Until We Meet Again
Wednesday, August 10, 2011Where do I even begin? I remember when you were just a dream; something I didn't think I would ever actually do. You were this far away land filled with mystery and promise and now you're something so much more. I walked off the plane in April with a thousand different emotions. I was excited, anxious, nervous. Now in August, I'm sitting in the JC and feeling all those same emotions. It's been quite a ride, hasn't it?
I have explored every nook and cranny of this country. I have seen the desolate desert of the Negev and the lush forest of ancient Dan. I have been to three different seas and countless cities. I will always remember singing Dr. Chadwick's sphfelah song at Tel-Gath. I'll smile when I think of splashing through Hezekiah's Tunnel and feeling like I was in the middle of an Indiana Jones movie. I will forever think of Sam Bookie, the most delicious bakery in Jerusalem, when I see a croissant or other pastry. I will remember the late nights and early mornings, the pita and the rice. I will never again be able to sit in a classroom at BYU and feel like I have a good view. I will forever remember sitting on the shores of the Sea of Galilee with the water kissing my toes when I read about Christ's ministry there. I will miss running through the streets of Jerusalem like in Aladdin. The wraps on campus will seem like such a let down after all the delicious falafel I have eaten on Ben Yehudah Street. I will miss hearing the call to prayer from the mosque across the street and welcoming in Shabbat at the Western Wall. I will miss the French toast pita from the Oasis and the Friday night movies in the Forum. It's hard to believe that in just a few hours I will be driving down a back road of North Carolina. I won't have the option to go to the Garden Tomb or Gethsemane on Sabbath anymore. I won't look out of my window and see the Dome of the Rock. I won't walk down the street and hear a car horn every 30 seconds. I'm not sure if I'll miss that, but I'm sure I'll think of you when I do hear one :)
Israel, I find myself feeling like you gave me so much. I have learned so much the last four months. I learned to sleep through pretty much anything. Buses are actually not the worst place to take a little power nap. Facebook is not the best way to keep in touch, but rather a simple phone call goes a long way. I learned to do a front flip, swan dive, Peter Pan dive, back dive, and a jump serve all while I have been here. None are as scary as they seem. I have eaten a lot of fish while I have been here and it really isn't too bad. I've learned that you really can write a paper on just about anything, whether you really understand the topic or not. Between you and me, I have no idea what the Oslo Accords are. I learned that white V-necks are the most stylish shirts in the entire world; they match everything. A pastry a day keeps the parasites away :) You really know the way to a girl's heart, Israel. Don't tell America, but I don't think she can top you.
You have taught me more than just these things, however. I have learned how to stand on my own two feet. I now know that it is important to spend sometime with myself. I have spent countless moments sitting on the grounds of the JC just thinking. It was in these moments that I gained some great treasures. I learned how much I love the scriptures. All the answers to my questions are contained in the pages of these four books. I learned how to pray with real intent. I stopped just going through the motions and learned to really communicate with my Father in Heaven. Through this I learned how much He loves me. He has this overwhelming perfect love for me and I was able to catch a glimpse of this during my time here. I have come to know my Savior so much better through this experience. Christ was a real man and he did die for the sins of the world. He performed miracles all over this wonderful land and I got to stand in places where Christ did. I will never read the accounts of his life the same again. You have given me a beautiful gift, Israel. I can never repay you for what you have given me. I am leaving you with this great gift that cannot be put into words. I came to you as a confused college student and I am going home as something more. I'm not sure what life holds for me next, but I know that what you have given me will play a major role. I don't know when I'll be seeing you again, but you will always hold a place in my heart. I hate goodbyes, so let's just treat this as a 'See you later.' Here's to you, Israel.
Leaving a piece of my heart with you,
Angela
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