Jordan

My first impression of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was stifled by heat. Once I got past the summer temperatures, I was impressed by the ruins and the local customs. The service was fascinating. One hotel greeted us with orange juice and horses at the door--orange juice for drinking, and horses just in case we wanted to take a little jaunt before we checked in, I suppose. After dinner, the waiters helped us form a circle around the dinner bar where we did a simple Jordanian folkdance before bed. I was also intrigued by the gender ideologies in Jordan. Women can choose whether or not to wear a head covering, and it seems that the majority of them do. As tourists, we are taught to be especially wary of the local men. If you happen to visit, don't wink, don't stroke your mustache, and don't go out with wet hair...these things have highly promiscuous connotations. My favorite activity was a walk down local Amman, where the morning wares were being set out for the day. I blame my parents for the ridiculous delight that I take in stands of fresh local produce, live poultry, and barrels of spices.

Petra

They say that the ruins at Petra are sufficient to occupy archaeologists for the next 100 years. Indiana Jones doesn't do it justice.

Anticipated temperature: 102 degrees farenheight

Number of steps up to the monestary: 900

Pictures taken: approximately one kajillion

Items crossed of the bucket list: one

Machaerus

Machaerus is Herod's hilltop palace where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded (Matthew 14). We sang "We Thank Thee, Oh God for a Prophet" in rememberance of the man.

Like John, I need to remember that "He [Christ] must increase, and I must decrease..." (John 3:30)

On second thought, maybe our pictures of dancing Herodian daughters and beheading weren't appropriate...

Shoback Castle

Climbed the antiquities and discovered a long creepy tunnel. Check.

Mt. Nebo

This is where Moses looked out over the land of Israel though he did not enter in. Tradition holds that Moses was also buried on Mt. Nebo, though the exact location is unknown because angels performed the ritual...an interesting correspondance with our own restored knowledge that Moses was actually translated! Knowing that Moses and Elijah were both translated in this general location, we rejoiced in the reappearances of the men in the latter days. In celebration of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we sang "The Spirit of God."

Jerash

Roman ruins from a Decapolis city (the New Testament tells us that Jesus taught in several Decapolis cities). I've seen a whole lot of Roman ruins, but these definitely took the cake. We spent a couple of hours hiking, performing in the theater, dancing to bagpipers (and you thought they were all Scottish), and buying cheap ice-cream and jewelry.

Citadel at Ammon

Modern Ammon is Old Testament Rabbat Ammon (where Uriah died in battle at David's behest) and New Testament Philedelphia, another Decapolis city. ...mostly we loved posing as Hercules in the Hercules temple.

Jabbock River

Possibly the most sacred site that we visited, the Jabbock River is where Jacob wrestled with an angel. He crossed over the river on his way to Bethel (where he covenanted with God in his ladder dream) and again when he was facing the difficult commandment of returning to his homeland where Esau threatened. The location fostered a marvelous devotional about covenants, and made me stop to reflect about my own covenants. How thankful I am to know that I Jacob's descendant, able to recieve all of the blessings and covenants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob!

Madaba

Mosaic town, with a 5th century church full of splendid mosaics (notably the archaeological classic map of Old Jerusalem).

Baptismal Site.

It's funny that being at the Jordan River (at the precise spot that scholars predict Jesus' baptism took place) doesn't guarantee a spiritual experience. I feel guilty for even suggesting that the experience could be anything less than revelatory. In fact, my feelings were simple. I was thankful for the simple doctrines of the restored gospel, and most especially for the gift of the Holy Ghost. What would my life be like without the guidance of the Spirit? Isn't it wonderful that we know that ordinances such as baptism are extended to all of God's children, even through vicarious temple work?