October 16, 2007

Lauran Lloyd
V.L. Ludlow
October 16, 2007
Today is my Mom's birthday. My morning began in the gym rocking out on the bikes with President Browning and Brother Draper – good times. The rest of the morning was taken up with classes: Arabic, Old Testament, and Ancient Near Eastern Studies.
Lunch ensued, then Sarah Johnson, Kendra, and I went out exploring. We were trying to find a twenty-four hour convenience store we had heard was situated down a dirt path leading from the center. After wandering around in a field for a bit some Palestinian workers took pity on us and tried giving us directions out – they didn't know where the store was either. We decided to take advantage of this adventure and meandered around a Muslim neighborhood for a few hours. We found a plethora of mini-markets with cheap candy,pop-shekels, and fruit.
It was really fun being able to casually stroll through the streets and really see what the people are like here. Everyone was very friendly, and I enjoyed being able to see the more natural side of the individuals who exist in the mad situation created in this part of the world – the "real" Jerusalem. Orientation back in Provo had made me rather paranoid to come over here, and I spent the first month out in the city not smiling and looking down, avoiding eye contact, not wanting to 'provoke' anyone, but I realized out on the walk that people here really are just like people everywhere else.
I really enjoyed being out there among them, the kids and the mothers and the teenage guys hanging out. I love the people here and I hope to spend many more months throughout my life among them.
We sprinted back to the JC in time for class – Palestinian, 347. I got to talk to Mom and wish her a "Happy Birthday!" afterwards, then I headed to dinner. I ended up staying up way way way late watching movies, talking, and otherwise partying my socks off with various fellow JC-goers.
I don't know if I can choose a favorite part of this experience – so much has happened. The first thing to jump into my mind was watching the sun rise on the top of Mt. Sinai. It was so peaceful sitting through dawn, and when the sun burst into the sky it filled the view with a breathtaking brilliancy. But, I think I will choose the time I spent on the Mount of Temptation. The monastery was pretty cool, but it was actually during the hike down that the mount became memorable. I ended up situated between two groups of hikers, so I was able to travel in relative solitude (by JC standards, anyway). I was overwhelmed with what happened on that mountain. Christ had just been baptized, and then he wandered out into the wilderness to "be with God" (JST Matt. 4:1). After He had "communed with God" (JST Matt. 4:2) he came to this Mount of Temptation. What must Christ have learned during those forty days when he communed with God? It was right after His baptism and right before His call to the apostles – it must have included His endowment, as well as incredible visitations of love and knowledge from the Father.
I can't even imagine what those weeks must have held. Walking down that mountain, where Christ showed such strength in resisting temptation, I realized how human He really was at times, and I felt closer to Him. It is stirring to note that it is during the quiet moments of solitude in this country, when we truly commune with God, that the most poignant and lasting memories are made.