As I've said many times, every day is a great day in Jerusalem! But, in spite of that, hard times still come, sad things still happen, and the world spins madly on. Yesterday a member of our family here in Jerusalem had to leave us and return home to his family. Sterling May is one of the good friends I've made here and one of the greatest examples I have ever met. He is so strong in his faith and so obedient to the promptings of the spirit. There is nothing more important to him than the gospel and his family. He is a deep thinker, an intelligent conservationist, and an irreplaceable friend. Sterling's family in Utah needed him which is understandable, and commendable of him to heed the call from the spirit to return to the states, but his family here will miss him very much. We all love you very much Sterling, and miss you already!
Sterling and I the night before he left.
Sterling and I on the day of his departure. What a handsome man!
Your Jerusalem family can't wait to see you at the airport sterling!
Sterling's departure really got me to thinking about the whole experience of being here and how incredibly lucky I really am to be here. There are not many people who get an experience like this. I want to clarify something for you all. You can have experiences, just like the ones I've been having in Jerusalem, in the comfort and privacy of your own home. I always thought to myself, "When I go to Jerusalem, my life will be changed, my testimony will be strengthened, and I will know my savior." There have been events that have happened that have helped to bring all those things to pass, but it's not the being in Jerusalem that does it. It's the desire, focus, dedication, and action that is taken in making those things happen. It's not where I am that is building me as a person. I haven't changed because I've changed my location of residence, I've changed because I've changed my habits, thoughts, actions, priorities, etc. Don't get me wrong, Jerusalem is incredible and it definitely makes the task of growing as a person a lot easier, but it's not where you are so much as what you do that builds who you are.
In other exciting news, it snowed this week in Jerusalem!!! Can you believe it?!?! I never thought I would see the day. As I've said before, it looked more like Christmas this year in Jerusalem, on March 2, than it did in Utah on December 25th. It was so fun and almost magical! What a great going away present for Sterling. We had a class yesterday morning when it started snowing but before the second hour our teachers gave us a break and we were all outside running, playing, laughing, throwing snowballs etc. You would have thought we were a bunch of five-year-olds seeing snow for the very first time. None the less, it was great, and will forever be a fond memory of mine.
SNOW on top of the DOME OF THE ROCK!
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Me, SarahBeth (my roommate here), Bonnie (aka Bon Bon), and Amy Sixou enjoying the snow!
Guess what else! I'm going to Turkey tomorrow! Whoot whoot! I am so excited! I haven't even been thinking about it this past week what with finals and all, but now I can hardly wait! Our flight doesn't leave until 3 or so tomorrow I believe, but we are skidaddling out of here around 10:30 so that we can make it to the airport and get over 83 people through security on time. I am so so excited though! I truly am really lucky.
Well That's all for now folks! I hope that all of you are doing great and loving life. I love you all!
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