GALILEE

Walking where Christ walked... 

There are no words to express how I have changed or what I have learned while being here. Galilee was so beautiful and we were able to be quiet. I love you all!

 Wow can I just say how amazing this place is! It is tropical and full of flowers. It has been super windy so far but amazing!

 A testimony is like a tree…we sometimes can only see it from the ground up, but we rarely see or notice the roots. Some people have experiences that are trees and they see a huge difference. Others have experiences like roots. They are strengthened by them and will have that strength and nourishment forever.

 .. And so it begins. We were on the bus all day today but we got to go into Nazareth and see a bunch of churches and sites. We went to Caesarea and Midego as well. We had a  great FHE out on the grass and had some fun games to play. Then a few girls and I went to the waters edge and sang hymns for probably an hour. It was very powerful and so peacefull. “Here is my heart, oh take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.”

 Today was a very relaxed day. We had 3 hours of New Testament in the morning then the afternoon was ours. I read my scriptures on the beach and swam around for a little. The waves were really big and the wind was out of control but we had fun. I love being able to just sit and study…this may be the only time you hear me say that! After dinner we had a bonfire. We sang songs that I didn’t know J it was a good relaxing night.

 . HAPPY ST PATTYS DAY! So a lot of stuff is still going on in Jerusalem: police baracades, young men running around attacking our lower gate, more fires in the streets. We are thinking because a Jewish synagogues was dedicated and the Muslim’s may feel like it may be the first step to taking over the temple mount. Today was a very long day! We went to the Mount of Beattitudes and it is so gorgeous! There are so many flowers and green grass and it overlooks the sea of Galilee. It was a very sunny warm day and we were able to study by ourselves in the gardens. We then went to Capernum. Here we saw where Peter probably lived which was interesting. We then got on a boat on the sea of Galilee which was fun. The wind was blowing and the boat was rocking. The guys on the boat raised an American flag and we sang the national anthem. We sang a bunch of songs then had a devotional and sang “Master the tempest is raging”. Just as Christ calmed the storm on the sea, he can calm our inner storms. When we got back we had dinner then another 2 hours of class until 9. LOOONG DAY!

 We began the day with a 3 hour block. Later, a group of us went on a hike to a waterfall. The waterfall as well as the hike was oh so beautiful and the water was FREEZING! I jumped in and couldn’t move or breathe! When I was swimming back from the waterfall I was so numb it was hard to swim haha very beautiful though.

  Our field trip was very fun today. We first went to Masada “city set on a hill” we climbed it and I felt like I was on Lord of the rings it was so green and beautiful! à 7 days without prayer makes ONE WEAK ß after the field trip a group of us went rafting down the Jordan River. This was so much fun! Lacey and I got in a kayak and paddled down the river. I felt like Pocahontas and it was wonderful! We had battles with everyone and went through rapids! After, we were so muddy and wet we were suppose to take two trips home for the one bus that we had. we decided (with the permission of the bus driver) to pile all 80 of us on the bus! We shut all the blinds and boarded the swampey muddy bus. Of course we passed about 6 or 7  cops! We looked like a drug bus it was hilarious. We spent that night cleaning the muddy mucky bus.

 Sabbath! We slept in until about 8 ( my friend Alex and I have been going running every day at 5:20 so 8 is really sleeping in!) We slothfully ate breakfast and relaxed on the beach until 2:00. It was a glorious day! We then made our way to the Galilee branch. The building is an old house that they have refurbished and the garden in front is so quaint. When you walk in you see a huge window overlooking the Sea of Galilee. I had the opportunity to speak in church. I spoke about following Christ and the way in which we follow him. I talked about Peter and how he took the first step towards Christ. And how when he began to sink, Christ immediately pulled him up. Christ didn’t then carry Peter back. Christ walked next to Peter back to the boat. Everyone was sleeping but I got a lot of compliments after. We walked on the grounds which consisted of the roof.

 Free day! 3 hours of New testament then alone time. I wish I could really explain to you how wonderful this experience is. I just kind of give you a play by play. But I am having much subtle growth each day. I learn more and more about myself and this gospel. I am realizing the things that really matter to me, the things I want in my life.  I know that this is the one and only true Church and I am so grateful to be a part of it. I feel so lucky to be in the family that I am in and to have the friends that I have here. They are so wonderful and we are all so close. They have taught me so much about friendship as well as how to have a good time.

       I came here hoping to have this huge moment of … knowledge I guess. But by seeing the sea of Galilee I don’t have a stronger testimony of Christ than the next person. Usually those moments come to you when you least expect it. I have been very lucky however to see this beautiful land where Christ taught so many things.

 Galilee is BEAUTIFUL and I think Christ created it that way because he knew he would spend his ministry there.

 So much love!

Christ is exactly who he said He was. He came, He taught, He performed miracles, He suffered for us, He was killed, and rose again. He lives and He is my Savior. I love Him and the opportunity to become closer to Him these past 11 days

.:/katie