Saturday, August 4, 2012

Day 100

I have lived in Israel for 100 days 


I've learned more than I could possibly imagine in those 100 days

I've studied the scriptures
Traveled to new places
Walked where Jesus walked
Made friends who feel like family

Thanks for teaching me so much Israel


Bethlehem


A few weeks ago we look a field trip to Bethlehem!


It made me a little homesick being in Bethleham. I wanted my family to be there with me so badly. I have such good memories my Christmas with my family that it seemed strange not to celebrate Christmas in July with them in Bethlehem. {How do you guys feel about going to Israel for our next family vacation?}

Every Christmas Eve my family has a bundled into our warmest clothes and made our way to Heritage Park to watch the Nativity Pagent. I remeber as a child being totally mesmerized by the pagent, especially the angels who proclaim the birth of Jesus to the Shepherds. Even though I feel like I'm too old to be excited about the Nativity Pagent I still look forward to going on Christmas Eve, and spend most of the day waiting for evening to come so we can go. 

Bethlehem was not the Nativity Pagent that I have watched every Christmas. It is a town filled with tour buses, and gift shops, and old cars. It was also incredibly charming. When we were standing in Manger Square waiting  for our tour guide to come and take us into the Church of the Nativity our teacher told us about what the Square was like on Christmas Eve. He said that it was so filled with people it was nearly impossible to move. I love the idea of Christians from all around the world gathered in Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Christ.

The Stars & Bucks Cafe

In church of the nativity was so crowded. Being in large crowds makes me feel super anxious, and being in Israel where the sun in very hot it takes the B.O factor of people to an entirely new level so in between some slow deep breaths I took lots of pictures to distract myself.

Me and Amy at the 12 ponied gold star that marks the place where Jesus was born and other scenes from the Church of the Nativity.

My fame also continued in Bethlehem.


Fun Fact: Everything here is covered in sesame seeds

Awkward Photos: Round Two


I've taken nearly 2,000 pictures in the last 3 and a half months so it is to be expected that some turned out funny. 

Pre-enacting Armageddon
 I thought it would be really cool if we took a Ray Ban photo, but it was really windy and I was wearing a shirt that is too big so I look fat and not cool. 
Me being a Political Science nerd at the Knesset.
Enough Said
Everyone else at the restaurant had ordered fish and took pictures kissing their fish. So naturally I had to take a picture kissing my pizza.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Where Have I Been?

Besides hiding out in the Byzantine hermit's cell at Masada I've been:
-Recovering from our 10 day trip to Galilee. It was a spiritual feast and an absolute blast. 
-Studying for finals. The finish line is so close!
-Dealing with a serious case of JC LDS (Jerusalem Center Last Days Syndrome) It's a real condition .