TURKEY--Wednesday 9/19

It’s crazy that each day kept getting better and better! This was one of my favorite days for sure. In the morning we went to Assos and I loved it. It’s located at the very top of a steep hill that overlooks the Aegean Sea. This was our first site that is significant in the New Testament: Acts 20 talks about Paul walking 30 miles from Troas to Assos while his missionary companions sailed around. Brother Schade talked about the importance of this choice that Paul made—he was able to teach people along the way and he had some time to ponder and receive revelation about his life and his future. Acts 20:23-27 tell us that the Holy Ghost warned him that bonds and afflictions were awaiting him but none of them will move him because he has accepted Christ as his Savior, and Redeemer. Paul is such a good example of never wavering when trials come your way. He faced a lot of opposition but he endured it well. We can expect that we will face afflictions but “we [should] never complain because it’s through our tribulations that we come to know God.”

Sometimes you run into your stake president and his wife while you’re in Turkey. :) It was so crazy to see the Ostlers half-way across the world in some random restaurant in Asia Minor!

Pergamum Acropolis—this place was so fun for taking pictures because of the old, huge columns and ruins. It was not a righteous place in its day though—the majority of the people who lived here practiced emperor worship and paganism. We know that there were a few righteous members though because of Revelations 2:13 (specifically a man named Antipas who was a martyr). There’s not much left of the Altar of Zeus because it was excavated and moved to the Berlin Museum but the Temple of Athena was super fun to take pictures in.

Calahan and me 

Erin, Katie, and me

Oh the things we do on long bus rides...

A unique method of sleeping on a bus! I might have to try it sometime.

Mackenzie reading my palm and telling fortunes :)

Our hotel was SWEEEEEET. “Ephesus Princess” totally spoiled us. It was another beach resort with a few pools, unlimited drinks, a pier, a delicious buffet, karaoke, and so many other fun things (not to mention Turkish baths haha). We were strictly forbidden from taking Turkish baths (especially the girls) and it made me laugh when a man who first told us that he’s never had an American girlfriend offered us a Turkish bath later. Mom don’t worry—I felt safe here, the men are just super friendly…sometimes overly friendly. Haha but I'm still in love with Turkey!