Our first field trip was so fun! Mostly because it's just so cool to look out over the land and think about all the things that happened here. We don't really do that much at home. And if we did, it would only cover about 200 or 300 years which is nothing compared to the thousands of years of history over here.
We briefly went in the synagogue there, but spent most of our time outside where we learned about some major events that took place in the bible in this very area. Some have said that 60% of the bible takes place here. As we read the scripture stories and discussed them there was such a cool spirit there. My thoughts turned once again to these places. Why are they significant? How can I make them feel more real or exciting? And then I thought about if I were telling a story. I thought about home and about the places I’ve been at BYU and how those places hold a special place in my heart. I thought about the things I think about when I walk by them and how I would want to share them with someone. This spot right here is where I got an A on a test! Or here is where I learned how to skip a rock. Or here is where I hung out with these friends for the first time. Really anything important. Now with scripture, the story might not always seem significant. Probably because I don’t know the people or the context or it might seem kind of strange. But they were real people. They lived real lives and they had these real events happen to them. Events that brought them closer to God, that allowed them to receive blessings, that helped them to conquer other people. These are the places where their families grew, where they traveled and where they built and our job is to find that significance. To find out what God wants us to learn from these people, just as others will learn from our stories in the future. And then I thought that I must make a story to be proud of. I must live a righteous life and be that example for future generations. Because as much as we can learn from the examples of those who maybe didn’t always make the best choices, the ones that stick out in my mind are those ones who never faltered. Who were steadfast and did all they could to receive the blessings promised to them if only they remained faithful.
Today was a long day but a
good day! We had our first full day field trip! And boy, was it roasty toasty
outside. I got a little bit burnt but that’s ok. So basically we went to all these sights and just
oriented ourselves with the area and especially directions. And then as we
traveled further out from the city we really got into the scriptures and started
learning more. All of it was fascinating though. It’s still just so crazy to me
that the things I’ve been reading about in the scriptures my whole life
happened in this very place! I don’t think it’s even completely hit me yet but
it’s still so cool to try to take in. There was a lot of information that was
thrown at us today and based on previous knowledge and what I’ve read and heard
since I’ve been here, I was able to pick up on quite a bit. Sometimes the
places in the Old Testament are a little bit more difficult to keep straight,
but I’m trying! We use headsets on fieldtrips and it’s so convenient because
the teacher could be anywhere and you can still hear what they’re saying. I
tried taking as many notes as possible but some things are just too complex to
even write down. I’m hoping as I become more familiar with everything that I’ll
be able to make more connections and feel more confident about the information.
SEVEN ARCHES HOTEL OVERLOOK
Isn't this city beautiful?
We learned where the gates are, which direction is which, the names of the valleys,
and where Old Jerusalem (now the City of David) is.
As if cemeteries didn't scare me enough when the graves were under the ground...
AUGUSTA VICTORIA
This is a Lutheran church. it's also one of the three towers you can see up on the Mount of Olives. What I loved about this church was what we learned about the architecture! So many things about these huge Christian churches that I had no idea about! Brother Allred talked to us about themes and finding these themes throughout the Christian churches we visit. I thought it was so fascinating. A few examples are below.
So there's squares that are lower and then as you get higher
everything turns to circles as you get to heaven.
The bright colors and stripes are representative of the Islam influences in the area
All of the arches in the church had that weaving and are representative of the garden of Eden
The floor is a maze or labyrinth signifying our journey back to God
This is a replica of the ark of the covenant. I had never paid attention to what it actually looked like in the scriptures so it was cool to see a visual as we started studying it.
This one was in the back of the chapel
We also went allll the way up to the top of the church (literally 50 billion stairs) to look at the view from all directions. You could see so far over the whole city and surrounding area!
BETHLEHEM OVERLOOK
olives!
I absolutely loved the Bethlehem lookout because of the significance there. That is where our Savior was born. We sang a couple Christmas hymns while we were up there and even though it seemed a little strange in the beginning of September, I’m sure it will have an even more amazing spirit when we return closer to Christmas. Right before you get to Bethlehem is Shepherd’s field. The angel visited the shepherds and told them to go find the baby Jesus. It’s just so surreal to actually be here! And then to see the path they would’ve taken to walk from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. Dr. Whitchurch brought up the point about how Simon was promised he would see the Christ child before he died and how Mary must’ve had some spiritual confirmation about this as well because when you consider the circumstances and who her child was it seems almost strange that she would willingly let her child be taken by a complete stranger.
NABI SAMWIL
We briefly went in the synagogue there, but spent most of our time outside where we learned about some major events that took place in the bible in this very area. Some have said that 60% of the bible takes place here. As we read the scripture stories and discussed them there was such a cool spirit there. My thoughts turned once again to these places. Why are they significant? How can I make them feel more real or exciting? And then I thought about if I were telling a story. I thought about home and about the places I’ve been at BYU and how those places hold a special place in my heart. I thought about the things I think about when I walk by them and how I would want to share them with someone. This spot right here is where I got an A on a test! Or here is where I learned how to skip a rock. Or here is where I hung out with these friends for the first time. Really anything important. Now with scripture, the story might not always seem significant. Probably because I don’t know the people or the context or it might seem kind of strange. But they were real people. They lived real lives and they had these real events happen to them. Events that brought them closer to God, that allowed them to receive blessings, that helped them to conquer other people. These are the places where their families grew, where they traveled and where they built and our job is to find that significance. To find out what God wants us to learn from these people, just as others will learn from our stories in the future. And then I thought that I must make a story to be proud of. I must live a righteous life and be that example for future generations. Because as much as we can learn from the examples of those who maybe didn’t always make the best choices, the ones that stick out in my mind are those ones who never faltered. Who were steadfast and did all they could to receive the blessings promised to them if only they remained faithful.
As we were driving through Western Jerusalem, Dr. Whitchurch made the comment that we need to be careful about how we spend our time. He said that we definitely need to come see the things on this side of the city but that we should be spending majority of our time in the old city and the parts of eastern Jerusalem we can go to. He said that the west is very modern and European and more comfortable and like home but that we can go see cities like that anywhere. And those were my thoughts exactly. "It’s so nice here! I want to come explore all of this because it’s clean and bright and seems so much more easy to navigate." But this experience is not about what’s easy. It’s not about what’s comfortable. It’s about changing and growing and learning. It’s about appreciating different cultures. It’s about seeing the land that truly is holy, not only for us but for 2 other major world religions and what an amazing experience to be able to take it all in, not as a tourist, but as a visitor. As someone who is living here for a time. And so, the journey moves on. It already hasn’t been easy and it’s only been one week. But there are so many amazing opportunities that can await me if only I’m willing to put in the effort to find them. To take advantage of every moment and to live as an example and a light in this world where there is confusion and conflict and in the process, BECOME just a little bit more like my Savior.
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