Hello!!
After 27 hours of traveling, we got here Wednesday afternoon and it has been non-stop amazingness ever since! The Jerusalem Center is absolutely beautiful with a view of the city from every window.
We got to go out into the city by ourselves for the first time yesterday. A group of us participated in the Via Dolorosa which happens every Friday afternoon. The Franciscan monks lead a procession of the walk Jesus took through the Old City of Jerusalem with His cross, on the way to crucifixion. It's marked by fourteen different stations including where He was flogged, ending at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (which is where many Catholics and Christians believe is Golgotha and holds the sepulchre where Jesus was buried). It was a really neat experience to participate in the walk. Afterward we tried to get to the Dome of the Rock but it was closed for the day. We went down some roads and ended up at the Wailing/Western Wall. Wow, was that a site to see. We didn't stay long though because we had to be out of the city by sunset. (We're going as a group there in a few weeks- I can't wait to learn more about it and go back.)
On our way back we took special note of the Kidron Valley, covered by Jewish tombs. It is an honor to be buried there for Jews because this is the "valley where God will judge" and they all want front seats at the resurrection. There is SO much history here, literally everywhere we walk has significance of some kind.
Today was our first Sabbath Saturday and it was awesome! There are two branches in Israel- one in Jerusalem and one in Tel Aviv. Our branch is a good size, we even have a primary. The students make up most of the branch but we have many others who are visiting or living here working for the government or who work in Jerusalem. Dad- there is even a Spanish Sunday school class! It was fast and testimony meeting and the spirit was so strong. The view of the city from the chapel is so pretty, it's almost unreal, like a back drop. After church we went to the Orson Hyde Garden and read the dedicatory prayer that he gave when he first came to Jerusalem in 1841 to dedicate this land for the gathering of Abraham's posterity.
Already, this had been an enriching experience. The classes are great and our teachers and the couples serving here are wonderful. Can't wait for our first field trip on Monday!
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What a special experience to walk, see, feel the spirit of the Savior in the Holy Land. Thanks for your updates and pictures. They really help us feel a part of your experience. Will you be able to see the Garden Tomb/sepulchre? Have you used any spanish? love, Mom
ReplyDeleteThanks for opening this. We can follow you around now. What a neat thing to be there. Be sure to include things I can share with my classes and with friends. Dad
ReplyDeleteRach you're the best love ya! Jackie says hello too!
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous and love living vicariously through you. What an amazing experience! I have a friend who is a Marine who served in Tel Aviv for about a year. She is also a member. She was just deployed to Kuwait--Jessica Nelson was her name there, though she is now married. I wonder if you are in her old branch there. Enjoy and I love the posts! mIss you tonnes!
ReplyDeleteThanks mom and dad- I've just been speaking Spanish with the other students here and some with the ward members from South America- that's been fun.
ReplyDeleteHello Ben and Jackson!! Hope the east coast is treating you well!
Kara- there's also a branch in Tel Aviv but I'll ask around next time at church and see if anyone knows her. It's been fun to get to know Jim's Aunt and Uncle that are here- they're awesome!