Bittersweet Symmetry

I'm going to be doing this again soon.

But I'm not sure how to feel about it.

& this time I don't haven my Etch-a-Sketch.

bummer.

some of this will be waiting for me once I fly over the big blue ocean:

but I'm really going to miss this:

Time Machine

1700 BC

1550 BC

1468 BC

1270 BC

1269 BC

1230 BC

1224 BC

1000  BC

961 BC

950 BC

922 BC

918 BC

853  BC

732  BC

722 BC

701 BC

640  BC

609  BC

586 BC

537 BC

520 BC

444  BC

430  BC

332 BC

270  BC

198 BC

167  BC

164  BC

63 BC

38 BC

31 BC

 20 BC

 4 BC

 6 AD

10  AD

26  AD

66  AD

70  AD

73  AD
135 AD

180 AD

324 AD
500  AD
638 AD

1099  AD
1187 AD

I can tell you something significant that happened in the Holy Land in each & every single one of these years.  

(to be sung to the rhythm of "Saudis in Audis") 
In the 12 &69, Rameses treats with the Hittites, 1270 was the Ex-O-dus, Israel led out by Mah-O-ses.
 

180 AD - The Jews changed their stance on writing the Oral Toral 180 degrees & wrote it down. This was called the Mishnah. 

1230 BC- Joshua crossed into Canaan--just in time for lunch.

586 BC- Nebudchadnezzar went after Jerusalem with sticks (big ones) & destroyed the First Temple, which, incidentally, was built by Solomon in...

950 BC.  BAM.

I'm like a timeline ninja! (taken at Galilee)

Go ahead. 

QUIZ ME.

Hardcore Parkour

I post this as a tribute to our awesome boys that have taken up Parkour here in Jerusalem. I found this graffiti last week and had to pose & show off my wrapped up foot.

Petra Preview

More to come...

happiness: noun

a : a state of well-being and contentment : joy

b : a pleasurable or satisfying experience 

It's a simple definition for a simple feeling of bliss and contentment--a feeling that I've become rather accustomed to here. There are so many things that I would add to the definition of happiness. Friends, can I tell you a bit more about what defines happiness in my mind?

Happiness is singing hymns on the Sabbath at the Garden Tomb.

Happiness is hiking through fields laden with wildflowers in Galilee.

Happiness is poking jellyfish while collecting seashells and sea glass along the Mediterranean waterside (despite the look of disgust on my face).

Don't worry--it was dead & I only touched the top anyway; I learned my lesson from Finding Nemo.

Happiness is looking out across this beautiful ocean.

Happiness is discovering that your suitcase's handles double as straps & that you must have been a Sherpa in a previous life. 

This was even more impressive when I was carrying my backpack in front of me & holding the bus doc bag.

Happiness is blue skies smiling down on fields of gold.

Happiness is climbing trees in Chorazin.

Look how color coordinated we are!

Happiness is hiking with the little ones.

Cam has such a way with children.

Happiness is poppies and pillars.

Happiness is castles in a storm & Catholic saints spangled with the light of stained glass windows.

Happiness is playing April Fools jokes on/with your best friends.

Sorry boys, Carrie & I couldn't resist. Neither could the dozen people that called both of you. :)

Happiness is wind blowing through your hair under an ancient Roman arch & not even caring because you're under an ancient Roman arch along the Mediterranean. 

But perhaps the key to the blissful feeling I have on this lovely Sunday morning in Jerusalem: Happiness is staying up until 1 a.m. to watch General Conference, streaming live from Salt Lake City. 

 

If you're looking for something uplifting to do this weekend, I suggest you tune in for some prophetic messages of hope, faith, and happiness. What could be better than listening to wise words about our Saviors love and the importance of the family?

Not much. 

Except for maybe wandering around here afterwords: