The Prince of Peace

It has been 3.5 years since I stepped foot in the Holy Land. So many wonderful things have happened in my life upon returning home. I married my best friend of 6 years. Steven is the sweetest eternal companion a girl could ever hope for. On our two year anniversary we welcomed a sweet, perfect baby boy into our lives. I had honestly forgotten about this blog, and it is likely that the few who followed it have too, but I felt a desire to share some of the things that have been on my mind and heart. I am filled with gratitude for the mercies and blessings of the Lord.

As Easter is approaching, I have turned my thoughts back to my experiences in the Holy Land that gave me a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the Atonement and Resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I have a firm testimony that He lived upon this earth, fulfilled His earthly ministry, and willingly suffered for every son and daughter of God in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the Cross at Calvary. He rose from the tomb, having conquered death. And in so doing, He has provided the way for each of us to repent of our sins and overcome death.

I am grateful for my relationship with the Prince of Peace. He has offered me hope and peace when I have been in the depths of despair. He has healed my broken heart and has helped me to start anew time and time again. He has calmed my troubled soul with His perfect compassion and empathy. I believe there is a longing in every human soul to feel understood and loved, and Jesus Christ provides both completely and perfectly.

I bear testimony with the dear prophet of my youth, President Gordon B. Hinckley, that without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, "life is meaningless. It is the keystone in the arch of our existence." Jesus Christ gives meaning and purpose to my life. I stand in awe and wonder at the matchless gift of love that our Father in Heaven has given to all mankind, even that of His Only Begotten Son. My hope is that we will all open our hearts to be touched by His unending love this Easter season and always.

I invite you to reflect on the impact the Prince of Peace has had in your life as you watch this video:

"The Prince of Peace: Find Lasting Peace Through Jesus Christ."

Finding Hope in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

This is a gospel of hope and joy! Despite the challenges, heartbreaks, fears, pains, disappointments, temptations, and illness we face, we can find hope and joy in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. His Atonement is infinite, and with that comes infinite hope. Elder Maxwell declared, “The joy made possible through the infinite Atonement is infinite joy- joy that extends endlessly and to immeasurable heights.” Think of it, Christ offers us everlasting and true joy! All He asks is for us to accept the glorious gift of His Atonement and “Come, follow me.”

Words from one of my favorite songs come to mind. The song is entitled, “You are for me,” by Kari Jobe. The title alone has a beautiful message. God, our loving Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ are for us! They have a beautiful plan of hope and happiness for each of us. It is a personal, perfect plan. Perhaps we begin to doubt that They are for us when things just don’t seem to be going right. The Lord asks us to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” I have found that the most discouraging and frustrating times in my life stem from “leaning unto my own understanding.” The key to finding direction in life is 1. Trusting in the Lord and 2. Acknowledging Him.

This morning I met a sweet elderly lady in the temple who exemplified this trust. We spent some time talking in the locker room. Her husband passed away 8 years ago. Despite the loneliness she must feel, she stood tall and with confidence in the Plan of Salvation. She spends two days a week as an ordinance worker in the temple and the rest of her time doing genealogy. I was inspired by this woman because I could see the hope and light of the gospel in her eyes and could hear it in her words. There was no doubt in my mind that she trusted in the Lord and acknowledged His plan, and because of that she was sustained in her daily life. She involves herself in the things that matter most and lives with thanksgiving daily, despite her challenges. I want to live in such a way that when people see me, they see the hope and joy and light of the gospel of Jesus Christ! May this promise of the Lord sustain all of us: “Let your hearts be comforted; for all things shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly” (Doctrine and Covenants 100:15). May we each have eyes to see the silver lining!

Last Week

Our last two field trips focused on the events that happened in the last week of Christ life.

Inside Lazarus' Tomb. Lazarus' tomb is in Bethany, where Christ raised him from the dead. According to tradition, he later died and was buried here.

Outside Lazarus' tomb

This church was built to honor Bethany, the town of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Bethany is where Christ made His headquarters for the last week of His life. Christ loved Bethany because He was accepted and loved by friends there.

Inside the church at Bethany

Church at Bethphage, the traditional location where Christ mounted his donkey to prepare for His triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Inside the church at Bethphage

Dormition Abbey behind us

Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. 

This church commemorates Christ's trial by Caiaphas.

 It also commemorates Peter's triple denial of Christ.

Pater Noster Church. This site was previously the traditional site where Christ instructed His apostles during the last week. It was later associated with the Lord's prayer.

The Lord's prayer in Spanish.

Dominus Flevit. This church commemorates Christ weeping over Jerusalem (see Luke 19: 41; Matt 23:37).

View of the Old City from the church

A beautiful view of the Old City

Moon over our home

On our second day of field trips, we went to several churches. We started our day at the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations built on site. It was peaceful to be there one last time and reflect on the events that occurred there for me and for all mankind. I am grateful that it didn't take traveling to this garden to know that Christ atoned for me, but that I was led to think of Him while sitting there. Brother Belnap talked about how the 3 days following the Atonement were dark days for the apostles. We too will experience dark times, but we can rest assured that Christ is always our morning star, our hope of a brighter future! Because the Light of the World came into the world, we will never walk in darkness, utterly alone.

I think it is very fitting that "Peace" is written in the Garden, for it is through Christ's Atonement that we can all have peace.

Then we went to the Gethsemane grotto, the traditional site where the apostles fell asleep while Christ suffered in Gethsemane. Brother Belnap talked about the heaviness of that night and how the apostles likely tried to stay awake, but could not because of the heaviness in the air.

Following the grotto, we went to St. Anne's Church, near Bethesda. We walked in on a quartet singing "Amazing Grace." That song was fitting, especially since Bethesda means "House of Healing/ Mercy." Christ has healed my heart time and time again. How grateful I am for His mercy and amazing grace!

Our next stop was the Church of Flagellation, the traditional site where Christ was whipped. Truly "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities... and with His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53: 5). Following this stop, we went to the Church of the Condemnation.

We ended our day at the Garden Tomb. We had a beautiful meeting filled with song and testimony. I sang "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee," in a quartet with Kensi, Jared, and Nick. I am grateful for the power of music and the gift of expression it gives to me. This meeting was the perfect way to end our semester.

The Gunthers- the humanitarian service couple. I have learned so much from their example.

The Seeley's! Oh how we love them! Brother Seeley was our Ancient Near Eastern professor.

Golgotha

Carissa and I went to our favorite singing spot and sang for the last time. We felt it was appropriate to end with "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul."

Carissa and I said our goodbye's to the Garden Tomb, our favorite place in Jersualem. It was an emotional experience. However, the thought came to me, "Catie, just because you're leaving the place where the Resurrection could have happened, it doesn't mean that the things you felt and the eternal truth that He lives will be left behind too. A place is a place, but the doctrine of the Resurrection will last forever and is a gift that all mankind will be blessed by." I am so grateful for the truth that He lives! Whether we are close to the place it happened or not, He was resurrected and that is all that matters!

Heavenly Father painted a beautiful sunset in the sky to finish a great day!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Our dear leaders, Brother and Sister Woods

Sister Woods made all 52 of us girls headbands for Christmas! She has taught me so much about love and service.

Group hug!

We commemorated the Last Supper and read from the scriptures about this event. One of my favorite scriptures from the Last Supper comes from John 14:18, "I will not leave thee comfortless; I will come to you." I testify that this is God's truth! Christ has descended below all things and thus knows how to succor us in our lowest of lows (D&C 88:6; Alma 7:11-13). 

Look at all the Snow!

This is our friend Rita, one of the shopkeepers.

My first shawarma in the Old City! It was so yummy!

Our home sweet home

Sister Clayton and I at our Christmas concert. The Clayton's are the music service couple.

We met Orit (on my right hand side) at the Garden Tomb three weeks ago while we were singing. We invited her to sing Silent Night with us there and also invited her to come to our Christmas concert. She traveled all the way from Galilee, which is three hours away, even with the weather, to come to our concert! And she brought her friends, Ernest (on the left) and Alex (on the right).

Our Winter Wonderland!

It has been so exciting to experience the heaviest snowfall in December that Israel has ever experienced! The snow just hasn't stopped!

Our back porch is flooding!

Look at this poor tree outside our room! This is our outside hallway that we walk through to get to our rooms- it is very slippery and wet! 

My beautiful snow covered home!

Look at the beautiful city!

Birthday in Jerusalem!

I woke up to a Christmas and birthday miracle: SNOW IN JERUSALEM!!! 

We started on our trek to the Old City in the snow/slush, then all of a sudden we were being bombarded with snowballs! I guess our neighborhood friends got a little excited about the record amount of snow, and couldn't help but throw it :)

Damascus Gate

Here we are in the Old City!

All I wanted for my birthday was a hot chocolate cake from the Jewish bakery! My wish came true! We also ate hot, fresh pita's from the Christian quarter of the Old City.

Then we went to Shaban's store (one of the store owners who has great connections with the students from "Mormon University"). He gave us mint herbal tea and gave me a free pair of earrings and a ring for my birthday.

We danced to the Taylor Swift "22" song in his shop. Then my friend Zak, another store owner gave me a Reeses and oreo's, two of my very favorite treats!

This umbrella definitely helped keep us dry ;)

On our way out of the Old City, we ran into people roasting chestnuts on an open fire! I just stopped to take a picture, but they wanted me to have one. Then they cooked chestnuts for all of us! All these gifts I've been given are a demonstration of how generous these people are.

Our delicious chestnuts!

Here is the Dome of the Rock and Western Wall covered with snow!

My bed/ room was covered with balloons and cards and a candy poster! So much love!

Thank you so much for all the love and support coming from home! I miss you guys, but am grateful for this once in a lifetime chance to spend my 22nd birthday in Jerusalem! It was a perfect day!