In the Beginning…

I'm here, and let me tell you, it is AMAZING! The Jerusalem Center is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to! The only thing that can beat it is the view of the city from all the porches! The teacher's seem really cool, they really know their stuff, and they have a sense of humor! It will be really cool to attend all their lectures!

Today we got to go on our tour of the city! It was sensory overload! The walls are so beautiful, and each layer has an interesting history! At one point we climbed to the top of an Austrian Hospice, and from the roof we had an amazing view of the old city. We saw many churches and mosques from there! Plus, it really helped show what a melting pot this place is. It is a mixture of old and new, western and eastern!!! For example, we saw old little huts with satellite dishes on them! And as you walk down the streets you encounter just about every nationality of people in every type of dress! I'm falling in love with this place, and I can't wait to go exploring on my own!

It was really interesting though, after seeing the old city and what some people are living in, I realized that I'm staying in a mansion! The Jerusalem center really is a center set on a hill! It really is one of the most beautiful building in the area. From what I've seen, it is only surpassed by the dome of the rock! (which is beautiful!) I love sitting on the Patio at meals and looking at it! You really can't beat the views we have!

All the people here are so nice and approachable; it's really fun meeting them, and I'm adjusting pretty quickly to this time zone, but I still have some adjustment to go! You can totally tell that this land has been set aside, and I know I really am suppose to be here!
(Bro. Skinner) made the comment that while we are here we should strive not to be tourists, but pilgrims! I can't wait to really start my own Pilgrimage, and to go to these holy sites and sit and contemplate how amazing this experience is!

Just a heads up, I can't access Facebook. Thanks for all your support, I love y'all tons and look forward to your email! (remember, no facebook, so email is the best way to go!)

P.S. If you read any bibical scriptures that mention the Kidran valley, I can see that from the center! And Mt. Scopus is part of the Mount of Olives, so you can read about that one 2! Plus, I've seen (at least from a distance) the garden of gethsemane (which I will one day learn how to spell!) Just a couple places in the scriptures I've seen! One teacher said that when we leave we will no longer just read the scriptures, we'll see them! Hopefully I can share some of that with y'all!