You would think that after two months, I would get over waking up in a foreign city where they don’t speak a language that I am familiar with, where they eat foods that I would have never considered eating at home. But every day brings the same exact result: I wake up and find myself in a foreign city struggling to understand a language I have never heard, eating food that I can’t even begin to pronounce the names of. And every morning, I smile to myself and never have one thought about wanting to be somewhere else. I wouldn’t give up being disoriented and confused about my location for anything. Jerusalem is amazing, truly a wonder. It is such a blessing that I was able to come and study in this land – to study the gospel of Jesus Christ, to learn about the lives of my ancestors, to become acquainted with a people so different from myself. I can’t think of a better time in my life. This is truly an amazing experience.
It was another Sabbath Day similar to all the others I have experience in the Jerusalem Center. The spirit continues to take my breath away as I listen to the words prepared by the speakers and the teachers. It never ceases to amaze me how direct their words are and the effect they have on me. Sacrament Meeting was especially meaningful for me. The Crockett family spoke on courage and the necessity it is to have courage in today’s world, how courage helps to solidify your belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ and helps drive you forward to action. President Ohman asked a ward member, who speaks only Spanish, to share her testimony once Brother Crockett was finished speaking. Her spirit would have knocked me over if I had been standing on my feet. She testified of the truth of the gospel and the faith she has in the prophecy of scripture. It doesn’t matter what language we speak or what country we come from. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the same in every tongue, in every nation. It was amazing and I really appreciated everything she said. (Plus, I was able to understand nearly every word that she spoke. I guess all that studying has really started to pay off!) Brother Chadwick taught Sabbath School today so I left with many questions, as always, but it was a great lesson. If you want me to go into more depth, feel free to shoot me an email. He focused most of the time, if not all of it, on John 16:7. The lesson in Relief Society was based on a talk by President Monson called “Charity Never Faileth”. It was an excellent reminder that we all need to be a little more Christlike and loving of all of God’s children. We are all too quick to judge.
After church, I skipped off to the Garden Tomb with Jenny and Kymberly. The Spirit in that area is always so overwhelming. The moment you walk through the gates the significance of what happened there drives all of your thoughts to Jesus Christ. We sat and sang a couple of songs (I Believe in Christ and The Lord is My Shepherd) and then individually spent the next half hour or so reading, pondering, and writing in our journals. It was a really great experience. I spent my time contemplating the role of the Savior as my Shepherd and how intimately He knows me. All I have to do is turn to Him and He will be there, ready to guide me and help me to follow the path He has laid. It’s all so amazing. I am grateful for His hand in my life and His earnest desire to continue helping me find my way back to Him.
The rest of the afternoon went fairly smoothly. After dinner and seminary (the lesson was given by Lizzie and was on Brigham Young), I went outside to read and email a couple of friends as I looked over the city and eventually watched the sun set. It was a great experience. I love sitting in the gardens at the Jerusalem Center. Despite the wind, it is so peaceful and really allows you some time to be alone and think about whatever you want to think about.
I am excited to see what tomorrow brings. It is a free day. I don’t have plans yet, but I do have a few ideas. It should be a lot of fun. And it may or may not include waffles. We’ll just have to wait and see!
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