Petra by Night

Our field trip this week was across the border in Jordan! The highlight from that first night was definitely Petra by Night. We got to our way nice hotel just in time to hurry and eat a delicious dinner and then walk over to Petra. We walked through the canyon-like parts that they call the Siq that reminded me of the Narrows in Southern Utah. And the path was all lit up by bags with candles in them, it was really cool. And then out of nowhere the huge Treasury was there surrounded by bags with candles. It was amazing! So we took a seat, and were there right in time for the show to start. At first a man walked around the candles playing the flute, and then after him, another man played a string instrument, I’m not sure what it was because it was dark, and then sang. It was so cool just sitting out there admiring the treasury by the candlelight and listening to the music. I can’t believe I was actually there at one of the Wonders of the World! And I mean it’s cool Indiana Jones went there too.  

That night we found the best ice cream ever in the hotel. I've decided to try ice cream everywhere we go, even just around town. Because I obviously need to know which place has the best ice cream. And then we explored around the hotel and found a way up on the roof with all these nice chairs and lanterns and stuff I felt like I was on the Bachelorette or something. It was kind of crazy because down on the road there were tons of people driving, honking and yelling in long lines because the election for the Parliament was going on that weekend so everyone was out and about. It was kinda cool to see. 

The next day we were able to see Petra in the light! Andd we rode camels in front of the treasury, it doesn't get much cooler than that honestly. It was way cool there. And I found it interesting that there weren't many people there considering it's fame, but it kind of made sense because I felt like we were literally in the middle of no where. 

But it was way cool, the place was huge! I was under the impression there was just that big treasury carving thing from the movies but there were tons of carved stuff like that. We saw an amphitheater thing that was way cool, remains of columns and buildings, and we hiked up to the monastery they found as well. 

We decided to be models on our hike up because the rock was soo pretty! Also please note the selfie stick making an appearance in our nice group pic haha.

Here was my attempt at getting the Treasury in one picture. It seriously was huge! Look how small the people are!

Here I am with Aimee, she's the cutest, we were roommates for the field trip. Here we are in front of the Monastery. And below that is with the girls from the group that hiked up the 800 steps. They're the best. 

I Can Hear the Bells

I had the unique opportunity to go with a group to go play the Carillon Bells in the big YMCA tower in Jerusalem.  It was way cool! We got to strike the bells for 12 o'clock noon, but also we got to play songs during the hour too. I played Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with Brooke. It was kind of nerve wracking playing these huge bells for the whole city, but it was way sweet!

That afternoon we went to the zoo, and it was super fun. There was literally no one there so we could go and do whatever we wanted. And all of the exhibits were very open, so we were super close to all the different animals and were able to see a lot of really cool animals. I also really liked how big and open the zoo was, it was really nice.

Outside the Jerusalem Center!

This week for our field trip we traveled around a little south of where we are living in Jerusalem and that region is called the Negev. This picture shows the Wilderness of Zin where the children of Israel wandered for 40 years. And I can totally understand now why they complained…

Here are some ruins from Avdat, a city that was settled by the Nabateans and traded a lot with Jordan and Egypt. It was along the incense route. They mastered collecting water and had the largest wine press in the land! And here are my friends Benny and Abby who are hilarious and I love them. 

Later that week after class one day the security guard took us on a tour under the building which was actually really cool! It was huge down there and fun to walk around and see all the different pipes and things. I thought it was cool at least, even though it sounds boring haha. And then towards the end there was this room where all the past students had signed their names on the walls and stuff and I was able to do the same! I wish I had taken a picture because it was really cool.

On the Sabbath I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting, and that was extremely nerve wracking considering I haven’t given one since I graduated from high school... I thought I would have been able to last my whole BYU career without giving one! But I guess that is what I get for deferring my graduation.  But it actually wasn’t that bad. And that’s saying something coming from me! The topic was Blessed are the Peacemakers, and I focused on  being a peacemaker with yourself. And talked about how a lot of stress from our lives comes from attempting to balance and prioritize everything, but that never seems to work for me. So I shared a little perspective I learned from Brad Wilcox one day in class where he talked about how our lives are more of a juggling act. As long as we have our relationship and focus on Christ and Heavenly Father, we then continually decide which ball/aspect of our life to juggle/focus on for the moment and that changes all the time. I love that because it is sometimes hard for me to remember I can’t do everything, but that's ok. 

After church a group of us went over to the Garden of Gethsemane where Christ suffered for our sins. Talk about powerful place. It was a cute little garden and there was a beautiful church there as well. I’m so grateful that Jesus took upon himself all of my sins so I can repent and return back to him. Words can't really describe it, but how amazing is that?

And here’s a little pic from the Dome of the Rock with my friend Ali because I think it is the most beautiful building in Jerusalem and I just love it.