Thursday, March 01, 2018

O Spring





Hope springs eternal
And Spring comes to those who hope
And roses will bloom

There’s one certainty
Whether sunshine or in rain
It’s always welcomed

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy


Please visit recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Monday, February 26, 2018

Mount Carmel




A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson


There is so much to learn about every place you visit in the Holy Land.  And just when you think you know there's nothing else to learn you learn something else.  Mount Carmel was that way for me.  I thought it was only a holy site because it was where the Carmelite order was begun in the twelfth century.  Well there is so much more.  More that I can write here.  So I challenge you to learn what you can on your own.

In Hebrew Mount Carmel means God's vineyard and in Arabic Mount Saint Elijah.  In the book of Joshua Asher's land allotment reaches to Carmel on the West.  During the reign of Ahab Elijah challenges the prophets off Baal and calls down fire to consume the sacrifice. . .Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel and prayed seven times this clouds appeared bringing rain.

Elijah's Cave



Church of Stella Maris

Shortly after the creation of the Carmelite Order in the twelfth century a monastery was built on the mount with a church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Star of the Sea.  It is a beautiful church.  We were privileged to celebrate Mass in the chapel there.



Chapel of Stella Maris


Finally, in twentieth century the Bah'is Faith built a Shrine to the Bab (mausoleum).  It was begun in 1901 and was completed in 1953,  It is beautiful to see and was called The Hanging Gardens by our guide.

I think that's enough for today.  There is so much more to share and I'm excited to do so, but I'm still trying to assimilate all the information I was given.  It will be easier to share if I do.  

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me at  Through My Lens, Travel TuesdayOur World Tuesday and Mosaic Monday.

Friday, February 23, 2018

Holy Is His Name

From the Church of the Nativity, Bethlemem

~~~~~~~

Holy Child of God
Held gently by his mother
Heaven came to earth

Earth behold the Child
The Word made flesh among us
Tender is the night

~~~~~~~


It should be said that my visit to the Church of the Nativity this week has left me without words to describe this place of beauty.  To be where the Christ child was born, held tenderly by his mother and know as a mother what concerns she had about his growing up touched me deeply.  The mother of our Savior suffered exile, hardship, and witnessed the terrible death of her Son.  A true woman of courage.  

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Please visit recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Caesarea Maritima, City of Herod the Great




A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson





A beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea




Herod the Great acquired the site of this former Phoenician naval harbor in 30 BC.  He built a palace, hippodrome and coliseum.  As I understand it he was also the first to use concrete for the first time to  build underwater breakwaters.  It's an interesting place to visit and a testament to what can be built when you have the money to do so.  This site was dedicated in honor of his patron Caesar Augustus.

A tour of the Holy Land is a magnificent experience.  It is difficult to tell you all I've seen in the last 4 days.  There is so much history, religious and secular, that I'm not surprised there have been so many books written about it.  There will be ore later!  

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy
Please join me at  Through My Lens, Travel TuesdayOur World Tuesday and Mosaic Monday.

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Sorrowful Journey Haiku



Jesus meets his mother
The Way of the Cross
St Mary-of-the Woods, IN


The way of sorrow
A journey long and painful
The Savior consoles

Tenderness and love
Through all the tears and anguish
He always prevails

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!







 recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Sojourn to the Holy Land




A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson
div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">




Sanctuary of Our lady of Fatima


 Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Nearly a year ago we were on pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain and Lourdes.  I didn't think I could be more excited about a trip than I was for that one, but I was wrong.  I'm really excited about this sojourn.

I'm nearly organized.  Getting things together I want to be sure we take with us.  You know, the passport, tickets, tour book, lenten reading and, of course, the knitting.  These are LONG flights and this is a way to relax.  Then, our kids surprised  us with the most beautiful prayer shawl and yarmulke for our trip to the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  Oh my, yes I am excited.


~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me at  Through My Lens, Travel TuesdayOur World Tuesday and Mosaic Monday.

Friday, February 09, 2018

Quiet Stroll Haiku

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN


Time with Providence
A gentle walk in the Woods
Stroll with the Master

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy




 recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Sunday, February 04, 2018

Memory of a Short Visit to Lisbon




A man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints” ~Wilfred Peterson
I

Jerónimos Monastery
Lisbon, Portugal







We were only in Lisbon for a few hours before we left for Fatima.  But while we were there we were able to see some very memorable sites.  The monument to Henry the Navigator was incredible.  We were able to tour the Church of Santa Maria that is part of Jeronimos Monastery.  The view of the city was inspiring.  I do love history and Portugal's is most interesting.




Relief of Henry the Navigator Monument


~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Friday, February 02, 2018

Waiting on the Tarmac




Liberty International Airport
Newark, NJ


Airplanes are waiting
With New York City skyline
Resting on tarmac

Eager to fly high
Oh, the anticipation
Waiting to begin

~~~~~~~

In 10 short days the journey to the Holy Land begins and again we'll be flying through Newark.  You can see the skyline of New York City and the Statue of Liberty from there and it is most impressive.  I have to quell my enthusiasm for this trip.  I still have to WAIT!  I am grateful for the gift of travel and for this opportunity to yet again be a pilgrim.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy


 recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

From the Creator's Palate



Sunrise in Rocky Mountain National Parks

Today I found this wonderful post and so I'm linking to it.  It's Our World Tuesday.  Please enjoy!  I have!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Cathy