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.
