November 3, 2007

Meg Rampton

3 November 2007

In the Jerusalem center we have our Sunday worship services on Saturday. At first I thought that I wouldn’t like it very much and have a hard time getting used to it. But it quickly became one of the most restful days of the week. I love Shabbat! Today was fast and testimony meeting. It was wonderful. Many of the testimonies were about the love of Heavenly Father and that he hears and answers our prayers. I know this is true and that he does. Many of the testimonies testified of our Savior Jesus Christ. As I sat there in the beautiful chapel I overlooked the old city. I could see the top of the church of the Holy Sepulture as we as the Garden tomb. Both possibilities of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection place. My heart was overfull with the knowledge that he lives and I was so grateful to be in this very place where he lived, taught, atoned, died, and resurrected all for me.

This semester of studying the Old Testament has been such an eye opener for me. I have learned so many things. Mostly the fear of the unknown in the Old Testament has been replaced with the spirit of power as I know and understand what happened in the Old Testament. Before I came to Jerusalem it had been 10 years since my high school freshman experience of studying it and I honestly don’t remember any of it. I have learned many things but I think mostly it has been able to place all of the stories in the context of history and location. Sadly I had no idea that the city of David was right here in Jerusalem let alone had I made the connection before that King David was the same David who beat Goliath. I am so grateful for this experience and so excited about the unexpected plethora of knowledge that has been acquired during my first two months in Jerusalem.