The Fourth Of JULY!

Roomies in Red, White and Blue. We are very good at coordinating.  

I was really excited to see hamburgers, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. It was such a happy surprise and Akmed really went through a lot to give us an authentic meal. I was so excited, as I am sure you can tell from this picture.

Bethlehem

Yesterday we went on a super fun field trip. We started at the Herodian, one of Herod's many fortresses, and posed on the columns. 

Then we went to manger square and looked at very large nativities.

Then, we went to Shepard's field and walked by a vineyardy walkway thing.

This is the traditional spot of Jesus' birth. It was a neat place to go and we were able to sing some Christmas hymns. I loved it. It was wonderful. I think Christmas in July should become a tradition for me.

This picture was also in the church of Nativity. The decor was pretty intense.

What a wonderful day! It was so great to go to so many Christian sites and feel my Savior's love for me. I am really loving studying in the New Testament and I am sure it will only get better.

Euro Cup!

So, I am sure many of you know that I have a strong affinity for watching soccer. Haha... just kidding. But, one of the kids here got special permission to go and watch the final match a couple days ago. It was a great experience.

Jerica and I had a great time hanging out and watching. Go sports!

West Jerusalem at night.

McDonald's mushroom chairs. Needless to say, I loved  them.

Out past midnight! We were all preetty excited.

I <3 Jordan: Day IV

On the fourth day, we started the day in an old Roman theater in the middle of Amman. It was fun and some of the more talented JC members showed off their talents for us.

Then, we went to the Jordan river.

It was pretty much exactly like I had imagined. 

While there, we sang and read scriptures about Christ's baptism. I feel so blessed to have such an amazing Savior and for the amazing example he set for me during his life on Earth. 

Even though it was a little bit gross, I put my feet in the water. It seemed appropriate at the time.

I <3 Jordan: Day Three

After looking at all my pictures from this day, I realized that we did so much. Our first stop was the Jabbok River. It was the place where Jacob wrestled with the angel of the Lord and his name was changed to Israel. At this site, Brother Hunstman gave us time to reflect on our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It was a great start to the morning. 

Pam, Me, Camila and MJ-We were all stripey.

Then we went to the Amman citadel and saw a bunch of old ruins from different time periods. This was a cool mosque.

This is inside the cool mosque:

This is what is left of the temple of Hercules:

This is me casual sitting on a broken column of a byzantine church:

After our adventures we got lunch in this cool restaurant, with the King waving behind us.

The pita was like four times the size of my face.

After lunch we went to the an Old Roman city in the middle of Amman called Jerash. It was kind of like Ephesus and was really big and fun to explore.

Then, we stopped at a car museum. I was not very interested in any of the cars, but this one caught my eye. 

And thennn... it was Juan's birthday eve, so we had to catch a cab to "Mecca Mall."

I was a huge mall and we were excited to go shopping. 

Check out the food court stores. I loved that these were next door to eachother.

Shout out to Archie.

Then, I had my first ever Cinnabon in a mall in Amman, Jordan.

It was such a great and long day!

I <3 Jordan: Day Dos


Petra!

So, we started the morning walking through the long Siq. It is about a mile, I think and it is so beautiful... but then, you see this:

The TREASURY! in Petra! Coolest thing ever. We even got  Jerica Jones to pose in the picture with us.

And then, I rode a camel. 

And, tried to figure out who was more stubborn...

And hiked for a bajillion hours up to the monastery.

And got tired hiking up to the monastery...

And then hiked above the monastery.

Then ate some tabbouleh... shout out to my momma. I have been hooked on it for a while and I was so happy to find a familiar taste in Jordan. It is like a parsley-ish little yummy dish. 

After hiking all around Petra we stopped at a castle built by the Crusaders. It was a fun lil' adventure. 

And- shout out to my favorite brother in law, so far, dum dum da dum... William! I love you a lot and Kate is so lucky. Hope you guys are loving Paris!

Happy Birthday!!!

I <3 Jordan: Day I

Our first stop in Jordan was at Mt. Nebo. It is the traditional spot of where Moses first saw the promised land.

At the top of Mt. Nebo, with a very nice fiery serpent statue behind us. 

Then, we had quite the little hike through the hot desert to Machaerus. It is the spot of one of Herod's fortress complexes and also the probable spot of John the Baptist's imprisonment and martyrdom. 

 I was so happy that at the next rest stop they had salt and vinegar chips. I love them a lot and I haven't seen them  in Israel yet. Either way, I was really excited.

Who couldn't love a potato wearing hat and lipstick saying, "flavor me!"

It was a pretty long day on the bus. Things got a little sassy.

On the way to Wadi Musa, we turned a corner on the bus and immediately pulled over. Pictures don't do it justice but this is one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen. Also, by looking at the photo, you can see how the majority of Jordan is desolate and deserty, but pretty in it's own special way. 

Soooo windy!