28 July 2011

The semester is nearing to an end. I can almost taste the stress in the air. Finals begin one week from today. It is strange to think that the summer is almost over. Before I know it, I'll be back on the BYU-Provo campus on my way to the JFSB, the JKB, or the SWKT for class. I need more time; one month to prepare for another eight months of intense course work needs mental, emotional, and physical preparation. Otherwise, I will be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I guess I should get through with my upcoming finals before I start worrying about the next eight months, though. Bring it on.

After three hours of New Testament and a falafel lunch, I left the Jerusalem Center with Kymberly Stone and Jenny Stewart. We had originally planned to begin at the Garden Tomb, but our time schedules were incorrect. We had thirty minutes to spare before the Garden Tomb opened for the afternoon. We chose to spend that time (and then some) shopping in the Christian Quarter of the Old City. I am glad I purchased souvenirs and gifts throughout the entire semester; it has taken a definitely load off of my shoulders! After hitting a few different shops, we eventually made it up to Shabbon's on Christian Quarter Road - as usual. I ended up purchasing gifts for my siblings, grandparents, and parents all in his shop! You really just can't beat Shabbon's prices. Anything in his shop is half the price that other venders will charge you. There is no point to spend ten dollars on something that you can get for five dollars from Shabbon! You would think that the other shopkeeprs around the Old City would take a hint and do the same.

As the afternoon wore on, we finally made our way over the the Garden Tomb. We planned to go over there to read for a paper due in New Testament the following day; I am glad we chose to do so. The readings we were assigned all dealt with the atonement and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the prompts for the paper dealth with the same topics. It was nice to sit and ponder within the traditional site of the Savior's resurrection and write a paper about the way it has influenced and impacted my life. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to be so close to the different acts of my Savior, Jesus Christ. It is difficult to explain what it feels like to be where He was, where He atoned for my sins, where He raised from the dead, but I can tell you that you cannot enter those sites questions Christ's divinity and leave without an answer. Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He lived and died for all mankind; He has provided a way for all men to return to the HIm and Father someday. He lives and He will come again. I cannot testify of this enough. If you don't know for yourself that Jesus is the Christ, that He atoned for your sins, that He died for you, I challenge you to bow your head in humble prayer and ask with faith and sincerity if He is the Christ. The Spirit with testify of the truthfulness of these things. I know these things to be true. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The walk back up to the Jerusalem Center was miserable. That's all there really is to it. I had chosen to wear jeans that morning and didn't change out of them before I left for the city. It was the worst choice I had made in a long time. I don't know how so many people can stand to wear jeans here. If they aren't falling off of you, they are sticking to you because of the heat. It is uncomfortable, and they make things much warmer than they need to be! But, we finally made it back to the J.C., large bags in hand! I went straight to my room and flopped down on my bed to cool down before washing the dirt off of my feet. Because I always wear sandals into the city, my feet are always black by the time I gete back to the Center....the bottom's of my feet are permanently stained brown. It doesn't matter how hard I scrub. That dirt is not coming off! I am looking forward to going home and getting a pedicure; that's for sure!

Tonight was the night of the Formal Talent Show. I hadn't originally wanted to do anything (and to be honest, I still didn't), but a friend needed another piano player for her trio so I told her I would. From the time I got back to the J.C. until the start of the show I was practicing, eating dinner, and mentally preparing myself to perform. I hadn't performed on the piano since my Sophomore year in high school - over four years ago, so I was a little nervous. Thankfully, we were scheduled to go first. Along with Megan Judd and Megan Nuttall (never before have I wanted my name to be "Megan" so badly), I played a trio waltz composed by Rachmaninov, and it turned out fairly well. It was fun playing with them. Of course, I was shaking like a banshee by the time I sat back down in my seat, but it was a good experience. The rest of the talents were amazing. It was fun to sit and watch the different abilities of my fellow students. Some danced, some sang, some played music instruments; Joan Johnson did I 'silent play' about the Holy Land and the Light of Christ. It was a really good program. I am deifnitely here with a very talented group!

When the talent show came to a close, we all headed down to the Oasis for quick refreshements. I grabbed a piece of bread and then headed outside to my "spot" so studying my scriptures and spend a few minutes by myself. I haven't done this for a few weeks now, so it was nice to look out over the city and think about where I am and where I am going in life. It is hard to find that time in a building with eighty other students. It was a good way to end the day, though. I headed back inside near 10:30pm and washed my hair. As I was towelling it dry, I decided to clean the bathtub and mop up the floor a little bit; it was beyond needed...haha. There is a reason why I clean my own bathroom weekly (even bi-weekly) back in Provo!

In two weeks, I'll be preparing to go to the airport. It is so strange to think that I'll be heading home in only fourteen days. This summer has gone by so quickly, but I am thankful that I was able to spend it in the Holy Land, studying the life of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His Gospel.