the sea of Galilee!!!

Well i am glad to report to my faithful readers that i spent the last 11 days on a kibbutz in the Galilee. I stayed in a bungalo right on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, yes that is the very sea the Christ walked on at one point and calmed at another point. I was able to visit a million and one sites in the area where Christ spent most of his life. I visited Nazereth, Mount of Beattitudes, Capernaum, Caeseria Philippi, and possible mount of Transfiguration sites!!! My friends and i had bomb fires on the beach, swam in the sea, and kayaked the Jordan River. Most amazingly we were also able to study and ponder the teachings of the Savior where they originated from. I loved it so much and i feel that i was able to grow closer to my Savior and become a better person through the experience.
Two experiences stood out in the experience as a whole....first my jog to Hypos and secondly my visit to Nain.
First, i took some of my freetime on the last day in the Galilee to jog to some ancient ruins, a city called Hypos, that is fixed a top an overlook above the sea of Galilee. It took me some time to fog up the steep winding roads but i did not mind because the view atop the mount was beautiful...on the top of the "mountain" i was able to ponder my life and the Savior's life. I came away feeling more faithful than i have felt in some time...I know that God listens to our prayers and that he loves us...I know that the Lord will hear us and work with us to help us overcome our sins and shortcomings so that we can be better and one day return to live with him as eternal families. It is his work and his glory. After my time at the ruins I began my descent. As i jogged down the roads and looked down over the sea of Galilee, Jesus' hood, my ipod played Onward Christian Soldiers. It dawned on me that this was a neat experience and i began let out a few mighty yawps and whoops...as load as i could!!! The jog down was much easier and faster.
Second, I had a cool expeirence at a small modest church, different than most here, that celebrated the story of the widow of Nain. I learned insights from my professors regarding Jesus' compassion for this particular widow whos son had just died. Emotion ran through me as a thought about my mother who was widowed and i thought about the compassion the Savior had shown my family and me. I than was overcome with guilt for all the little miracles i had turned from by sinning, by laziness, by ingratitude, by selfishness and i resolved to be a better person for the Savior!!! I want to be clean and always show my God that i am willing to do what it takes to earn his mercy! I feel my heart changing...Let us all take it upon ourselves to walk a little straighter, to lengthen our stride, and to be just a little better.
Well i love you all...I know this is a more serious blog and i hope that is okay...know worries there are plenty of funny blogs ahead of us!
JOrdan Mulford