Spring Has Sprung

"No Winter lasts forever, no Spring skips its turn." I don't remember the author of this quote, but I have thought of it often. It has felt like this winter would never end and lately, I have been holding on to the truth of this statement. If I do say so myself, this winter was unusual. We didn't have a lot of snow, and the days were not too cold, just alot of rain and dreary cloud cover. I have been so looking forward to Spring, and this weekend the weather finally cooperated.

Saturday was a gorgeous day, warm and sunny, so we decided to get the boat up and running, ready for a summer filled with Bass fishing. After we charged the battery and got out the fishing tackle, we were off to the river. Well, we didn't catch a thing, but we had a great time anyway.

It was heavenly just being out of doors and on the water. We enjoyed the sounds of the birds and of the Canada Geese, and we even saw a bald eagle from a far. We tried to maneuver the boat close enough to take a picture, but the geese decided to fly at that exact moment, and off it flew with them. Ah well, maybe next time?

"Talking Turkey"

While on our cruise, one of my favorite destinations, was Turkey. We were able to spend the whole day there and I loved everything about it. Mitch and I are talking about going back for a longer stay. Turkey is where the six churches were located, that are mentioned in the first few chapters of book of Revelation.

We started out with a drive to the ancient city of Ephesus. The ruins of this city were an awe inspiring sight to behold. We were able to walk about on cobblestones of marble that have been there for ages. We saw the ruins of the Roman baths and saunas, and even the marketplace. I wondered if one of the stalls was where Paul worked making tents to sell. We were able to see where archaeologists were in the process of excavating the areas where the general population lived. One of the largest buildings still standing was the city's Library. It was a beautifully sculpted, palace like structure and we were able to stand on the steps and take photos.

My favorite part of our visit there was Bible study in the Amphitheater. We are told in Acts that through Paul's preaching, many turned from the worship of the goddess Artemis (Dianna), to the worship of God. This made the idol-makers mad, and they caused the people of Ephesus to drag two of Paul's companions to this very same Amphitheater for trial. The Bible records for us that the whole city came to the Amphitheater for the trial, and that they rioted and yelled for two hours, "Great is Dianna of the Ephesians." The Amphitheaters of the ancient world are huge, and yes, this one was large enough to accommodate all of the citizens of the city.

After our time at the site of Ephesus, we went to lunch at a family owned and operated restaurant that was situated in the middle of an Olive Grove. It was a beautiful setting and we had a delicious lunch, under a vine covered pergola. Mitch and I tried our first taste of Turkish coffee, very strong and sweet, and we both really liked it!

After lunch, we were off to a Turkish Rug Weaving School, where we learned how silk, from silk worm cocoons, is turned into beautiful hand made Turkish rugs. Some of the rugs that we were shown, took 4 women a whole year to weave!

Silver and Old

I was talking to Jesus this morning and telling Him that I was feeling old and worn out. A very busy life and too many late nights spent awake with hot flashes, (or should I say, "power surges?") has left me tired and cranky.
This was God's answer to me:
"Even to your old age, I am He, and even to your gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you." Isaiah 46:4
I LOVE how God speaks to me. He knows my inner most thoughts and feelings, and He knows just the right thing to say.
I know that there will be many days ahead that I will feel the same as I do today, BUT I can also KNOW that my God will carry me through them all.
So, I am off to begin a new day.........I think that the first thing I am going to do is to check my hair.........I may be old, but I certainly don't have to look the part!

This Little Light of Mine

I know that this post is a little out of order.......Christmas has already come and gone....but I would like to share something that I have been thinking about, and it all began at the Christmas Eve service..........

We had a great service and at the end of it, we turned off the lights and sang carols by candle light. Our church doesn't give candles to the little ones, but you know how kids are......they want what they can't have.....so just as we paused between songs, a little one started crying and screaming, "I want the fire daddy!" Over and over again, as he was being carried out of the sanctuary. Of course, we all giggled and felt sorry for the parents, we have all been embarrassed by our children at one time or another, right?

On a recent Sunday, Steve preached on Jesus being the Source of Light in our lives. The Light that guides us and teaches us. The Light that shows us the truth about ourselves. The Light that will shine out of our hearts into the lives of others. He spoke on how we so often are afraid of this Light or maybe we don't think that we need the Light, and of how we may try to replace the Light with other things. As he was finishing the sermon, he asked us, "What is keeping you from the Source of Light?"

I have been thinking about this question and doing some soul searching........Am I content with how my heart is today? Am I, on a daily basis, living in the Light? Am I willing to ask God to set my heart on fire? Will I live for Him and will I be willing to be burned up in service to Him and to others? My answer is, "Yes......I want the fire, Daddy!!"

"What is Christmas With No Snow?"

Another Christmas has come and gone......new memories were made, a few pounds of body fat were added, new photos were added to my growing collection, and good times were had by all.

We began the day with a reading of the account of Jesus' birth, from the Gospel of Luke, and then we opened up our gifts. It is such fun to watch the grand kids as they tear into their gifts. I love to see the smiles and hear the joyful sound of their laughter.

For breakfast we feasted on French Breakfast Puffs, a family tradition, that is served ONLY at Thanksgiving and Christmas.......It would be a sacrilege to serve them at any other time. My mom used to serve these for holidays too, so the taste of them bring back many memories of my childhood.

The rest of the day was spent relaxing and playing with the grand kids' new toys and games.

Steph and her honey, Dave, made a delicious Christmas dinner, with the best Prime Rib I have ever eaten, and served it with all the trimmings.

The only thing that was missing was.......SNOW!! Yes, I really did miss the snow on Christmas Day. I always think of Jesus when I look at snow........it puts me in remembrance of what the Christmas season is all about.........Jesus coming to earth as a Little Baby, Who grew to be a Man, Who gave His life for us..........to wash us in His precious blood, so that we might be made, white as snow.

The Ancient City of Corinth and Mars Hill

After a restful day and night on board our cruise ship, we reached our next port of call, Athens (Piraeus) Greece. We were met at the docks by our tour bus and our tour guide, and then we were off to our first stop, the ruins of Corinth.

On the way to Corinth, we stopped at an ancient canal that was built to move ships from the harbor to a palace (I think it was a palace??) I don't remember the whole story, but I did take a photo! We stopped at a little roadside "touristy" stop and enjoyed a little shopping and a snack, and then hiked down to a walkway, that spanned the canal. I have included a picture of the sign for the women's restroom also, I thought it was too cute!

I loved Corinth!! There is still a little village there.........the homes were just like I had imagined.....stuccoed and with red tile roofs, and each home had its own little walled garden, and an orchard.

When we drove up to the site of the ancient city of Corinth, I was in awe of the great columns that I saw in the distance. I am still amazed at what has survived over thousands of years. After a short tour-guide speech, we were able to walk all around the site and even allowed to walk in and through areas that had been homes, and bath houses, and market stalls. We stopped to have a Bible study at the site of the Behma Seat, and then we walked around the museum.

The museum had some fascinating displays, and I really enjoyed it. My favorite item in the museum was a mirror, made from polished bronze, dating to the Apostle Paul's day. It put me in mind of the verses in Paul's first epistle to the Corinthian church, about seeing in a mirror dimly, but some day we will see face to face. By looking at it's polished, but not so clear surface, I can better understand what he meant! (See 1 Cor. 13) We weren't allowed to take pictures of any of the displays, so I don't have one to show you.

We left Corinth and headed to downtown, modern day, Athens, where we stopped to have lunch (authentic Greek foods, very yummy!), and then we hiked up to the site of Mars Hill, and the Acropolis.

Mars Hill was one of my favorite places. The stairs up to the top of the hill, are the same ones that have been used for thousands of years, and that means that I walked where the Apostle Paul had walked. I have included a picture of the marble cobblestone roads that are still in use, since the days of Paul.

The Acropolis was awe inspiring too. It is very well preserved and as you can see from the photos, restoration work is still going on. I loved all of the marble and stone carvings, so detailed and beautiful.

From the Acropolis you could see the ancient temple of Zeus and an ancient amphitheater.

After our tour in Athens, we were given a bus tour of the modern day city of Athens, and then we headed back to the ship.

Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas.......