Gratitude Trees and Snowflakes

Friday, November 8

We had New Testament class this morning and then I had to take a bunch of nursing prep tests for a big one we have coming up. After that we had another Humanitarian project. We made a toiletries package again and Nichel and I were the towel rollers, our favorite job! We have completely perfected the art and I’m contemplating quitting my nursing career (especially after how bad those tests went…) and I might go fold towels somewhere. I’m sure they are in high demand. It was a fun project. They do them in the garage and we turn on the music and it’s fun to dance and work all together. After that I hung around the center for a little bit just doing random stuff because I thought we were going to synagogue that night. Ends up, we didn’t go so I was a little upset because I hadn’t done anything all afternoon so I went out with Sean, Kristen and Jonathan. We didn’t have much time before sunset when we had to be back so we walked over to Princess Basma Hospital so I could show them the murals BYU Jerusalem Center students had painted. It was closed since all the patient’s go home on the weekend, but the security guard saw us and we talked to him a little and he let us in. It was fun to be back there and everyone loved the gorgeous murals. We stopped by a fruit stand and a flower shop on our way back which was quite enjoyable. I love flowers. They’re so pretty and smell wonderful. That night we played soccer and watched some movies in the Center. It was a great day!

Sabbath, November 9

I got to teach young women today and we talked about the value of work. These girls are incredible. It’s fun to watch them and how they interact. When I first got put in I wondered how they’d get along and now they are best friends. They are such beautiful and wonderful women! I love them! Church was fun; I love having families in the ward because it makes me feel more at home. After church everyone went out but Nichel, Makena and I decided to stay in and we sat outside on the lawn and painted. We made a Gratitude Tree to hang up at the Center. We cut out branches and leaves and everything is all hand painted. I don’t want to brag….but it looks incredible! We hung it up but had to move it down to a bulletin board because of the potential for sticky residue on the walls. Makes sense. Everyone loved the tree and we even wrote a little poem to go with it so people know to write what they’re grateful for on a leaf and hang it up. I love that tree! It is probably my second favorite thing about the Center right now. (I’ll tell you about the first in a minute!) After dinner we watched Christmas with the Kranks and Nichel and I did a snowflake cutting out class, since we both are skilled in the elf arts, and with our little group we made a TON of snowflakes. They are so beautiful. I honestly can’t think of anything more beautiful. It was soooo much fun! Those snowflakes are home. I love them. We watched the CES devotional and it was very good. I learned a lot and knitted the entire time. They call me grandma, for good reason I guess. I had a very crafty/grandma-y type of day: knitting, painting, snowflake making. One of those days I guess! I love every second of it though!

Sunday, November 10

We went to clinical at Red Crescent again today and I was back on Labor and Delivery. I wish I had a cool story. We had zero patients all morning and an hour or two before we left we got three. We got to prepare some meds and put on a FHR monitor, but that was about it. Right before we left a pediatrician had us come to the nursery to watch how he assesses babies. None of our patients were dilated past a 3 and 6 so we decided to go. He ended up talking a lot longer than expected and when we came back, two of our patients had delivered. I was a little mad, not gunna lie. But we watched one mother hold her baby for the first time and it was a tender experience as we had heard her crying during the labor process to now be crying tears of joy. It was a neat thing to see, even though I was quite bitter.

After clinical I went out with Lauren and Reagan. We walked to the Jewish bakery and got some of those heavenly cookies. All of the nurses then met at Jimmy’s Olive Wood shop. He loves the nursing students and took us all out to dinner! It was the best. We ate at a Philadelphia restaurant which is apparently one of the best in Jerusalem and had pictures of Jimmy Carter and the Clinton’s eating there too. Jimmy was such a sweetheart to us and dinner was incredible. When we got back we watched The Grinch and then Nichel and I hung snowflakes up all around the Center. This is my FAVORITE thing about the Center right now. We had so many to hang up and we were going to do it on every floor but we went a little crazy and only decorated the main floor (6^th). We put them everywhere and it’s fun because the walls are white so unless you’re looking you don’t usually see them. I love spreading Christmas cheer. We got some in both the women and men’s bathrooms. Don’t ask us how… And we put some on the podium in the forum. We’re a little worried about what will happen, especially because of the whole sticky residue incident, but whatever happens, happens because this is completely worth it! They are so beautiful!

Monday, November 11

Happy Veteran’s Day! We went to Bethlehem today! It was one of my favorite field trips. We started out at Herod’s Palace which was high on a hill and we talked about Herod and I led my own tour guide of how this was the Easter Bunny’s palace and the Peeps were the servants. We walked through some crazy tunnels and it had a gorgeous view up there. He had a massive swimming pool which I ran around the ruins in with Tabby, Belnap’s three year old daughter. She and I found rocks and had a fun time.

The Swimming Pool

Then we came down the hills to Bethlehem. It was neat to contemplate the high “worldly” things we had just seen with Herod and then descend below down to Bethlehem where Christ was born. That stood out to me: how quietly as a lamb Christ entered this world. “No ear may hear his coming…”

In Bethelehem we went to the Church of the Nativity. This place was jam packed and so crowded. I honestly didn’t appreciate this place very much. We were in line for about an hour and a half and we had to go under the church to see where the “manger and birthplace of Christ” was. We waited forever and had to fight our way down in there and as soon as I got there they were starting a service so we had to sprint through so I didn’t even really see those places. But it’s not the place so much as what happened that mattered.

We ate lunch in this Shepherd’s Field Restaurant that was one giant tent. It was so delicious! The waiter gave us free Diet Coke’s which truly made my day. The food was good and we had fun sitting under our tent.

Then we went to a shepherd’s field and had some free time. The shepherd’s fields are rolling hills with rocks and weeds everywhere. There were random little rock caves and thorns all over the ground. I sat on a rock and looked out over the valley in front of me. There was a sheep herder down there leading his sheep through the hills. It was a neat experience. I watched the sunset and it was a beautiful moment full of peace. I felt the Spirit testify to me of the Savior’s birth. It’s amazing to be doing this at the same time as my labor and delivery clinical. I’ve seen mothers in tears from the pain and suffering, with their hands and every muscle of their body clenched tight, that then turn to tears of pure joy and happiness as they hold their precious baby in their arms. Mary was in a field similar to this one I was sitting in, with rocks, dirt, thorns and hills all around. I felt the Spirit very strongly as I contemplated Mary and all she had done. The Lord’s handmaiden. I pray to be like her. As the sun set, there was one bright star over the fields. All things testify of Christ. I rejoice in his birth and humble beginning to come here and save me.

As we sat by ourselves and thought about these things, some people threw firework flaming bomb things over to the Israeli side of the state. We were across the valley from this happening, but we watched part of the hill burn down and then the border control people come. It was honestly very distracting, but an interesting thing to see.

After the sunset, we all got back together and sang Christmas carols til we were too cold to sing anymore. The Spirit was so strong and Tabby came and sat by me while we sang. I learned so much while I was here and the main thing was how important my family is. I love them so much and I do miss them, although I wouldn’t be anywhere but here right now. I can’t wait to see them at Christmas. Nothing is more important in this life than family. I never want to take them for granted and I hope we all recognize how important our family is to us.

We came back and had FHE which was fun. We picked out a picture and then had to tell the story behind it. I love all these people here. We always have so much fun. Then I played some soccer and did homework and watched Home Alone and went to bed.

Tuesday-Friday

Happy Birthday to my wonderful momma! We had class this morning and then I spent the afternoon doing homework and playing soccer. We got to go to a school today to help teach English. It was one of my favorite things we have done here! I went with a small group and we played games with the kids for awhile. Those kids are OUT OF CONTROL. The boys were constantly moving and jumping on each other and fighting each other. The girls were pretty timid and scared of us while the boys just tried to beat up everyone. They know a little bit of English so we played Duck, Duck, Goose and Do as I'm Doing. We did Head Shoulders Knees and Toes too. It was super fun!Then we decided to do Red Light, Green Light and I was the person yelling red light and green light. This game was an utter fail. I stood across the field from the group and then yelled green light and immediately yelled red light but NO ONE STOPPED! They all just sprinted at me full blast and tackled me! Literally jumped on me and tackled me. Those kids were out of control! It was a fun game but I got dominated. I don't think they got the point. Needless to say, it was terrifying. But the kids were a blast. Then we went to classrooms and tried to teach English without a lesson plan or any idea of what they've been learning. I hope we taught them something...

This little guy was my favorite!

Sheri and I trying to teach...

Our Class

Wednesday we had New Testament and then we did practice nursing in our Nursing class. It’ was fun because we had to pretend almost everything as we assessed our “pregnant” patient (it was one of us with a pillow under our shirts…) After lunch and a few rounds of foosball with Nick, we went on a field trip to the Separation Wall between Israel and the occupied territories. It was an interesting experience. We were led by an Israeli guide and it was heart wrenching to think of the families separated by the wall.

 I came back and got some homework done then went to dinner and a forum address by a Palestinian important figure. It was a cool contrast throughout the day. I learned a lot and it was interesting to get both perspectives.

Thursday I had class then we went to clinical. I was in a really bad mood that day and didn’t want to be there because e of all the other things I needed to get done. Thankfully, the Lord took over and changed my heart. I got to watch a c-section, which I was undeserving of at the beginning of the day, but as I was there I had a change of heart as I talked with Angela. We talked about this precious little boy we watched be born. It was a beautiful time and I am so grateful for it. As I came out of the surgery, I got pulled in by a nurse to watch a circumcision. That was another awesome experience. I held the poor baby’s hand as it happened and tried to comfort him. After it was over I held him and he was definitely hungry so the nurse got me a bottle and I fed him and rocked him to sleep. It was one of my most favorite days at clinical and I felt so much love for these children of God. It was a wonderful day that I didn’t feel I deserved. We got done right before lunch ended and today was pizza day so I sprinted all the way up the hill and up eight flights of stairs and got to the Oasis as they closed the doors. Luckily, the Nickel’s let me in and I ate so much delicious pizza. It was a great time! Then my day got even better because I went and did the Rampart’s Walk where you walk on top of the wall around the Old City. I went with Alex, Jordan and Kolby. It was so fun!! Those guys are a blast and we had a really fun time. We sprinted and climbed all over and saw some gorgeous sites. I love those guys, they’re so great!

Jordan, Alex and Kolby

This is my home

Temple Mount

 We got back and I did some homework before dinner. Right after dinner was the Informal Talent Show. This was one of my most favorite days in Jerusalem. Everyone at the Center is so fun and talented. It was a blast to see everyone’s personalities shine through and we are all so comfortable with each other now and best friends so it was even greater. We had everything! Some people from the ward came too. I dressed up as a sexy hipster librarian and read some pooetry I had written about Jerusalem. It was a hit! Jack Belnap did Lord of the Rings in 90 seconds, we had groups singing and dancing, others playing the piano and other instruments. It was such a fun time! I love everyone here at the Center! They’ve all become my best friends and I look up to them so much.

Friday we had class and I took a forever long and hard nursing test. Then we had another service activity and the cooks brought up snacks which was so sweet of them. Then I went to synagogue which was an interesting experience. There was lots of swaying and rocking and they sang the whole time. Everyone was very nice and I liked it, although I think I’ll stick to my church. After dinner I finished my paper and then we did Israeli dancing. The first half was fun and we danced in a big circle. I was next to the instructor’s son and the instructor came up to me and asked me to watch over his son. We danced and had a great time. His son was about 10 and so cute! Then we did a couples dance and I was with Ryan and it was the most fun I’ve ever had dancing! It consisted of us jumping up and down and running through lines of people. I was so exhausted by the time the song was over. We went all out. He even hit me in the head by accident! It was so fun! I loved it so much. After dancing we watched Christmas Vacation then listened to Christmas music. I’m so ready for Christmas. I can't wait to be home for Christmas and watch every Christmas movie cuddled up with the pets and my parents by the fireplace with Pepsi and popcorn and hot chocolate and wassail with snow falling outside through the windows and a Christmas puzzle out. I love our Christmas traditions!

Sabbath, November 16

I didn't sleep much because I finally got to Facetime Tiff and her kids. But I woke up and went to choir. Today was the primary program. I have never had a better Sunday. The primary kids here are so sweet. Tabby kept fighting for the microphone with Hayden at the end. The sunbeams sang Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam and they were adorable! It was such a sweet time! After church I took a nap outside and read. Then we went to Raghad’s house. She’s a young woman that lives across the street. She’s not LDS, but she always has the students from the Center over. A lot of her family came over and they were all very nice to us. They gave us cake and cookies and juice. I am still so impressed by how hospitable everyone is. They’re so nice to us! Then it was dinner and we had ice cream and no bake cookies for dessert. Well, “no bake cookies” Jerusalem style. They were delicious though! Then I played guitar with Nick and AJ, went to choir practice, played some games, ate some pita, and watched Christmas shoes.