Tel Aviv

Found the Ocean! Pure Bliss.

Locals

Anne, Taylor and I, loving life. 

Tel-Aviv flea market.

Reminded me a bit of the Old City in Jerusalem, but parts of it felt like an antique garage sale. We could have spent a long time shopping around there... but the beach was calling. 

Indiana Jones shops like this were all along the street. 

I love these cute juice shops. 

Now here is the real shop... the surf shop

Best day ever!!!!

 The water felt so serene, I was literally as happy as a kid in a candy store.  

I wish I could explain how ecstatic I was this afternoon, but maybe a picture is worth a thousand words... that is no fake smile. 

Our friend Shalami hooked us up with the wetsuits. His ideology: surfing isn't about the money, it's about the love of surf. I can cheers to that. 

Mahalos Shalami! 

If there is one thing I've learned from Tel Aviv, it's that the beach bum vibe is universal. Surfers speak the same language no matter where you go. Shakas

 

Words of wisdom. 

Motivational graffiti, the best kind. 

Thanks for the reminder

This one's for you Daddy!

Thinking of you and our sailing days. 

The beaches were filled with thousands of these gorgeous shells! 

Mitch, Anne, me, and Taylor.

The crew kickin' it from day one

Thinking of you!

Wish you were here. Xo

Just Some Community Events

I put my prayer in the wall.

Jerusalem Princess Basma Elementary School 

While painting this mural I made friends with the kids passing by, using what little Arabic I had under my belt...   This might have been a mistake because once I started speaking Arabic, the kids thought I knew more than I actually do!  We had fun making faces at each other and trying to communicate.  It's fun how we don't need words to speak to one another sometimes--a smile can say more than words can.  Those kids are adorable, everyone at that school is so kind, and painting was so much fun! 

Seder Dinner!

Alissa (my lovely roomie) and I making some fancy food.

We got to help our chef make part of the meal for our special Jewish Seder dinner!

  The Seder dinner happens in the spring, celebrating the Exodus of the children of Israel. Seder means "order," in which we followed a book telling the story of the Exodus. Through the symbolic foods, we eat in remembrance of the many times God has saved His children and remember that only through Him can we receive the sweet after the bitter. 

 Jerusalem 10k

Yep, we did it. 

Ran a 10k through Jerusalem including the Old City. Probably one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life.

Wahoo!!! 

Never before have I ran a race like this one. Sheep on my left and on the road, dedicated members of different faiths running with kippas and all, the incredible view I had as I ran. What an unforgettable experience. Hard, but oh so worth it. 

Runners alongside me inspired me and motivated me to keep running. Life is honestly so similar to running a road race. Those few people who literally pushed me when I got tired, really touched me and motivated me. You can do it. Endure to the end and help each other along the way.

Yad Vashem

Survivor or the Holocaust and nine concentration camps. This man is an inspiration; he is so truly happy despite everything he has gone through. If he can be happy and laugh at little things in life, I certainly can. 

Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial

Eye-opening experience.  

Happy Valentines Day!

My 5 year old class! 

These little ones melt my heart. I had the privilege to teach these Arabic children some English.

I woke up to this! My cute roommate Chaille is so thoughtful I love her!

Happy Valentines Day Jerusalem style! 

Carillon Bells at the... Y.M.C.A. Tower

The most beautiful Y.M.C.A. I've ever seen. 

Taylor was my partner in crime playing the bells for the whole city to hear... Pressure!  Hearing the loud bells ring above us was a thrill knowing we were the makers behind the music.  It was so fun!  It was also harder than it looks, but we performed with excellence. 

We also got to play Happy Birthday for Scotty!  Everyone there sang along... Love you Scotty! Xo

Arabic Culture Night

Our amazing chef's cooked up a special authentic feast for the occasion. 

Before dinner we had the opportunity to hear form the family who does the call to prayer at the Al Aqsa Mosque.  This particular job has been in their family for about 200 years and is a huge honor, but also takes talent. It was an amazing experience to hear from them and ask them questions.  

 After our feast we had special guests teach us Arabic folk dancing; it was such a fun night!

The Shphelah!

Bell Caves where people in the Hellenistic era mined chalk.

These caves were so awesome because they were  full of light and the acoustics were amazing.  Not to mention they are hundreds of years old.  We were advised to run if we saw anything fall from the ceiling or heard crumbling noises... glad we survived.  Our group sang a few hymns and the sound rang out like we were in a concert hall; that was incredible sounding.  

Pieces of ancient pottery at Beth-Shemesh and Sorek Valley. 

Archeologists took all the important pieces and left these random ones in a big pile.  The ones Anne is pointing at are bits of an old handle.  See it? I think it's cool that there are significant remains just laying in a pile in a big gorgeous field that used to be a fortress.  This site is also where Samson would have torn down the pillars.  This field trip really made me realize how the Holy Land is consumed with history.  It seems that about everywhere you go, you can find traces of historical events.

Azekah and Elah Valley below. 

1 Samuel 17

Here is David (left; his name really is David), and Goliath (right). 

This valley is where the battle between Israel and the Philistines began--where David killed Goliath. 

David knows what he can accomplish with the Lord. He, as a youth, fought the Philistine's mightiest warrior.  Go forward with faith in God and we too can conquer our trials, our Goliath. 

 

Marisha. (Guvrin Valley is above us)

Here, we are in an underground housing community of Marisha. It is crazy to think that people lived underground and even crazier that the remains are still here for us to explore!

 

Lachish

Joshua 10:10-14,31-32;  2 Kings 18:13-16;  19:32-36;  Jeremiah 34:1-7

 Lachish ended up being captured by the Assyrians, even though it is on a steep hill and the Israelites, the Israelites were unprepared.  The sad part about this story is that the Israelites could see the Assyrians coming to attack them from below.  Archeologist gathered information showing them that the Israelites were frantically trying to build the wall up as they saw their enemies coming. We know this because since they gathered mud from the inside of the wall shows they were frantic because they didn't have time to bring supplies in from outside.  Our lesson learned here: be prepared before the day of destruction.  When you are frantically trying to build, it is too late. Follow the prophet and the Lord will always prepare you; no matter how scary it may seem, we just have to trust in Him and we will be alright.

THE JORDAN WAY

Mt. Nebo, Jordan

It might not look like much right here, but this mountain overlooks Jordan and even Jerusalem.  The drive up was so cool because I got to see gypsies and Bedouins out in the middle of no where!  Plus, seeing a camel just hanging alone by the side of the road isn't something you see everyday.  

On a clear day, you can see Jericho and the Dead Sea from here. Not only that but this is the very mountain where Moses saw the Promised Land and was translated into heaven.  He had to be translated because the Resurrection hadn't occurred yet, so Moses needed a body to come back down to Earth at another time and restore Priesthood keys. Elijah was also translated from this mountain.  Pretty special place. 

High class welcome at the Petra hotel; I like this place.

PETRA!

TODAY WAS THE BEST DAY BECAUSE I RODE A CAMEL!!!

(okay, and the Lost City is pretty amazing too)

I didn't just get a ride from Daisy, but she even gave me a special kiss. How sweet is that?! She is a beauty; my new favorite animal. Needless to say I HAD SO MUCH FUN! Honestly I think this was the best experience I've had yet... uh, I mean, besides all the other amazing sites of course. 

The Treasury at PETRA!!! 

AKA THE LOST CITY

(It really does look like a lost city it is incredible!)

Just on a mountain overlooking the lost city. The city goes on for miles. 

I spy itty-bitty Tawny and Lindsey inside the Monastery. 

Our bus made a quick stop at the rock Moses smote to give the Israelites water. 

AMMAN

Whenever you get the chance, I hope you dance... at the Amman Citadel of course

Roman Temple of Hercules at the Citadel! 

Anne and I at the Jabbok River

Where Jacob's name changed to Israel; we can all prove ourselves by enduring through trials like Jacob and ultimately are blessed beyond our wildest imaginations. 

Jerash :)

This is the most well-preserved Roman city in the Near East. I didn't think anything could amaze me like Petra did, but Jerash is pretty incredible too.  We could even see tracks in the stone of where the chariot races would occur.  There is a big theater there (two actually), and we got to sing on stage there.  Needless to say, it was pretty amazing.  I also felt pretty cool as I ran through the ancient Roman city streets.  Look at me crossin' off things on the bucket list I didn't even know I had. 

The water fountain in Jerash! We poured water in it and got to watch it come out of the little water spout; imagine this gem in its' prime.

Conquered.

Headstands at the Cardo, why not?  

We just had to stop at the Royal Automobile Museum. Let's just say the King rides in style. 

Learned a new look

This amphitheater was massive, and I loved it.

Jane and I dancing in the rain... at another Roman theater.

The Jordan River

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain, and ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again. 

Our Savior Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan River.  

It is also a natural border between Israel and Jordan, so we could see some visitors on the opposite side of the river right next to some soldiers. I'm so glad others recognize this place as sacred, because it is.

Here, we sang "Lord, I would Follow Thee," and "The Spirit of God." I can't describe how special the Spirit was at this site. Once again, it doesn't look like much from a glance, but it is one of my favorite sites. What it represents shines brighter than its' grandeur.  The world was changed by the example Jesus Christ set for us.  This site is one spot where Jesus showed us the way.