Gethsemane, Golgotha, and Jericho!

Golgotha

My Roommates and I at the Garden Tomb

The Garden Tomb

This past Sabbath, I had the opportunity to go to Golgotha and the Garden Tomb. We were led into this luscious garden; red flowers were blooming and green vegetation drooped over the pathways. We walked to Golgotha. I sat and listened to the guide explain the historical significance.  The spirit shot through my body like lightening.  This is the location Christ was crucified.  “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death. And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.” (Matt 20:18-19) I just imagined the site 2000 years prior.  I sat silently in awe. The Savior of the entire world died for me at this place.  I then went to the Garden Tomb.  There is skepticism about the accuracy of this exact tomb being the tomb that Christ rose from but it is in the near vicinity.  President Gordon B. Hinckley, standing at the Garden Tomb, made the following statement: “Just outside the walls of Jerusalem, in this place or somewhere nearby, was the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, where the body of the Lord was interred.”   Aside from that, there are numerous scriptural facts proving the accuracy of this area holding the location of the actual tomb. The neat thing is it does not matter which tomb is the exact tomb Christ rose from after three days because the fact is….He rose, it is empty. The Savior lives! He broke the bands of death.  I know this to be true with all that I am; I can feel it in my bones.  I have been greatly informed of the many religions’ interpretations of Christ throughout the week. We believe He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world, some claim He does not exist and others believe Jesus Christ to be a prophet but not a Savior and are still waiting for His arrival.  I cannot imagine nor would want to live a life without The Savior.  As found in Psalms 16, the fullness of joy is found in the Lord’s presence. I echo David’s words in Psalms 18: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. The Lord liveth; blessed be my rock; let the God of my salvation be exalted.” He lives, He lives, He lives.

JERICHO

Today we had the incredible opportunity to journey to Jericho.  Cara-vanning in our gigantic buses, our class made many pivotal point stops: Herod’s Winter Palace in Jericho, Tel Es-Sultan, Mt. of Temptation, Elijah’s spring (which I had the opportunity to drink from), and the Road to Jericho. The theme of the adventure: the Savior’s trip from Jericho to Jerusalem.  

Herod's Winter Palace

                                                                   

Jericho is the oldest city on earth.

Wabi-Quelt aka The Road to Jericho.  This is the vast wilderness between Jericho and Jerusalem. The Savior walked this land.  The Savior came here to commune with God. This photograph does not fully capture the beauty. This place is the definition of peace and serenity.

On the Road the Jericho. This is the ST. George Monastery. How cool is this?!! Just below this monastery is the location where the parable of the Good Samaritan occurred. We sang "A Poor Wayfaring Man Of Grief" here.  Incredibly Moving.  

 Tell-es- Sultan. THIS IS THE WALL THAT FELL FOR JOSHUA IN JERICHO!!!  I have heard this story a million times growing up and now I am here!!!!

MARHABA (Hello in Arabic)

I have officially been here ten days!!! Each day is compacted with classes, orientations, explorations of the city and sacred sites, field trips, large feasts in the cafeteria, late night adventures with the roommates, sporting tournaments, and constant obtainment of knowledge. I have learned more in the last ten consecutive days than any other week and a half of my life.  I wake up at 5:30am every morning to study and crash in my bed at eleven completely exhausted from each day’s activities.  However, I thrive in this kind of environment. I love it here!
Our day isn't all about exploring, we have at least six hours a day of rigorous classes.  My various classes are taught by diverse professors. I am taking two Near Eastern classes, one is taught by a Palestinian and the other is a Jew.  Once I am able to decode their heavy accents, I gain a variety of insights on the world and the cultures. We are able to learn from the two extremes and have the opportunity to pick apart and decipher our own opinions from the presented information.  These professors have extremely high expectations.  Apparently, “we are the cream of the crop” and therefore must be held to a higher standard.  I am among some of the most stellar kids from around the world.  The professors here are some of the most intelligent men on the earth.  I am blessed to be able to partake of their knowledge.  (Can you tell I have been reading the scriptures J) Anyway, a light read consists of 45 pages….and that is one class. We have five classes. However, I enjoy every second of it. I make sure to go out into the city every opportunity I get.  I sit in class for a few hours and then walk right outside and directly apply many of the concepts and principles I learned to the world I see.  I rediscover my passion for knowledge and learning each day.  I am also learning Arabic. I thoroughly enjoy every second of it.  Imam, my professor, is positively one of the most hysterical individuals I have ever met.  He is a pudgy, bald man that wears extremely tight pants.  He walks up and down the aisles cracking jokes and scratching his protruding belly as he explains vocabulary.  He has a booming voice and love to imitate various noises and pronunciations.  He is confident and intelligent and has my kind of sense of humor.  (I know, I know I tend to laugh at most humorous things) however, it is not rare to have tears streaming down my face as I walk out of class due to the hysterical class period.  Chelsea and two of my roommates are in my class as well and that only provokes more laughter.  Come to think of it, my boisterous laugh radiates the halls of the Jerusalem Center frequently.   I love life! Due to my blonde hair and my loud laugh I tend to be a frequent target in Imam’s class.  I am constantly picked on to be an example to practice pronunciations and circumstances.  As a result, I have picked up Arabic and other random cultural facts quite quickly.  I wish I could convey all of the interesting facts about these cultures, religions, histories, and peoples that I have learned.  This selfish journey that I am on, is going to change my life forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Every Morning I get up to this view! Am I completely blessed or what? 

(These photographs do not do justice.)

                     Top of The Austrian Hospice. It looks out over the entire Old City. Breathtaking.

Two of my roommates (Kaitlyn and Jessica) and I in the Old City. They are both 5'4, so it appears I am a giant :) I love these girls so much already!  I have developed friendships that I will hopefully have forever!

People are a big part of a place. The streets of The Old City are lined with people, just like this man, selling goods. This is a common sight.

We walked on the wall around the entire Old City. Absolutely gorgeous! 

Today, we went AROUND the entire circumference of the City and UNDERNEATH (Zedekiah's Tunnel)

(Do you love the boy cargo pants and fanny pack look or what?:))

Returning to the center, soaked from the rain, after an adventurous day!

The Garden of Gethsemane. I cannot begin to describe in words how incredible this moment truly was.

The Lord Lives!

This is what I look like on field trips!!! We all caravan in buses and travel to different sites. We have headphones in order to hear our Professor. It is required that we become avid note takers. I try to soak up all of the information because this is an opportunity of a life time. The most incredible blessing about field trips is our ability to open up our scriptures and read a story and then directly apply it to the land. The direct access to the geography of the Bible, enables each Biblical story to become real to me.

I will never read the Bible the same again.

 

We have been to many incredible Churches and sacred sites for various religions. This is an apse of one that we visited today. It is on the Mt. of Olives, the Augusta Victoria Tower. My professor felt impressed to have me be in charge of the music for the field trips. I am still diligently learning all of the beauties that music has to offer and I am very grateful for this opportunity.  The acoustics are incredible in this chapel. I led the students in a few hymns and then they asked if I would sing as well. Brock (this was the boy who was our guide in the airport for those who were there) and I sang a duet in this Church today. We sang How Great Thou Art. I love to sing!!! It was an incredible opportunity to bring the spirit and sing in one of the most incredible sites in Jerusalem.

Look at that view! The steps to the left of my head are steps that Christ literally walked on 2000 years ago! 

                                                                            Golgotha

Change of plans...I am now currently a sister missionary! haha (when we took this we noticed that we happened to look a lot like sister missionaries) This stone is an actual stone from Saul's Palace.

 This was one of the most sacred sites I visited thus far. Most believe this is the place The Savior was convicted. As I walked into this sacred place, birds were chirping and a woman was watering the flowers. However, I knew that this wasn't always a calm and peaceful place. This is regarded to many as the exact location the Jews screamed to have Christ crucified. He came out on the balcony right above this courtyard square. (It is cut off in this picture). This humble, little church seen in the photograph has immaculate artwork and stained glass inside. This is believed by many to be one place where Christ was beaten and scourged.

I am learning so much about Christ's life. The gospel is coming alive!

BYU Jerusalem Entrance

I AM HAVING AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFE TIME!

My First Sabbath in Jerusalem!!!

Today is Saturday. Here in the Jerusalem Center, it is the Sabbath. Muslims worship on Friday, Jews worship on Saturday, Christians worships on Sunday. However, due to the convenience for the students and the faculty we worship on Saturday as well because the entire city shuts down from sunset on Friday afternoon to sunset on Saturday.  It is also required by the students to stay in the center on Friday until 3 for protection purposes because of the large masses of Muslims that come to worship.
Yesterday, I went with a group of my friends to The Old City.  I am trying to tone down the friendliness and restrain from making eye contact. However, my excitement only provokes pure joy and I can't help but smile.  While walking up to the Old City, I passed boys riding horses and donkeys, cars zooming by with no sense of hesitation as they pass pedestrians, many elderly women periodically placed selling various fruits and vegetables, young boys equipped with massive machine-guns,  horrendous smelling sewers, little boys playing soccer, and Jewish men with long curls dangling by their ears as they briskly walk to somewhere important.  The thing that touches me is when I brush shoulders of girls who are around my age, completely veiled, revert from any form of attention. We live drastically different lives. While in the city I see a variety of people, cultures, and religions. It is simply amazing to witness people devoutly worshiping.  At one point, I somehow became immersed into a sea of solemn individuals singing, praising God in Portuguese as they walked through the narrow paths. We all worship and live how we choose but ultimately, we are all children of God.  As Sister Hinckley said, "The people make the places beautiful."  Growing up, we learn of various peoples, religions, and opinions on the morality of the human race.  Despite the differences, people are generally good-hearted. It is apparent to me as I see a young boy caring for his warped and disabled grandfather, I see it in the eyes of the girls that sacrifice their lives for their beliefs, I feel it when I hear the call of prayer at 4am as thousands of individuals get up and worship (it happen five times a day), people are all different and choose to live the ways in which they believe are most fulfilling.  As we walk on the streets, different men will say, "Are you Mormons? We love Mormons.  Mormons are the best!"  In one of my classes on Friday, my teacher expressed, that yes these people here disagree and don't get along but they are good people. We should love a little more and judge a little less.  It is very eye-opening to be here. We purchased Israeli candy (not so good..much of it tasted like year-old Valentines Day Candy). Then it started pouring rain. We all ran home in the rain and were soaked when we got back. My white flowing skirt was covered in mud.  I enjoyed every second of it! The experience was surreal, I felt I was in a movie!
The chapel in the BYU Jerusalem Center has large spacious windows that look out onto Jerusalem.  The students meet with a local branch here. We greatly increase their numbers. I love this because it enables me to associate and meet with the natives here.  The church is true wherever you go! When I partook of the sacrament, I was able to look out onto the city and see the place where Our loving Savior atoned for our sins, carried the cross and was crucified, and buried.  The spirit shot through my body like lightening, it just testified to me of the reality of His life and this sacred ordinance. We need to always remember Him.
After church, I had the opportunity to go with a group of students to......the Garden of Gethsemane. How many people have the opportunity to go to the Garden of Gethsemane after church?!! I DID! I walked around the corner through a gate, and immediately stopped.  I could not fathom the concept that this is where the Savior atoned and suffered that I might live again. As I leaned up against a metal gate, I reflected on my life and the direct influence the Savior has had in my life. Throughout my 20 years of living, the Savior has healed all of my deepest pains, comforted and rejoiced with me, and endured some of my darkest hours with me.  I witnessed for the first time in my life the place it all became possible, the place where The Savior of all the world atoned for me, and all of us individually. There was a church right next to it. In this church lays the Stone of Agony. People flooded into this immaculate Cathedral, to this stone.  This stone is believed to have been the place where Christ prayed to the Father for strength prior to his suffering in Gethsemane. I sat on a pew in awe as I watched numerous individuals kneel down to kiss the stone and offer up a prayer. I watched as people humbly worshiped and wept.  THE SAVIOR LIVES! I HAVE NOW WALKED WHERE HE HAS ONCE WALKED!

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!

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” (Brandt) This quotation proves truthful as I reflect on my life and the many experiences that my family has endured together. Nomadic, my family has picked up and moved 11 times along the Western United States throughout my 20 years of living.  Experiencing the highs and lows that life has to offer, we stuck together and formed relationships that I am be eternally grateful for. People have come and gone, houses built and departed, three different dogs nuzzled their ways into our hearts, laughter radiates our household constantly, fierce"monsters" have grabbed ahold of my family in attempts to obliterate any sense of function or unity. Trials and tribulations, like glue, only resulted in further solidification. Deeply rooted in Christ and the gospel, my family has evaded multiple devastating blows.  We are bonded and enjoy every second that we have together. I love my family!!!!!!

Joe Jackson AKA MY DAD.

I am grateful to my Dad for instilling in me a sense of hard-work and determination.  When my Dad wants something, he fights dilligently to obtain it. "Never Give Up" is his motto. His love for our family has fueled a hope to constantly persist despite horrible odds.  Enduring more than most individuals do in a life time, he greets every morning with a smile on his face. He is hysterical, intelligent, hard working, and extremely protective of his girls (ask any boy :)), loves our pets and sports, and loves his girls.  Words cannot describe my love and appreciation for him. If only the world could see my Dad the way I do....

My Mother...GLORIOUS IN EVERY WAY! I know, I know, I look almost exactly like her but hope I can be just like her as I continue to "grow up."  She instills in me EVERYTHING that is good. I love her SO much. Attending every track meet, volleyball match, assembly performance, award ceremony, etc. she will always be my main support. One may see her hiking, dancing, belting songs, laughing because she purely enjoys life. She constantly infuses a love for God's creations in my sisters and I.  She completed her masters, is in the process of publishing a book, heals others for a living, and is purely the BEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD FOR ME!!!

CHELSEA= My Twin, My Best Friend, Love, Joy, Enthusiasm, Brimming Over with Talent. When we get laughing.....we get laughing. We have been punished far more for laughing uncontrollably than fighting. I thank Heavenly Father for sending me to earth with an angel.  We have been together for 20 years and I am not even close to being sick of her :) We both have the privilege to go to Jerusalem together. I am grateful to share this sacred experience with my best friend.

Hannah-noun

1. Love For Life!!!!

    2. Spontaneity

3. Fashion-Diva

(you better take her shopping if you want a solid purchase) 

 4. Intelligent, Gorgeous

5.Determined and Daring-On soccer, tennis, track team, plays, office, etc.

6.Leader (Senior Class President and an officer every year)

 I Love This Girl With All of My Soul!

ELIZA JACKSON

My Baby Sis- (although she is going to be the tallest of us all) Volleyball star, animal LOVER (Koda-our cute puppy never leaves her side), energizer bunny, kind, natural beauty at its finest, hysterical, loves games and family bonding, spunky, extremely intelligent, and has the solid determination of our father.  I am constantly amazed by her. I am excited to see what she accomplishes in life. I LOVE HER!

THANK YOU FAMILY FOR MOLDING ME INTO THE PERSON THAT I AM TODAY! I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS BUT I DO KNOW THAT BECAUSE I HAVE YOU, I AM FULLY EQUIPED FOR LIFE.

Fall 2010 in a Nut Shell

CANCUN ADVENTURE

We had the amazing privilege to witness 400lb. Mother Tortoises emerge from the ocean to lay eggs. At midnight, we released the babies back into the ocean to ensure their safety from daily scavengers.

Sleepovers with the Cousins

Chichen Itza Ruins

Our Little Mayan Friend

My extended family and I had the awesome opportunity to join several fisherman on their daily fishing journey in the middle of the ocean. We divided amongst boats. Miguel quickly realized that his boat consisted of all girls. Little did he know the Jackson Girls are no ordinary girls :) Miguel, on fire with enthusiasm as we reunited with the other boats to compare the fish, beamed as he chanted to all of the other fisherman that Girls Rock!!!

However....it wasn't all fun and games, sea-sickness did occur. :)

(Hannah does not know this picture exists)

Volleyball Divas!!!!! Rocked Intramural s

Midnight Hike to the American Fork Hot Spring

Triathlons and Half Marathons

Krista, Chels, and I joined BYU's Triathlon Club which consisted of waking up at 5:45am to jump into a pool to swim laps or run in packs. On Halloween, 4 hours of sleep, and a heart full of excitement I completed my first half marathon. I loved EVERY second...well to be honest the last mile I felt like throwing up but the beautiful fall trails in the Provo Canyon ensured a blissful run.

Midnight Showing to Harry Potter

Blue Pancakes..early in the morning!

Cleaning Checks with the CHEETAHS :)

Glow in the Dark Talent Shows

Sugar Cookie Joy

Dates, Dates, and more Dates (even with Identical Twins!)

Attending Y Events

So Bonded with Roommates...Zits appear in the same spot! :)

STUDYING LIKE MAD WOMEN FOR HOURS AND HOURS IN THE LIBRARY FOR FINALS