Making bitter into sweet

What a day! The Jerusalem Center has students go through the experience of making olive oil. This has really been a special morning. Our Ancient Near East professor, Brother Seely (who happens to be a celebrity here--so funny), gave a wonderful mini devotional about olive trees and how they represent the Atonement. It really got me thinking. The Atonement was such a priceless, precious gift. It is really incomprehensible what our Redeemer went through, but the result is beautiful.  Olive oil has so many important uses, especially in ancient days or in the time of Jesus Christ. The process to make olive oil is worth studying, and it's so much harder than squeezing an olive between your fingers. On Thursday, we picked olives from the trees at the Center. They have to soak in a brine for a few days. Today we crushed them in a huge, rolling millstone to create a paste. The paste was put in baskets and placed in the press. Using levers and enormous rocks, the olives are pressed under immense pressure to get the oil out. I tasted an olive and some of the oil. That olive was the most bitter thing I've ever tasted in my life. Hours later, the taste still lingers in my mouth. I was amazed that such a bitter fruit could produces such an important, useful, good thing. It was so neat to compare this to the gift of the Atonement. "Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me!"

Istanbul (...not Constantinople)

Seriously, I've had the song by They Might Be Giants stuck in my head for two weeks. Thank you Brother Seely! I was able to be in one city that spanned two continents! I've officially been in Europe as well as Asia! I am feeling quite accomplished. :) We took a beautiful boat ride down the Bosporus Strait and got to see both continents at the same time. Jessica and I picked the house (cough cough palace) that we’re going to live in when we’re filthy, stinking rich. There’s nothing quite like a boat ride through the middle to showcase the beauty of a city. I loved watching the sunset and moon over the continent-spanning bridge and mosques.

We went to visit the Topkapi Palace, where Ottoman kings lived for 400 years. It was a spectacular palace! The palace had four gates that each opened up to a new area. The palace grounds had a library, treasury room, throne room, room dedicated to religious relics, etc. And of course each of these “rooms” is huge, beautifully decorated separate buildings. I learned a lot about how harems are not what western people usually think they are. They are more a group of educated women who are provided for by the sultan and who are married off to officials to keep potential opponents loyal to the sultan.

Though they were spectacular, I actually enjoyed visiting mosques more. The Blue Mosque is highly famous among tourists because of its thousands of beautiful blue tiles imported from Nicea. It is well lit with natural light compared to other mosques, and it’s gorgeous! The Blue Mosque was undoubtedly designed to impress. And it does just that. The Blue Mosque is unusual in that it has 6 minarets. The Grand Mosque in Mecca had the same number so in order to not outdo the Grand Mosque (which contains the Kaaba), the builder of the Blue Mosque sent his architect to add another minaret to the Grand Mosque in Mecca. The Blue Mosque is still in use today so modesty is required to get in. I really appreciated how much they cared about this. Women had headscarves, and both men and women removed their shoes and covered their bodies. It really emphasized respect for the Koran and Allah. 

Undoubtedly, one of my all-time favorite sites in Turkey was the Hagia Sophia. This is the most interesting blend of religious cultures that I've ever witnessed in art. The Hagia Sophia was originally built to be a Christian church in Byzantine, but it was later converted into a Muslim mosque. Now that it’s gone through some restorations, you can clearly see the verses of the Koran side by side with beautiful mosaics of Christ. The building is enormous! I really don’t even have words to describe it, but I was struck by the great lengths people went to so they could make beautiful places to worship.

Of course, visiting a foreign country wouldn't be complete without shopping! And what better place to do it than at Istanbul’s world famous Grand Bazaar! The Bazaar has over 20 entrances and tens of thousands of shops. And it was amazingly well kept! Maybe Jerusalem could learn a thing or two from the Turks. But really it was so fun to wander through. Istanbul was definitely a favorite!!

Ancient Ruins Galore!

I won’t go into all the places we went to, but oh let me tell you…..we squeezed in as many things as we possibly could! Out of the 7 cities of Asia that Paul wrote to, we visited or drove past most of them. The view from Assos was phenomenal. You could look out and see the Greek Island of Lesbos. I sat on the ruins of cities where Paul and John and other disciples of Christ spread the gospel. I gained so much respect for these early missionaries, and I also realized just how similar today’s missionaries are like them. We got to see all that is left of the Temple of Athena, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Gallipoli, the site of a bloody and really unnecessary WW I battle between the Turks and Australians, really stirred my thoughts. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the heartbreak of the mothers of these young boys who gave all but could have been saved. Another favorite spot was in Miletus. My friends Lindsay, Brooke, and I found this gorgeous ruin that looked just like ruins of Amboise in the movie Ever After. You know, the heartbreaking, breathtaking place where Henry tells Danielle that he loves her and doesn’t give her a moment to tell him the truth about her. Oh it was right out of a fairy tale!

We also visited Ephesus, and I got the coolest picture that matches the photo of the ruins that matches the picture in the King James Bible that Latter-Day Saints use. It was so amazing to be where the apostle Paul taught. We also spent a good bit of time in Troy. Brother Belnap spoke to us for a while, and I learned so much from listening to him. I was struck to realize that I was in the ruins of a place where people didn’t believe that any god knows or even cares what happens to them. It broke my heart to look at the stories of Troy and other places in this light. I’m so grateful for the knowledge that God is our Father who loves and knows each one of us intimately. Again in Nicea, I couldn’t help but again be overwhelmed with gratitude and the responsibility that I have to spread this message of God’s love for his precious children. 

Serious and Not-So-Serious Philosophizing

Turkey was actually a really great thought-sorter for me. I learned a lot about myself and about the nature of our Father in Heaven. Most of the details I’m going to keep to myself (aka not on the internet haha), but it has to be noted that my time here has changed me. More random hodge-podge of thoughts….. I’m learning that I really do want to work with people for the rest of my life. A couple of students got pretty sick for a day or two during our travels, and I really wanted to help them get feeling better. I like taking care of people! Turkey and Jerusalem have lit another flame inside of me too. I want to travel and see as much of the world as I possibly can. I love seeing how people everywhere are guided by love and commitment. The world is a beautiful place!

Shout-out to my roommate!!  I learned a lot from Jessica this trip too. I laugh so much with her and am so comfortable sharing all of who I am. And wow she is smart! I’m going to have to start running every time she buys something delicious because if I so much as look at it, she insists on sharing. We’re talking cracker shoved in my face like Iago J Goofy side story:  I was having a rough day on Friday, but I was trying to hide it a little. However, I told her some of how I was feeling…cause she’s a great friend/listener and I hadn’t seen her in like 30 hours! I entertained myself by playing the “what dessert is perfect for your mood?” game that I play all the time with Dad. So I get back on the bus feeling a little headachy, and I turn around to see an ice cream cone in my face that “mysteriously” was sent to me.  It was so simple, but I appreciated it so much! I am determined to learn how to notice the little things to help others like she does. We are planning a Nacho Libre, crème brule, shake, picture swapping adventure in the winter….and I’m excited. Seriously, Jessica is the best. 

Yad Vashem 10/14/13

I'll return to my trip to Turkey soon, but I really want to write about going to Yad Vashem while it's fresh. Every Monday is fieldtrip day, and today my Israel teacher took us to Israel's memorial for the Holocaust victims. I've been to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC, but it was so interesting to see how the Jewish people view the Holocaust. I struggled to see some of the heartbreaking and frankly gruesome films and stories they had. Wouldn't this be hard for everyone? So many people suffered. The Hall of Names was astonishingly full. I think the hardest thing to read about was the heartbreak that came when families were split without any guarantees of meeting again. As a warning, I just want to add my voice that the Holocaust was not something caused by monsters or aliens. Something could happen again if we are not watchful. Horrible things are not as impossible or beyond us as we think.

I was interested to hear that one of the reasons why Jewish survivors didn't talk about the Holocaust for such a long time was because some Israelis were judgmental. The Israelis who fought for independence fought through hard things, but in a gross overgeneralization, the Holocaust victims were pretty passive. But who could blame them? The hardships they endured were phenomenal. Their success and rebellion was their survival.

One thing that I felt was more heavily emphasized in this Holocaust museum was how abandoned the Jews understandably felt. So many countries closed their doors to refugees. I really struggled with this and can emphasize why my professor said that many Jews leave the building feeling persecuted by all. But I was so grateful that the beautiful walk from exciting the Museum to the gate. The avenue was lined with thousands of trees; each one represented a person who put his or her life on the line to save Jewish lives. And the neat thing was that every one of those trees represented a person who was "righteous among all nations", or a non-Jew. It was a great memorial that there are many good people. Interesting fact for all you biblical scholars:  the Hebrew word hesed is used to describe these people. I'll be happy to give my somewhat amateur explanation for what this means to anyone who wants to ask. It only strengthens my hope for humanity. 

Türkiye 10/6/13 –10/12/13

I love Turkey! It is a beautiful country, and I’m so grateful that we had the opportunity to visit there. Jeru students usually go to Egypt, but the administration has been sending people to Turkey instead while Egypt is in an uproar. Most of us were expecting a second rate trip, but I’m actually really glad we visited Turkey instead. We got to see so many interesting places in the cool beauty. Turkey was a lot greener that Jerusalem and reminded me a little bit of Georgia in areas. I physically ached sometimes looking out from the sites. So much history grew from here. It was amazing to see so many mosques all over (Turkey is 98% Muslim) the cities, each with their own style. Details will follow. :)

We were so spoiled. Our hotels were beautiful and full-on RESORTS! We had hotels with beaches around the Aegean Sea and buffets fit for a king. And oh my heck, the BAKLAVA! I have to learn to make this stuff or I’m not going to make it back in the States. My tour guide, Necip, was the best! He was always happy, fun, and patient when we were slow or goofy. We sang Silent iPod Karaoke on the bus and swapped great stories. My favorite was his story about how he met his wife. He told us that out of all the things he has seen, his favorite is absolutely his family. It was actually a big testimony building experience. This is a wonderful people. I was so privileged to join them for a week.

Musical Adventures

"Where words fail, music speaks." -Hans Christian Andersen.

Anyone who knows me knows that music is a huge part of my life. I can't stress how it has changed my life enough. Though it just about kills me to combine these two things, I will for convenience purposes.

The volunteer music service couple, the Claytons, here at the JC gave us the wonderful opportunity to go to Jerusalem's YMCA to play their Carillon Bell Tower! This magnificent tower has 35 bells that are rarely played except for when we come. It's a shame, but I'm almost glad so that they let amateurs participate. Lauren and I hitched a ride with the Claytons, and we almost missed the chance because of the holiday traffic. Luckily, the tower let us play the next hour instead. We met Sam, Jared, Kelly, and Michael there. We got to strike noon. We took turns practicing a song on a muted, mini bell organ and then teamed up to play for the whole city. The first time I sat down at the bench was maybe just a little terrifying. Mistakes on bells are so loud and painful. But I got to play 3 songs on the bells, and it actually sounded pretty good. I played a song with Kelly (I was so scared I can't even remember what it was), "Fairer" with Jared, and....my absolute favorite...."Sunrise, Sunset" with Sam. We rocked it! I still can't believe that we got to play that song over Jerusalem. Oh what beautiful resonance! So yeah. I can now play three instruments. Voice, piano, and bell tower. 

 On a more serious note, the entire JC group visited the Augusta Victoria. Short story is that its a German chapel and hospital that all looks like a castle. It was one of the most beautiful chapels I have every been in. It has a magnificent view of the city from the tall tower....I almost died climbing to the top. They asked us if we'd like to sing hymns in the chapel. Our answer: DUH! I volunteered, with the shakiest of knees, to lead a group of 40 in "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" and "I am a Child of God". During the second song, the Holy Ghost witnessed that God sent me here for a purpose. I know that it is no mistake or coincidence that I am here at this time in my life. I've already learned so much. The music was so gorgeous that we waited for the rest of our group to finish touring the chapel and then we pulled them in. They asked me to lead them in "Nearer My God, To Thee". It was so amazing! The acoustics in chapels like these are incredible. The entire room was vibrating with the beautiful sound of worshiping the Lord. Music can move my soul in a way that few things can. I'm so grateful for my experiences here.

Tel-Aviv

I wasn't really expecting to take too many days for pure vacation, but I'm so glad that I joined in the group going to Tel Aviv! We'd had a busy week with lots of long classes. Tel-Aviv is on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea which means.....it was the first time going to the beach in who-knows-how-many years! I spent the majority of the day with my friends Brooke, Brealynn, Emily, Emma, and CJ exploring Old Jaffa. We wandered around (after a quick trip to buy me new shoes. Mine broke....best shoe thing to ever happen to me) to see Old Jaffa's art galleries and stop at a couple of museums. The museums were all pretty small, but I enjoyed them. My personal favorites were the Yemenite Jewelry makers and the advertising/propaganda museum. We finished off the day relaxing at the beach. It was spectacular! The water is perfect and divine and perfect. We left to get dinner (shwarma!), and thanks to Obama I got a seat at a table. We spent the last hour on a wall around the sides of the beach. Basically, I was at the beach...watching the most beautiful sunset of my life...overlooking the Mediterranean Sea...that was crashing on the rocks underneath me...with Jaffa and Tel Aviv around us. It was heaven! I am fully intending on bringing my family back here someday.

And our bus driver on the way back was the coolest. He ended up turning techno music on quietly in the front. But being a group of happy Mormons, we naturally started goofy dancing in the back. I sat right behind the bus driver so I got to watch him laugh at us and turn up the music just a touch. He kept laughing and turning the music up until it was cranked and all the lights were turned off except a blue light in the ceiling. What does this mean? Dance party for a full 40 minutes!

It was a great break. :)