Sunday, March 14, 2010

Off to Germany!

We (Lizzy's parents) dropped Lizzy off at the Provo Missionary Training Center on March 10, 2010 as she left for her eighteen month mission in Northern Germany. Because of her prior German language experience, Lizzy will only spend three weeks in the MTC, leaving for Hamburg on March 30, 2010. She is thrilled to be having a wonderful experience while in the MTC with roommates and companions from around the world--from Myanmar (Burma), Armenia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Tonga, Philippines, Brazil, and Tahiti. Because she tested out of beginning German and will not be studying the language at the MTC, Lizzy has been assigned to the Advanced English as a Second Language Program. In her words, 'I guess they just couldn't figure what else to do with me!' She says the program creates an international microcosm of the Church in Provo, which she loves. As you can all imagine, this is absolutely the perfect place for Lizzy. Her address in the MTC (only until 3/30/2010) is:

Sister Elizabeth Anne Calder
MTC Mailbox # 301
GER-HAM 0330

2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Once she arrives in Germany on 3/31/2010, her address will be:

Sister Elizabeth Anne Calder
Germany Hamburg Mission
Rugenbarg 7A
22549 Hamburg
Germany

Monday, December 1, 2008

10 Days in Galilee

The ruins of a Talmudic Era Synagogue in Qasrin in the Golan Heights


The church on top of Mount Tabor


Saturday afternoon on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.


My roommate Chelsie and I sharing St. Peter's fish for dinner. yum.... if you like fish....

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Not Far From Here...

The Garden of Gethsemane
One of the phrases we hear often here in Jerusalem is "Not far from here is where such and such took place" Here are a few pics of some of my favorite places which this phrase applies to.


The Garden Tomb



Shepherd's Fields at night



The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Thursday, October 30, 2008

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

The city of Amman with a giant size Jordanian flag flying over the city.


Goofing around at the ancient Roman city of Jerash (sometimes known as Antioch)



What do you do in Jordan? Petra of course! This city was built over 2000 years ago by the Nabateans. It is remarkably intact. Think southern Utah, but with massive buildings carved into the cliffs. This is the famous treasury. You may recognize this from Indiana Jones...
We had a wonderful time in Jordan the last four days. I wouldn't hesitate to go back!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

I LOVE JC!


I can't help but post a couple of pictures of the beautiful building that I live in. It is inspiring in every aspect. Most of the pictures at the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies are taken from the opposite direction with the spectacular view of the city in the background. Thought you might like to see the actual place where I live, go to school, eat meals, go to church, play sardines, and have the most fun ever! You should be envious...

Just enjoying the grass outside the upper auditorium on a Saturday afternoon!

*JC = Jerusalem Center

Friday, October 17, 2008

The best two days yet!

Nothing could be better than a 6 Shekel felafel from the Old City after a full day of walking all over Jerusalem! P.S. That half of the room you can see in this picture is not mine... Mine is cleaner! :)


One of my favorite places in Jerusalem, the Church of All Nations which is adjacent to the Garden of Gethsemane.



The most beautiful sunset I've ever seen: it was enough to evoke an involuntary shreak and leaping in the air from me. Seriously!
These pictures really don't do justice to the amazing things I've experienced the last couple of days though. I don't think any picture could. This is just too awesome!





Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Olive Trees, Olives, and Olive Oil

Oil oozing out of the olives in the press. The Hebrew word for olive press is "gath shemen"
A few days ago we picked olives from the trees here at ther Jerusalem Center and used ancient olive crushers and presses to turn them into olive oil. We learned all about the processes and the symbolism. Now that's something you don't get to do anywhere else in the world!