Reminiscing My Trips

I was surprised that my friend Mae posted on FB, photos from our trip to Jerusalem (sounds like a children's party game, doesn't it?), the very same day I was reviewing my own photos of my pilgrimages.

What a coincidence! Talk about "thought clouds".

On the other hand, my (Holy Land) roommate Pinpin sent me through e-mail, an invitation for a Marian pilgrimage. Cool! (However, I was blessed to have joined one already, here's my blog on that one My Marian Pilgrimage)

Moments on Photographs

Wow, suddenly I remember the things we did, photos we took (good if I took them, not-so-good if she took them), hotel rooms we overstuffed our things with, the food we munched, outfits we wore (of the same color most of the time), the things we did not buy and those we bought (until her baggage cried out for help), the jokes and secrets we shared, the memories we built. Yup! Pinipin and I (can be a title of a movie or a book, huh).

Above shots were taken at the Imperial Hotel. Buffets are lovely and yummy. Below was at Hotel Leonardo (note of the blue tops). And yes, she's my roommate for this Holy Land trip, Pinpin.

 

Stormy Weather? Sleep Well

It's been raining nowadays, not just the weather, but in my life as well. I am being faced by a couple of challenges and testings. Then, I am comforted by the Holy Spirit by reminding me of this message.

With Christ in your vessel, you can smile and sleep, 

even in a storm . . .

 


Thanks to this video clip file I have of Bro. Bo Sanchez as we sail in the Sea of Galilee.

Have faith. Believe that all storms do end. One of mine did. Alleluia!

Little Great Things

The hotel was truly a "wow" and I continue to discover little things that I greatly appreciate . . .

How about this labor-of-love by our room staff? A swan and a butterfly for our white towels (the apple is mine).

Blessings

Nice lobby and transparent "lift", heheh.

We stayed at a great hotel, the Imperial Hotel . . .

So much blessings.

Fun at the Dead Sea

I

Stone Arts

At Ceasarea, we came at an area where we saw these very large stone art works.

 

See the giant foot?

What a half body, huh?

A coffin?

Ever so Near

Near the sea . . . near nature . . . near God's creation . . . the feeling of God very very near me . . .

The Power of Endurance

"Happy the man who can endure the highest and the lowest fortune. He, who has endured such vicissitudes with equanimity, has deprived misfortune of its power." 

Seneca, philosopher

The Shepherd

Being a shepherd is not that high-tech. No need for super skills or equipment, a rod to protect the sheep from danger and a staff to lead them are enough. But one needs a lot of love to really care for the flock and provide them with their daily needs. One can be good or bad in shepherding. We have a Good Shepherd. We are thankful.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
³     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
⁴ Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.

This was a visit at Genesis Land where we get to wear costumes, eat pita bread with humus, ride a camel and even get a license for riding.