JERUSALEM!!!!!

I am currently sitting on the floor in Vienna and decided to blog about my first 48 hours. My adventure started on Tuesday at 4:30am in the Salt Lake Airport. This was the moment that I first met my traveling group and the moment that I knew my life would change forever.  My mom and dad dropped Chels and I off and it was providence that everything ran smoothly.  My mom started to get emotional.  My parents looked over the balcony and watched as Chels and I departed into the winding security line.  I love my parents so very much and will miss them tremendously.  It is almost like we are departing on a mini-mission.  (I even have my own little name-tag.) We boarded our first flight at 6. I tend to get excited about the little things in life and so even though it was an early flight I was wide awake and bursting with enthusiasm. We had a lay-over in Colorado and then boarded on the plane to Washington D.C. We then had another lay-over for a few hours. The Jerusalem students are some of the most incredible people I have ever met.  I feel that I have already formed such a close bond and deep connection because these students share a similar love for life as I do. They love the gospel and are purely good hearted people. Extremely friendly, we are all excited on this new adventure we are about to experience together.  We all have aspirations and are going places in life.  5:30pm started the beast of all beasts…a 9 hour flight.  I immediately walked into a different world.   I am a white Mormon girl from Utah surrounded by foreign faces, languages, and cultures.  I love to venture out of my own world to experience and see the way millions of others live. The world is so vast and it would take a million life times to discover all of the beauties it has to offer. The only sense of familiarity on the plane, aside from my new Jerusalem clan, was a baby’s high-pitched scream.  Various languages were floating around.  Exotic, Austrian flight attendants wearing red nylons and tight jump suits, accessorized with blue scarves and braids quickly escorted us to our seats.  I sat, read, attempted to sleep, read some more (thank you to the Workmans for providing me with reading material), watched a cute mother sing a German lullaby to her baby, read the Old Testament for our class on Friday.  Due to the various stops and time differences, I had no idea what time it was nor the day.  My body was fully exhausted, running on a few short hours of uncomfortable sleeping positions.  We finally arrived in the Israeli airport. Unfortunately, everything wasn't all fun and games. I was one of 15 students who lost their bags throughout the journey. Unable to communicate with the airport officials, we finally located someone who spoke English at the Claims desk.  Completely exhausted, all I could do was laugh at how miserable we all looked and felt.  We all were able to joke and be optimistic at the moment, that was until we realized we had no clothes or other necessities needed to "survive."After an hour and a half, exhausted, we were greeted by the President of the BYU Jerusalem Center and his wife and got on the buses to go to the center.  The Center provided us, students who lost their luggage, with clothes and toothbrushes until we could find a way to locate our belongings (i thought I would never see them again. However, three days later....they arrivedue to the diligent security men)
 
A few days later...... I AM IN JERUSALEM!!! I cannot even begin to express my feelings. This experience is surreal. It is seriously an out of body experience. I am beginning to realize the divine blessing that I am here. I almost started to cry as I looked out onto the Old City, the Dome of the Rock, and the land that I have studied about since I was a child.  It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The spirit and energy is alive. We toured the Jerusalem Center=a beautiful palace! (I will put on pictures as soon as I can.) I met my roommates. This is the first time that I have not lived with Chelsea in almost 20 years. However, Heavenly Father blessed me tremendously. These girls are fun and perfect for me. One of my roommates and i even share the same major, which is crazy! We all bonded and I don't know how they did it but the Jerusalem Center picked 80 of the most incredible individuals. Everyone is sincerely kind and talented. We have had numerous orientations on ways we need to stay safe among our stay here (they are extremely intense) Fatigue has overcome everyone here...jet lag....so heads are nodding off all over the place. Its hysterical. 
Today was our first tour of JERUSALEM!!! It started with a 6am breakfast and a jump start on the day. We divided into groups and had a faculty member to guide us. We walked around for 4-5 hours.  I was seriously in awe the entire time.  Everywhere you looked you would see hooded/veiled women, children chasing after each other, Ferrel cats roaming, crazy drivers that new no boundaries, garbage piled everywhere, vendors, and incredible buildings and homes packed into a small vicinity. We trekked up and down streets, periodically stopping to learn historical facts and details. Girls are NOT to look into the eyes of men and are to follow strict guidelines in order to remain out of harms way. (The faculty has constantly pounded this concept due to some events that happened in previous semester groups.  A security guard remained in eyes distance the entire time to protect us.  My most favorite part of the day was the moment we entered Damascus Gate to The Old City. Different narrow alley ways winded in many different directions with vendors every five feet selling fruit, nasty smelling meat, and other goods.  They all shouted, "Hello Mormons" or "We love BYU Students." The faculty wants us to keep the image of good Mormon students, NOT Americans. The people of Jerusalem have a respect for the Mormons because the  reputation previous students have formed. This rep increases our safety. 
People were bustling through, carts rolling at high speeds, and Arabic phrases being yelled across the way.  In the midst of it all, I saw this old man (about 80) shuffling along the rigid rock floor.  I noticed that his 4 year old grandson, grasping tightly to his hand, was guiding him through the city, one step at a time....the man was blind and crippled. I could not stop looking, it was one of the  purest things I have ever seen.   Dr. Jackson (our guide) leaned over to me and said, "The Savior healed men just like him in this exact place." Immediately, it hit me of the reality of the Savior and of the stories in the Bible.  It is not some fairy tale or made up story. I am in the place where much of the events in the Bible took place.  I am where Jesus walked. I ate bread, which tasted sick, but was rather tasty when drowned out with Zatar (this green spice). Dr. Jackson led us into a secret gate that led up to the rook of the Austrian Hospice. The roof looked out over the entire city. I felt at peace as I looked over the land.  I have seen a sight similar to this in pictures but it has never looked more beautiful as it did in that moment because for the first time....it became real to me rather than some figment of my imagination. My favorite building was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is a cathedral that many  (even some of the faculty) believe is the place of Christ's crucifixion and burial. The Church is covered with gold leaf mosaics, chandeliers, candles, spacious-domed ceilings, and people worshiping on their hands and knees kissing the floor. The term breath-taking took on a whole new meaning. Literally, I had to keep reminding myself to breathe. I have never seen a more beautiful cathedral in my life.  The passion of the devote worshipers was astounding to witness. A group of about 50 individuals from Nigeria were among many who excitedly lined up to enter the Cathedral as part of their pilgrimage.  We finished the tour and came back for more fun and bonding time with the students, the faculty (which consists of the teachers, their little families, and Jewish and Palestinian  employees.  The employees love that their are twins in the center and find it very amusing to play the guessing game;) I am seriously in heaven. I thrive in environments where I can study and learn of different cultures.  I love the students and am trying to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself in this life changing adventure. I have very little time and so I just pounded out this entry, sorry for any confusion. It was fun for me to briefly reminisce on the past week! I love you family. Thank you for allowing me to have this opportunity and giving me this passion for life and learning.  I hope all is well at home!