A Light Always Before Me

jerusalemshots.co, ce.byu.edu.jc

Ten years ago I had the chance to attend the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, otherwise known as the Jerusalem Center. If I had to rate it in a life experience category, it would top my list. I learned so much-about myself, about others, about the gospel, and about the "Holy City". It is difficult to describe the experiences I had because the feelings and emotions associated with the smells, sights and sounds are not easily described with words.
We had a Ten year reunion on Friday night. It was so fun to get caught up with old friends and to remember some of the moments often forgotten when thinking of my experience. One can only relate if having been there but here are a few examples: traveling "polygamist style" when going into the city-one guy to every two girls, seeing how many students can be crammed into a sharute, wearing the ugliest "Shaban" pants you have ever seen, eating Nutella on a pita for a snack, and knowing who belonged to the center by seeing navy blue backpacks from miles away.
I knew there were many talented people when I was there. Having time to catch up with them only confirms that. But I was also delivered sad news this morning. A girl, my visiting teacher while there, passed away the very day of the reunion from oral cancer. It is always sad to hear that kind of news. I have received it a few too many times this year.
This song was written by one of the students while at Jerusalem and has always found a small way to relate some of my feelings.

City of Peace
by Cameron Pedersen

Here I stand in this Land
So far away from home.
This whirlwind day has swept me away
And set me down here alone.
It's just me and my quest, a search to get
What others say can be found:
To find my friend the Savior of Men,
And to feel his love all around.

I see new faces of many who just like me,
Came with empty bags to fill
Full of moments to remember,
thoughts to forever,
And answers to questions had still.

We visit the places and examine the traces
Of those who searched long before us.
But no one can find peace of that kind
In something built up from the dust.

Every sunset I see seems to remind me
That I won't be here fo long.
O how I stuggle inside, and cry that I
Might find what I need before I'm gone.

I've spent much time on my knees,
And all those humble pleas
Have prepared my heart for God's Son.
But no lesson has been learned
By a heart that has burned
Without doing the things He has done.

As I serve and as I love,
blessings from above
Seem to fall upon me all the time.
And as I fill the bags of others,
soon I discover
That somehow, someone's filled mine.

Every sunrise I see whispers to me
Of each day I have in this land
To learn more and more of the Savior
So that he may lead me by the hand.

I knew that all this was going to end.
I knew it from the very start.
And as the years go by, every time I look at the night sky
The stars will whisper this to my heart:

Here I stand in this land
So far away from home.
This whirlwhind day had swept me away
And set me down here alone.

Across the ocean are my deepest emotions,
And memories that will never cease.
But there will always be a light before me
In Jerusalem, City of Peace.

Every sunrise I see will always remind me
of a beautiful land in the East.
For I will have a light always before me
In Jerusalem, City of Peace.

Fantasy Flops

Fanatasy Football is over. I took 3rd in the league. . .THIRD. I should have atleast taken 2nd but the week it really mattered how my QB did, he was horrible. He had horrible weather, horrible stats, and a horrible, measily 3 points for me. I made some pretty incedible moves right before, like picking up a kicker who got me 19pts (my highest point player for the week) and pulling Frank Gore out, switching defenses, and picking up Donald Lee as my tight end. What can I say? My husband doesn't understand my "moves" but what does it matter. It helped get me points. Except for Brady. My fantasy is over.

Singing Christmas Here

Kid 1 had his Preschool Christmas Program last week. It was pretty cute. They came in with their noses painted red, wearing antlers in Rudolph style. Kid 1 seemed a little scared, truly a deer in headlights. You could hear one little girl quite well. Her mom must have been so proud. Kid 1 was so excited because he got to do the chimes with a select few students. I think he hit the thing once, but he nailed it!!!

Better Price

Just in, B got his car back and we only had to pay $200 for the fox damage vs. $1000. What a relief.

Spreadin' The Elfin' Cheer

Merry Christmas to All!!! This is a Christmas wish from my little elf family to yours. If the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1366217329

ENJOY!!!

Tag, You're It

I think I have been tagged a few times, a while ago, and have yet taken the time to do something about it. Part of it is I don't know five things to write about myself, the other part is I haven't had time to sit and actually think.
Here are some of my quirks:

1. My family is one of the most important things in my life. Being a mother and wife has changed my outlook and perspective on so many things. Not only has it taught me more about myself than I sometimes care to know, it has given me more faith and belief than I could have hoped for. I have been so blessed with a great husband and kids, wonderful parents, tons of siblings and 25 fun nieces and nephews (this list includes in-laws). It has taken me years to truly understand the importance of family.
2. I am an avid reader. I disappear for a few days when I get into a book. It doesn't matter if I love the book or not, it will be completed usually within a week, if not a couple of days. I love all different genres and love to learn things through reading.
3. I love to travel. I have been to so many places but there are so many more places I would love to go. I have found that it is harder to do international travel with kids, and I only hope someday that they can go with me. I can't say that I have one favorite place to go over another because they all offer something completely different. Here is a list of all the countries I have visited or lived in: Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Mexico, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Honduras and Belize. I think that is all of them and I have visited almost all states-maybe all but 10. I would love to do more travel to the Far East and Middle East. I also would love to visit a few countries in South America, wouldn't mind going to Australia. I hope my next trip though will be to the Ukraine and a few outlying countries (MOM/DAD that is a hint)!!!
4. I need exercise. I haven't been very good about going lately and I can give you all of the excuses in the world right now, but won't. I love the release of endorhpins exercise provides. It keeps me happy and rejuvenated. It gives me a little "me" time, and it helps me feel good about myself.
5. I have not had very many "jobs" where I get paid in my life. When I used to have to fill out my resume, I always had to make things sound a lot better than they usually were. . .like being an OFFICE JANITOR. I cleaned my dad's office-ONCE A WEEK while in high school and got paid a ridiculous amount of money. Then I worked for him as a receptionist/filer. My first job was being a newspaper carrier and of course I always had jobs around the house I could get money out of my mom for. My first real job was at Primary Children's as a Nurse. I love being a nurse and taking care of people. I have the need to nurture others and this is just one way I can do it and reap so many rewards for it. I continue to work there randomly (a couple of times a month). It gives me such insight, a break, and helps me to appreciate my kids health so much more.

Fantasy Playoffs

I made it into the playoffs. But, I am in serious need of a tight end. Not that kind of a tight end, even though I need one of those too (time to get to the gym). I keep telling my husband I am going to try and finagle some players from those who didn't make it into the playoffs. Tell them to drop the players just when I happen to be on so I can pick them up. Won't happen, but I'll let you know how I do.

New Recommendations

I had class yesterday at work, referred to as "Mandatory Class Day". All in all, it is a beneficial way to get updated on changes, learn about new equipment or technology, and reminders for people like me who work very little. My favorite thing is how the American Heart Association (AHA)makes new guidelines and recommendations about every quarter. It makes it difficult to know and remember just exactly how many times I am supposed to compress someones chest before I give them a breath. But now, for all you out there, the new guideline for a witnessed adult collapse is this (meaning you watch an adult grasp their chest and fall over) JUST DO COMPRESSIONS AND GET AN AED (automated external defibrillator) ASAP. Pound on that chest until you are blue in the face and hopefully your victim won't be. And remember that is atleast 100 compressions a minute.

A Costly Hit

It looks like the damage to B's car includes a cracked radiator, a cracked bumper and the under case that holds the insides of his car together is broken. Running over a fox with a car $2100 ($1000 ded), listening to B explain what happened, priceless.

A Run in With a Foxy Lady

B was driving home from the Jazz game on Friday night, cruising along with some buddies, when suddenly he hit something. I should say he CRUSHED something. He was going 70 mph when suddenly he saw something out of the corner of his eye. The best he could do was grip the wheel steadily (luckily, if he had try to swerve he probably would have rolled), and hit it. He said he felt the impact and then about 5seconds later felt it under his back wheels. He pulled up to the next light when his car started shaking violently. By the time he dropped his buddy off, the car was smoking, and smelt like fried animal. They all agreed that it was probably a fox because it seemed pretty little and had a bushy tail. I'll let you know what damage was done to the car when we get an estimate on it. We know it atleast cracked the front bumper grill. We are just hoping it didn't crack the radiator. Kid 2 keeps on asking me why daddy got hit by a fox. I have tried to explain it to her but can't seem to break it to her that the thing was mostly likely killed by her dad. I'll just have to let her keep on thinking the thing is like Swiper the fox from Dora and will reappear sometime later to tease her daddy.

Arguing with a 2 year old

The whole last year Kid 1 has been so excited to turn "5" that we have had a countdown for as long as I can remember. His birthday came and went, and now he keeps on asking us when he is going to turn 6. I can't believe I have another year of this. I keep on telling him to enjoy being the age he is, but he can't. I haven't decided if it is the presents one gets for a birthday, or just him wanting to be older. Which brings me to Kid 2. This little girl is such a spit fire. She has such a fun little personality, but is very independent and bull headed. I was telling her it was her birthday this week and this is the conversation we had:

S: Kid 2, it is your birthday this week, how old are you going to be?
Kid 2: Five
S: No you aren't. You are going to be 3.
Kid 2: Uh uh. I am going to be 5.
S: You are only 2 right now.
Kid 2: No, I am 4.
S: I promise, you are only 2.
Kid 2: (Screaming, and screaming and screaming) NOOOO, NOOO I am not.

She continues protesting and trying to convince me that she is an age she is not. I have no choice to ignore her and let her believe what she wants. Two bull-headed, independent people who like to be right going up against each other, doesn't always make for a pretty fight. I had to back down this time. After all, it was with a 2 year old. I dare any of you to try and argue with this one.