End of Sukkot

Tonight as sun sets marks the end of the feast of tabernacles. Also celebrated for "Booths" or "Huts" to remember the forty years in the wilderness. These booths are made of leaves and sticks and have to be able to see 3 stars out of the roof. So a roof that has space to see out. They stay in these huts for 7 days... even today!  There are 4 species that the Lord commanded the Israelites to carry four species (branches)- Boughs= Hebrew Fruit, Date palm trees, Thick trees= myrtle and willow.

Guess what I got to see today? The celebrations and worshiping with these four! It was so so incredible. We left the center this morning at 6:00 and headed to the Western Wall. When arrived, there were hundreds and hundreds of people! I wish i could post videos of their worship, but as the centers internet is so slow it won't work. There were so so many men were dancing, and chanting "Hoshannah! Hoshanna!" Brother Chadwick explained to us similar to how we use handkerchief in temple dedications. This whole celebration is for asking for rain and water for the upcoming season.

They separate the men and women for the worship so the men can't be distracted during their worship. When we go to the womens side no one is celebrating. It makes me sad that they don't get to have as much fun. Maybe they're not allowed to, I don't know enough about it.

There are very few times that people get to actually be here for Sukkot, and we got to go!

We came back to a delicious melon-filled breakfast and cocoa puffs with nutella bits.( Lace, I think i'm going to buy some before I come home so you can taste these delicious-ness and re-live the tradition!)
Classes were wonderful, a little hard to concentrate because Jacqueline and I created her blog last night! You should check it out here. We headed to Hebrew University after lunch hiking around the deserted campus. Everyone has the whole week off for the holy days, so the only place for us to use the internet is the bus station. Six of us girls filed into this toasty, tiny bus stop and sat there for hours posting pictures. Buses came and went about every 5 minutes until 2 men walked up and shouted at us in Hebrew. They saw by our confused faces that we didn't speak Hebrew. The man (he was actually pretty attractive!) asked us in broken english where we lived. We said we were from the Mormon university a 5 or 6 times and after a while he said, "Oh yes! Mormon University!" I still don't think he knew what we were talking about. He tried to explain something, and we could not understand for a couple more minutes, when i said, "Do you need us to leave?" "Oh yes yes! Much simpler!" He kept trying to ask us a couple questions, but failed miserably! We got kicked out. Yes.

We were SO close to being done with our posts, so we walked around the corner and sat on the curb to get the last little bit of internet we could. Many honks and strange looks later we had No success, so that would be why my other posts don't have pictures!

Dear Egyptian Bathrooms...

Dearest Egyptian Bathrooms,
I might, maybe miss you... Let me tell you why.
My first experience with you I will always cherish. We had been on a bus for hours when everyone piled out of the buses into the blazing 110 degree weather. We were coming to you for some cooling down, but little did we know what surprises you had up your sleeve (If you have a sleeve?)! We walked into a large run down cafeteria where we were to eat our sack lunches. On the dark back right corner... there you stood. Shining in all glory with 2 pictures painted by much talent.. (about a 5 year olds) Shimmering with a disproportionate girl in pink and a hefty awkward boy in blue. Oh how you were so enticing. I turned to corner down your hall, walking a good 20 feet to get to the actual "water closet" or what I like to call the "dub cee" (WC). Oh the smell that overwhelmed me as i got closer, was one that I will never forget. The next corner held plenty of surprises-- you had hair, dirt, old toilet water, and feces on the floor. The doors looked like they may have once been loved and simmering white, but now very worn out with paint chipped off and discolored greenish- brown area where hundreds of hands had touched. Maybe this means it was loved? I walk into the stall to find a toilet bowl black and looking very clogged, but then realized, nope that's just the color of it. I tried to maneuver the door close with my shoe and succeeded with many awkward hops. You didn't lock, which could be potentially very embarrassing for me, but I forgive you. It's not really your fault.  There was a wastebasket for used tissue. What a lovely sight and smell to behold. The flusher was broken and the bidet looking promising that it could spray at me any second. Thankfully i didn't push the bidet button and made it alive. The sinks were another story, but i'm just grateful you're keeping Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer in business.  The other toilets in your country held more surprises. There was a 1/2 flush button and a full flush button. You can guess what that is for! Because of you, I became pro with the use of my foot, strong squatting muscles, bringing toilet paper with me always, carrying a dollar or two every where I go to pay for you, and the trusty Purell.
Thank you for making my experience memorable. You might... but only maybe missed.

My first Riot

Gotta tell you something crazy... last night a riot broke out RIGHT outside the center! There is a main busy road right next to us that is the land in between the Palestinian and Israel lands meet. So, this is an expected location for riots... Well, last night was the night! There were bombs, people yelling , and gun shots. I was out on my balcony when all of this was happening so I got to hear most of it and see the flashes of light because of the trees blocking my view. The police came to settle the situation, but the sidewalk looked like it was scattered along the road (but could have been trash) and the massive metal trashcan was in the middle of the road, with a massive fire burning in it. I went upstairs to check out if i could see more and the security guards came running up panting to tell us to delete any picture and go inside. All of us speculating and making the situation way worse than it really was. We had our forum today and got the scoop. Last week while we were in Egypt a Palestinian man got shot and killed by Israeli security guard, and it's been a big deal around here so everyone is acting out. There are a bunch of Palestinian kids in the neighborhood next to us, and the teenagers started this blocked off the road with burning tires and the massive trash cans. I still can't figure out how they got these trash cans in the middle of the road... they're so huge! The police came with sound bombs and guns to scatter the people that had gathered. I'm so grateful for them! Our security guards are incredible, we watched them the whole time from afar and I feel so protected. They were conversing loudly with the police men in Arabic, but I knew we were fine.
I can't believe the contention between the Palestinians and the Israelis. When we went to Egypt they forbade us to bring our Hebrew homework. They said we could get questioned for hours because of it. Why does there have to be so much contention???

So i've been thinking about contention and violence because we read in Judges last night for Old Testament pretty gross stuff and I live with in the midst of conflict. So so much violence  was in the bible and it was bothering me. Really, why can't these people be poisoned, or even get sick instead if it was the Lords will instead of getting their head nailed to the ground through their temples? (Judges 4:21) Sorry for being graphic, it's been bothering me...so I asked Brother Muhlestein and he gave me a simple answer, but I needed to hear it. In the history of the world the countries with military power and violence excelled. They were glorified if they were violent! I don't live in this world at all, I haven't ever seen anyone killed and never hope to, but this seems to be a part of their life. So, living here I need to understand that violence is the way in which some people deal with the issues.

Just have to say a little bit about fruits and veggies... I LOVE THEM! I have missed them so much while in Egypt. For lunch today I had a massive salad with pomegranate carrots, plum, apple, and banana...I was in heaven. It makes me so so much more grateful for food when I go without.


Completely unrelated, but still a quote from today:

“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in, broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming- WOW- What a ride!”

Mission Call! I want one.... bad.

Chelsea Ellsworth got her mission call today to... drum roll please?

                     Viña del Mar, Chile!!!!

I'm so so so so so extremely excited for her! She leaves January 18th. She'll get 29 days to prepare from when we get home! She'll be one INCREDIBLE sister. She's so ready.

So after that, two of my favoritest people, Cherysh and Jacqueline, get to start their papers HERE!!! We started talking about how we'll open up their calls Thursday night Jacquelines in rexburg, then we'll travel to Cheryshs' house in Soda springs and open it up on Friday. I'm so so grateful/overjoyed/excited they go to school in Idaho!

So I started thinking about my mission.

Then I started smiling about my mission.

Then I started talking about my mission.

Then I started giggling about my mission.

Then I started to cry about my mission.

and kept crying. 

AHHH! I want to go.... RIGHT NOW! Why do I have to be so young? Why must I wait so so long!?!?

So, here's the plan... Jacqueline and I are taking mission prep winter semester... Then I wait... and prepare.

The day I can turn them in is April 12, 2012.

562 days away. I can do this. It'll go fast.

1 year, 6 months and 15 days. That'll go by so so fast!

Today is a grand day.

No more crying about wanting to go.

Just preparing.

Sleepy heads

I found so so many creative sleeping positions i wish i could have gotten on camera, but here's a few. We were so tired all the time people were literally falling asleep standing up. Any chance we had a couple minutes you'd see people leaned up against the wall sleeping. 

Day 8: Hiking Mt. Sinai, Israeli crossing

Back in Israel! We just crossed the border and it feels SO good to be back in our "home state". I feel like i'm going to be clean again! Healthy again, eating other than carbs, rested again, friended again (by the JC staff and my real roommates and not being segregated from the other bus), Cooled down again, schooled again, Using my brain again, musiced again, blogged again, and daughtered (probably my favorite) again! This sounds like i'm complaining, but i'm really really not. I loved the trip. It was incredible. It was life changing. It was exhausing. It was a blast. I would do it again in a heart beat!

Today we hiked Mt. Sinai! What a breath taking experience. I would suggest it to anyone and everyone that were to come to Egypt. We woke up at 1:38 am and went to knock on everyone elses' door. I got some very unconvinsingly sleepy "I'm awake"  and some sleepy eyes, but we were up and rearin' to go! Something about me: I ADORE HIKING! mom, that's right. I'm missing it like the dickens. My mom is an incredible hiker, and so so much fun to go hiking with, she's converted me. I was thinking about her the whole hike, wishing she could experience this incredible experience with me.

What gorgeous view to wake up to... and go HIKE!

We had a cup full of sugar (also known as some very very chocolaty hot chocolate) packed our breakfast and headed on the bus. It was a full moon a couple days before and it led out path when we weren't in the shadows of the mountains. Cute Amy and I LOVE our moon shadow. When we were at the Sand dunes we were giddy that we had one and talked about it for a very long time. Thanks to her she added a little sunshine to my day for telling me about my shadow. My hiking buddies were the marvelous Cherysh and Kim. I love these girls. They were so so much fun to hike with, and right at the same pace as me. We pushed each other, yet didn't kill ourselves. I did find out that camels are very hard to see in the middle of the night. They would be resting in the shadows of the jagged mountains and I would literally stumble upon them if they didn't gurgle a couple inches from my face causing my heart to skip a beat. Another fright, there were hundreds of Bedouin men that were lurking around every corner and Cherysh, Kim and I couldn't leave each others side. What in the world were they doing awake all night? I also learned I didn't know I was capable of dripping sweat at 3:00 am? It was hot and humid, but I was loving every second. =)

1/2 way there! Sweaty and red faced... with the best hiking buddies, Cherysh and Kim

the pass that for certain moses walked through

The terrain and mountains looked spectacular in the mood light as red rock jutting out from everywhere. We had hiked about an hour and a half when we got to stairs ready to hike the 780 stairs to the top.

When we got there the moon shone so bright, and we were oh so glad to have brought multiple jackets. We waited for about an hour and ate our breakfast. We tried the impossible feat of falling asleep on each other, then the hard rock. Much to our dismay it was too cold. We got up and I believe that cold was Heavenly Fathers way of saying, preach my gospel! Just wait.

We walk over to the wall to where the sun would rise in about 30 minutes. I started talking to a 55ish year old lady from California about the trek up. She was with and 84 year old man that hiked all those stairs! I was thoroughly impressed. She quietly and lightly suggested to sing a hymn. I replied, "Of course!" We wipped out our hymn books and a group of us sang "How Great Thou Art". The sweet lady started singing with us until her tears became too big. I know the spirit was there.  I know she felt it, and the hike was all worth it for that moment. We could share the spirit of Christ without proselyting, because we aren't allowed to. We continued to sing hymns until the sky lit up more and more. Brother Muhlestein gathered our class on a mountain cliff away from everyone elsee while we sang "The day dawn is breaking." We discussed Moses' talk with God on the mountain for 40 days. We were standing at the place! I can't explain the feeling, but I feel so so incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity.

The sunrise was spectacular rising over these gorgeous valleys and mountains. The colors were so virant and subtle. I'll post pictures so you can see!

The hike down we decided to take the stairs! 3, 780 steps to the bottom. The first 780 my legs were feelin wobbly and i was LOVIN it! The stairs were made my a monk for penance. Walking all the way down those stairs I felt bad for the poor man that had to make them. It wouldn't have been an easy task.

 Made it to the top! Sweaty and LOVIN it!

 Where we waited for the sunrise and sang our hymns!

 The bestest roommates in the world, Tessa and Jacqueline

 This guy needed a friend, he was all alone on the mountain!

We conquered 3,000 steps!

We had an INCREDIBLE devotional on top discussing what Moses and the Lord talked about on these mountains. 

On the way down we had an emergency bathroom break. I won't go into detail, but Cherysh got me laughing so so hard I almost had an accident.  The jello legs at the bottom were my favorite. I couldn't get them to shake enough to get on camera, but I loved them. We hopped in the pool and it was lovely. I got tricked into thinking the water was warm... nope the freezing water took my breath away and I loved every minute of it. They got a nice dunk after that.

 Loooong hike down 3,870 stairs!

 Cherysh and I. She looks like a shrimp, and she is... but not that small!

 The canyons were absolutely breath taking!

 Bedouin men house

 The mountain! Not the whole thing though...
Our legs were officially jello when we got back... the FREEZING water felt soooo incredible. 

 We had a competition whose hair was longest.... I hate to admit it, but Joseph won.

 Can you see it?
We headed back to Israel had just HAD to stop at the kibbutz with the best ice cream.

 Right after the border... much needed and loved crunch ice cream bar! Cute megan Gygi and I.

For dinner we stopped at another kibbutz. Jamie and I couldn't resist.

We headed out on the road from 12:00 until about 9:30. We didn't have full blast a/c and we were whining. We're so spoiled and I hate it. Couple quotes from the hot, stinky bus:
-"I'm sweatin like a red neck in a spelling bee!" -Jordan
- "It smells so so bad I want to hurt someone!" -Jamie
- "Imagine that smell coming out of you!" - Rachel
- "You just got sporked!"
It was a memorable bus ride. At the time of writing this entry we had a crazy wild, maybe a little TOO wild dance party for 3 straight hours. Had to go out with a boom you know? Brother and Sister Muhlestein told their dating story of meeting, mission, dating and everything. Ends up 11 days before Sister Muhlestein was supposed to leave for her mission, she got proposed to. They are so incredibly amazing. I want one. A husband that is... Too bad it won't be for 3 1/2 years! Or, maybe thats a good thing. Yeah, It is.

Back to the life of School, work, reading loads and FRUITS AND VEGGIES!
What an experience of a life time. All thanks to the men upstairs.

Day 7: Last day in Egypt!

 What a good day it's been. It seems like I say that a lot, but there are a lot of great things to learn, see, do, and we are so blessed. We went to the Ali Babba Mosque. Wow, what a beautiful place! I learned a lot about the culture today. A lot of detail I don't want to go into in fear of offending anyone with my limited knowledge, but I learned the most today of all the days. I understand why the men here are so free about their feelings towards us Americans with their cat calls, nasty comments and such. Thanks to the American movies, their opinion is forever ruined of good American girls. I'm going to stand up for my standards openly now, instead of laugh it off. Some of these men need to know not all American women are crazy about sex. That's only some men that think that. Okay i'm getting carried away.

So, we've been on the exodus route the whole trip. AH! The children of Israel are INCREDIBLE. From my recollection this trail was only supposed to take a total of 11 days, which ended up being a 40 year journey. I have grown so much respect for these people. There is absolutely NOTHING along the way. No vegetation. Nothing. We've stopped at a couple of oasis' and I can't imagine the absolute joy they would feel coming to a place with water. These places may, or may not have been the places they really did stop, but it's still cool to imagine them stopping at a place like this. We would be driving amongst mountains with no plants surrounding the area and then palm trees would pop up out of no where. The water tables are high in this area, hence the vegetation.  We stopped at the place where it is believed Moses raised his staff to a rock and water flowed from it. The children of Israel murmured, and they had a right to!

As we traveled through the mountains were breath taking. I think the best way to explain them is  a tiger print on a mountain. There are darker layers of rock randomly, beautifully, dispersed in the tan rock. They really were gorgeous. I can't wait to put pictures up of them! I just have to say, it was so so nice to travel through these valleys and deserts on an air conditioned bus. I'm spoiled, and I know it.

Here are just a few more beautiful pictures from our travel:

 These boys lived at one of the Oasis that we stopped at!

Because we're on a bus sooooo long... we have to entertain ourselves some how. 

Also, I was sitting there chatting with Jordan and he said, "Okay, lets count the means of transportation." Great idea! This is what happened in a weeks time:
1. Bus
2. Plane
3. Taxi
4. Boat
5. Camel
6. Carriage
7. Train

We're pretty dang lucky. I love my life. I love Egypt.