Sunday December 2, 2007

Natasha Antoniak

Brother Ludlow

December 2, 2007

Our last day in Galilee, staying at Ein Gev, was of course bittersweet for all of us. Brother Draper's class woke up early to do their final field trip while we had class for 3 hours. We took a 5 pt. quiz, had chocolate milk on our break and had a long and mentally exhausting discussion about the Trinity and the Woman who was taken into adultery. New perspectives of each subject were brought to our attention causing a lot of us to feel like our brains were fried and overwhelmed. We walked out of class like zombies not even knowing what exactly to say and just needing to sit and think for a while. Or rather, NOT think for a long time.

The rest of the day was replete with taking pictures down by the sea, throwing a football on the grass, taking naps on the hammocks, reading our scriptures and journaling. You could look out and see just a lot people having personal reflection time. We all felt an extreme of feelings that day: being both refreshed and exhausted from our time in Galilee. It started to really sink in that our time here on our study abroad is ending.

That night we had class parties. We sat around a fire, eating s'mores, playing games, and just socializing. The highlight of the night was when Archie got kidnapped by Brother Draper's class but we sabotaged their ploy by sneaking up on them singing "Book of Mormon Stories"—Native American style with running, jumping, and lots and lots of noise. Some went to bed soon after that getting ready for the early morning back to Jerusalem whereas others stayed up and found more entertaining things to do with their time to create even greater memories while in Galilee.

Luke 15: 20

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

This scripture describes our relationship and calling to our Father and Heaven perfectly. We must arise—meaning, expand our souls, deepen our hearts, strengthen our faith, stand a little taller, look a little higher, and reach a farther. In other words, we need to become continually worthy and we do this by coming unto Him—coming unto our Father. He waits for us. He sees us. He watches us.

I know He runs to us with the greatest love that a Father can. He is tender with our souls and lives. He calls us to 'arise and return to Him.' He will be there along the way and more importantly, to welcome us home to His presence when we come unto Him.