Saturday is a Special Day

When in Jerusalem, we do as they do. We have our Sabbath on Saturday, which is really confusing at first. Today we had a wonderful Sacrament meeting. We’re in a branch, and there are several members in it other than us BYU students. Our chapel overlooks the city. I joined the branch choir and this morning we sang, “Jesus the Very Thought of Thee.” Singing the words, “Jesus, our only joy be thou” while looking at the very place where He sacrificed His life was a touching moment.   As I looked out over the city I thought that although all church buildings are His, I think he was excited that we were able to come to His home ward.

I know it doesn’t really matter what day you observe the Sabbath, and it doesn’t matter where you observe it, either.  The scriptures come alive easily here, but they can come alive in a brick building church, too (which seems so boring compared to the Jerusalem Center!). But, that being said let me point out just a few  of many advantages I’ve already discovered to being here.

1.       In my Old Testament class at BYU my teacher never pointed out the window and said, “Over here…..”

2.       If you’re looking at Jerusalem during church, you are constantly trying to connect the view with what you’re listening to. It really emphasizes that everything about this gospel is about Christ.

3. Five times a day a call to prayer rings out from minarets calling the Muslims to prayer.  Although sometimes the 5 a.m. call wakes you up, I’ve come to love the reminder and pray in gratitude for whatever I’m doing.

4. My Relief Society President spoke today about how she was born In Bethlehem, close to where Christ was born and she knew who Christ was and was raised Greek Orthodox. However, it wasn't until she moved to Provo on a Jerusalm Center Scholarship to BYU that she came to know Christ. What a great story!

5. Saturday afternoon activiites entail visiting the Garden of Gethsemene with your friends! Actually, it's raining now (we're in the middle of rainy season) so we're going tomorrow.

6. My professor's daughter is being baptized in the Jordan River in a couple months.

I took a walk around the center by myself, and used my handy self timer that takes my picture when I smile at it!

 The building with the arches in the upper left is where I live! I was standing on the other side of the Kidron valley when I took this. Yep....I cross the Kidron valley everyday which is between the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem.

This was the first picture I took when I got here....the view of the city from my bedroom balcony at night!

Blogspot is all in Hebrew and I like the challenge so I didn't translate it.... so I hope this turns out alright...ha.