The End.

So, this is the end. Crazy to think that tomorrow, I will be headed back to the states. My three and half month adventure in the Middle East is over-108 days of pure bliss. Oh my word, I used to think I was ready to go, but it's suddenly hitting me how hard this is going to be. BUT before I address the good bye, I have some things to catch you all up on. I don't have it in me to be super detailed, but here's some fun info on my world. 

Please embrace my insane level of nostalgia. I can't do anything about it. 

Field Trip #1342852:

I love field trips. I love long bus rides, hot sunshine, long lectures, earbud buddies, disgusting sack lunches...all of it is suddenly so wonderful. This field trip in particular was oh so lovely. Not only did I have a site report on Masada, but it actually is an incredible site with an even better story. It stands today as a symbol for Israeli Independence...seriously, go wikipedia it. 

Along with our adventures in Qumran, Masada, and En Gedi, we swam in the Dead Sea. Yep, the Dead Sea. It is possibly going to be on of my future favorite fun facts about my life. Aghhh I love it. As for some fun statistics, the Dead Sea is 33% salinity. The ocean is 3.5% salinity. In other words, it was SOOOOOOO salty. It's not a rumor that you can just float around. There really is no other way to move. Swimming is practically impossible because if you get water in your mouth/eyes you may very well die (Well, it feels like death). Oh and of course, the rumors regarding the Dead Sea Mud being good for your skin....that's true too. My skin is still soft from a week ago. 

FIINISHED FINALS:

Guess what? I'm done with finals!!! Yes, completely finished. School is over for the semester. School is over for the next 20 months for that matter. Winter Semester 2015 baby! Mission field here I come!

We may have had a party that night after, and let me tell you...it was quite the party. Long story short, every boy came in costume. A few of the girls did just for fun, but every boy had specific assignments. We may have had the best runway show I have ever seen. Sometime it hits me how incredible the people are around me. I love them all so much. 

Mission Joy:

Say hello to the missionaries of the Jerusalem Center. Though this was taken a few days ago, it's actually out-dated! We have a new missionary...Miss Erika Larsen!!! Reporting to Tempe, Arizona. LOVE IT. Anyway, we officially have 20 missionaries out of the 81 students here. I loved the General Conference stat that there are 20,000 missionaries with their calls ready and waiting to enter the mission field. Words cannot express my excitement for going on a mission! Jacksonville Florida here I come.

President Uchtdorf:

Yes, President Uchtdorf came today. It was possibly one of the most incredible ways to end this experience. Not only did he speak in the Jerusalem District Conference, but he spoke at our study abroad's Last Supper reenactment. Hearing his testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, twice in one day was beyond incredible. 

Free Day #234981487:

This lovely day involved the following: graves at bottom of Kidron Valley Scavenger Hunt, Oskar Schindler's Grave,  a yummy pasta lunch, and three hours in the Holy Sepluchre with the darling Hannah. Love it. Oh so much. 

Garden Tomb:

After two days of field trips traveling around Jerusalem reliving Christ's last days, we ended up at the Garden Tomb, right where we started. We all bore our testimonies of our Savior and Redeemer and sang hymns. I wish I had the words to express all that I have learned from the past four months. I learned more than I could have ever expected. Once you go to Jerusalem, you are never the same. That I can swear. 

Tomorrow:

We are headed to the Dome of the Rock/the Western Wall one last time. We are going to adventure to the Terre Sancte church I missed, buy a few last minute purchases, and then spend the afternoon eating pastries and people watching in the Jewish quarter (Word to the wise: Jewish pastries are the BEST!). And then we are headed to the airport...

Goodbye shout out to these four darling girls. They have seriously changed my life. Hannah, Jessica, Lindee, and Swag are all sorts of darling and I love them with all my heart. Thanks for being my besties here in the Middle East. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

OH BABY. I GET TO HUG MY FAMILY SOON. I CANNOT WAIT. I LOVE MY FAMILY. 

Goodbye blog. Love you all. Thanks for reading =)