USA, USA, USA!

We may be spending our summer in Israel (on lockdown due to the recent unrest) but we still love America! and therefore the 4th of July still deserved a party. Our chefs sure delivered an amazing BBQ feast. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, fries, watermelon, endless ice cream and a GIANT American flag cake! The funniest moment is when the chefs brought out the flag cake we sang the Star-Spangled Banner to it. haha! 

I'm pretty sure that of the 4th of Julys that I can remember, more were spent outside of the country than inside of America. But I still love to celebrate our great country :)



We also got to celebrate my amazing roommates birthday!!! J-Hart is just the greatest! I love being her roommate and she inspires me every single day.

Jordan Trip- Final Day

 July 3rd

We began our day with a pleasant and unexpected surprise visit to the new church building in Amman. There were several branch members and the service missionaries there to meet us and give us a tour. It was so fascinating to hear about the progress of the church in Jordan.

We were so matchy-matchy. 

Tree of Life depiction

Hymn book in Arabic

We also got to tour the King Abdullah I Mosque. It was about a thousand degrees then they asked us to put on these modesty dresses. I thought I was going to pass out from the heat but I survived and it was a very culturally enriching experience.

"I'm so fancy... you already know."

Our last stop in Jordan before heading back into Israel was the baptismal site of Jesus Christ on the Jordan River. 

Being able to stop at the Baptismal site of Christ was an amazing way to end our trip to Jordan. Christ was baptized even though He was perfect and that shows us the great need that we have to be baptized. I love what President Uchtdorf has to say about baptism. "We see baptism as the starting point in our journey of discipleship. Our daily walk with Jesus Christ leads to peace and purpose in this life and profound joy and eternal salvation in the world to come."

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized and for the chance I have to renew those baptismal covenants every week in Sacrament meeting.