11 days in the GALILEE...

I returned home to Jerusalem a couple of days ago from a wonderful 11 day stay in the Galilee. Most students would agree that this is the highlight of our stay in Israel. It is a beautiful area and it was wonderful to live on the shore of the Sea of Galilee and visit sites around the sea where the Savior walked and taught. Our group of 79 is split into 2 classes so, with an exception to the last 3 days, one class would stay at the Kibbutz and have class in the morning and have the afternoon free to play on the beach and the other class would go on a field trip. Needless to say we saw a lot of sites and had a great time playing in the water. So as not to bore you with endless pictures and information I have decided to share a couple of my favorite locations and the experiences assocated with them.

First...this is Ein Gev where we stayed.

On the days that we had class we set up chairs on the beach and had the first hour and a half of class on the beach before it got too hot and then we would go inside to a classroom. I loved learning in the same setting that Jesus taught, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Our Sea of Galilee field trip was my favorite day. It began by climbing on a boat and riding out into the sea. While there wasn't a storm it was quite powerful to sit out in the water while we read the account from the New Testament of Jesus calming the sea. We also read a talk by President Hunter called, "Master the Tempest is Raging." We each face many tempests during our life but I know that Jesus can calm the seas, a calm that penatrates the soul.

Mt of Beatitudes

This is one of the most beautiful sites in Israel and I loved the spirit that was present here.

Tabgha: There are two churches at Tabha, one that honors the loaves and the fishes miracle adn the other honoring Peter's mandate, Church of St. Peter's Primacy. I have loved learning about Peter. We discussed a talk entitled, "Peter My Brother" given by President Kimball. I highly recommend reading it. Peter is a great example of faith and repentance. In John 21 Jesus showed himself to the disciples, had a meal with them, and commissioned Peter to "feed my sheep." It is interesting that Jesus says "feed my lambs...feed my sheep...feed my sheep." Peter is being asked to switch from a fisherman to a shepherd and Brother Huff suggested that maybe the Lord is telling Peter that he needs to make him the shepherd over ALL the flock. The baby lambs, the young sheep and the old sheep. In the statue below you can see Peter with a staff in hand as Christ is calling him to be the shepherd.

Tabgha means "seven springs." This is where seven springs flow into the sea.

Capernaum

This is a picture of the synagogue in Capernaum. It is built over the foundation of the synagoge dating back to the time of Christ. While we were there someone pulled out their bible and opened to a picture of this synagogue that we were standing in at that moment. It has been really fun to look at the pictures in the bible and recognize them. It is a great reminder of the wonderful places that I have been when I flip through my scriptures.

Capernaum became known as "His own city" 31 miracles are recorded as taking place here. Peter's home was here and the Savior spent a lot of time there. Our teacher, Brother Huff asked students to help teach and bear testimony at various sites that we visited. I had the opportunity to bear testimony of Apostles. It was a really neat experience and I will forever remember Capernaum.

Here is a little something that I wrote up for a book that the students here are putting together...

While in Galilee I gained a greater testimony and understanding of the apostles. As my uncle, Elder Neil L. Andersen, was called to fill the vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles last April, the spirit testified to me instantly that he had been called of God and prepared in advance for this calling. With this experience I really wanted to better understand what an apostle was and I feel like my prayers were answered as we learned about the apostles that Jesus called while in Capernaum. Of the twelve called, eleven of them were from Galilee. I love Matthew 4:19-22 where Jesus calls to Peter, Andrew, James and John to “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Peter and Andrew straightway left their nets, and followed him and James and John immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. This is the epitome of the apostles. They have dropped everything and followed the Lord without hesitation. I have personally watched my uncle leave his occupation and the comfort of his home and lifestyle to serve in various parts of the world in answer to a call to “follow me.” He has now been called to be an apostle, “one sent forth” as a special witness of Jesus Christ. Continued below...

Caesarea Philippi
In Caesarea Philippi my understanding of apostles was strengthened as we discussed Matthew 16. Jesus asks, Who say ye that I am? Peter responds with power and emotion as he says, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” As we sat there I flipped to my copy of The Living Christ, the testimony of modern apostles, and read the final paragraph where it says, “We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of god.” The apostles on the earth today testify of the same thing that Peter testified as his apostle on the earth 2000 years ago. Jesus is the Christ! The organization is the same, the priesthood is the same, and Jesus Christ is the same. I testify that the Lord has called apostles for our day and there are 15 men on the earth today that we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators.

Banyas Waterfalls

There are some very beautiful areas in northern Israel. These are some wonderful waterfalls that we were able to visit.

Steven, Rachel, Monica, Me, and Isaac

I have been in Galilee for the past week and will be here for another 3 days. It is so beautiful here and it is wonderful to learn what the Savior taught and read of the miracles he performed in the locations that they took place. This picture is taken from the Mount of the Beatitudes looking out at the Sea of Galilee. I will try to give you more of an update after I return to Jerusalem.
This is on the Mediterranean Sea at Cesarea.

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
Bethlehem is a nice little town and it was really neat to visit the place that we sing of each December. I have always loved Christmas, nativites, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The Christmas story came to life this week as we studied the story, sang Christmas hymns as we drove to Bethlehem, and then walked into the cave where they believe baby Jesus was born. Everything has begun to together as I have come to understand geography, culture, history, and religion of this Holy Land. I love being here!

City street of BethlehemThe Church of the Nativity Down in the cave at the manger where they believe Jesus was born.

Here is a picture of my wonderful patio. It is sad to think that I only have one month left here where I can step outside my room and look out over Jerusalem. I am so lucky to be here! A few nights ago we had a birthday party for one of the girls and the sunset was just beautiful.

Jerash
This is one of the most well preserved Roman City. We have seen a lot of old cities but most of them are not standing anymore. This was a really cool place to see.
This is where they would have chariot races.I have always loved going to theaters so sitting in the seats of a Roman Theater was so much fun for me. There are two theaters in Jerash. This is the big theater. The acoustics are awesome and some men played the bagpipes and we danced around them on the floor level. It was great!Walking down the main street.This is the stage of the smaller theater. We had some free time so Lisa, Jane, and I did a little exploring and ended up on the stage. No one was around so we decided to dance around and after a few minutes we looked up to find Eric (a friend of ours) watching us. We then proceeded to put on a little show and after it ended with all of us laying dead on the stage we glanced to the top to see 8 more friends watching our spectacular performance. It was a little embarrassing but probably the funnest part of the day!

THE WEEK FINALS...

So I have been stuck in this building for the past four days and can't wait for Friday afternoon when I can finally escape to the city. The tension is high and everyone is ready for a break. My friend Lisa wrote a pretty funny post about finals that might paint a picture of what it has been like this past week. It might not be as funny if you haven't been here but this might give you a slight taste of what the past week has been like. http://lisanicolefoote.blogspot.com/2009/06/finals-week-explosion.html