I almost didn't get posted today! It's almost 9:00 P.M. and we (as in all the Cullens/Big T/GranJan) have been going since before 6:00 A.M. ! Today was Ella Kate's 3rd b'day party! It was the perfect party. After making over , well, I'm not going to say HOW many pictures (LOL), let's say, I made quite a few! Because I am exhausted and everyone else is already "sawing logs" after our BUSY/FUN b'day party, I am making this short. But, just so thankful to God to be able to see ALL NINE of our beautiful grandbabies today! I'll post more about the day next week but let me say it was fantastic! BEAUTIFUL Alabama weather today---the kids played out barefoot all day --couldn't have been more perfect weather/ the kids were awesome/it was perfect! SO MUCH FUN!
One more IMPORTANT note! LILY made CHEER-LEADER! YIPPEEEEE! she was so excited !
So, here's a couple of shots of our day with many more in the next few days!
Tonight we put Ella Kate to bed (TOTALLY exhausted) as a precious little 2 year old but tomorrow morning, she will awaken as a BIG GIRL! THREE YEARS OLD!
More tomorrow. This GranJan is exhausted.
#Lentenjourney #thankingGod4ourbabies #perfectlyawesomeday #GodisSOgood
My heart belongs to; ASSISI, ITALY
After looking at my pictures from the Vatican yesterday, I decided to go back and look again at some of the many I made on our incredible trip to Italy. We were with the Heaths and when we were planning our trip, we all decided to choose a place that each of us wanted to go. I chose Assisi. I have always had a special place in my heart for St. Francis of Assisi and wanted to go there. Since it wasn't too far from where we stayed in Poggibonsi (our central chalet in Tuscany). Terry wanted to go to Siena (San Gimignano)/ Yvette wanted to go to Cinque Terre/ I wanted to go to Assisi. Don said he'd go anywhere! So we did it all!....During Lent, and thinking things spiritual, brought to mind one of the most spiritual places I've ever been. Honestly, it was such a lovely and peaceful place. Lots of people, yes. But reverent and quiet. You just didn't want to spoil the serenity of the town. It was a lot of walking, lots of churches in St. Francis' honor/memory. He was SUCH a humble man, he wore a cossack/tunic that is still framed in one of the churches there . His cross, (that spoke to him! Hey, I don't deny it!), is also behind a grate in one of the churches as you can see in the picture. St. Francis was a humble man and would probably be embarrassed that there is so many statues to him and churches to him. They say he was "the ecumenical man": One whose brothers included rich and poor, saints and sinners and even non-Christians. And of course, his love for all living things---birds/animals is another reason I love his legacy. It was kind of weird and at the same time, meaningful, that he is buried there in the church. I am over and beyond blessed that I got to where one of my Christian heroes lived/served. It was amazing. ...I apologize in advance for so many pictures, but I hope you will take a look at them, anyway! While the Vatican was unbelievably gorgeous, to me it was somewhat opulent. In complete contrast was Assisi. While, of course, the churches were gorgeous in Assisi, the humbleness of St. Francis was stark contrast. And so I believe our journey should be. Humble/ welcoming all people/ loving God's creatures and taking care of them and having a humble spirit.....*Thank you, St. Francis (of Assisi) for allowing me to see your home/your life/ your ministry and your obedience to God. I kissed the marble sandals as I walked away. For to be such a servant as he was, is one I should always strive after.
*Oh, and how about God sent a dove for me to capture flying past the church there????? my fav pix (from the ten thousand I made)!
#LentenJourney #40days #heroesofthefaith #StFranciss #Assisi #humbleman #leadme2thecross
Wondering what you are looking at???? Well, today my blog entry is going to be titled "WORDLESS TUESDAY" (well, as "wordless" as I can be, haha)....Here you are taking a minuscule look at some of the pictures I made while at the Vatican in Rome. I wish I could post them all , but have chosen those that will show up best.I included some have posted several of tapestries b/c, Terry, being a "carpet man", we especially were intrigued with those as they were made centuries ago, by hand. Hard to imagine the YEARS that they took in creating them. Also all the incredible paintings on the walls/ the statues/ the art. I have a gazillion pictures and each time I look at one, again, my mind is blown. Look in detail at each picture. So many details and each tells a story. From the way an angel bows prostrate to the hands raised by those depicted in the paintings. And the faces! Oh, the gifted artists! ...Whether you have been yourself to the Vatican or not you will enjoy these b/c , more than likely, you didn't see this. *Our tour guide (she is the one holding the umbrella---so knowledgeable! Anyway, she , herself, was baptized as a baby there , in one of the many chapels*.She said that if the Pope walked into each room and studied each picture/ statue/ art it would take many, many years!
If you have NOT visited the Vatican, I cannot fully explain the enormity of it. (And we only saw a small smidgen of all that is in there). No matter if you are Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, Non-Denominational or ANGLICAN (insert smiley face), you will be touched/amazed/ overwhelmed and in somewhat of disbelief that you are gazing upon works of art like the world has never seen. I would love to go back. To Rome AND to the Vatican. But, if I never get that chance again, I can still look at all the hundreds of pictures I made in the Vatican ...and be blessed. (don't worry, I'm not posting all 400+ photos. HA! Don't want to blow up my blogspot!).
I purposelessly put vertical pictures, mostly because I could make them larger and you could see more details. Scroll across, if you can, and notice the ceilings in some of those.
I ended with pictures in St.Peter's Basilica.would you believe it can host 20,000 believers? Of course, huge mosaics and, like from Bernini and most famously, Michelangelo's "Pieta". (I almost freaked when I saw it. Truly).Again, truly mind boggling and the only thing I did not enjoy was that I didn't have time to tell everyone else to leave so that I could kneel at one of those amazing altars (haha). Seriously, if I were the Pope, I'd go in there every single night, by my lonesome, and pray. It would be like standing in the middle of the saints and all God's Glory!
..Enjoy and look at each photo and ask yourself this, like I am doing this morning : How important is Church History to you? And , does art touch you and give you new visions of Christ and His church?
#carrythecross #LentenJourney2016 #Vaticantreasures #neverseenanythinglikeit #want2goback #priclessworksofArt #Roma
