Proverbs 17:17; A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity
Love, Laughter, Joy and Everything In Between
Proverbs 17:17; A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity
This fourth of July just felt different, in a good way. There has been so many things near and dear to my heart that I've prayed for this past year as a CWA leader. I've seen many of my heartfelt prayers answered this week. On top of that I read a book while in FL about WWII and the events leading up to us dropping the atomic bombs. It was truly humbling. I live in the greatest country on earth and I'm incredibly thankful to the men and women who sacrificed so much for my freedom. Freedom that gives the opportunity to celebrate our great land each and every fourth of July. God has extended His great hand of mercy over America. It's in and through God that all things are made and all things are possible. Happy 249th birthday, America.
Long post alert! On May 19 Mike and I headed to Greece with our church group which just also happened to include my sister, niece and my dearest friends, Mary and Shannon, who are more like family. It was a trip of a lifetime. I remember before we left our pastor's wife, Sara, told us that we would spend weeks processing everything that we saw and we'd be overwhelmed by all of it. She couldn't have been more right. This post will probably be all over the place b/c I'm still wrapped up in so much emotion from Greece. It was humbling to walk where the Apostle Paul was. God used his heart and placed him in Greece where he courageously shared the Gospel. He was imprisoned, beaten and yet kept on. He spent 18 mos in Cornith as a tent maker. I was moved to tears when Pastor Baker and our greek speaking tour guide, Evi, read 1 Corinthians 13 together. Mike would read a verse in english, Evi a verse in greek. It reminded me the Gospel is for everyone, everyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ. I am also incredibly thankful that Mike agreed to go on this trip with me. Had he not he would have worked himself to the bone while I was gone and would have had no idea what I experienced on this trip. Instead we experienced it together and Mike was his best self. He was actually a joiner on this trip and had people in gales of laughter for much of the trip. He loved seeing all the old archaeological sites. I really can't say enough about this trip. I loved every second of it.
Below is a brief run down of our days in Greece
Day 1 - Thessaioniki, a visit to church of St. Demetrius, we traveled to Kavala (where Paul first landed in Europe). We went to Philippi (where Paul and Silas were arrested, flogged and imprisoned for causing a public nuisance). We also went to the site where Lydia was baptized. Lydia was the first person baptized in Europe.
Day 2 - Archaeological site of Vergina in Central Macedonia. Visited the Royal tomb of King Phillip. We went to Beria. We checked into our hotel that night in Kalambaka
Day 3 - This was one of my favorite days. We visited a monastery and the rock formations were breath taking. Truly, I can't put into words how beautiful and majestic it was. All I kept thinking was God is SO big and I am SO small.
Day 4 - We left Kalambaka and headed to Delphi. That night we left for Athens
Day 5 - Panathenian Stadium which was quite a hike but worth it. Mars Hill where Paul taught about the "unknown God" (Acts 17). A view of the Agora, the ancient marketplace of pubic life. We visited the Acropolis and the magnificent Parthenon.
Day 6 - Athens and Cornith. I loved Cornith. Paul was a tentmaker in Cornith for 18 months.
These pics are in no certain order. In fact this picture was taken on the last night but I find it fitting that it posted first because these are my people. I am so blessed by all of them and to vacation with them as a family of believers was wonderful. We laughed together and grew in our knowledge and love of Christ. (left to right: John, Mary, Lauren, Kim, Shannon, Shizuko, me and Mike)