True Meaning of Christmas...

Being in Israel during Christmas is an interesting time.... I was listening to the First Presidency Christmas Message about the "True Meaning of Christmas" and couldn't help but think about the times in the past month when I have been in the exact locations of those significant events.  Bethlehem, where Christ was born, on our drive there we zoomed past the "shepard's hill" where they say the start was seen.  Also the last walk of Christ and Garden Tomb are some of the few places I have visited.  It is almost sureal to think Christ actually walked these this land daily.
  With that in mind, you would think Christmas would be an actual holiday here, but there is no Christmas, no lights, trees, santa, not even a christmas carol to be heard.  This past week they just celebrated Hanukkah, each night with the burning of a candle, and sweets.... It was fun and interesting to see this celebration... but where is the spirit of Christmas? It is ironic that being so close to the locations of the true meanings of Christmas I have to focus even harder on having the christmas spirit.  When I was in Bethlehem I purchased a olive wood nativity scene, I took it out of its box and put it out as a constant reminder of this wonderful time of year.  I am so grateful for the opportunity to be in this amazing land and to feel closer to Christ while I am here.  May the true meaning of Christmas be in your thoughts always!

Vacation over.... work time!

I thought I was heading back to America, little did I know I was in the right place at the right time and was given the opportunity to play a little more basketball.  Here is how it all went down...

I was watching my friends game the night before I was heading back home, I was saying my goodbyes to her team and coach and he told me there was an agent he wanted me to talk with to see if there were openings.  There was an opening at Netanya, he called the coach and he agreed to have me come "tryout/practice" with the team the next morning.  If he liked me and wanted me to stay then I would miss my flight and I would "work" for 3 weeks.  

Well here I am, crazy how things change so quickly! But I am enjoying myself, my teammates are very very welcoming, and I am only an hour from Ashdod so I can visit Ambrosia and Katia easily.  Sometimes it pays to not have any plans I guess. :)

View from my apartment .... no joke