post jayrew life

 Being in Jerusalem for four months really messes with normality in my life…

1.  I wake up at 3:15 am and become extremely exhausted at 5 in the afternoon.

2.  I am uncomfortable to all physical touch.

3.  Any person I see, I try and figure out which of my jay rew friends it is. It’s never any of them.

4.  I carry my camera around like it’s my phone.

5.  I still use a backpack as a purse with everything I’d possibly need it in for a field trip.

6.  Definitely asked the movie theatre ticket office if I could use shekels instead of dollars. Not even kidding.

7.  I ate cinnamon toast crunch for breakfast…by myself.

8.  I drive this thing...I think it's called a car.

home

 

Well, I just returned from living in the Holy Land for 4 months…and they have been the best 4 months of my life. I’ve seen ancient churches, temples, synagogues, and mosques, but it’s not the sites that meant the most to me, but what each of them represented.

Everyone came to Jerusalem to be healed in one manner or another. In little ways throughout the semester, I’ve come to understand why I needed to be here.

I can’t sum up all the field trips, journeys, sites, and memories I’ve had there, but I can sum up the lessons I’ve learned by this experience.

1. Give everyone a chance.

I’ll admit, I had some judgments going into this program. I figured I would click with some people and some not so much. But after every conversation, I became more and more impressed. Each person was so unique with different talents and traits and ideas that I admired. Each person was significantly essential to the program, that without them, the whole dynamic would change. Valuable lessons can be learned from even the most unexpected people at the most unexpected times.  

2. I have a lot to learn.

I came into this program confident in my doctrinal and gospel knowledge expecting that I had a general basis of the Bible and things relating to church history. Boy was I wrong. After my first Old Testament quiz in Brother Schade’s class, I realized that there is much I didn’t know. This realization has only made me more eager to study and learn more than what I now know.

3. Be confident.

Whether it’s talking to strangers, exploring new places, or getting lost in a foreign country, being confident is key. Don’t be afraid to try new things. Do something until someone tells you to stop. If you don’t know something, ASK. People are generally very helpful and willing to do anything for you.

this about sums it up

Yes I have walked where Jesus walked. I have bathed my feet on the shore of Galilee; I have tasted the waters of Jacob's Well, where Jesus talked with the woman of Samaria; I have prayed in Gethsemane; and I have worshipped silently at the garden tomb. Each place stirred my soul and made me feel his holy presence. But I have not seen him in this life nor have I spoke with him face-to-face. I know however, that He lives and that He loves me. Through the power of the Holy Spirit I can testify that I know him as if I had seen Him with my own eyes and heard His voice with my own ears.
-Carlos E. Asay 

green door

While in the city the other day, we came across the pizza place called 'the green door'. It's on a side street inside Damascus. We've heard only good things about it and decided to give it a try. 

We walk inside, it smells super bad, there are a couple tables and chairs, a tv, and a whole in the ground with an oven next to it. Not much there. This older man, the owner of the shop, makes all the pizzas. They cost 10 sheks each and are made with this really delicious dough, a spoonful of tomato paste, and broken up chunks of cheese. That's it. Then he puts it in the oven for a few minutes to 'warm it up'. Then you eat it. Not necessarily gourmet but not the worst thing I've ever eaten. So it definitely was an experience, and probably not somewhere I'd go again.

finals

Right now Emily and I are trying to study for our Ancient Near Eastern Studies. key word=trying.

This class has been the death of me. I've never been more excited for a class to be over with. In just two days, I will be free! No more finals, no more reading, no more school! Just enjoying life in the city for the last time. Man I love this place.

lasts

Well, there's only 8 more days in my most favorite place in the entire world. We're beginning to have 'lasts'....Last announcement meeting, last linen exchange, last ANE class {though that's one thing i'm actually excited for}...they don't sound like much but it's a big deal to me. 

I'm trying to soak up everything and squeeze in everything I haven't been able to do. 

Every day is a struggle between being excited to go home and never wanting to leave.

This place is amazing! 

 Masada {obviously you can tell by the sign}

 we look great here in Jerusalem

 Floating in the dead sea! {that's Emily, not me}

Qumran-where the dead sea scrolls were found.

Galilee was way more beautiful than I ever imagined. No wonder Christ spent so much time there.

little taste of Galilee

more to come...

ein karem

So before all the bomb prom stuffs happened, a group of us made our way to Ein Karem-a neighborhood in Jerusalem.
We saw the church of St. John the Baptist, got ice cream, and walked along the streets.

steps outside the church of St. John the Baptist

bomb prom

Yesterday was pretty interesting here at the JC.

After an afternoon at Ein Karem, sirens went off in the city. Having no idea what this meant, a few of us stood outside to find out what was going on. A few seconds later, we were called inside and into the bomb shelter {were the first ever student group to use it…yeah were pretty special}. We only stayed in there about a half hour after finding out what happened. Missiles were fired toward Jerusalem but landed a couple miles south of Bethlehem. We were told to resume normal, daily activities. So all is well here and we’re as safe as can be!

To celebrate, we decided to have a JC prom.

Since there are around 3 times as many girls as there are boys, we had polygadates {2 or 3 girls per guy-and we wonder why people think we’re weird}. The boys were given slips of paper with their dates names on them, and they were to ask the girls to prom that night.

So at dinner, after walking away from my plate for a second, I come back to a napkin over my food with my name on it. After I open it up, it says “Amy, will you go to Prom with me? –Jordan”. So of course I said yes…then helped him ask the other girl date-Rosie.

Rosie randomly found these old fashioned, somewhat hideous wedding dresses in the shek shack. We proudly wore them the whole night. It honestly looked like a man just married two women.

Quite the night, quite the night. 

recap

 best shwarma i've had in the Jewish quarter with my besties, katherine and em

 ramparts walk on a rainy Jerusalem day

 shopping with the one and only Jerusalem Malmrusalem (Allison)

 field trip to the Old City...gate where Christ would've left the temple.

 Rachel and I being all matchy-matchy at the Herodium.

rug lady

I found this lady on the street struggling to fold up her rug, 

so I helped her out for a minute.

soccer

After a long day in the city yesterday, Andrew invited Emily, Kate, Will and I out to play soccer with some Palestinian kids from the neighborhood. 

We walked across the street to some houses and met a few kids there. We then made our way around their neighborhood knocking on all their friends door trying to get them to come play. After rounding a few kids up, we made our way to the soccer field {a dirt field with 2 different sized goals without nets}.
I had THE best time playing with them. I even found out that most of them knew my cousin and best friend Cassidy Lang who came here winter semester. They kept raving on about her and how much they loved and missed her! So we exchanged names and numbers and plan on playing soccer again soon.

 Yezin, Achmed, me, and Raghad

it gets cold here?

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it’s cold here! It’s raining and it’s freezing! I even wore a sweatshirt outside into the city! This is a memorable moment, ladies and gents.  

This morning, Emily, Allison, Kathryn and I walked to Joppa gate and did the ramparts walk for the second time, determined to finish both sides. When we got to the end at Dung Gate, we couldn’t find the entrance to the other ramparts walk. After asking some taxi drivers and getting very confused, we decided to forgo the second part of the walk and go shopping instead. So much for completing the whole thing. O well.

Throughout the whole day it was raining suuuper hard and the stones were extremely slippery. We finally made it through the rainstorm back to the wonderful JC. We then preceded to watch While You Were Sleeping and simultaneously fall asleep to it.

You could say it was a successful day.

bike rides in tel aviv

So yesterday, a bunch of us {me, Caitie, Sophie, Jed, Jordan, Lizzie, Andrew, Liddie, Rachel, Rachel, Kaylynn, & Paul} made our way to Tel Aviv. We hung out on the beach and the water just talking. Then we rented bikes and rode them along the boardwalk overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. It was honestly a delightful moment. Nothing else describes the scene or the feeling I experienced. I was alone with my thoughts, just enjoying the beautiful waves and blue sky. The sun peeked through the puffy white clouds and made for a perfect setting. This was one of my favorite things I’ve done while here in Jerusalem.

Let me back up for a sec…When we first rented bikes, there wasn’t enough for 13 of us. So we each buddied up and rode for about 5 minutes with 2 people on a bike. I rode on the back of Caitie McBride’s bike {birthday shout out} and we definitely had a bonding moment.
 
When we got to the end of the pier, we ran into this group of Nigerians who wanted to take pictures of/with us and ride our bikes. They were all dancing and having a blast. This one man came over to me and Caitie and wanted a picture. While his friend was taking one, she said “yeah take these for your wife” haha. I thought it was pretty funny.

After bike riding, we walked all around Tel Aviv as it was getting dark. We wanted to find this one famous graffiti wall but I don’t think we ever found it. Then we were all starving, or at least I was, so we went to Donald’s for dinner. Honestly, it was the best meal I’ve had so far. I had, of course, a big mac meal, and enjoyed every, single bite.

a day in the life

This post is to describe and show what a normal day here at the jay rew center is like.

Probably nothing like you imagined,

Because it sure isn’t anything like I thought it would be.

6 a.m. wake up call. Get ready for the day with my three awesome roommates: Eleisha, Hannah, and Laurann.

7 a.m. breakfast in the oasis

 {pita bread, scrambled eggs, banana, orange juice}

8 a.m. – 12 p.m. classes 

{old testament/new testament [my favorite classes taught by my favorite teachers, Brother Schade & Brother Judd], ancient near eastern studies taught by Brother Stratford}

12 p.m. lunch 

{anything from sandwiches to burritos to falafel, 

and pita of course}

1 p.m. – 3 p.m. classes 

{Israel/Palestine}

3 p.m. – 6 p.m. free time 

{mostly consisting of homework, studying, & naps; 

I'm lucky if I get to go out into the city and explore}

6 p.m. dinner 

{potatoes, mystery meat, rice, salad, 

and you guessed it…pita!}

7 p.m. – free time 

{ping pong, homework/studying, 

playing hide & go seek, etc.}

Every Monday is a field trip day,

Every Sunday is a free day,

And mini trips to the city are squeezed in

whenever possible.

Life is good.

shepherds fields

I’m sitting here in the Shepherds fields in Jerusalem on a beautiful night. There are thin white clouds scattered across the fading pales blue sky. The sun hass set and only the shadows of Bethlehem’s buildings remain.

I’m thinking about Christ’s birth and the message He brought with Him to this world. It is marvelous to think of this miraculous and glorious birth of the man who saves us all from sin not far from here. I picture myself as a shepherd herding my flocks before darkness sets in and in the starry sky, one lone but magnificently bright and beautiful star shines above all the others. The greatest sign of them all.

Looking out at this field is exactly what I pictured Jerusalem to be like. 

Simple yet beautiful. 

Complex yet glorious. 

I can so clearly picture what it must’ve been and felt like the night of His birth. How fortunate these shepherds were to have been so close to Him, our Savior. Yet I know that I can be close to Him as well. When I read my scriptures, pray to Him, I take another step closer. By following His example, I can be that fortunate and be in His presence again. 

just for dad

overlooking the Old City from the Jay C on Mt. Scopus

 

 

austrian hospice

today we  meandered our way up to the Austrian Hospice and 

sat on the roof to see the best view of the old city. 

You're right in the heart of it all. 

It's pretty sweet.

jordan

A few pictures from our trip to Jordan...

 Jabbok River-Jacob wrestles with the Lord, and his name is changed to Israel

Jerash-Largest preserved Roman City

 

Philidelphia Theatre 

Jordan River

Petra 

Oh yeah, I rode a camel.

birthday party

So the other night, I took Emily out for her

 ‘birthday party’ which consisted of me, Emily, Allison, and Mackenzie taking a cab out to West jay rew and eating at the waffle bar. Man was it delicious.

We each got different kinds of waffles: cinnamon cream cheese, berry, banana, maple, and pecan. Let’s just say we plan on going there very soon.

After eating, we walked around the city shopping around

and getting pizza {even though we just had dinner…}.

Then we found a department store...and the lipstick.

We all picked the brightest shades of red, pink, and purple and go to town. We looked great.

Emily could never quite get her eyes to stay completely open.

emily's face. haha

Embarrassing story of the night: After eating, we decided to take pictures in front of the waffle bar. There was this bench and I decide that the picture wouldn’t be complete unless I stood on the bench. Whilst doing so, the bench decides to collapse and I fall off it, legs flying in the air. This is a picture right after…enjoy.

 don't worry, the bench didn't break.