They have the best ceilings here!
The details just blow me away
Where the congregation partakes of the sacrament
The gold tiles were beautiful, the pictures don't do any justice
Like every inch of this temple was beautiful
After this we went to the Bethlehem look over where we stood on a hill over looking the whole city. We could see miles and miles away. As the teachers were explaining the history about this place I noticed a shepherd and his flock of sheep. He was just casually chillin on the side of the mountain watching his sheep, you don't see that every day! I had such a spiritual experience that I won't go into detail on here but I felt my grandpa right there by my side. It was a moment I will never forget. This hill will always be close to my heart
Love how he's just chillin over there on the left side of the picture watching his flock
On our bus ride to the next stop, we experienced an awesome moment during that day(Israel Independence day). They take this day so seriously, for a couple minutes out of the day, everyone stops what they are doing no matter where they are to have a moment of silence for those who have died. Even people driving stopped their cars & got out to show respect.
It was an awesome experience to watch them all, they all have such devotion for their country
On May 9th we went to the Western Wall which I already talked about but I didn't get to add any pictures.
All the students on the way to the wall
An awesome building right before the wall. I can't remember who told me but one of the women here in the center said that some of the stairs at the top, closer to the building, were stairs that were there when Jesus was here on this earth..I just got chills when she told me that...
Then on the sabbath, May 10th we went to visit the garden tomb. It way different than I expected, I thought it was going to be all by it self in desolate place but it's right in the middle of the old city. I literally got 3 seconds in the tomb, I couldn't even comprehend what just happened. I can't wait to go back to spend time in there by myself to ponder & feel the spirit. We all gathered on the benches in the garden to listen to the tour guide. After he explained a little bit about this place, we decided to sing a few songs. This brought in the spirit so quickly & so powerfully. Everyone around stopped to listen to us sing. It was such an unforgettable experience.
The boys sang their own song, they sang like angels, I'll try to see if I can upload the video later
I loved all the little tiles throughout the garden with scriptures
I couldn't get enough of the flowers..
Some more of the tiles..
And more flowers haha I love the little swirly thing in the middle of the flowers
The reason we only got 3 seconds inside, there were tourist groups out the wazoo
One of the students was drawing the tomb in the bottom picture, I thought it was so cool so I took a picture of it. He explained that the best way for him to remember a place is to draw it(wish I had that talent!)
Waited in the long line, finally about to enter the tomb..
Inside the tomb
On May 11, a group of us went the YMCA building where we played the bells for the whole city! It was a little scary because I didn't want to mess up, everyone was listening! But I loved every second of it! I loved learning something new & being apart of it.
I can't get over all the amazinggg buildings here
Thee funniest sign I have ever seen haha super awkward
The YMCA building, we went to the very tippy top to play the bells
Mosaic in the front of the building
Half of the group crammed into one tiny elevator. It's way more squished than it looks, picture never do justice
The sweet bells
The pros showing us how it's done
One of the huge bells
Some pictures of the view from the top of the building
I am in love with this city, it amazes me every second
Is this real?? Jaw dropping view
Each door had a saying between them
Outside over looking the city
Cole & I getting ready to play Over the Rainbow for the whole entire city
Concentrating like no other..
It looked like the wall was going to fall right through, these are the cords that attach to the bells up above
The coolest bell playing group ever!
Had to take a picture in front of the bells
A tiny little church in the YMCA building
A couple people from out group, I thought it was a fun angle
Us reenacting the sweet banner hahaha
Here's a closer one.. just soak it all up.. haha
Then after we played the bells we walked across the street to the King David hotel to see all the signatures from the famous people who have stayed there.
The Black Eyed Peas..
Had to take a picture by it!!
The list was endless..
The rooms were unreal..
This one is for you Dad! Love you!
After this we had lunch on the park benches in the city. It was so peaceful. Kids were playing in the water fountains(I almost joined them haha) Then we walked around the old city which I love to do. I can't get enough of the tiny streets.
Some paintings in the wold city for sale, loved the colors
A little Jewish boy walking around the city, so cute
LOVEE the tiny streets
Little Jewish boys playing soccer in the city, loved watching them have fun
The streets are always soo busy but so fun
The coolest graffiti I have ever seen!
Holy Cow, this is taking forever haha Okay so next we went to see the Dome of the Rock. We barely had any time there either cause the line was so long & they were closing it within the hour we were there. I swear, things are so dang rushed here, I wish I had more time to sit & ponder. There's just so much to see!
Waiting in line for the Dome of the Rock
We passed the Western Wall on the way to the Dome of the Rock, it's so empty compared to when we went there
This building was breath taking
Us girls!
The BYU Jerusalem Center is such an amazing building. I am so blessed to be living here, I still can't believe it's real. I'll put more pictures up of the center when I get back form Turkey but this center has unbelievable views! Here's one of them..
On Sunday Emily & I took some pictures outside after Stake Conference where we had like 400 people there! It was crazy!
Love this girl
Another awesome view from the center
On May 12, we went on another field trip. This time we visited the Sidreh Weaving Center. These women didn't have to opportunity to go to school. They are able to have that opportunity to do that now while they learn to weave to earn money. They showed us the process of weaving & they steps they take. The things they made were beautiful
The women showing us how they spin the wool
Tea they made for each of us
This sweet little hut/ lounge area outside
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Some liked the tea more than others.. haha
How they weave rugs
Bundles of died fabric
Love the colors
Using resources wisely
Some of their products
I am obsessed with camels & we saw a couple, out the window. I wanted to jump off the bus & ride one that very second!
Next we visited Tel Arad
Loved the view from up on that mountain
Some of the girls
Looking down this huge well
Last but not least we went to Tel Beersheva, we got to wear some sweet hard hats!
It was a little windy outside! Cole cracks me up
We were killin it in those hard hats, man, watch out!
They were loving this a little too much haha
Going underground
Then the next day, May 13th, we took an underground tour of the center. We were shown where the vents for our teachers are so if we ever wanted to put something in their air vents, we knew where haha jk we are never allowed down there again. We just got to go down to write our name on the walls & pipes with everyone else's. Got to mark my territory on the center!
I love my classmates, they are the coolest people ever!
Well that's all for now! I'll update on some more things after Turkey which I am sooo excited for! I miss you guys a bunch but I am having the time of my life out here & know that this is where I am suppose to be XOXO
