Finales

Today was a day full of non-stop energy, action, sights, smells, and most of all - memories. I've been interested these last few days to see how the entire term is playing out. Interestingly enough, with the ending of finals (slightly very scary), the finalization of our stay here in the Holy Land, I'm learning (still!) more... and this time it's more about myself. We went to so many different places today that my head is still reeling with the action but there were good things in all of these places.
1) Bethphage - where Christ got on the donkey to enter the city in a triumphal peace. We sang "Redeemer of Israel" here
2)Pater Noster (the sight where Helena believed the Lord's Prayer to be given). It was so neat to come in here and see the Lord's Prayer in so many different languages. I lOvE languages. It'd be wonderful to be given the opportunity to go live some where over seas to study a language and culture for a year... and then go to another place and study there... and another and another. From this trip I've realized how much I really wish I knew the languages of the world. I've met a man Jonathan from Italy and then overheard multiple Italian tour groups. I've walked by multiple French tour groups as well... allowing me to woe over the two years lost in high school, in which I never truly learned French (Zut!).
I saw braille in English and Hebrew side-by-side, Italian Lord's Prayer, some curly-q language that I have no earthly idea what it was, Farsi, some more curly-squiggly language, Gaelic, Creole... and many many more! We sang "How Gentle God's Commands" and some tour groups came to watch the anomaly.
3) Dominus Flevit - Jesus wept for Jerusalem here in his famous saying "O Jerusalem". Interesting, the church was in the shape of a tear drop. I didn't expect to see this so that was quite neat to see.
4) Church of Mary Magdalene - Russian Orthodox Church. This one was rather interesting... always seen, slightly out of place, never been inside. It happened to be open when we were in the area so we all decided it'd be awesome to go inside.... which it was. The story of Mary Magdalene going and telling the Roman emperor of the resurrection of Christ. He said that was highly unlikely - as unlikely as an egg turning red. He handed one to Mary Magdalene which just so happened to conveniently turn red... Tricky tricky - Heavenly Father witnessing of his son to one and all! Oh and the joke goes as follows: what did the Mormon say when he say the church? it's so onion-spired ("un-inspired") (well it's true - we're one of the one and onlys that believe in continuing revelation.
5)Garden of Gethsemane - this was a very interesting site for me because I had already been here before in my own time to have personal contemplation and thought here. Versus the last time I came here, I was well and able to really think about many things. The garden is small. From the pictures in Mormon culture, one is led to believe that the site might be commemorated by some park or something. However, in actuality, it is quite small 30'x30' fenced in garden that you are able to walk around and contemplate. I had already been inside the Church of All Nations (which is connected to the Garden) so instead I walked to a quiet area near where our group was about to meet and sat and thought. I love when songs will come to mind without any prerogative. Now, no misunderstanding, the songs are not intrusive but rather instructive for me. As I sat the song Be Still My Soul came into mind. I began humming a little to my self to figure out what song it was because the song came to me mid-verse "With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain..." from that point I continued onward with the song and although I didn't get the entire verse word-for-word most likely, I did get a good part of it and the overall theme of the song "...Leave to thy God to order and provide; In ev'ry change he faithful will remain. Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end." This was significant to me because one it talks in a manner in correlation with the Garden and two because my personal most frequent way to receive revelation is through outside sources whether it be through other people's life stories or if it be implanted through a previously well known song. =======
6)Orson Hyde Park -
7)St. Peter's Church of Galicantu -
8)Cenicleum/Upper Room -
9)Church of the Condemnation and Flagellation -
10)Garden Tomb

after this wonderful day we had a quick dinner and then... our departure orientation meeting??? Yes, ironic in name but I'm happy to say the water is safe, tissue paper is not needed for the restrooms, and the watermelon is wonderfully, germ-free edible (but the need to travel in groups because of unsafe social situations should still be adhered to :) ). Afterwards testimony meeting/2 min memorable experience.