Shabbat Shalom

This place.  This is one of my happy places.  He Lives.

"Behold the Wounds in Jesus' hands, 

the marks upon His side.

Then ponder whom He meant to save

when on the cross He died."

Rosie, Jaquel and I filmed a video last week of the Garden Tomb.  It's so lovely.  Look forward to it.

Carillon Bells and rainy days

Last week I did one of the coolest things I've done in Jerusalem yet.  I dare say few people can say they have played the Jerusalem Carillon Bells for the entire City.

"I hear Jerusalem Bells a ringing

Roman Cavalry choirs are singing,

be my mirror, my sword and shield,

Missionaries in a foreign field."

-Coldplay

Yeah, those are the bells that we played.  McKay, because there's nobody cooler than him in this world, plucked out the notes to that song, but the Squires didn't think it would be appropriate to play for the city... shame.

Jaquel and I started off the group with a nice little reverent primary number.  Nerve racking.

Seriously one of the most fun things we've done here in my opinion.

At the top of the YMCA

The YMCA is oh so very kind to allow us to come play their carillon. 

Remember how everyday I am sweating and HOT and I have to change my clothes 3 times a day?  Not these days...  It's RAINING IN JERUSALEM!!!! WOOOOT!

Ping Pong Tournament

When we hold events at the JC, it isn't a light matter.  Everything is pushed to the extreme, and everybody gets way involved and makes it a blast.  Last week was the final four Ping Pong Tournament, and it was complete with intoductions, strobe lights, warm ups, fan clubs, posters, autographs and interviews.

Congrats to JAY who took the whole thing.  I don't know if I've ever seen someone play ping pong like that!  

Tom's pep squad.

Team Tom Team Tom Team Tom!

Jaquel is HILARIOUS.  Period.  She did a photo shoot of Tom for the posters, and we printed off some extras to hold and cheer for Team Tom.  Yes, that is a ping pong net on his head.

Biffs

Coming to Jerusalem, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous that I wouldn't find people that I click with very well.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  I can honestly say I appreciate and love every single person who lives in this Center with me, and I'm going to have MAJOR withdrawals when I go home.

These beautiful people here are some of my very favorites in the whole world. 

All of these ladies are just so cool and laid back and HILARIOUS.  I know we all came to Jerusalem in the same semester for a reason.

Rosie was feeling a little... different on this particular afternoon.  But we still love her with all our hearts.

Always room for more laughter with us.

This place will hold a special place of memories, lessons learned, and friendships for the rest of my life. I knew I would love it here, and that I was making the right decision to come, but I fully underestimated the possibilities.

Oh, and I might kidnap this little boy in our branch.  I think I'm in love with him.  But how could I NOT BE?!!

Adventuring

Last week we had a free day... The free day of all free days.  We did so much.  We started off the day at this lovely Russian Orthodox church -- the Onion church, as we like to call it.  A few of us have been admiring it from afar and wanted to go in, but it's only open on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, which we've never really had available until this particular day.

This is my roommate Madison.  She loves me, even though she never tells me it back when I leave the apartment.

There was a section that required head scarves, and because I'm such a nice friend, I loaned Rosie half of mine cause she was a rookie and forgot.

Brookie is also a rookie and forgot we had to wear a skirt, so she got to wear this LOVELY apron wrap the whole time.  What a gem that one, I sure do love her.

Then Jaquel took school pictures of all of us with the Dome in the back.  

15th grade school pic.

See that little guy back there?  That's the onion from across the street.  We took pics in front of the Onion at the Dome and pics in front of the Dome from the Onion.

We stopped by this bakery in the Jewish Quarter (because it's my favorite, and everyone always is so sweet to indulge me if we're anywhere near that joint).  It always makes my day just a little brighter than it already is.  Seriously, it's the best bakery on this green earth.

Waiting in line to get into the Dome.

There are few things I love in this world more than a GOOD slice of pizza.  And there are few places I love eating in the Holy Land than Mozzerella Pizza in the Jewish Quarter.  It's. So. Good.  Holy cow.  And it never hurts to follow it up with my favorite bakery down the way... I love food.

FINALLY I made it to the "Shuk" Mehane Yehuda Market.  I've just been wanting to eat a donut there since week ONE when I read a post from BRIELLE at Aladdin's money exchangers that said everybody should eat a donut at the Shuk.  It didn't disappoint.  Walking through the Shuk Jaquel started yelling at us to take a picture with this nappy man below.  Turns out he's a pretty famous Rock Star here in the Holy Land... A lot of people would find us quite lucky to have taken this.  Me? I don't know who this man is.

Outside the Shuk

We ran into this boy singing American songs on the street, so we ran over and sang along with him.  Turns out he's from Boston and let Alta give it a try.

THEN we came upon the DRAGON FESTIVAL outside Jaffa gate. Bahaha! Dragons everywhere.  An excellent end to a beautiful day with the most beautiful people I know.

Yeah, that's a dragon.