Independence Day!

Okay! so today was the Israeli Independence day! 60 years. So we had just one class, our orientation for Egypt and  then we headed out to go visit the old town. A lot of the students went to Tel Aviv and went swimming in the Mediteranean but we didn't want to go because, hello! we we came to go to Jerusalem! So, first we went to the Roman Orthodox Church of Mary Magdelene. It has these really cool gold onion spires. Its a church just east of the garden of gethsemane. We wanted to go to the garden but it closed early. So then we went up and entered Stephens gate and visited people and shopped. I got a widow's mite! it was $5.00 its the real thing too. There are all these shop keepers in the city that know the "mormons" and give us good deals. and its true. they really do! We went to the Citadel aka The Tower of David. Its this really cool area of the city with original walls, and rebuilt walls, and exhibits of the history of Jerusalem. It was way fun to walk up and down the walls. we wanted to walk the ramparts of the city, but everyone got tired so we just ended going to get our money for Egypt from Aladdin (he's such a funny guy) and then home and to study. we have our old testament mid term tomorrow and a quiz and stuff in our near eastern studies class. Lots to do before Egypt because everything is due the day we get back from Egypt. crazy! We're super busy. 

The best part of today was this morning in class we talked about Deborah the Prophetess and why she was called and what she did to help restore a particular area of the land to a particular tribe. I can't remember which at the top of my head, but as we talked about it I learned so much about my name. Deborah means bee, or, a little thing tha

t stings. Hopefully someone that prods 

people to c

hange and be better. i want to be like that. Also she was "a mother in israel" besides the fact that she was receiving revelation for that area and being a deliverer to them, she was a mother. She helped to plant the promises of th

e fathers into the hearts of her children. Craig said "the most important quality in a wife is for her to be a prophet

ess, and a mother in zion." I want to be like that. A little bee. I'm learning so much and loving every minute. Its amazing to look out and see the city 

of Jerusalem. Incredible to say that I live here. I love you all! this last photo of me you can see the church of the

 Holy sepulcher (grey domes to the left), the Holy Redeemer Chruch (the white tower), the dome of the rock (the gold dome) and behind my head is the Jerusalem Center. You might have to zoom in...see my awesome sandles! they are so great, comfortable etc. I love them!