Week 12: Worship

Shalom Everyone! This week has been incredible for me as always, but i'm also starting to feel a little bit of sadness because we only have a few more weeks left of the program and I'm falling more and more in love with this Holy Land. Now I understand why people rave about this program. It is an experience that one cannot describe without having already experienced it yourself. It’s a unique chance to be immersed in such a unique setting and walk in the footsteps of Christ. 

To start off the week we got to go to the Kotel. This is an underground tunnel made by the Jews who excavated underneath Palestinian homes, it is pretty much an extension to the Western Wall. (Also causes a lot of political problems because they are excavating this wall that is technically in Palestinian property). Nevertheless it was so awesome.

This is a little exposed area of the Western Wall that is underground in these tunnels. There were a lot of people praying at this wall. 

                                          

This is a Mikveh was from around the time of Christ. A Mikveh a place where individuals would come and wash before ascending to the temple mount. Although this tradition is only used by Jews today, it was very likely that Christ used a this exact mikveh or one close to it when he visited the temple during his time here on earth.  

On Wednesday we got to visit a bunch of different Christian churches in the Old City. Some of them were totally hidden and you have NEVER guessed there were such beautiful huge churches in such a squished place. But oh my gosh! Let me just take you on a little picture tour of what I got to experience.

Franciscan Church 

Photo cred: Grace Hendricks.



Greek Church 

Holy Sepulcher

Photo cred: Grace Hendricks.



Church of Our Redeemer (Lutheran Church)

A Mass service we got to watch today! In Arabic 

Russian Church 

Christian Church i can't remember haha

We also had the opportunity to visit the Temple Mount and I got to stand in a place where it is almost known 100% that Christ walked there. Quick history for those who don’t know: The temple was built by Solomon, destroyed by Babylon, rebuilt by Herod The Great, and destroyed again by the Romans. Muslims came and built the Dome of the Rock that stands where God’s holy temple used to stand. Anyway, I think it is purely amazing how so much of the walls from the 2^nd temple period (the temple during Christ’s time) still remain. When we sit in sacrament meeting we get to look over the city of Jerusalem and we have a perfect view of the temple mount and the city walls. 

These are the steps leading up to the temple, Christ walked here!!! (Or a place very similar to it- we can't know for sure on these things). But the triple gate behind me is the same one that existed during Christ's time! 

After visiting so many different churches this week I have really been pondering on the idea of worship, how people worship and my own worship. Having never left an environment that is less than 95% LDS before this trip, I didn’t think very much about how people worship, I was just so used to how I worship and my way was the RIGHT and only way. But coming here has really widened my perspective on different forms of worship. I think no matter how one chooses to worship they can still feel the spirit. I venerate these beautiful cathedrals and churches that required immense amounts of sacrifice and hard work to create, all dedicated to Christ and God. I respect the nun who dedicates her entire life to serving God. I respect the priests who live righteously and conduct these beautiful masses. I respect the Jewish traditions that create such humble people. I respect a Muslim’s sacrifice of food during this month of Ramadan. This is something that I love about Jerusalem, is the concept of religion. The entire place is created and preserved because of religion, because of Christ and because of good people. No matter the religion, we all have one thing in common, and that is God.

I have also been paying close attention to particular individuals who are worshiping, and I observe their loyalty to their God. I watch their faces, and their actions, I try to understand them and their perspective of God. I admire these people. Here are some pictures my friend Grace and I took of just people around the city who we felt moved by. 

I admired the humility this woman had during her time in the Franciscan church. 

I loved these women walking speedily from the Holy Sepulcher 

I can't remember who these two were affiliated with but I was extremely impressed by their kindness to me. 

Photo Cred: Grace Hendricks. This woman was carefully studying a holy script at the Russian Church. I also love this picture because it shows her focus and dedication to God as she lives a life of virtue and purity. 

I saw this beautiful angel-looking woman sitting at the Garden Tomb yesterday. Doesn't she just remind you of Mary Magdalene? Waiting for Christ to appear and bless her. I felt as though this woman was also looking for Christ. I talked to her afterwards, and her name is Larissa. She was a beautiful woman. 

This priest was blessing the Nuns of his church after a beautiful service. This is part of the Russian Orthodox Church. 

Today's Armenian service. SO AWESOME!! 

Having these experiences to watch all these different services and forms of worship has really made me want to honor my Sabbath day more. I feel like i could take it more seriously than i do because i understand the significance of it.

Other things this week:

Volleyball tournament. We lost by 2 in the third game for the championship, but it was a BLAST!

We had one of the best talent shows I have ever been to in my life!!! Even the teachers admitted they haven’t even laughed that hard their entire time in Jerusalem and this is their last semester J My roommates and I also put together a funny skit!

To see the whole skit you'll have to watch it on my computer :) 

This coming week we get to continue following Christ’s footsteps in Galilee. I am so excited!  

Week 11: Christmas in July

We have just begun our journey to follow the life of Jesus. There's no better place to start than at the beginning with his birth. So we started in Bethlehem. 

When I imagine where Christ was born, I imagine a small, dark cave looking place where animals could live. But the Church of the Nativity, like many other places where Christ actually was, is covered with ornaments, gold, and other decorations of different churches. This is how i feel about a lot of places, including the Holy Sepulcher where they believe Christ's tomb is and where they believe where Golgotha is. As well as where his ascension to heaven took place and many other significant places. The place where i feel Christ the most, and the place that i believe is the most peaceful is the Garden Tomb.

One of the most beautiful churches i have ever seen. This was a Greek Orthodox Church with every single inch of it covered. 

Shepherd's Church 

This is the Church of the Shepards as well, but a different part of it. This was one of my favorite churches! 

And this is Shepard's field where we had our Christmas program. We read the passages of Mary and Joseph and sang the significant Christmas songs. It was such a great time to think and ponder on Christ and be able to have personal time with my Heavenly Father in prayer. Probably one of the most spiritual experiences i've had thus far. 

I feel like i get to see visitors every week. This week we saw some of my dad's friends, the Garffs

Our free day was a blast. First we got the play the Carillon bells throughout West Jerusalem. It's so much fun. it feels like you're about to perform in front of a million because and you play bells that ring throughout the city. So every mistake you make, a lot of people hear that. Haha. But it's a wonderful thrill. We get to play church songs which i think is special. Because we aren't allowed to talk about the church with people in the streets here, any chance to sing or play a hymn is feel like is my chance to share the gospel in my own special way.

Then we got to go to the Knesset. Coolest thing ever!! Because there are tensions in Jerusalem right now and it's cool to see where all the decisions are made. In America this would be equivalent to going to the White House where the President has his meetings.

Outside the Knesset

This mural is inside the Knesset and it is a woven picture. It shows Jerusalem in the past, the present and the future.  

You won't believe it but i went Bird Watching... haha.



Shout out to our AMAZING security. We've had to go into the bomb shelter 3 times this week and they are amazing to help us through all this craziness in Jerusalem. They are also great at making sure where we are at all times, and that we are safe in whatever we do. So grateful for them.

                             


Other Tensions were brewing in Jerusalem. But this time, INSIDE the Jerusalem Center. It was the World Cup. I couldn't decide if i wanted to cheer for Argentina (Because of Connor's Mission) or Germany... because of my best friends Grace here is serving her mission there in a few months! 

To end our amazing week we got to meet with His Excellency, Reverend Lazaratto. WOW was it amazing. He lives in the Apostolic Delegate which is literally in our backyard. I got to talk with Father Jaques for a while as well. We got to sit with His Excellency where the Pope sat when he came a few weeks ago and had biscuits and lemonade in the dining area. Wow, i do the coolest things. 

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as i am :)