Ah... Home, sweet home. I sit on my bed, marveling at the beautiful snow coming down, and a disastrous room filled with suitcases. This is home. I think about the amazing experience that I just had and think of it like a dream. Then I think about all the journal entries, all the pictures, all the memories, all the stories, all the loving, all the growing, and my relationship with Christ. I'm changed forever.
Sorry for the bad picture, that cute little 2 year old girl I was telling you about got her sticky fingers on the lens =)
The last of our group that landed in Utah!
GROUP HUG!
Ah, How we Megan's sure love our mommies!
Oh, I missed my mom the most. I can't even begin to tell how much I love her. She wouldn't let me ask any questions about her, because I was supposed to do all the talking. Gosh, she's so great.
My mom is THE cutest thing in the whole entire world. She makes me feel too loved. I came home to this, food already cooking so the house will smell good, my room spotless, she bought news sheets, and had presents on my bed. She even got me Hallah bread, which is the bread the Jews have each Friday.
We talked and talked and talked and TALKED and still haven't stopped talking. Lunch was THE BEST with her. I miss our lunches. We took hours to look at all my stuff I brought home, and she forced me to take a nap, gah, I love her!
I love being home. Our house is decorated in all this Christmas stuff, it really does feel like Christmas! It's been snowing/ raining constantly. It was so fun to have my pops and brother come home to talk to them over dinner, take a visit to Sam's Club, and we've been going out to dinner, take drives, hear updates on family, and talk about business. I learn so much from them. They're such boys sometimes, but I love them so much.
Jet lag got to me and I was up at 5 the next morning, but it was magical. I adore mornings. I prepared for seminary lesson at 8:00 and the lesson went so well. I love Yaron, what a special young man he is. I learn so much from him, and the spirit taught us both so much. I'm still so amazed that we can be on skype 7,000+ miles away and sound like they're standing right next to me. After I zoomed to pick up Megan, her brother and Lacey for a trip to the temple. Heavenly Father is SSOOO good. We were waiting to be baptized and in walks an orthodox jew with the 2 curls on both sides and a long beard. Megan and I were seriously flabbergasted. I got to talk to him by Heavens grace-- just a little tender mercy.
We truly do have angels among us, and I met soo many in Jerusalem. This experience has created immeasurable growth. I am changed... forever. Visiting where all the events that took place in the bible has changed my understanding. I do want you to know, I KNOW that anyone does NOT need to visit these places to gain a testimony.
Brother Asay says it best: “Yes I have walked where Jesus walked. I have bathed my feet on the shores of Galilee; I have tasted the waters of Jacob’s well, where Jesus talked with the woman of Samaria; I have prayed in Gethsemane; and I have worshiped silently at the garden tomb. Each place stirred my soul and made me feel His holy presence. But I have not seen Him in this life, nor have I spoken with Him face-to-face. I know, however, that He lives and that He loves me. Through the power of the Holy spirit I can testify that I know Him as if I had seen Him with my own eyes and heard His voice.” –Carlos E. Asay
I feel the exact say way Brother Asay does. Christ lived and died for me, for you. I know of His power, I've seen it numerous times in my life. He suffered and died for us to make it to our Heavenly Father in the Celestial kingdom. We have been given so much, and so much is required of us. Through the help of the Holy Spirit & Christ's love we can accomplish so much, and build up the kingdom of God. I know without a doubt that Christ lives today. We each have a specific reason why we are on this earth and through Him, I know we can find it and learn to be His hands in others lives. Jerusalem has changed me.
p.s. If you want to follow my other blog it's mnmbriggs.blogspot.com
February 2011 Reunion at Cabin:
April 2011:
September 2012:
