A Goliath of a Blog Post

...I know, my blog post titles are the punniest things you've ever seen. Hello everyone, and welcome to the latest update of my life! As some of you [hopefully] have realized, it's been a while. So this post is going to be pretty big. I'll try to use as few words as possible, so bear with me. These pictures are kind of in a weird order, but it'll suffice. Place #1: Tomb of the Prophets. You all know how big a fan I was of Tomb of the Kings, so when I found out that there was a tomb of the prophets, I had to go. It wasn't quite as cool--no prophets were actually buried there--but we got candles to light the way this time! So of course we had a lot of fun with that. Here are some pictures from the expedition:

Coca-Cola shout-out!

Some random engravings on the wall

We felt like ancient archeologists or something.

Next, Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv was just as beautiful as it was last time, except this time I got to spend more time in the water! It was absolutely delightful. We also played some sports on the beach as well, which was fun, I guess... Side note: I've been having some large helpings of humble pie while I've been here in relation to sports. I think my new all-time low was when we were playing beach volleyball: the ball was going out on our side (so we would've gotten the point), but then I still didn't quite get that fact in my head, so I went for it. And of course I tripped while I was diving for the ball and I fell and... the ball landed on my head. So it was their point since it touched me. Not my finest moment, but it was pretty funny. Anyway, here are some pictures from our grand day out:

My beautiful roommate Angela

Twix and Kinder Bueno Bar gelato = best combination ever.

Next: informal student talent show. It was an awesome night; hands-down the best talent show I've been to. I didn't feel the need look at the clock because it felt too long, and that's saying something. Anyway, I was in a dance competition, a singing/piano routine, and a skit. They all turned out rather well--I had a number of people come up to me and say things like "You're funny! I had no idea that you were so funny." Nothing like a crazy dance routine and a fake break-up to show your true colors. My camera died after the first few acts, but here are a few pictures from my first act: 

Talent show (I was Ash Ketchum... I mean Chadwick)

Our awesome choreography

Fatstreet's Back, Alright!

We've had a few field trips since last time I blogged. This one was one of my favorites: we went to a biblical flora and fauna national park--it was awesome. Here are some pictures from that one:

This guy could read the Torah in four different dialects!

I feel like Morgan isn't in my blog enough. He's fantastic.

Rebecca at the well! Or at the cistern, I guess.

Proud of my homemade pita!

Favorite goat picture of the day

Just herding the sheep

Our next field trip was to the Shfelah valley--in case you were wondering, it's pronounced "Shvay-lah," not "Shef-e-lah." In fact, here's a little ditty that we'd sing that day to help us remember the correct pronunciation. For those of you who have heard "My Boyfriend's Back" by The Angels, I suggest you sing it to that tune:

Goliath's back, and you're gonna be in trouble

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

He's nine feet high and his chin is kinda double

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

He's got a big spear like a weaver's beam

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

When King Saul saw it, he started out to scream

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

And, he really is a giant!

And, he's working for a tyrant!

Now David went down to the Valley of Elah

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

Takin' his brothers some cheeses from his Papa

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

His brothers said "Hey Dave, ya did a na-na"

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

Goliath just a stood there laughin' "ha ha!"

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

And, he really is a giant!

And, he's working for a tyrant!

The Israelites were standin' on the hill on the one side

oh-oooooooo.....

The Philistines were standin' on the hill on the other side

oh-oooooooo.....

Wait and see!

So Dave chose five stones out of the wadi

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

Goliath started talkin' kinda "potty"

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

David slung a stone into his head

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

The giant fell down on his face and he was dead

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's back!

And, the giant fell down dead

And, then Dave cut off his head!

Shfelah, Shfelah, Goliath's dead!

...Hope you enjoyed that. I certainly did--I kept on annoying everyone by alternating between all of the harmonies (along with trying some new ones out) in a super-loud voice. Oh, well. So, in case you couldn't guess, the Shfelah is the place (specifically Elah valley) where David fought Goliath. We got to go to the actual river bed (probably) where David stooped down and picked up some stones. And then we did the same thing and practiced our slingshot skills. I wasn't very good, but it was still a really fun experience. Plus some of us got to do a reenactment of the whole story--I was David's mother and I added an unusual addition to my collection of accents... Think Mrs. Potato Head from Toy Story 2 and 3. It was great. Anyway, here are some pictures from that part of the field trip:

We have sign on our bus that's specialized for each of our field trips... I was a big fan of this one.

David vs. Goliath

A ferocious battle, as you can see.

My sling and me

Brother Chadwick showing us how it's done!

One of my favorite places of the day was the Bell Caves--there were some domed caves that we got to go into and sing hymns. The acoustics were wonderful... I loved it. All of the domes had a hole cut out of the top so that the caves would be lit, so we had some fun pictures playing in the light. Here's one that I like:

We also went into an olive press--that was awesome as well. Apparently olive presses need to be covered in order to be completely effective, so most were built in caves and things like that. Here's the one we saw:

And of course we had to go into some tombs while we were there as well:

Real, mature, I know. It was pretty neat, though. Alright, here are the rest of the pictures from the batch:

Is it bad that I kind of want Dr. Kearl to see this vandalism? It's really soft rock, so it doesn't matter--don't worry.

Keeping tabs on the wildlife for Joseph!

Jenessa and me--she's wonderful.

If only I could read Hebrew...

A bunch of birdbrains at the largest dovecote in the country

TC!

Death by limestone. Kudos to David Winters for the idea for this picture.

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but every week the Jerusalem Center has famous musicians come and play in its upper auditorium. Tickets are free, too. It's awesome. Why are such great musicians willing to play for such little money, do you ask? Because of the venue. Check it out.

Not too many people get to play in settings like this one. Anyway, I've gone to the past two concerts and they've been incredible. This past one was a small chamber group--I didn't take many pictures lest I bother the people next to me, but here's one--it's the only male harpist I think I've ever seen:

In further news, we had a lunar eclipse the other night! That was pretty sweet. I couldn't get a very good picture (since there's not much for my camera's flash to bounce off of except the sky), but it's the thought that counts, right? Here's one that isn't too blurry:

Okay, so it's still a little blurry, but I'm guessing that you'll forgive me. We took a field trip to Hezekiah's tunnel this past week as well, but no pictures from that one (it's filled with water and I didn't think that an expensive camera coupled with my lack of any sense of balance would be a good combination). Instead, you get a spiritual thought! At the end of the tunnel is the Pool of Siloam. Those of you who are New Testament buffs probably remember that the Pool of Siloam is where Jesus Christ healed the man who was blind since his birth. As you remember, Jesus had an interesting method of healing in that circumstance: He spat in the dirt, made some clay, and wiped it on the man's eyes. Then He told him to go and wash in the Pool of Siloam. The pool is where all of the water from the spring ends up, and trust me... it's pretty gross. So why did Jesus heal the man this way? He could've put oil and spices on the man's eyes and then told him to wash in a bubbling spring and get the same result. The reason is that people could've said that the oil and spices healed the blind man--Christ's unsanitary method of healing this man further proved the truth... That He is the Son of God, and that He has the power to heal. And just as He healed this man, so too can He heal us. All of us. And just as this man recognized the Savior (even though He was gone by the time the man was healed) and worshipped Him on their next meaning, we can also seek to know Him well enough so that we can recognize Him when the time comes.

On a completely different note, we saw the separation wall the other day. It was big and ugly and really out of place. However, it's done a very good job about reducing the rate of suicide bombings here--that's why I'm able to stay here for four months without getting hurt. There was something interesting said that I hadn't thought about; our tour guide stated that even though the bombers were subdued, "this wall is separating Palestinians from Palestinians, families from families. When that happens, peaceful people are radicalized." I hope that that doesn't happen. Anyway, there was graffiti all over the wall, and guess what? It was written in English. Meaning that the messages on there weren't targeted towards Palestinians or Israelis--they were targeted towards us. Take a look:

Okay. Last thing: we had a Passover Seder service yesterday. Oh, whoops! Not the last thing. I actually got to go to an Orthodox Jewish Shabbat service last Friday night--it was really neat. I obviously didn't take any pictures since I didn't want to be rude, but I gained some great insight. Two most interesting points: one, there are sections of text in the service that are supposed to be read by "the mourner." I wondered if I was at a funeral service on accident, but then everyone read those parts together out loud. I then realized that since Israel isn't at peace, since the Messiah hasn't come, and since the Jewish people aren't all in Jerusalem, we (meaning all of the Jews) are all mourners. Interesting, right? Point number two: one footnote written in the prayerbook said that "we talk to God more than we talk about God. Instead of worshiping Him with academic detachment, we show our faith to Him through song." I want to be more like that in my own worship. Okay, Seder Service. It was great! It wasn't the same service that the Savior did (the one we do today originated around 250 AD), but it was still cool. Here are some pictures from that event:

Singing Hebrew songs 

Julie presenting the lost (now found) piece of matza

The Judd family!

Some of us got a little punch-drunk from the grape juice.

The ritual washing

The prayerbook

The plate with the six symbolic foods (I guess that's what you call them?)

That's it. Really. Well, besides the fact that we had Israeli folk dancing tonight, which was a blast. And we're going to Jordan next week, which will be fantastic! For those of you who have endured to the end and read this entire post, I've got a present for you: I'm turning my mission papers soon! Only two more interviews and then two weeks and I'll get it! I'll keep all of you posted--don't worry. :) Anyway, I'm feeling great, you're all wonderful, and enjoy life! 

Until next time,

Becca