On a lighter note, this is my list of things to do before I die... some of which I've already done and some of which I don't know of yet and so I'll add them on as a continuous entry throughout this year (and they are in no particular order)
1. ride a camel
2. ride an elephant
3. sky dive
4. see the 'Wattoluempiade' Mudflat Olympic Games in Germany
5. become fluent in another language
6. ski the Alps
7. read 100 books from literary acclaimed authors (Faulkner, Austin, Dickens, Hemingway, Poe, Shaw, Kipling, Huxley, Woolf, Steinbeck)
8. Visit the major church history sites in Mormon Culture (Independence Missouri, Martin's Cove, Palmyra, the Holy Land, Adam-ondi-ahman, Armageddon)
9. Visit every temple in the US (along with as many outside the US as possible)
10. ride in a hot air balloon
11. ride in a 2-3 passenger airplane
12. compete in a duathalon
13. Swim in or travel over the "7 Seas" - Dead, Red, Galilee, Black, Caspian, Mediterranean, Adriatic, Aegean, and Arabian and all the landlocked seas
14. Swim in the 6 landlocked seas - Aral Sea (Kazakhstan/Uzbekistan), Caspian Sea (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan), Dead Sea (Israel/Jordan/West Bank), Sea of Galilee (Israel), Salton Sea (Cali), and Great Salt Lake (Utah)
15. swim with dolphins
16. Keep a journal for one complete year, in a consecutive fashion
17. Travel Europe with bare minimum for a month
18. rebuild a Peugeot 104 (1973 model?)
...
...
p.s. - this is a bit of a to-get-to-in-free-time list. Of course my marriage, hubby, chilluns' come first. Who you think I am? Some crazy bucket list hunter with no appreciation for the finer things in life (no not the caviar but those stinky diapers and as said on Alex and Emma - the laundry by myself)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
over time
I've been home for over a week now from Jerusalem. Some things are different and some things seem to always stay the same (such as the great taste of BlueBell Ice Cream and the underestimation of time, and muscle, to move into an apartment). I went rock climbing with
Chase Bowler and Veronica Benavides last night up Rock Canyon Park at
the Appendage on the 5.08, 5.09 there. It was there that we discovered
Veronica's rock woman instincts as she on her first real rock climb schooled both Chase aNd I, hands down. She was amazing... I think that I need to take more drill team classes/modern dance classes. I think that might be Veronica's secret... flexibility as well as a built up strength. Needless to say, I am once more excited to have friends that excel so quick at a passion of mine as well as share a portion of my passion- it means there's less time wasted on trying to convince them to join me in future escapades!
Chase said an interesting thing while we were climbing... Chase does that occasionally. He asked me a lot of similar questions as Dad - "how was it?" "How was Jerusalem?" and the final one "How was the spirit?". I thought for a while and responded with "well, for me it's hard for archaeological sites to hit home when they say 'this is so many years old, this is where Christ walked, Christ stepped on this stone most likely'. Being in Jerusalem wasn't a needed thing in order to build a testimony of Christ. However, it was neat because the spirit was present in a way to reaffirm what was already there for me. One doesn't need to travel to Holy Sites in order to know He lived". I really do believe this statement too. It was strongly emphasized in our religion class while there that just because we are visiting these sites, it d
oesn't mean that we should be growing in spirit. It should be through our study and our diligence to those things that can be done universally that makes our spirits sing at those sites. I don't know if Chase was simply humoring me or if it's similar to humility but he made a comment about a difference in me, more mature. Quite possibly he was humoring me to make me become puffed up, vain, and all those wonderful attributes I've been striving for for so long... or possibly it's similar to humility - you notice that there has been a change in your life and your actions over some extension of time but you aren't able to say "Oh that's where I became mature" "that's where I stepped from immature to mature - boy (girl) to man (woman)". It comes as a continuation of continued efforts that build layer upon layer until one day you can't believe you were once a water droplet and now a mountain of snow - possible to lose the state which you're in but with the correct actions on your part and conditions you put yourself in, only able to grow larger. A process over time
Chase Bowler and Veronica Benavides last night up Rock Canyon Park atthe Appendage on the 5.08, 5.09 there. It was there that we discovered
Veronica's rock woman instincts as she on her first real rock climb schooled both Chase aNd I, hands down. She was amazing... I think that I need to take more drill team classes/modern dance classes. I think that might be Veronica's secret... flexibility as well as a built up strength. Needless to say, I am once more excited to have friends that excel so quick at a passion of mine as well as share a portion of my passion- it means there's less time wasted on trying to convince them to join me in future escapades!
Chase said an interesting thing while we were climbing... Chase does that occasionally. He asked me a lot of similar questions as Dad - "how was it?" "How was Jerusalem?" and the final one "How was the spirit?". I thought for a while and responded with "well, for me it's hard for archaeological sites to hit home when they say 'this is so many years old, this is where Christ walked, Christ stepped on this stone most likely'. Being in Jerusalem wasn't a needed thing in order to build a testimony of Christ. However, it was neat because the spirit was present in a way to reaffirm what was already there for me. One doesn't need to travel to Holy Sites in order to know He lived". I really do believe this statement too. It was strongly emphasized in our religion class while there that just because we are visiting these sites, it d
oesn't mean that we should be growing in spirit. It should be through our study and our diligence to those things that can be done universally that makes our spirits sing at those sites. I don't know if Chase was simply humoring me or if it's similar to humility but he made a comment about a difference in me, more mature. Quite possibly he was humoring me to make me become puffed up, vain, and all those wonderful attributes I've been striving for for so long... or possibly it's similar to humility - you notice that there has been a change in your life and your actions over some extension of time but you aren't able to say "Oh that's where I became mature" "that's where I stepped from immature to mature - boy (girl) to man (woman)". It comes as a continuation of continued efforts that build layer upon layer until one day you can't believe you were once a water droplet and now a mountain of snow - possible to lose the state which you're in but with the correct actions on your part and conditions you put yourself in, only able to grow larger. A process over time
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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 wh
ere 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.
1) Bethphage - where Christ got on the donkey to enter the city in a triumphal peace.
We sang "Redeemer of Israel" here2)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 wh
ere 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.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
closed eye, open heart
Today was wonderful. We got back from Jordan (awesome time getting to learn what a real mosque is like dressed in head-garb and black dress, visiting the Jordan River where Christ was most likely baptized, crossing border crossing after taking quite some time to get from Jordan to Israel, and many wonderful hours sleeping on the bus) late today after doing a great day of traveling and I was able to grab a clean, water, fresh veggie meal before going to the Bible Land's Museum. IT WAS AWESOME! We were told that we'd be able to make it through the entire museum in a little less than an hour.... NOT SO! We went through a tour of Ancient Music for about an hour - it was phenomenal hearing and seeing so many artifacts from before I could ever think. Musical artifacts from Ancient Mythology, Ancient Cultures, Ancient Religions genres. We discussed the lyre, double flute, cymbals, drums (which were typically played by women because they represent the cycles of life and women are so intricately involved in the cycles of life, months, birth), harp, and such wonderful instruments as that... oh! and the shofar (reminds me of the didjeridoo)! We talked of Eros and Apollo and Pan and the Pan-flute. Emily Ward, Keola, and I were on fire afterwards with excitement. I'm going to go into the Old City and look for somewhere that I can get inexpensive bedouin, desert music/folk music. We walked by a beautiful Bat Mitzvah on our way up to the 2nd floor of the museum and it was so neat looking! I would love to have a Bat Mitzvah with the beautiful hot pink, dancing all night, beautiful dresses - wonderful way to come of age! The museum was wonderful with so many interesting things that I could have stayed an hour longer... except closing time was at 9:30 and at got out of there at 9:32pm. The sherut back ride back was a trip and a half needless to say. With 10 of us in it, the guy had black lights going, techno "holding out for a hero"... and I'm in Jerusalem? It was so so amazing! We were dancing and having quite some fun with the cab driver just smiling and enjoying our enjoyment. Needless to say it was quite the night. And needless to say I learned something tonight. If life is really going to be appreciated you have to just go for it. Enjoy every minute with an eye closed to all around that might scorn, judge, or impede you from feeling that joy. With an heart open be willing to experience everything. Why else do we humans willingly commit ourselves to such things as love, child rearing, or dreams if we don't realize that there's going to be pain that piggy-backs with those wonderful things. I realized I can't ever let someone else put me in the circumstances where I'm willing to sacrifice or pass by those dreams/ that love - the true vibrant experience can't be felt then.
Galilee
Galilee was wonderful... kind of behind though and will fill in the news from the 10 days here once I get the chance
Friday, May 23, 2008
Bethlehem, to me means memory of beauty
Tonight was Bethlehem. The Hebrew meaning to this word is House of Bread as we commonly learn through Sunday School. Interestinly enough when it is also referred to as City of David, this is not a singular reference. David had many cities, this was simply one of them (however, probably one of the primary ones seeing as how David came from here).
We began New Testament today in class and it is truly phenomenal. Brother Draper aids my understanding of the scriptures so much, I am amazed at how they come alive. We discussed the introduction (the Gospels are not in order, the key principles to each book, etc.) as well as the beginning of the Nativity. This was particularly interesting because simultaneously we've been learning about the living conditions of the time and how they would have been living. Nazareth - a burg, Joseph - 18/19 yrs old, poor, Mary - 13/14 yrs old, poor, harsh social conditions with an oppressive king. Mary being thought to have compromised her virtue and having her entire family probably thinking lowly of her. Joseph feeling utterly betrayed for this 'consequence' from his espoused. An angel of the Lord, Gabriel coming to fix everything. She never had to travel to Bethlehem - only the men needed to make an accounting for, the women usually stayed behind. Mary deciding, although great with child and hence slowing the journey down, to go with Joseph because he out of everyone understood her the best (Gabriel enlightening). Jesus' birth was simple and ordinary like anyone elses - close family and midwives. The Draper interpretation of 'rogue' angels probably desperately wanting to celebrate the birth and so scaring the shepherds 'spitless' (of their hot chocolate of course). These shepherds realizing that the Jehovah of the Old Testament has just been born not too far away and their 'political king' they've been waiting for is here. (Wise men of course don't come for a few more years even though we depict them as coming the night of the birth) All these thoughts really touched home to me while we were in Shepherd's Field tonight. We had a small program (Once in Royal David's City with Channing and Emily Ward, Guard Him Joseph Catherine and Kristen Anderson, and First Noel Mike Henderson, Luke, and Spencer Wilcox and more) and afterwards contemplative time. I recalled a "psalm" I made at the beginning of July in 2006 and really felt the spirit strong, had an open gift tonight for writing, and was able to write a page similar to that psalm for where I feel I am right now in life and my feelings for the night. It really meant a lot to me. One part that was neat is that like the Big Dipper which hangs pouring completely on all the inhabitants of the Earth - the Lord blesses and loves us so fully. Bethlehem was very interesting to see - more pleasing to the ears due to the more quiet nature of the area versus the hustle of Jerusalem and Cairo.
Yes, while in Bethlehem we did go to the Church of the Nativity which was very interesting indeed. So many things remind me of pharaohs (Herod killing the children). I bought a fair share of olive wood carvings here (best wood, it's where all the other merchants get their items from, the merchants here are kinder and more honest, and much cheaper prices) but no baby blankets (white, knit, simple but beautiful). I've never seen it but I want to watch: on Christmas Eve around the world, everyone watches the multiple nations singing different carols in Manger Square? That'd be neat.
I still have the spirit with me although I'm nearly going to fall over in this chair I'm so tired. It's been a wonderful night. The contemplative time was very helpful indeed (and the writing I believe will help in the future as well), I was able to help prepare most of the musical program which made it mean so much more to me, I've been trying to near my God more and so am trying to listen to those promptings better. On listening I've found that I've got two areas the Lord knows I can identify (I'm rather dense sometimes and so simple things are good): 1)serving others is the best way to be a person of good cheer and happy, truly trying to love them. I've been trying to do this by taking care of other people but there's still more to be done in order to grasp a connection which I think is better than the physical serving and 2) It's even more difficult to aSk for help when you need it. Contemplating tonight I realized that I miss Tannon. I for some reason I was struck and needed to talk to somebody (Kristen Anderson) in confidence or call Mom and talk to Mom in confidence. Basically I needed a good cry and a chance to communicate forward thinking, forward faith - it's not the event that I dwell on but at times things hit a particular way. I decided that going outside my box would be to talk to Kristen and would be a way for me to listen to that prompting of how to grow closer to people around me. I appreciate that wonderful, beautiful, faithfilled girl so much. We have circumstances and personalities that make us very free and open in conversation especially with each other. I think the conversation was a way to help both of us in particular ways. We talked and talked and talked - and it was wonderful. About our families, the power of faith, loving others in order to act as God's tools, drawing close to others, Bryan and her friend who draw some of the best out in us, our frustrations and then our reconciliations with our natural man inside ourselves - it was simple beautiful. The chance to have that meaningful of a conversation truly this night part of why I won't forget it.
I love the Jehovah of the Old Testament. I love Tannon. I love Drew. I love Kristen. I love tenderness and kindness... and I love inspiration.
We began New Testament today in class and it is truly phenomenal. Brother Draper aids my understanding of the scriptures so much, I am amazed at how they come alive. We discussed the introduction (the Gospels are not in order, the key principles to each book, etc.) as well as the beginning of the Nativity. This was particularly interesting because simultaneously we've been learning about the living conditions of the time and how they would have been living. Nazareth - a burg, Joseph - 18/19 yrs old, poor, Mary - 13/14 yrs old, poor, harsh social conditions with an oppressive king. Mary being thought to have compromised her virtue and having her entire family probably thinking lowly of her. Joseph feeling utterly betrayed for this 'consequence' from his espoused. An angel of the Lord, Gabriel coming to fix everything. She never had to travel to Bethlehem - only the men needed to make an accounting for, the women usually stayed behind. Mary deciding, although great with child and hence slowing the journey down, to go with Joseph because he out of everyone understood her the best (Gabriel enlightening). Jesus' birth was simple and ordinary like anyone elses - close family and midwives. The Draper interpretation of 'rogue' angels probably desperately wanting to celebrate the birth and so scaring the shepherds 'spitless' (of their hot chocolate of course). These shepherds realizing that the Jehovah of the Old Testament has just been born not too far away and their 'political king' they've been waiting for is here. (Wise men of course don't come for a few more years even though we depict them as coming the night of the birth) All these thoughts really touched home to me while we were in Shepherd's Field tonight. We had a small program (Once in Royal David's City with Channing and Emily Ward, Guard Him Joseph Catherine and Kristen Anderson, and First Noel Mike Henderson, Luke, and Spencer Wilcox and more) and afterwards contemplative time. I recalled a "psalm" I made at the beginning of July in 2006 and really felt the spirit strong, had an open gift tonight for writing, and was able to write a page similar to that psalm for where I feel I am right now in life and my feelings for the night. It really meant a lot to me. One part that was neat is that like the Big Dipper which hangs pouring completely on all the inhabitants of the Earth - the Lord blesses and loves us so fully. Bethlehem was very interesting to see - more pleasing to the ears due to the more quiet nature of the area versus the hustle of Jerusalem and Cairo.
Yes, while in Bethlehem we did go to the Church of the Nativity which was very interesting indeed. So many things remind me of pharaohs (Herod killing the children). I bought a fair share of olive wood carvings here (best wood, it's where all the other merchants get their items from, the merchants here are kinder and more honest, and much cheaper prices) but no baby blankets (white, knit, simple but beautiful). I've never seen it but I want to watch: on Christmas Eve around the world, everyone watches the multiple nations singing different carols in Manger Square? That'd be neat.
I still have the spirit with me although I'm nearly going to fall over in this chair I'm so tired. It's been a wonderful night. The contemplative time was very helpful indeed (and the writing I believe will help in the future as well), I was able to help prepare most of the musical program which made it mean so much more to me, I've been trying to near my God more and so am trying to listen to those promptings better. On listening I've found that I've got two areas the Lord knows I can identify (I'm rather dense sometimes and so simple things are good): 1)serving others is the best way to be a person of good cheer and happy, truly trying to love them. I've been trying to do this by taking care of other people but there's still more to be done in order to grasp a connection which I think is better than the physical serving and 2) It's even more difficult to aSk for help when you need it. Contemplating tonight I realized that I miss Tannon. I for some reason I was struck and needed to talk to somebody (Kristen Anderson) in confidence or call Mom and talk to Mom in confidence. Basically I needed a good cry and a chance to communicate forward thinking, forward faith - it's not the event that I dwell on but at times things hit a particular way. I decided that going outside my box would be to talk to Kristen and would be a way for me to listen to that prompting of how to grow closer to people around me. I appreciate that wonderful, beautiful, faithfilled girl so much. We have circumstances and personalities that make us very free and open in conversation especially with each other. I think the conversation was a way to help both of us in particular ways. We talked and talked and talked - and it was wonderful. About our families, the power of faith, loving others in order to act as God's tools, drawing close to others, Bryan and her friend who draw some of the best out in us, our frustrations and then our reconciliations with our natural man inside ourselves - it was simple beautiful. The chance to have that meaningful of a conversation truly this night part of why I won't forget it.
I love the Jehovah of the Old Testament. I love Tannon. I love Drew. I love Kristen. I love tenderness and kindness... and I love inspiration.
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