My Dearest Grandpa

This Father's Day my sweet grandpa Hobbs passed away. My dad was able to catch me on the phone to tell me right before I headed off to Jordan. The news was hard to hear as I was not expecting it to be so sudden. I wish I could be with the family during this time, but am not able to because of my studies. My grandpa is such a wonderful man and I love him so incredibly much. I am so grateful for the gospel that assures me that I will see him again. Grandpa was loved by all who met him and knew him, and you never left his presence without a smile. My memories with him are so precious to me. He will be missed greatly. Grandpa, thank you for always taking time for me and for leading our family with such a Christlike example. I love you and I can't wait to see you again.

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's Back*

Julie.Matt.Me

On Sunday, we headed on our Shfelah field trip. This field trip covers many awesome biblical places involving David, Goliath, Samson, etc. It was such a great day and one of our best field trips yet!

Gath, the hometown of Goliath

Holly.Me.Fenton.Jeehee

Amanda is standing in front. This is one of Brother Judd's daughters. We love having the professors' children here with us at the Jerusalem center. It makes the center feel more like home.

Bet Guvrin - Maresha

Bell Caves

I couldn't resist an Ariel moment :)

Me.Mi'kel.Jeehee.Jamie

Me practicing my slingshot.

Valley of Elah - Where David beat Goliath.

Bet-Shemesh

Me with these lovely ladies.

Jess.Emily.Me.Lindsey.Katie

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's DEAD*

(*For all of you not at the Jerusalem Center, these are words from a song Dr. Chadwick wrote to help us learn to say "Shfelah" properly)

Tomb of the Kings

We went to Tomb of the Kings about a week ago. Inside you can explore where I assume Kings were buried. We weren't really told much about, but I probably should do some research on it. But as you can see from this picture I am really excited to be inside this Tomb :)! haha

Back row: Elise.Wayna.Shelby.Jeehee

Front row: Me.Ali

Good as dead. That is how the Kings must have looked.

Elise and I felt really awkward taking this picture, but the tomb looks pretty cool in the background. Nice job Elise...It was all you and that arm pose!

Me.Ali.

A delicious slurpie in the old city after Tomb of the Kings...So refreshing!

Tel Aviv!

Me.Jeehee.Mi'kel

We went to the beach in Tel Aviv a couple of weeks ago and had a wonderful time. It was hot and the sand was so toasty on our feet! Thankfully, I didn't get burned too bad despite my very "fair" skin :). I think the wide-brimmed hat helped, a darling birthday present from my siblings...thank you family!

The beautiful blue ocean...

there is nothing like peanut butter and honey sandwiches on the beach...

Yoga anyone?

Elise.Jeehee.Chewy/Dean/Jason (Who knows what to call him? haha). Me. Jamie

P.S. - I think my decision to my "great Dilemma" is to just post a couple a pictures from a few events and then post more pictures at some later time.

Dilemma!

I have not blogged in so long that I don't know what to do with myself! We are headed to Jordan on Monday and if I get behind after that long of a field trip I will forever need to catch up. I don't quite know my plan of attack yet on this one, but I just wanted everyone to know I am working on it. Wish me luck!

My 21st Birthday!

I can't believe it, but it's true...I am 21! My birthday was on June 3rd and my roommates and friends treated me so well! We had six hours of class that day and couldn't wait to get out into the city to celebrate. After class we headed into West Jerusalem where we had more ice cream than we would ever need! My friends bought me beautiful flowers on our way to East Jerusalem. In East Jerusalem we did a little shopping and one of our favorite vendors gave me a free scarf. Then we headed to eat Jacob's Pizza that was so delicious!!! My friends treated me like a queen and I couldn't have asked for anything more. My mom and dad also sent me 21 birthday cards to read and I have been opening them slowly to enjoy them more each day! It has been wonderful! Thank you everyone for making my birthday such a treat! I am so blessed with amazing people in my life! How many people get to say they celebrated their birthday in Jerusalem?? I have to say...I am pretty lucky :).

Everyone touching the birthday girl...lucky me!!

Elise.Kimberly.Shelby.Me.Jeehee.Mi'kel.Jamie.Josh

Nasir, the vendor, (I don't know how to spell his name) and me

Looking off into the beautiful sunset...A perfect end to a perfect day! Thank you everyone!! I love you!

Kotel Tunnel

Women praying at the wall

Elise and me...I love her :)

We had a night field trip to the Kotel Tunnel. This tunnel runs underground along the Western Wall. We learned many interesting things about the temple mount throughout our guided tour in the tunnel and it was a cool field trip!

Arab Night!

There is so much to catch up on so I am just going to have to pick and choose some highlights from the last few weeks! So here are a few pictures from our Arab night! We dressed up, had Arab dinner, and learned about Arab culture throughout the evening. These genie pants may be my favorite purchase here in Jerusalem so far :).

Last Day in Turkey!

We woke up in Bursa and headed to a mosque there. We had to cover up to enter. It was beautiful inside and prepared us for the splendor that we would see later that day in Hagia Sofia in Istanbul.

We made a last minute stop at Nicea where the Council of Nicea was supposedly held. Professor Chadwick was able to give us some details on what happened at that meeting at this site and it was an awesome experience.

The Hagia Sofia was our last main stop of the day and of Turkey and it was a wonderful site to end on. It is a marvelous place where traces of Christianity and Islam come together. I am so glad we were able to make it before it closed and fit it into schedule as planned. We had some last minute shopping on the way out to the airport and then headed home to the airport. Turkey was amazing and I am so grateful that I was able to go! Everyone should go to Turkey if you get the chance. I think it is such a hidden beauty of the world. I love you Turkey!!

Hierapolis,Thyatira, Bursa

Friday we journeyed to Hierapolis which was awesome! It almost looked like a hill covered in snow. Hierapolis is a hot springs. We looked at the hot springs and also the theater there. We then made a super quick stop at Thyatira (which I don't have any pictures of here) and then stayed the night in Bursa. We made a gelato run that night and it was delicious!

Ephesus & Miletus

                                    EPHESUS

                                   MILETUS

On Thursday we went to see Ephesus and Miletus. These were such fun places to see and very well known places. Paul, and other apostles visted these sites and spent much time here. Miletus is where Paul gave his farewell speech to the Ephesians, so it was interesting to ponder that while we were there. The theater at Ephesus is very impressive. Miletus also has a theater of its own which is where my friends and I are sitting on the stone steps. At Ephesus there is a great library where we took a lot of pictures. Here at the Jerusalem center I am the library chair. It has become a joke that I can make a certain "librarian face" and so I tried to pull that face and take a picture of it at the library at Ephesus, hence my really nice face in the above picture :). You will also see the ancient toilets of Ephesus...haha.