A Pilgrim's Life in the Jerusalem Center

I’m sorry I haven’t been keeping my blog up to date, as you cans see by so many posts today, I’m trying to catch up, and hopefully I can make it part of my routine! So much happens here every day, it seems like 2 or 3 days, not just one! I’ll try to share my favorite experiences with you, and just know for every story I post here, I’ll have ten more to share when I’m back in the states!

Life is full of classes, explorations around the city, dance parties, studying and movies in the evening. Squeeze in an occasional game of volleyball, are deep discussion of historical basis of the conflict over here, and a couple hours for sleep and meals, and you have the Jerusalem Center! Everyone here has an interesting background and can add some new detail whenever you go to a historical site in the city. For example, I have a friend here who has a Jewish parent and a Muslim parent. During high school, she converted and joined the church. Her background gives her so much insight into both groups of people, it makes it fun to talk with her!

Today we had our first field trip! We went to several overlooks to try to see and learn the geography of this area. I learned a lot, and I have a lot more to learn. In our chapel here, we have a big window behind the pulpit. It is really cool to look through it during the sacrament and think of the miraculous events that have happened in the city in front of me! I think it will be even more meaningful this Sunday now that I know more about what I'm looking at!

It was fun to leave the center, and I got to know some people in my field trip class a little better. We laughed and joked, learned, and took a lot of pictures. I've already taken over 500 pictures, and I've only been out into the old city a couple times! I'm hoping to be able to capture a lot of the magic to bring it back with me!

Oh, I almost forgot, yesterday, I went with a group and toured the Via Dolorosa (the supposed route the Savior carried the cross for his Crucifixion.). We didn't get to tour all the sites for as long as we would have wanted, but it was cool to glance in at most of the churches we passed by. Some were very simple and others much more elaborate, but it was cool seeing the respect and devotion each had. One of my favorite places I went was inside an Orthodox church. It was one of the stops along the Via Dolorosa, and inside we went down this tiny stairway into what looked like a cave. At the very bottom it opened up to a small pond of water. It was a cistern! The acoustics inside were exquisite, and as a group we sang a hymn. It was one of my favorite moments so far! My group was the only one down there, and it was really nice breaking away from the hustle and bustle of the city to enjoy a peaceful moment together!

So... I'm exhausted now! Life here is go go go, and I need to head to bed for more energy so I can explore the city more! Feel free to post comments and ask questions, and I'll answer whatever I can! Every time I pass a window in the center and see the center, a chill runs down my back. This place is amazing, and I hope to be able to share some of its beauty with you! Shalom!