Not Saying Good-Bye — Just, “See You Later”, Jerusalem!
Our wonderful faith pilgrimage of the Holy Lands comes to an end tonight as we board our plane for our home sweet homes in the U.S. The 8-hour difference in time should have us back on central time zone around 1:45 pm tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, we are all reflecting on this most amazing…
The Via Dolorosa & The Holy Sepulchre
I had a very different kind of excitement about yesterday’s pilgrimage. We all dressed in black to express our respect for the holiness of what we were about to experience. If we were representing the resurrection of our Lord, I’m sure we would have been in the brightest of colors. Think about how we dress…
I’m Still Here, So I’m Not Done (This is long today — so much to tell you about!)
Our first stop yesterday was the Mount of Olives where our Lord ascended into heaven. Before I left home in Texas, I sensed I needed to get all my documents together and in order should something happen to me while I was in Israel — specifically, if God wanted to ascend me directly to heaven…
Merry Christmas from Bethlehem in June!
We were enroute to Bethlehem yesterday morning when we took the Hebron Road and just to the North of us was where David fought the Philistines in 1004 BC. Does that even compute when I say those words? It seems inconceivable to be in the places I’ve only read about all my life. God has…
The City of Peace — Jerusalem!! Shalom!!
Early yesterday morning, we bade farewell to the awe-inspiring region of Galilee — where our Lord spent so much time in His ministry. Honestly, my mind can hardly take it in that our Lord and His followers walked everywhere or took a boat across the sea, or, in the case of Mary and Joseph, walked…
I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked and Felt His Presence There
I was up at 4:30 am to watch the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee. It didn’t disappoint. When the breakfast buffet opened, I got my plate and took it outside to hover in God’s presence. I shut my eyes to think about Jesus calming the winds & waves & walking on the waters.…
Pilgrimage Day 6 — Rome to Israel
I woke yesterday morning, with tears starting to flow. We were flying to Israel. This long awaited day was finally coming to pass — a day that my husband and I dreamed of. On the way to the airport, our fellow pilgrims sang “Jerusalem, Our Destiny!” “I have fixed my eyes on your hills, Jerusalem,…
Pilgrimage Day 5 — Arriverderci Roma — It’s time for us to part
Aw! Italy! Bellissimo! The beauty of Italy on an early morning drive through the fields and mountains, the lush green groves of olive trees, sheep grazing, vineyards — all seen as we made our way to Assisi (about 3 hours drive on a motorcoach), the birth and burial place of St. Francis of Assisi who…
Do You Have a Rich Family History and You Don’t Know It?
When my mother was up in years, I realized I didn’t know much about her history — stories about her 12 siblings, what it was like living in a large family, how their parents were able to support them financially, how she met my dad, and what it was like for them to have children,…
We Went — We Saw — We Loved
Our day started with an early wake-up call at 5:30 am, with breakfast at 6:30 am and then it was making our way to Vatican City, St. Peter’s Square for the Papal Audience. God favored us so much because we had seats right against the wall that backed up to Pope Francis’ ride through the…