You Got Some Pipes...

So...have you ever wondered how bell towers work? Well let me tell you...after all I got to play one today. That's right folks everyone in Jerusalem got to hear as I played "Morning Song" on the bell chimes at the YMCA. I was a little nervous but it actually was a lot of fun. We wanted to keep doing it again and again but sadly we only had an hour. Now its my new dream and goal to play the bell tower at BYU!! :) Maybe someday....

 The bells!

 We had to climb up and down a lot of winding staircases.

 Yup this is where the magic happens

Our lovely group! 

 "Its time to stay at the YMCA!"

 We love donuts!! Yup I ate the whole thing...and proud of it

 Funky glasses! 

After a long day I needed a nap...to bad these pillows are concrete....:(

Bomb Prom!

Today seemed like a blurr....So many exciting things happened. First of all....newspapers in America exaggerate everything when it comes to Jerusalem. Whoever has Deseret News and read the article about "Jerusalem Students Safe as Bomb fall around Jerusalem" First of all..there are no bombs. It was two mini missiles. The Israeli government believes that the missiles are now exhausted so there shouldn't be anymore coming from Gaza anytime soon. The sirens went on in the city we were ushered into our bomb shelter. It isnt exactly how you would imagine. We hold nursery in the up stairs bomb shelter and the one downstairs has ping pong and laundry. We are extremely safe here. First of all we are less than a kilometer from the third holiest site for Muslims  "The Dome of the Rock". I feel extremely safe and I know that we are protected. We were the first Jerusalem Center students to be sent to the bomb shelter for an emergency though! So yes...we made history. We recovered quickly and went to JC Prom. It was a piliga-date. There were 2-3 girls per boy! I went with my friend Michael and he was hilarious! It was just a ton of fun dancing and going crazy. Also dressing up for once. We all borrowed each other's clothes to switch it up. So here at the JC we make history! :) I am safe and will be here for the rest of the semester..We are heading off to Galilee on Monday! 

Stuck in the Bomb Shelter

 Yup thats my date!

Randomness that is the Life of Erin

So this week has been kind of crazy...There has been a lot going on! So here are a couple random fun things...

So here in the JC we are super cool...we have ping pong tournaments. We had a announcer..intros with lights...and cheer sections. It was a big deal. 

These guys were way good! 

Going out in the city Monday! This is my group...I accidentally left them behind on the curb..

This is the section of the city that is for Orthadox Jews...I didnt get a very good picture because obviously they wouldnt like pictures...

Some random sandwich this guy had us try...it was pretty good. 

The Great Synagogue! 

So after picking the olives we finally had the chance to use an authentic olive press and press the olives! 

Its a lot harder then it looks...

Olive Juice!

This week was spirit week! :) Today was my favorite...TWIN DAY!! (we basically won..)

 Kings Tomb!...very dark and scary..

 Its really pitch black in this picture...but the flash made it bright for the picture. 

Just  exploring like Indiana Jones :) So much fun! 

I Spy a Church

Second field trip of the week! Went to the Christian quarter and saw a lot of different beautiful churches! There were lots of them that I hadn't seen yet. So lots of beautiful experiences. 

Terra Sanctae Church

Nicole :) 

Russian Orthodox church of St. Alexander Nevsky (look its glowing!)

Inside the russian orthadox church with Em and Al.

Katie Church and I in a Church!

It was an orange themed day..

Syriac Orthodox Church of St. Mark. The nun here sang the Lord's prayer for us in Aramaic and then told us stories of different miracles that have occurred in the church. In the basement is the room they believe housed the last supper. (There are other churches that claim this as well)

Amy I in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. 

Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 

Jewish Quarter :)

This was a way fun field trip! We got to go to a bunch of places in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem. We went to the Wohl Museum, Burnt House and the Davidson Park. It was a party! :) Just walking around the city with my favorite people in the world was great! We even got to stay out after and do some shopping! It was a great day to be in the city and the weather was BEAUTIFUL! I still look around sometimes and I cant believe that I am here. This place is beyond amazing. 

 One of my favorite girls Alesheea. I just really liked the purple bush

 Black cat! in the middle of the museum...I told you cats are EVERYWHERE!!

 Just some ruins...nbd

 Me and Caitie with our creepy statue...

 Just stoppin for some lunch..

 Me and Michael! 

 Bethany and Hailey! I love these girls! 

 This is part of the ancient pinnacle of the temple...They think this could have been where Jesus was tempted by the devil. 

 This is one of the places that people are almost positive the Savior was. He would have walked out of this ancient gate to exit the temple.

 Just hanging on Jerusalem's wall...

I LOVE SHOPPING!

I Believe in Christ

Yesterday I had the chance to go to the Garden Tomb. Being in Jerusalem we have chances to go to these incredible places right in our back yard that I feel like sometimes I take it for granted. Just yesterday I was talking to my dad on the phone and he asked, "So...what did you do today." I said, "oh I went to church...and then we just went to the garden tomb." I then thought later about my words. I feel like in our everyday lives we take for granted the things that truly mean the most, like our family, friends and most of all my savior. He isn't "just" my savior. He is my best friend, my comforter, my guide, my teacher, my example and everything. I don't want to ever forget all that he does for me. Without him I would be nothing. Without his sacrifice there would be no hope or joy. I want all people to know that I believe in Christ. I know this without a shadow of a doubt. He loves and knows me. Everyday I want to strive to be more like him. I know my redeemer lives..what comfort this sweet sentence gives. I will never deny it. I cant wait for my mission that I can help share the joy that I gain from this incredible gospel. 

He lives. 

He loves you and me. 

And this, I will never take for granted.