Monday May 30

Today was our day dedicated to SERVICE!

It's funny how service is something you have to be mindful of. How it makes EVERY part of life better/more enjoyable + full of meaning.

I'm so grateful that i have learned from so many great people how and why we should serve.

a few of us volunteered at a place called shekel.

(http://www.shekel.org.il/?CategoryID=331)

shekel is a non-profit for those with special needs.

i love people with disabilities. i love how much happiness they bring me.

i had a genuine grin from ear to ear for three straight hours while trying to understand the hebrew and arabic of those with disabilities. it was a neat opportunity to be able to learn from these people very basic yet vital communication conflicts and resolutions.

the one true message i picked up though is laughing, and smiles are universal, and they are what matter most.

I took this picture before i was informed that pictures weren't allowed, otherwise i would have taken more.

The people with disabilities make different things and sell them in the shop there. I had to buy this cute little sheep to 1. donate to shekel. and 2. always remind myself of my goal to start my non-profit to help those with special needs.

Then the best part about my day was coming home to this package at my doorstep from dad. He always seems to know what i need. I'm so glad he's MY dad and also really glad he has a deep love for peanut M&M's! it was the perfect medicine for my stupid sickness. i love you forever dad.

Never stop serving. Most importantly learn from those you serve, and let that service change you. never take anything for granted, especially peanut M&M's and a father's love.

it is written.

Sunday May 29

Recognize anything?

we went to an olive wood shop and suddenly felt like we walked into Provo, UT.

little strange.

"Discovery of Dye Snails"- Where's PETA when you need it? http://www.peta.org/.

poor poor snails.

found this in the temple institute when i learned all about how the 1st and 2nd temples were made and how the Jews will rebuild the new one. pretty interesting.

Had a beautiful view of this tower and purple bush from the roof of Hurva Synagogue.

also spotted this old man on the street. my curiosity completely has me wrapped up.

what is in that box?????????

See that arched building on the upper left? that's my home. love spotting it from a new angle when i'm in the city.

this is what the inside of hurva synagogue looks like. you ever "hurva" it?

one thing i'll miss going back to utah, seeing all the cute little boys with kippas.

is it sacrilegious if i let my little boys wear kippas?

today was a great day, and all in good company.

oh and how could i resist not posting this final pic?

probably setting myself up to be the brunt of some jokes, but hey.

gotta find a reason to poke fun at yourself when your as cool as me.

the opportunity rarely comes up, and i don't want it all going to my head.

The more you find out about the world, the more opportunities there are to laugh at it.

-Bill Nye.

it is written.

Wednesday May 24

arabian nights.

Oh i come from a land, from a faraway place

where the caravan camels roam

where it's flat and immense

And the heat is intense

It's barbaric, but hey, it's home.

(oh aladdin, i couldn't resist)

Tonight was Arab night.

we listened to some muslim call to prayer readers.

ate a tasty feast.

and dressed like arabs.

to say it quite bluntly, i wish every night was arab night.

dress up and pretend is not only for children. however, it is a skill that must be used or else it is lost.

it is written.

Tuesday May 23

We stumbled upon a shekel-cade in the Old city.

it is one of my favorite things about the old city now.

you can now refer to me as: mi'kel the wonderful. mi'kel the powerful. mi'kel the great.

even bow if you wish.

i was undefeated in Daytona USA racing.

call me five but there is something about those bright lights and colors, the shiny machines and the intense urge of competition that makes me love arcades. always have. and since i've never been good at them pre-Jerusalem, i think i have found my lime-light and calling in life in jerusalem.

after the shekelcade we met up with friends for a picnic... no pictures. (woops)

But after lunch, i went with my two new bestest of friends becca and tyson to get some family...

ICECREAM!!!

before.

after.

jerusalem: where a kid can be a kid. (or is that chuck E. cheese's slogan?) either way, they both apply.

it is written.

Monday May 23

bedouins are fascinating people.

They "park" their camels out front of their houses.

This little barefoot girl lives in the bedouin village. i wish i could look into her life for a day.

We went into these tents to learn about a non-profit to empower woman.

we watched as the ladies worked with such skill and precision.

they dyed all their own wool that they hand spun.

i contributed to their wonderful cause of empowerment by buying this cute pillow for 100 sheks.

I wanted to join this village so badly, i even took some model shots against the building.

I could totally do this Bedouin thing.

Part of the non-profit was to educate the woman. this is a school that the church supplied the table and whiteboard for. i got to practice my arabic with them as i said marhaba (hello) and shukran (thank you) to the nice ladies who let me pose with them.

found this shriveled up flower, still have it in my room in fact.

i will find my place in this world. and i sure hope it is in a non-profit much like the one i found today. i yearn to change the world. hopefully one day, i can do something extraordinary like these bedouin woman trying to make a difference in their communities.

on to Beer-sheba.

we got to wear fancy little construction hats, and pose by the alter.

Then onto Tel-Arad where i got to sit in the Holy of Holies of the temple. chance of a life time? i think so... unless i'm called to be the next prophet.

find new things each day to renew your hope. change the world. and never pass up an opportunity to wear a construction helmet.

it is written.