt. Favorite moments included

- sailing across the Nile river

- the extra-long camel ride while sucking sugarcane from the fields

- racing in a horse carriage down the busy Luxor streets

-the train ride that included hopping from one train cart from another

-the hippie taxi van that had shag carpet seats and beads and icons across the dashboard

-the fluka (boat) night ride down the Nile

- the bike ride in the busy city and then moving one street over and seeing the real way people lived (every time I went over a bump a screw fell out of my bike).

Sailing

Children in the streets

I’m sure Rameses would have been wearing chacos they just got chipped off. 

Train Parade

Luxor temple right behind us while crusin the streets.

Dirt paths.

In the Nile the beauty Nile the students sail today!

Egypt has left a mark and a stamp on my heart. Coming home it was a little crazy; we saw the remains of the previous night’s riots (burned cars, and tires, smoke from far off buildings) and were glad to have our EXODUS from Egypt. I was so relieved and happy to be back to Jerusalem. There will be nothing like the first time arriving to Jerusalem but coming into the city I felt safe. This is my refuge…Jerusalem is a part of me…Jerusalem is my home.