Falling in Love with St. Louis all over again

Well I had the fortune of procrastinating real life for another week thanks to the visit of some great friends from Provo!  I'm really glad they came for multiple reasons.  One of them being that I was able to get out into the city of St. Louis and remember what it has to offer.  We often don't appreciate what is right in front of us unless we are given a reason to see it.  In this case, I was able to go to the arch and other attractions- which are things I probably wouldn't have done on my own accord.  And can I just say that the arch is glorious?  It makes me proud to be from St. Louis.  Here's me reveling in its glory:

 We also walked down the loop, which is just this street full of cool shops and restaurants.  Another fun thing is that is has "hollywood" stars all along the sidewalks with the name of celebrities from St. Louis on them.  Oh and I found this gem of a mural up on one of the walls.  Needless to say- Viva St. Louis!

 My lovely guest then decided that they wanted to take a tour of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery since it is headquartered in St. Louis and all.  And it was a lot of fun!  Who knew there was so much to making beer?  And that the midwest drinks more beer than any other region in the nation.  I was the only one in our group that was able to pat myself on the back for that major accomplishment.  Here's the souvenir pic that they tried selling me for $20.  I figured I would just take a picture of it with my phone instead.  Taylor is my favorite in this pic (far left):

 We also enjoyed cooking lessons from my wonderful father.  Let's just say that we ate verrrrrry well this weekend.  

 Angela stayed a little longer than the rest of the group so I took her to the botanical gardens.  It was the perfect day to go.  Not too hot and not too humid- which is the more important part.  The Mo Bo gardens are getting ready for their Chinese lantern festival- which is what we are pictured with here:

Overall, it was a splendid weekend.  Now off to the real world.  For realzies this time. 

Tiny Update

Well my post Jerusalem life continues.  Haha eventually I will stop calling my life post Jerusalem life... maybe.... Anyway.  A lot of my time has been spent going to water polo games for my baby bro, Ethan.  And wow is he good!  Here is a pic of our little friend Max cheering Ethan on.  So cute!

 I've also been busy cleaning out my room, since I haven't lived in it since high school and all.  And wow did I find some treasures!  Here is one example:

 This is a pic of me with Barbara and Maia at my first youth conference- which means I am 14 in this picture!  It still feels so weird to be back in my bedroom in my parent's house.  I still feel like I am just visiting and will be heading back to Utah soon, but I am here to stay!  It will take a while for me to get used to that.

I also found a wonderful essay that I wrote in the 4th grade called "Born to Win."  And boy was it funny!  Allow me to share an excerpt with you...

"What does born to win mean to you?  If you don't know then I am going to tell you in my own way.  No one on this earth was meant to be born so they could get beat up, bossed around, or even get bad grades.  We were born to become the best and at least try."

Inspired?  And yes, you can quote me on that one....

In other related news- I finally won hearts! (must have been the essay) This probably won't mean a lot to most of you, but let me give you some background so you can appreciate this win with me.  I played hearts every single day in Galilee and then in Jerusalem after we got back from Galilee.  And I did not win ONCE.  It was kinda sad.  I didn't lose a lot, but I just could never win 1st place!  And I could not shoot the moon to save my life.  BUT let me tell you- I played the other night.  Not only did I win, but I won BECAUSE I shot the moon! Intentionally!  haha.  So yeah... I was born to win people!

 Oh, also I high lighted my hair.  I guess I'm a strawberry blonde now.... I'm still getting used to it.  But I like it.  And I think I will continue to like it more and more the more I get used to it.

So yeah... there you have it!  More to come soon

Last Day in Jerusalem/Post Jerusalem Life

Well my blog continues, even if my life in Jerusalem doesn't.  So a group of us played hearts/cards every single night at the JC and it was so fun!  Jarom named it the lonely hearts club- and I guess we will stick with the name since we haven't thought of anything better.  Here is a pic of some of the member: Travis, myself, Jarom and Sarah Brown!

We also got some oh so cute photos of us around the center with all of the pretty flowers.  Here is myself, Lee and Sarah looking adorable:

The chefs in the oasis prepared us a BBQ feast, which was wonderful!  My table was awesome- it had the Jackson's, Travis, Bonnie, myself and Jarom.  All people that I love and miss terribly!

After some tearful goodbyes, it was finally time to leave Jerusalem.  I can't believe that I'm already back in America!!  It all still feels so surreal.  I got back on Thursday morning and then graduated the next day at 8AM!  I can't believe that I have a bachelor's degree!  I still say that ending my undergraduate career in Jerusalem was one of the best decisions that I have ever made.  I would do it over again a thousand times!  Here's a lovely pic of my fam on my graduation day.  That is a picture of Parker on my mom's phone, in case you are wondering.  He couldn't be there, with him being on a mission and all...

 Cosmo was nice enough to present me with my diploma :)

 On Saturday night, my grandparents hosted a small graduation party with friends and family, which was so fun! It was a great time- I wish all of my JC people could have been there- I was missing them so bad!  Here are some pics of the evening: Emma and I

 Levi, myself, Evan, Emily and Tay Tay- my Provo friends!

 JC crew- I'm so glad they came!  

 One more graduate pic which is out of order... but blogger is being dumb. 

 My last night in Provo was spent with Travis at dinner and then the chocolate!  Great news everyone: I look exactly like Miley Cyrus!  Can't you tell?  These ladies at the chocolate told me that I look and sound exactly like her.  First time I'd ever heard that one before!  But hey I'll take it as a compliment.  Plus I'm sure Travis was just thrilled to be with a Miley look alike! :)

 SO yeah, I'm back in America.  It is really weird.  And my JC withdrawals are much worse than I could have anticipated!  But I'll make it through somehow :)  My life might not be as exciting as it used to be, but I still plan on keeping up with my blog, just as I did before I went to Jerusalem in the first place.  So until next time!

Last Free Day of my Study Abroad

Quick post- might be the last one I do in Jeru! On Sunday we went to Ein Karim, which is the birth place of John the Baptist. The village is so awesome! There were multiple churches there, which were really cool and then shops and such. Here's a pic of us at the church of St. John the Baptist:

Later that day we took a tour of the Knesset, which was really cool. Here I am in front of the room where parliament is!
This is a statue outside of the Knesset:
Then yesterday we had a field trip to different sites from the last week of the Savior's life. Here's a pic of me inside of Lazarus' tomb at Bethany:
This is the tear drop church, commemorating the place where Jesus looked out over the city and wept over Jerusalem.
Here is Madison and I looking out at the city, just as Christ would have done.
Sorry this is short- but we are leaving tomorrow and I have to pack!!

Go ahead, congratulate me

Dear world,

I just took the last final of my undergraduate career. Needless to say, I am STOKED!!! For all of you that are still in school- go ahead and be jealous :) YAY!!!!

Love,

Grace

The Dead Sea and More!

Yesterday we took a trip south for our final field trip outside of Jerusalem! (can you believe it?) First we went to Masada, which was pretty cool. It is basically just a larger fortress on top of a mountain near the Dead Sea. We took cable cars up to the top, which was a lot of fun. Here's a pic of Jen and I in one of the rooms of the northern palace there:

We then went to an oasis in the desert called Ein Gedi, which had a lot of waterfalls and springs there. It was really great because it is getting SO hot here in Israel. It was like 96-100 degrees outside! So it was nice to hike up to the water falls and then be able to cool off by dipping your feet in the cool water. Here's a pic of Bon-Bon and I at the main waterfall:
Ein Gedi and the Dead Sea (our next location) were packed because it is basically Jewish spring break over here. It's passover week, so no school- which means time for family vacation! So there were a lot of people at these places, but it was still a lot of fun and a great experience. So yeah, the Dead Sea was just crazy. I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly salty it is. And you can literally not sink in it. You can't even keep your legs underneath you because you float like crazy. It seriously blows your mind. It was the weirdest feeling ever. Definitely a cool thing to do, even the water made you feel pretty gross because it was kinda slimy and so extremely salty. Here we are just floating away!
The Dead Sea also has these mud pits that people use to exfoliate their skin. So I guess the thing to do it put mud all over your body and then wash it off in the Dead Sea... So I joined along... When in Rome, right? Those white rocks behind us in this pic are just salt pile ups from the sea. Pretty crazy. The entire shore line is just pure salt crystals that are HUGE.
Then we ended our day at Qumran, where we got to see where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The cave in this pic is the most famous one- cave #4 to be exact. haha.
Overall a great day! I'll be spending my last night in Israel one week from tonight- boo!

Spending Easter in Jerusalem, what could be better?

Well it was Easter this past Sunday, as you all know. And it was the best Easter of my life, seriously. All of these events happened in Jerusalem and here I am having the opportunity to celebrate that in the holy land. Once again, I am so blessed and simply overwhelmed with gratitude. A group of us woke up extremely early in order to go to the Garden Tomb service at sunrise. And it was SUCH a powerful experience. The workers there just simply know what they are doing. They are the kindest people- true Christians! They are all from the UK and just do everything so well. The service was absolutely amazing. Here is Jarom and I waiting in line at 6 in the morning!

Then inside of the garden, they had a live band playing Christian music. And the music was just so powerful and lively. And I was so touched by all of the words. The spirit was so strong there! Everyone there could feel it. And once again the feeling of Christians from all over the world from all different sects were there to celebrate the miracle that Jesus lives! And it was just amazing. Words seriously cannot describe it. I just cried with tears of joy and gratitude. And Easter now just has even more significance to me, even though I have always known that it was important. Here is me in front of the tomb with the band next to it:
They also had a sermon that was absolutely incredible. It is amazing to me how much I have learned from the Christians here. It is truly inspiring. Here is the podium that he spoke at:
Here we are in the crowd!
The tomb was closed to remind us that the tomb is empty- "He is not here- for He is risen!"
I will never forget this day. I know you get tired of me saying this, but seriously. I. Am. BLESSED!

The Western Wall: A Closer Look

So yesterday we went on yet another field trip to the Western Wall. This time, however, we went underneath the center and saw the entire Western Wall as opposed to just the exposed section that you see in pictures. It was really cool! The Western Wall is the most famous wall because it is closest to where the holy of holies would have been in the temple. Here's a group of us getting ready to go into the Kotel Tunnel- which is where the rest of the wall is. We were all wearing ready shirts! From left to right is Dylan, Sarah, myself, Jarom and Travis.

This is me inside of the tunnel, touching the most holy stone because it was directly across from where the holy of holies was.
And here's Dill and I outside of the Western Wall plaza. Overall a good field trip!
P.S. Aren't you so proud of me for being so on top of this blog? This literally happened yesterday people!! Oh and Happy Good Friday!

More Jeru Fun- my time here is coming to a close :(

On Tuesday a group of us went to Pater Noster church- which is the place that I blogged about earlier with all of the different Lord's prayers in different languages. We went there to read the account in Mark 13 to continue or celebration of Holy Week. When we first got there, however, it wasn't opened yet, so we decided to go to the tomb of the prophets first. It was kinda ghetto, but still really fun. You go underground and then it is just a bunch of caves. They give you candles since it is pitch black down there, and that is pretty exciting. Apparently prophets such as Malachi and Haggai are buried there... pretty cool! Even though highly unlikely in my humble opinion. Well here's some pics: Travis and I at the entrance

Inside with our candles:
That night we went and saw the Hunger Games! It was pretty good. Here is us on the way to the movie- this is me inside a Travis sandwich.
The next day (yesterday) we went on our Jewish quarter field trip. This is David and I in front of the broad wall- which is one of the original walls during the time of Jesus.
We also went to the original steps up to the temple mount that Jesus himself would have DEFINITELY walked on. Not one of those sites that he may more may not have been to. He was there. And walked on these steps. Here is me walking in the same place as Christ!
This is me sitting on the steps. I'm on the original steps. The ones behind me are restored.
Pretty much it was an awesome day. More fun to come!

Snorkeling at Eilat!

This past Monday we headed down to Eilat (4 hour drive!) for some awesome snorkeling! We basically just sat on the beach and snorkeled all day. I'm not sure what else to tell ya... haha. It was an awesome day though! Notice my awesome tan line that I got from Palm Sunday the day before! This is Danielle, myself and Lee

Janae and I on the dock:
We ate at this restaurant in Eilat with all of these cows outside of it.... I'm guessing it was because there was a lot of dairy products inside... who knows? Either way it was good. And of course we had to get some pics with the cows.
Overall a great day!

Palm Sunday! I'll never be the same

Palm Sunday. One of the best days to be in Jerusalem, if you are a Christian. A big group of us went to join in on the walk from Bethphage to St. Anne's church in the old city- which is where Jesus walked during his triumphant entry. So cool!! There were thousands of Christians there from all different sects and from all over the world. There was such a cool feeling of unity- especially since Jerusalem often seems to be engulfed in the Muslim/Jewish conflict. We started out at the church in Bethphage on the mount of Olives. You could buy palm leaves there, which many did. I didn't buy a huge one, because they were a little pricey, but here's a pic of Travis and I holding some:

This is Janae, Dylan and I inside of the church. Notice the artwork in the back.
Travis and I bought some palm leaf crosses for a dollar, they were pretty sweet. And we are hardcore Christians!
Here's all of the people making the walk.
We ended up being in front of this group of Africans- and boy did they know how to praise Jesus! They were singing with drums and guitars while dancing during the entire 2 and half hour walk! I couldn't believe their energy! So of course we joined in on it. It was sooooo fun! I couldn't believe how awesome it was. We were literally dancing and jumping up and down and singing the entire time. And it was so hot outside. Let's just say I was extremely tired at the end of the day... Oh and I got interviewed for the news! So that was exciting as well.
And here we are at the end- there is St. Anne's church behind us.
Let's just say that it was amazing!!!! If you ever have the chance to be in Jerusalem for a Palm Sunday then DO IT! I feel like a true pilgrim now.