Category Archives: Family

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Olympia, Greece/Haven’s Son worship

. European Destinations, Family, Jesus Christ Follower, Spiritual Fitness . , , , , ,

Well, we were supposed to see and experience Olympia on October 13, 2011, the site of the original Olympic Games; however, the operators of the historical sites chose to go on strike. I decided to stay on the ship. I am posting some “post card-type” pictures, but they are not mine. That morning I had a spiritual experience, and that is what I am sharing with you all now. Have a blessed weekend during this blessed season of Advent leading to Christmas.

Revelation 21:23

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (NIV)

Thursday October 13, 2011

After a great night’s sleep on Wednesday, I arose to a new day around 6:45 am. I got my coffee and water, and jogged for 20 minutes aboard the Star Princess. When I finished, I enjoyed a good breakfast that I carried to just about the highest point where passengers are allowed. The full moon was setting on the west side of the ship, the sun was rising above the mountains east of Katakolon, Greece (our port of call), and I was in between enjoying my meal. I had been waiting and waiting for the sun to rise the whole time I jogged. On the same platform stood 4 Asians who I am pretty sure were Japanese. One of the men had a camera, and I was quite sure he was waiting for the sun to peek over the mountains so he could get a good photograph.

I had already said several morning prayers as I jogged, and I had asked God to bless my breakfast before I ate, but I had yet to bow my head in prayer or kneel in prayer as I often do. I looked at the Asian gentleman, and he was, indeed, snapping a few pictures of the peeking sun. The two women seemed a bit giddy, and one was waving her hands in an upward direction “encouraging” the sun to rise. I was amused. When the entire sun was above the mountain top, the other Asian woman placed her hands in a prayer position, faced the rising sun and made a grateful shoulder-bow while the other Asian woman did the same in front of her. The only time I have knelt publicly in prayer has been for communion at St. Martin’s. When I saw the women bow towards the sun, the Holy Spirit moved in me, and my heart started beating faster. I knew what the Spirit was encouraging me to do: I was to kneel in prayer and thank my Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ (God’s Son) for the new day in view of those people. I have always been a firm believer in “going to your closet” to pray, and I have. Prayer is VERY PERSONAL and should not be for show. I placed my plate on the bench, went down on bended knee, placed my hands in the prayer position, and thanked God for the day. I was immediately ENERGIZED in the Spirit. I gathered my things and I did not look back to see if the Asians had watched. However, if they did, I wanted them to know that I was a Son worshipper, and not a worshipper of our nearest star, the sun.

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Wrapping Up New York for December 2011

. Family, Family Travel, Holidays . , , , ,

We had a great and safe time in New York City. We finished up with our 2nd Annual trip to Toys R Us for a ride on the Ferris Wheel with our picture taken.

Nana, Carter, & Sean: December 5, 2011 at Toys R Us, Times Square

If I can, I will try to make a copy of last year’s photos to you all can compare 2010 with 2011.

Haven & Ammon: December 5, 2011 Toys R Us New York, Times Square

Sean and I had seen “Priscilla Queen of the Desert” last May, and we knew then it would keep Ammon and Carter’s attention. It did not let us down. All 5 of us went to see it Sunday evening, and the children did, indeed, enjoy it.

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Mamaw’s Birthday: Sunday November 27, 2011

. Family

Mamaw, MaryLou Wimpy Caylor, turned 71 yesterday. It was a quiet, rainy birthday for her, and it was the kind of birthday she appreciates: No fuss or muss!

I know everyone enjoys “their day”, but Mamaw has always seemed to enjoy sharing the week with Jennifer, her granddaughter and my niece. Jennifer’s birthday is November 23. I host a birthday, pancake breakfast as a “transition” between Thanksgiving and Christmas for our family. However, the emphasis is on Mamaw and Jennifer’s birthdays. We had a great time with family, food, fellowship, and fun on Saturday morning.

Jennifer & Mamaw: November 26, 2011

Carter, Ammon, Sean, and I also visited with Mamaw on her birthday. We had placed Christmas poinsettias on Ammon and Carter’s grandfather’s graves, and on the way home, we spent some birthday time with her.

For everyone out there, I want to share, yet again, how much my mother means to me: love, support, acceptance. She is an awesome mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and mother-in-law. I am so blessed to have her as is everyone whose life she touches.

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Venice, Italy: October 2 & 3, 2011

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Venice, Italy: Hard Rock Cafe & gondolas near St. Mark’s Square

Last October was our 3rd time to Venice. Our hotel room this time was our suite on the Star Princess.  We were in Venice October 2 & 3. Our #1 goal was to buy more Murano glass: angels, a Santa Claus, and a Christmas tree. We enjoyed adding to our Murano glass collection, and I will include the pieces in some Christmas shots soon.

I have seen a plethora of medieval architecture since 1984, and my favorite structure from that time period is St. Marks in Venice. I think it’s the combination of Byzantine mosaics and other Middle Ages art and architecture that make it so fascinating to me.

The sun sets on Venice, Sunday October 2, 2011

There was a complete horse-drawn carriage cast in the 4th Century B. C. in Greece. It is called the quadriga; however, the carriage has been lost during the past 2,400 years.  I was/am intrigued by it. First of all it’s over 2,000 years old. Secondly, it stood at Constantinople’s (Byzantium, then Constantinople, now Istanbul) famous Middle Ages hippodrome. The Venetians looted Constantinople in A. D. 1204, and carried the quadriga to Venice, Italy. They have been there ever since. Their copy stand over the St. Mark’s Square over the entrance to the basilica. The originals are on display in one of the many museums inside the basilica. If an inanimate object could talk, what AWESOME and FASCINATING tales those horses could tell!

File:Horses of Basilica San Marco bright.jpg

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Happy Birthday, Ammon!

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Ponte Vecchio: Florence, Italy

Happy 3rd birthday to Ammon! She is such a joy and a blessing from God.

Ammon, I love you so much as well as the whole family. Your
Daddy H

P. S. Birthday party pics on Monday!

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Florence, Italy October 6, 7, & 8

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Thursday

We stayed near the Piazza de la Repubblica, and it has a carousel.

Carousel: Piazza de la Repubblica Florence, Italy

Because we did not see it October of 2010, we put our bags down and headed straight to the Arno River with the Ponte Vecchio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was so cool! I could just imagine ol’ Dante Alighieri running
over and over the bridge trying to catch a glimpse of his Beatrice….so close
and yet so unobtainable.

Dante’s Tomb a Santa Croce

 

As we headed back into Firenze, we stopped for some
delicious gelati (strawberry, hazelnut, pistachio…yum, yum, yum!). We strolled
around the Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower and listened to an accordion
player. We ate dinner at the Hard Rock Florence then Carter and Ammon rode on
the carousel at the Piazza de la Repubblica.

 

 

Friday

After breakfast, we went straight to San Lorenzo’s chapel
(Medici Chapel). It took me 25 years to see Michelngelo’s “Day, Night, Dawn
& Dusk”, but I finally saw them! Woo hoo! Around noon, Carter, Ammon, Sean,
and I went to the Mc Donald’s at the train station. It was a great stroll. In the evening we went to go to the Galleria dell’ Accademia to see “David”. It was absolutely colossal and impressive: sculpting perfection.

“Night & Day”

“Dawn & Dusk”

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Happy Birthday, Carter!

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Florence, Italy at the Ponte Vecchio

Of course, the birthday boy is on the far right! LOL

Happy 3rd birthday to Carter! He is such a joy and a blessing from God.

Carter, I love you so much as well as the whole family. Your
Daddy H

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Pope Benedict XVI Blessings

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St. Peter's Basilica Sunday October 23, 2011

On Sunday October 23, 2011, Ammon, Carter, and I got to see
Pope Benedict XVI. He was giving Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square at the
Vatican. We are not Roman Catholic, but we share Christianity as a common bond,
and our Lord and Savior is Jesus Christ. It was a special moment to get to see
him and think of the 1,600 year old traditions of the Catholic Church. It will also be cool to share this with Carter and Ammon when they understand the Pope and what he represents to the world.

Pope Benedict XVI on the "Pope-Tron"

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Catching up 10-7-2011 (Florence/Firenze)

. European Destinations, Family, Family Travel . , , , , , , ,

Sunday-Monday

Good plane trip. Carter and Ammon slept well. Good nap at
the Hotel Raffaelo in Rome. It is near the Train Station Termini (McDonald’s
food, gelatos, all sorts of souvenirs).

Tuesday

The Roman Forum. We got to see a “discovery” from 2009. It
appears that the Emperor Nero may have had a rotating dining room. It sits up
on the Palatine Hill. They are excavating and studying quite slowly. The Roman
tour guide, Vivian, we had in October 2010 was not there, but her excavation
site is. Her dig is right across from the Temple of Romulus. After Nana,
Carter, and Ammon returned to the hotel for lunch and rest, Sean and I made a
trip back to the Colloseum. This time we were able to take our time and enjoy
the site. It was interesting “stealing” some tour guide information from the
other English speaking tours. Dinner at the Hard Rock Rome.

Wednesday

Up fairly early for the Vatican. Guess what? We missed
seeing the Pope by 15 minutes. He spoke at St. Peter’s Square at 10:30 a.m. ;
however, we headed to the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel at 10:15. The Sistine
Chapel was magnificent! If it wasn’t for the crowd, I could have stayed in
there for hours. For years, I thought Michelangelo’s “Final Judgment” was in
another “chapel” but it is right there (many of you already know that…LOL) on
the wall under the ceiling! Dinner was at an Italian restaurant around the
corner from the hotel. I had lasagna, but I can make better lasagna that they.
I think our American taste buds have a “mind of their own”. I have been in
Italy several times and eaten quite a few Italian meals, and I still think our
Italian food in the U.S. is just as good if not better than here.

Thursday

Eurostar Italia to Firenze (Florence). We are staying near
the Piazza de la Repubblica, and it has a carousel. Because we did not see it
last October, we put our bags down and headed straight to the Arno River with
the Ponte Vecchio. It was so cool! I could just imagine ol’ Dante Alighieri running
over and over the bridge trying to catch a glimpse of his Beatrice….so close
and yet so unobtainable. As we headed back into Firenze, we stopped for some
delicious gelati (strawberry, hazelnut, pistachio…yum, yum, yum!). We strolled
around the Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Bell Tower and listened to an accordion
player. We ate dinner at the Hard Rock Florence then Carter and Ammon rode on
the carousel at the Piazza de la Repubblica.

Friday

After breakfast, we went straight to San Lorenzo’s chapel
(Medici Chapel). It took me 25 years to see Michelngelo’s “Day, Night, Dawn
& Dusk”, but I finally saw them! Woo hoo! Around noon, Carter, Ammon, Sean,
and I went to the Mc Donald’s at the train station. It was a great stroll. This
afternoon we have tickets to go to the Galleria dell’ Accademia to see “David”.

“Night & Day”

“Dawn & Dusk”

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Ancient Rome…it’s Ammon & Carter again!

. European Destinations, Family . , , , , , ,

It is so much better when we leave for long trips on a
Sunday. Our burdens to get things done on Saturday are “lifted” a bit with
having both Sean and I to get things accomplished.

House Sitter Guy, thank you! You are a blessing. Mamaw and
Aunt Karen your vigilance when Guy needs a break is SO APPRECIATED, and
neighbors, your helpful eyes are a blessing as well.

This time the cruise itself is only 12 days. We start with an
Italy terrestrial tour: Rome, Florence, and Venice. Then the cruise: Croatia
(Dubrovnik), Mikonos, Santorini, Ephesus, Rhodes, Corfu, and Napoli. After the
cruise, back to Rome. The ships’ Internet is sooooooo slow, and I will not be
able to send photos. It will just be status updates. However, before and after
the cruise, I MIGHT be able to send some photos if we have Internet access.
Everyone take care and God bless. I am looking forward to sharing when we
return. Haven