Absolutely BREATHTAKING

Breathtaking: beautiful, awesome, amazing, astonishing, heart-stirring, magnificent, thrilling, awe inspiring

When it came to traveling, my husband and I lived with no regrets. In our younger years, when our budget could only afford weekend trips to nearby places and lakes, we thoroughly enjoyed time away with our children and we embraced God’s creation in the sweetest ways.

On our 25th wedding anniversary, we took on a new fervor for traveling to foreign and distant lands. One of our “must do’s” at every place we went was to visit cathedrals (in these photos are The Berlin Cathedral in Germany, Notre Dame in Paris and Cathedral of Milan, Italy). I continue to make that a priority today. BREATHTAKING are those cathedrals as they soar toward the heavens. My breath was always taken away at the architecture, and symbolism found in those buildings that presented us with an overwhelming experience of wonder and magnificence. We were captured by the those early master craftsmen and artists who, by hand, created such majestic monuments to God.

Those structures were built to reflect God’s all-surpassing splendor, but I wonder how we could possibly recapture in our hearts that BREATHTAKING feeling of God’s grandeur and be reminded again of His majesty. My blog, yesterday, was about being heavenly minded. We can’t be heavenly minded without acknowledging the ONE Who made the heavens and the earth.

Just think about the greatness of what God has created. All we have to do is to take one look at a starry night sky and think of God’s power as He spoke the universe into existence. I remember the snow-covered mountains of Alaska and the majestic Pacific Ocean that was teeming with millions of God's creatures and I imagine the power that holds this earth and all its wonders together. I remember the BREATHTAKING moment when I held my newborn babies and grandbabies in my arms and I thanked God for the miracle of life itself.

Man isn’t wrong to reach for the sky with those BREATHTAKING structures that are intended to point us to God. But our truest BREATHTAKING moments should be reserved for God Himself as we say to Him, “Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor” (1 Chronicles 29:11).

Lord, You do take our breath away with Your greatness. Thank You for reminding us of Your grandeur in Your world and in Your Word.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Day 114 of Photo Inspirations -- When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
Today we made journeys across country by ship, by train, by taxi and a lot of walking, and it was beyond spectacular.

Two months ago I never gave a second thought to being in Ireland on April 25th, 2015, and then I found a pot of blessings when friends asked if I'd like to take a journey to Europe with them.

Today we took our time to make a journey through diverse surroundings -- hills and valleys, cobblestone streets, up through tiny passage ways in Blarney Castle, through splendid gardens and lush landscaping.

We walked through mystical and magical places.  From the top of Blarney Castle, which for over 200 years has been the place where millions of pilgrims climb the steps to kiss the Blarney Stone and receive the gift of eloquence (aka gift of gab).  I was told that since I was already gifted in that area -- it was unncessary for me to kiss the stone (LOL).

After this adventure and then to the wool mills where gorgeous sweaters were made, we made way to a traditional pub, O'Clancey's, for yummy fish and chips,  

It's in the 50s year round here -- and it rains a lot!  We only experienced a little rain -- most of the day was warm sunshine.

But, as in previous travels of my Sweetheart and I, we carried on our tradition of visiting beautiful cathedrals and churches in the cities we visited today.  There is something about walking into the sacred places of worship that draws us to the reason for it all.

I loved stopping in the midst of all the wonders outdoors, to give thanksgiving for He Who created this wonderful world we live in.  And, what He creates.....He decorates.....and what He decorates....He gives us every reason in the world to celebrate -- "to be still and KNOW He is God" Almighty!

How can I express enough appreciation for He Who opened this amazing door of opportunity to me to experience His grandeur and splendor.

Azores, Portugal

Day 111 of Photo Inspirations -- Portugal
Great friends and great fun on the high seas.

Today we're in Portugal and what a blessing to be on ground again after 7 days sailing. It is a beautiful, glorious day here in Portugal and thanking God for his creations, His beauty and His Majesty.

Had a chance to go into a beautiful cathedral as well as

another beautiful church

and saw the courthouse and other beautiful buildings here in Portugal. Thanking God for His blessings today.