A much needed update

First of all – thank you for all of you who are praying for me! I can see God moving around me in amazing ways that certainly reflect the spiritual support I am receiving from home. Even in these past weeks I have felt great peace despite challenging situations and decisions… so – thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now Semester 1 at Calvary Chapel Bible College Jerusalem is officially finished. Last Friday was the last day of class and today marks the first day of a completely empty dorm and school. The last few weeks of the semester were certainly the crescendo and climax of the 4 months we’ve been here. All of the big projects and papers were due, and presentations and projects were happening all over the place… but we all survived!! Haha! Yes – it was crazy busy, but we all made it out the other side just fine... and I passed all my classes.

There are many things to reflect on looking back over this semester… I have certainly gained a lot of knowledge about scripture – especially in classes like Christ in Prophesy, Daniel, and Revelation.
I also have a great appreciation for all I have learned (and continue to learn) about the Jewish and Arab people… their cultures, traditions, beliefs, etc., and then also how to communicate what I believe with them. I am also very slowly picking up on Hebrew phrases – and even some Arab phrases! It’s tough because most everyone speaks some English and there is little necessity to learn the languages… but hopefully by the end of the school year I’ll have gained some kind of worth-while vocabulary.
I’ve also learned a lot about myself in all this process – being part of the school’s family, and learning to move inside this culture – and the Lord continues to mold me. It’s tough but a super sweet experience!
This past weekend was by far the hardest part of the semester. Within 3 days the entire student body went home – leaving just me and Bri holding down the fort. The semester was INCREDIBLY blessed with unity and friendship and watching everyone leave was painful… *sigh*
As for the break between semesters – the first few days just one another girl, Bri Garrett, and I are staying at the apartment and holding down. There are two other girls (“the Russians” – Anna and Alina) who will be returning on Thursday from a visa trip to Prague. The four of us get to be each other’s family for the next 5-ish weeks, over Christmas and New Year. Shannon – my sister – gets to join our little family from December 28 – January 10 :) and hopefully/most likely she, Bri, and I will take a visa trip to Rome!
Keep this in prayer for us please! We have to take a trip out of the country somewhere, and currently there are cheap deals to Rome… we’re all really excited for the opportunity – it would be VERY fun to go to Rome – but it’s difficult to make official plans just yet… probably not for a few more days then we’ll make the commitment and buy the tickets!

This next month will be an interesting time to say the least – certainly a different life season than anything I’ve ever experienced before. I can’t really believe that I have a month to spend in Jerusalem/Israel to do whatever I want! There is a budget to keep within, but still the possibilities seem endless!! I’m very, very blessed knowing there will be others here to share it with (otherwise it might become lonely or boring). We’re not completely sure what all we want to do with our time – but the list includes:
Getting on a bus to anywhere just to see where it goes
“Kidnap” the Russians to go see the “monster”
Seek out sweet new coffee shops and cafes
Get lost / go on adventures regularly
Draw and read at random places around town
Doing new things none of us have done in the city
Getting a head-start on school work (specifically Chuck-tracts)
Making Christmas stockings for each other
Bake amazing delicious goodness
Read a book or two just for fun
Knit and/or crochet something (or a few things)

I’m sure the list will increase as time goes by… and I’m excited to have more time to keep people posted now that there’s no class or homework.

One interesting thing I wasn’t expecting is the Christmas season here – or actually the lack of Christmas season. Knowing that the whole basis of Christmas is celebrating the birth of Christ – there simply is no celebration! There are some random decorations in the more touristy areas (in hotels especially) but for the most part there’s nothing special happening. Hannukah is coming up soon – still, there isn’t much as far as holiday atmosphere. I expect back in the states Christmas music has been playing since the beginning of December or even before Thanksgiving! There were a few students who played Christmas music during semester, but there just isn’t the same feeling of anticipation here as there is back at home. The four of us have some sweet plans though for Christmas day! We’re making stockings for each other to hang on the wall and put gifts into, and that night we plan to go out for a nice dinner together. It’s going to be different but still cozy and I’m looking forward to it :)

I hope and pray you are all have a blessed Christmas season too!
Much love to you all!