06 June 2011

No matter how hard I try, I will never be able to breakthrough my Scandinavian heritage. I can slather myself in sunscreen, I can sit in the shade, but the sun will always find me, burning me and mocking me with its rays. The redness of my skin has become a trademark at the Jerusalem Center. Dr. Chadwick has come to expect me to be sunburned. If I was any color other than red, I would almost be unrecognizable to most everyone at the J.C. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have any control over the way my skin reacts to the sun. I’m not going to stop going outside so it looks like I will just have to get used to being my own space heater for the time being, or perhaps for the rest of my life.

The day was spent at Gordon Beach in Tel Aviv. There is nothing like spending a day on the beach. Your options are endless. Volleyball, swimming, bodysurfing, sandcastle building: you can’t go wrong when it comes to the beach! A few of us began at a part of the beach with actual waves, where we could actually bodysurf without being beached. I was able to catch a few choice waves; one of them managed to pull my swimsuit off of me. Luckily, I don’t get embarrassed too incredibly easily. It was fun to bodysurf though. I have really missed going to the beach and swimming in the ocean. Provo and school make going to the beach a little difficult. I should consider transferring to Hawaii. That way I could go to the beach every once in a while and not have to suffer withdrawals!

A few of us played a couple of games of beach volleyball. Volleyball on the beach is much different than volleyball in a gym. The sand makes running and jumping quite difficult. However, it makes diving quite simple. I had joined the game right after playing in the water so I became a walking sandman by the time the game was over. Luckily, the beach was only steps away so I could rinse myself off within seconds. Volleyball was one of the highlights of my day. There were parts of it, though, that weren’t happy, that didn’t add to my enthusiasm for being at the beach. I ran after the ball after it was hit out of bounds. Andrew was walking by at the same time. We fought for the ball with our feet for a few minutes, but it ended badly. Barefoot, my toes were no match against his sandals. I ended up breaking the middle toe on my right foot. It is now dark green and approximately the same size as my big toe; it is also buddy-taped. At least I can say that I broke a bone in Israel. I bet there are few people who can claim such a thing!

We got back to the Jerusalem Center sooner rather than later which was a definite relief. I was exhausted after a day in the sun. The heat of the sun really tears energy out of you. I am exhausted. I took a quick shower as soon as we got back so that I could cool down my skin, get all of the sand and salt off of me, and smell and look human again. The lukewarm water felt wonderful on my pink skin. Dinner came and went with little excitement. I ate; I socialized. That’s all there really is to it. It wasn’t until after dinner that the fun began. Kymberly and I were invited to spend some time with the Chadwick’s. However, we took a short detour before going up to their balcony on the fifth floor.

Our night with the Chadwick’s began on the first floor, exploring the apartment they used to live in. It is now a place of rubble. They are turning four rooms into a family apartment. It was a mess in there but it was fun to explore. It reminded me of all the empty houses in St. George I used to walk through with my friends. Next, Dr. Chadwick thought it necessary to walk out to the playground for a couple of minutes. While there, he dove down a slide head first. I’m not sure I’ll be able to look at him in the same light ever again, but it was worth it. Have you ever seen a 55 year old man slide head first down a tunnel slide? This was my first time, and I would be happy to see it again! The last and final stop to our adventure was on the balcony of their new apartment….or ‘hotel’, rather. Their new apartment is kitchenless, unfortunately, but they get by just fine. They have milk, Coke, and cereal. You don’t need much else in this world! Haha it was nice to sit out on their balcony and talk for a couple of hours. Kym and I were also privileged to be let on a little secret that the Chadwick’s, of which I cannot disclose until the end of the program. (Remind me and I will share my information with you.) It was nice spending the night with the Chadwick’s. I have more homework to do tomorrow than I wanted, but it was worth the chat.

It was a good day. While the sun left its painful mark on my skin, I had fun and was able to enjoy my time at the beach. Plus, I got to hang out with the Chadwick’s. Not everyone can say they have done that before!

05 June 2011

It was one of the longest but greatest days since I have been in Israel. It was a field trip day, but it wasn’t just any old field trip. For the first time in what feels like forever, we didn’t visit ancient ruins; we didn’t discuss the importance of the remainder of a city wall; we didn’t have examples of temple relics point out to us. Rather, we took Biblical parables into our own hands. We were able to be shepherds, make unleavened bread, grind hyssop plants into herbs, draw water from an ancient cistern, and more. It was one of those days that will stick with you forever. I know that I will never forget it.

The buses left promptly at 8:20 in the morning. But first, I ate pancakes with peanut butter on them. They were delicious. Back to the field trip…haha. The bus ride wasn’t very long. I attempted to read an assignment for Dr. Chadwick’s class, but I fell asleep after three pages. This isn’t a new action. I seem to fall asleep every time I open up one of the books for Ancient Near Eastern Studies, unless Chaddy, himself, wrote it. As much as I love geography (that’s my minor, for those of you who don’t know), I don’t enjoy reading forty pages about the geography of 10^th Century BCE Israel. Our field trip was in a place known as Neot Kedumim. If I knew what that meant, I would tell you, but I’m not really sure. I wouldn’t call this place a city; it was quite similar to a national park, actually. We spent the day with a tour guide who took us around to different sites that taught about different Biblical parables. We began at a 2,000 year old cistern where the story of Rebekah and Isaac was acted out. Ashley W. happy played the role of Rebekah and was able to pull water up out of the cistern. It was really cool. I wish we would have had the time for me to draw water as well but time was short. Our guide next led us down to a covered area where she discussed a plant called hyssop. Hyssop is a plant that deals with the cleansing of the leper; it was also the plant that was used to paint the blood onto the doorways during Passover. We ground our hyssop plants into powder to use as a spice or seasoning. I am really excited to get home and use it in pasta or homemade pizza. I hope it lasts until then! Next came my favorite part of the entire day: herding the sheep.

Goats and sheep are my favorite barnyard animals. They can have the most disgusting, matted down coats in the world, but they have the cutest little faces. We split up into two groups and herded the animals. Because of my prior life of being a sheep/goat herder, I was able to explain to my group the need for the alpha goat to lead the way. Once he stepped out, the other goats and, of course, the sheep followed. We were able to succeed in corralling our sheep. We were also able to take a few pictures. I was able to hold a baby lamb. It remind me of a painting done by Greg Olsen called The Good Shepherd. I was holding the lamb in the exact manner of Christ in that picture. It helped me to understand the parable of the Good Shepherd much more. You fall in love with your herd. Remember, their faces are the cutest things in the world. You have to be their guide; you have to keep them on the path. They will stray, but they can come back. You can help them come back. Christ is our Shepherd. He laid the path for us to follow. We might stray, but we can come back. He has created a way for us to return to live with Him and the Father again. We just have to trust in Him and follow His lead.

Leaving the sheep, we made our own unleavened bread over a fire. That was an adventure. Most of us felt like we were back at Scout Camp or Girl’s Camp! But it was really fun. And we used some of our hyssop and some oil to make a delightful dipping sauce. It was delicious. Next we went to a threshing floor where the story of Ruth was acted out by Morgan, Josiah, Lizzie, and Niffer. We have quite a talented group at the Jerusalem Center. They did such an amazing job. Morgan, as the narrator, spoke in different accents; Lizzie, as Naomi, spoke in a British accent. It was all just really fun! Next we headed to a water wheel where I was able to run inside it like a hamster to draw water for my crops! I almost fell on my face a couple of times, but it was worth it! We then went up to an olive press. It isn’t the season for olives so we weren’t able to press them, but we talked about them. We ended the field trip by watching a scribe write the Torah. He then chanted. It was really cool. This was probably my favorite field trip that we have been in so far. I wonder if another field trip will ever take the lead. It’s hard to beat sheep when it comes to the ‘World of Michelle’.

My volleyball time was brutally murdered in both of our games this evening. It was awful. We have really good players. We just need to work on communicating with one another. Hopefully we can get that down sooner rather than later. I was able to end the evening by talking to my mom and dad on the phone. You are probably all thinking that I talk to them a lot. But when it really comes down to it, I was calling my mom an average of three or four times a day before I came to Jerusalem. Plus, I have two of the greatest parents in existence. They are two people who I could talk to for days on end. They mean the world on me. I wish I could share this experience with them. But for now, I will continue to call them and post as many pictures as possible… I have posted more for those of you who were curious. It was a great day. Tomorrow is bringing with it another day in Tel Aviv at the beach. Let’s see if I remember to put sunscreen on the backs of my legs this time, shall we? Cross your fingers!

04 June 2011

Another Shabbat has come and gone. Much too quickly. As always.

I really enjoyed Church this week. Testimony meeting, Sabbath school, and relief society all centered around Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Much of what I felt and noticed dealt with His perfect love. Christ’s love is never-ending, all encompassing. His love is perfect; it casteth out fear. There is no fear in love (1 John 4:18). This knowledge can be so comforting to each of us. We have no reason to be afraid as long as we turn to the Lord, Jesus Christ. His hand is always stretched out to us, waiting for us to grab on. He will always love us. He will never leave us alone. If you ever feel in doubt of His love, I challenge you to study the scriptures, especially St. John and the gospels of John. I testify to you that Jesus Christ lives, that He loves you, that He will always be there for you. He is your perfect example. If you follow after Him and keep the Lord’s Commandments, you can return and live with Him and the Father again. I testify to you that these things are true.

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing up until dinner. I studied the scriptures and prepared for seminary and talked with friends. It was really chill. I enjoyed it greatly! Sabbaths are such a great day to reflect on where I am and what I am doing, a great day to study the gospel of Jesus Christ and write in my journal. Dinner was delicious, as usual. They had this dessert that was a whipped cream tart of some sort. It was yum!

Seminary came and went with delight. I taught the lesson. Only, I think that I might have scared poor Megan Judd. The lesson was on marriage (well part of it was at least), and I may or may not have gotten very into it! I have such a strong testimony on the importance of Eternal Families and Temple Marriage. Families are meant to be forever. I am so thankful to be sealed to a family that honors their temple covenants and to who I can be with forever. Can you imagine that great joy of running into the arms of loved ones after leaving this life? It is such a comforting thought. I learn so much from teaching seminary. These lessons are as much for me (if not more) as they are for Megan. There was a reason I was called to be a seminary teacher, and I am seeing the blessings of this calling each and every day. I am so thankful for this opportunity.

I was able to talk to two of my sisters tonight: Candace and Rachel. Afterward, I headed upstairs to watch one of the greatest movies of all time. Saturday’s Warrior. For those of you who have not seen this movie, I would highly recommend it. I am actually surprised at the number of people at the J.C. who have never seen this movie! They had such deprived childhoods! I remember watching this movie almost every Sunday morning with my sisters. I can sing every song, quote most of the lines. It is a part of who I am! The doctrine of the movie may not be one-hundred percent correct and the hair and clothing choices may not be stylish to our day’s standards, but the movie itself is one of the greatest things that I have ever seen. It was a fabulous way to end the evening. We may have to do this again. And soon.