Thanks!

In a very predictable fashion, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, here's a post dedicated to gratitude. But first, shout out to Todd and Emily!! Happy (late) anniversary! I am so glad you guys are married, and I love you both a whole whole lot. I'm grateful for the love and support you guys give, and for the fun you are, and patience you have with me.
I am so grateful for every day, that I am here in this land, that I have the family I do, and for the knowledge that my Savior lives, and atoned for the world. I feel in disbelief when I wake up sometimes, but I always feel so grateful. Grateful to be here, to be alive, to have happiness, and education. I am so grateful for the things I am learning! I feel like I am starting over in my understanding of the plan of Salvation, and of the gospel, because there is so much I thought I knew but am relearning, and so much that I am realizing I have yet to understand. But I love it. Even when I feel uneducated, I love it, because I am still learning here. I am grateful for all the people who work hard to put this program together for us.
Tonight when we all arrived back home at the JC, there were Christmas trees up, and Nativities, and some lights, and Ahmed, our chef, as well as Luba, the Salad chef, and the rest of the kitchen staff, had all prepared a HUGE Thanksgiving meal for all of us! That, and getting greetings from home and friends, and the hapiness to be home (JC home), all made me tear up a bit. There is so much to be grateful for. I mean, Ahmed even had stuffing ready! With chestnuts!! And turkey!!! Oh, so good. Family, I hope you all went bowling, and someone struck a turkey! Love you all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Some (few) brief photos. Looking is more fun than reading, right? :-)

My humble nativity set up with leaves from home.
Just something a little Christmas-y in our  little room.
(Thanks Ryan!)

Some of the things that made my Thanksgiving bright!  

Shepherd's field, a possible site where the angels appeared to the
shepherds, heralding Christ's birth. While we were having our devotional, the sun was setting,
and then a group of shepherds herding sheep walked right behind us!! It was so perfect. This night
was one of my favorites in Jerusalem so far. 

Allison and I reenacting sacrifice... ha ha. The metal shows the frame of
what the altar there would have maybe been like. (at Tel Dan if I remember right.) 

A two thousand year old fishing boat found in the mud of the Sea of Galilee. (Adam, Dow Chemical helped in the  preserving and restoration of the wood. Thought that was cool.) Anyway, it would have been a boat like that which Christ probably would have taught from and sailed upon. In the pic: Me, Mary, Kelly.

After our boat ride across the Sea of Galilee. The sunset was phenomenal.
Another of my favorite moments in this Holy Land. Galilee was just incredible.

Me pointing at a mosaic. If you couldn't figure that out. Another of our trips in Galilee. 

I'm maybe related to this guy, but really distantly.... and through marriage.
But this grave was a piece of evidence that helped prove that the LDS church
had been in this land before the state of Israel... allowing us to currently legally be here.

The Knesset, as in Israeli lawmaking hall place.  Really interesting government structure here.

Halloween, where we watched the silent film Phantom of the Opera while Brother Ohman
played the organ, this beautiful organ, behind us. This is our auditorium, and it has a spectacular view.

Halloween, with "King David and Bathsheba". He has binoculars. She's in  a bathrobe with a shower cap.
I think I saw the best and most creative and funny costumes this year,
especially because so many people played on inside jokes. 

My roomates and I. From left, Rebecca, April, Me, and Alyse.

Walking on water! Ha. Sea of Galilee, outside the Hepta-pagon church
(I think... things start to blur a bit after a while, but I think so.)