I Believe in Christ

Bruce R. McConkie gave his final General Conference address in April of 1985. He knew that his health was failing him, and despite the advice from his doctor, he gave one final testimony in front of millions of viewers... he bore powerful testimony of Jesus Christ and his Atonement. I took a copy of this talk, titled "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane," with me today as I visited Gethsemane. This talk was actually the basis of our hymn "I Believe in Christ." I hope and pray that I might be able to gain such a testimony before I see His face.

"In speaking of these wondrous things i shall use my own words, though you may think they are the words of scripture, words spoken by other Apostles and prophets. True it is that they were first proclaimed by others, but they are now mine, for the Holy Spirit of God has borne witness to me that they are true, and it is now as though the Lord had revealed them to me in the first instance. I have thereby heard his voice and know his word."

"We do not know, we cannot tell, no mortal mind can conceive, the full import of what Christ did in Gethsemane."

"In Gethsemane we will see the Son of God ransom man from the temporal and spiritual death that came to us because of the Fall."

"And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God--I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person.

I am one of his witnesses, and in the coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God's Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way."

I believe in Christ. He is my King. With all my heart, to Him I'll sing!

one week already??

so. so. much. i don't know how jess ever did it! or anyone for that matter.... i feel like there is simply TOO MUCH that happens, i can never possibly write it all down! i will do my best to give you the best snapshot that i can! here it goes!

i cannot describe the culture here. it is so incredibly diverse. one moment i am trekking through damascus gate and into the muslim quarter, where i buy a delicious falafel at eddy's. i pass by shaban and grab some juice, and nacer takes me upstairs to show me his "secret stash" for us mormons. the shop owners LOVE the mormon students! ...there's trash littered everywhere... each store owner tries convincing me to buy his sandles, or his spices, or his scarves, or his carvings, or his...whatever! 

if i enter west jerusalem the scence completely changes! it's clean, and i can see jews in their complete clothing ensemble walking up and down streets all over! from arabic to hebrew, from one culture to another, it's a complete change! it's amazing to me that such a place exists, and that i get to experience it firsthand for the next 3 and a half months! 

i'm taking my time...trying to get a feel for the city. i'm beginning to get a hang of the streets and such, and i have even tried to get to know the locals! ahhh i have a feeling it will all pass too quickly... 

but to keep you entertained, i thought i'd add some pictures, as usual :)

the ramparts...climbing up and down the old city walls. this gave us a chance to see the old city from a different view...each quarter is SO different. it really is amazing. i loved passing the citrus trees in the christian quarter...smelled so good! i felt i had traveled back to medieval times, like maybe i could be a guard at the gate! four o'clock and aaaaall's weeeeell! 

 view from up on the ramparts! see all the wall in the background?

 the western wall! the most accessible point of the remaining temple of solomon...the most sacred place for the jews. i definitely want to write a prayer to shove into one of the cracks!

 still on the ramparts, but an amazing view of the dome of the rock! beautiful!

oh little town of bethlehem! 

an old army bunker! this is right before a nice gust of wind decided to have a sense of humor and blow my skirt up in the air!!!

this ridge was could have very easily been where abraham came to mt. moriah to sacrifice isaac, as he was coming from the south. (genesis 22:4) "on the third day, abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off." 

a monastery built where samuel the prophet was supposedly born and buried.... nabi samwil

jerusalem. the center of the universe!

may possibly have been the most delicious thing of my life. besides the frasier in france hayley :)

banana boom pancake...HOLY YUM.

joseph of arimathea's grave at the church of the holy seplechre.... in a dark little cave, dwight and i were a wee bit frightened!

pretty sure they are my favorite :)

in zedekiah's cave...you can see the pillars from the second temple of solomon

we have a "make funny faces in every picture" club....for the cool kids. 

apparently we are supposed to be owls??

my two new best friends...nabeel who wrapped my head in a scarf--jeru style! 

and joe. you're the best, end of story :)

now if i can only stay afloat in my classes.....it's so hard with a city SO AMAZING right at my doorstep! 
and to say no to volleyball every night....
with that, i say good night!

JERUSALEM!

saying goodbye to my besties at the airport tuesday morning.... LOVES!

buuuuuuuuuuuuuuut.....

I HAVE ARRIVED IN JERUSALEM!!!!

this is my back porch...it's alright...i GUEEEEESSSS. :)

 see the beautiful jerusalem center in the background? to the right of my head?? beautiful :)

our first leisurely tour of the old city...it was magical!

this stands at the entrance to the jewish quarter of the old city...welcome to jerusalem brooke!

i'm definitely going back to this shop for a hebrew batman shirt...or two...

as i walked through the streets, i had a song stuck in my head. thanks jess for giving giving me little surprise photos and videos on my external for me to open when i got here...you must have read my mind! as usual :) 
this music video you sent was the song i was singing! not too weird since it is indeed titled JERUSALEM!

Matisyahu. you are wonderful.

i have officially been into the old city twice, and am planning on exploring it even more tomorrow! we have our "sabbath" services on saturday, as the jewish sabbath is also saturday and most businesses are closed that day. sunday is then our free day! today i had my first sabbath or "shabbat" in jerusalem! as i partook of the sacrament, i was within a mile or two of the garden of gethsemane where our Savior bled and died for me...i am in the land he lived in, where he taught and served. we sang a song in choir in church today called "my grateful spirit sings." the last verse reads: 

For changeless love and endless mercy
For countless blessings beyond the wealth of kings
For every perfect gift thou sendest, Lord, I praise thee
And my grateful spirit sings.

My grateful spirit sings today, and i thank God for giving my this opportunity!!

18 hours... 18 hours...

Application? accepted.
Program fees? paid. 
Suitcase? packed.
Orientation? done.
Last minute purchases? to come...
Sleep tonight? don't think so! 
Plane ride to Tel-Aviv? 18 hours and counting!!!


by Wednesday I will be in Israel! in the BYU-Jerusalem Center...

and so it begins.

:)

a time to prepare... and reminisce

and so it has come... i am FINISHED with my last semester at byu-idaho. the Lord has definitely been with me there! he has strengthened me and changed me for the better. it's truly a "discipleship preparation center" there! and of COURSE i have had my share of adventures!!!

best. FHE group. ever. 

a little reunion! last winter's roomies and home teachers :) can't beat that!

an adventure to west yellowstone for the weekend!

i felt like katniss....

blacklight volleyball team! 

riding the gondola... $89 a plate at the restaurant at the top. 

you better believe i won that showdown

big juds! someday i will beat the one pound challenge...someday

swingin with my bestie :)

could i have asked for better roommates??  

 harmon... why are you so awesome? who else would go to denny's at midnight?

but now it's over... it's a thought that brings conflicting emotions. i am so grateful for what i have been able to learn and experience up in rexburg, but i am so excited for this new adventure! two new adventures in fact... one begins april 24.... 14 days. 14 days until i climb aboard a plane destined for tel aviv! it's too soon! i'm not ready! and yet...i feel like i've been ready for a while now. i have been wanting and preparing for this for much too long.

my only hope is that i never forget. never forget to keep exploring

freezing my fanny off and LOVING IT

yup. you heard me! its rexburg and i am LOVING IT HERE! 
compared to last year's frozen tundra, rexburg is a tropical paradise! i walk to class in 32 degree weather, and that's SO WARM compared to last year's -10! it snowed for the first time a little over a week ago.... i'm ok with that. although i know how much the farming community depends on the snow for crops. that's a bummer. 
but anyways, jess and i party as usual....

sammy's.... again. miss you cole! and ben!

thanks jason and brady for the sunday morning present. appreciate that!

i have such a friggin HAWT sister!!!!

she is also a decent photographer :)

and i got my first email from my jerusalem cousin!!! YAYYYYYY!!!! and yes. i chewed her out for not emailing me sooner. i just love her so much! 
as jess is well....busy... on many nights, i am responsible for entertaining myself. this has included eating junk food, going to concerts at sammy's, playing basketball, wallyball, and futsal, and NOT training for my half marathon because me FRIGGIN KNEE has been hurting me! butt. 
i did talk to my beloved sister whitney today, she is presh.
and i am starting to apply to boise state's radiologic science program! WOO HOOOO!!! i am finally feeling like i'm on the right track!!! i have to keep moving forward. KEEP MOVING FORWARD! 

As Will Rogers said: 

"Even if you're on the right track, 

you'll get run over if you just sit there."

the last BURG winter!

It's now been exactly 17 days since I came back to the arctic part of the state...
And I must say, it has been a FAN-freakin-TASTIC few weeks! For one, I have the greatest roommates. I know people say that all the time...but this time it's TRUE! I have already connected with each of them, and I love them so! Here's the gorgeous gang!

Yeah. We is adorable.... :)

And life is well....stressful as always! I don't know what I am doing with my life, and it doesn't help that I keep hearing, "During these next few years you will make important decisions that will impact the rest of your life." Thanks for turning up the heat! I KNOW that these next few years are important, and I am TRYING to make the best decisions! I have decided something though. I can only do so much. After all I can do, I need to turn my life over to the Lord. I will act in faith, and know that He will lead me. I may not know it at the time, but by acting in faith I allow Him to influence my life. 

I am taking a vocal class, and we are required to sing 2 songs: I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go and I Know My Father Lives. So powerful.... Lord, I really will go where you want me to go. I will go because I know that you live! I have no better place to go than where you would have me.

These lyrics truly testify of a lesson that I am continually re-learning. I really will be what you want me to be, dear Lord!!

ALSO!

I have learned the power that comes from true meditation.... from PONDERING. My religion teacher had us read some very inspiring words of modern day prophets: 

"I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion.  Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord."

                              President David O. McKay

"Let that be something to remember-you do likewise.  Take time to meditate.  Many times you will be wrestling with problems, the solution of which can be spiritually discerned.  Don't get so busy that you don't have time to meditate. Take the time."

                         President Harold B. Lee

heck.

even i have found time!!! 

so take my advice, and do a bit of meditating today. it's good for the soul :)


OK. and i made this map of the world...
of my travels: past, present, and future!

Red = Where i have LIVED
Blue = Where i have BEEN
Green = Where i WANT to GO
Where do YOU want to go??