This is probably the best bloghop ever to do after a week on vacation!
My family and I were incredibly blessed to travel together to Northern Europe. This, in itself, was a gift of love from my Father, who said his greatest joy was to watch his children interact with each other. (Kind of sounds like Our Father, doesn’t it??) Not so sure he could say the same thing when we were younger! We were a big, loud bunch, but come to think of it…nothing much has changed!
Here is a picture of us all in our nifty, matching jackets. My brother took charge and ordered them all for us. They really came in handy when the winds blew, and we had such a lovely sense of family unity wearing them.
Copenhagen is such a beautiful city. And everyone rides their bikes! We marveled at how all these bicycles were locked, but how easy they would be to steal in a big city in the United States. Yet these blocks and blocks of bikes would remain, and to me, it was such a wonderful example of trust.
Berlin was a contrast of old and new, divided history and unified reality. We were able to see a portion of the Berlin Wall. Most of it was destroyed, but the city was able to keep parts of it displayed to ‘always remember.’ The feeling here was just so somber, and I would say reverent. God was most certainly here, reminding us that we all belong together, and what evil comes when we deny that.
We spent two days in St. Petersburg, Russia. I could go on for days about that city. But, the most impressive thing for me, was to be able to see The Return of the Prodigal Son (Rembrandt) at the Hermitage Museum. It’s not a great photo…there were tons of people and ‘no flash photography’, but I just love this painting. I had read the book of the same name by Henri Nouwen, and couldn’t wait to see it myself. Such a beautiful expression of coming home.
I am including this picture, because part of the blessing of being together every night for dinner, was the story telling! We all talked about our favorite Thanksgiving foods, ‘best vacation’ and so much more. The love God shared with us in each other was just amazing. What wonderful memories!
Lest I forget, let’s have a moment of silence for the revered McDonalds in Russia. Yes, they truly are everywhere! But…comfort food is comfort food, and it’s a reliable place to go if you are missing your country’s fast food fare.
Well, that’s enough for now. We also went to Estonia and Finland, and I might get to that someday. But let me tell you, God blessed all of us with a view into parts of the world we had never seen. I would look at the cities, and know that God blesses all of us, everywhere, all the time. I am also so grateful for the time we spent together as a family. The touring, the games on the ship, the dinners and the quiet chats were just heavenly. And there is a reason for that! God’s love here is heaven on earth.
Linking today with
Snapshot of Love Bloghop
Linking Monday with
Sharing His Beauty
Ceil, I’m SO glad you joined in! Can I say there were a few tears over here. How wonderful that your family was able to take this trip together. The photo you added just to share the blessing of sharing stories…that is where you got me! Tears were starting with the picture by the Berlin wall. I felt I was standing there with you.
Thank you for sharing!! It’s fun isn’t it to reflect on how greatly He blesses us?
Much love,
Beth
Hi Beth! Thank you for sharing your reaction to the post, and I DID like sharing! I usually don’t take many pictures, but maybe I’ll have to start to remind myself of how greatly blessed I am.
Thank you for the opportunity to share
Happy Saturday!
Ceil
Oh how bleesed you are travel with family!
Northern Europe is also one of my favorite places. Scandinavia countries are most. About the block bikes is one of my favorite thing in Europe
Thanks for sharing your amazing trips!
Have a blessed weekend my friend.
Hugs and love
Delvalina
Hi Delvalina! Isn’t that wonderful that you have a love for Northern Europe! I had never been any of those places before. The racks and racks and racks of bikes were just a revelation to us.
Thank you for commenting that you liked the post, I am so happy that you did!
Hugs and Blessings to you!
Ceil
Oh MY! What an awesome trip you had! I love the family jackets. One of the first countries I ever learned about in school was Copenhagen for some reason. It’s been years so I don’t think I remember much.
Ceil, I am going to be closing my blog for a little while, but will still come and visit as I can.
I think I need to dig a little deeper in terms of focus, and go a little slower before opening!
Have a blessed weekend! And thanks for sharing!
Hi Leah Rose! Maybe you learned about Copenhagen because of Hans Christian Anderson? There is a famous sculpture of the Little Mermaid there.
I am going to miss you, Leah. I just found your blog again, and now you are taking a break. But I admire you for having the guts to take that time off. I know you will come back and be so much closer to what you want to say. I’ll look forward to that.
Thank you for telling me, I really appreciate it. Please do keep in touch. I’ll love to see that rose here from time to time!
Blessings to you in your rest and refreshment time,
Love, Ceil
Looks and sounds like you had a delightful time! Your trip brings back memories of when I went to Africa – what an amazing learning experience that was
Thank you for sharing this precious time with us.
And thank you, dear Ceil, for your many kind comments on my blog. I am always so blessed by your thoughtfulness! You are a sweetheart!
Hugs to you!
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for your comments here too; you are so supportive of me! I have never been to Africa, but I would love it. I can’t imagine how different it would be? The trip with my family was definitely precious, you are right about that.
Happy Anniversary again to you and your one-year-old blog!
Ceil
Hi Ceil,
Such a wonderful trip you’ve had with your family – those jackets are also a bit symbolic – expressing theát you’re united and belong together! After a day of going around and sightseeing, sitting Down at the dining table and just talking together … about the day and also Down the memory lane – must have been a Blessing.
Now all of you have a bunch of shared moments and precious memories
Nina
PS. I smiled to the Picture of McDonalds, seeing myself also longing for some home-like food in a foreign culture.
And you were such a help in planning Copenhagen! I am always amazed at all the American fast food places in foreign countries. KFC and Starbucks were everywhere too. (Well, I kind of understand Starbucks, as I am quite hooked on their coffee myself
)
I do have precious memories, thank you for sharing in them with me!
Happy Sunday,
Ceil
What a wonderful blessing it looks like your trip was – and to do it with your family is something you will be able to relive together for years. I love your insight into the ways God has blessed your trip. Thank you for the peek at the sighs I may never see in person!
Hi Mindy! I know my family will relive a lot of the experiences we had. I am so glad you liked the post, and the pictures
God certainly did bless our trip, and got us all home safe to our families when it was over.
Good to see you!
Ceil
How blessed you and your family are to have been able to ALL go on this wonderful journey together! I am thinking of my only trip to Europe, Africa and South America when I was 19 and on World Campus Afloat (today called Semester at Sea). Four months of education and seeing so much. I was blessed and have God and my dear mother for giving me such an opportunity. I am amazed, Ceil, that all of you were able to go to so many places as a family! Blessings to you, ~ linda
PS…thanks for encouraging and praying for me over at Being Woven. I am blessed to have had Mama for so long…98+ years.
Hi Linda! Well, maybe you had an ‘only trip’ but wow! You got around. And it sounds like it made a real impression on you.
You did have your Mom for a long time! It’s still so sad to lose the ones we love. I will be praying for you for sure.
Thank you for your visit!
Ceil
I love the bicycle photo and especially the trustworthiness of all the riders! We have a local high school where many of the students drive golf carts. It always amuses me to see the rows and rows of carts in the parking lot! This bike image reminded me of that. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Carrrie! It was so nice to meet you today, and to see your photo and Scripture verse.
I wonder where you live? It must be somewhere warm to have all those golf carts! I have never seen anything like that here in the Midwest, that’s for sure.
Thank you for coming over to see my blog. You are welcome anytime!
Peace in Christ,
Ceil
Hello Ceil:
I love the blue jackets! This sounds like a trip of a lifetime for you and your family. I’m encouraged when I read posts like this, because it reminds me of the importance of family and it reminds me of the Bible verses were we are told how God delights in us and how He promises good things.
Thanks for stopping by my place this beautiful Sunday and sharing a comment. You are always welcome.
Hi Dina! I love the blue too!
I really have to thank my Father and my Mother for this tradition of vacations together, even as adults. It has really created a sense of unity, even though we live in so many different states.
I was happy to meet you today! You are always welcome here as well
Ceil
enjoyed this post. thanks for joining my blog, appreciate you.
Hi Denise! Thank you for coming over to read this post, and for joining my blog too
Happy Sunday!
Ceil
I’m a friend of Beth’s and am here in the blog hop
It’s so nice to meet you! I LOVE the photos from your trip! I have not been to any of those places but have been in Ukraine, and I adore the opportunity to see new cultures. The pic of the bicycles is beautiful. And how cool to see the Rembrandt!!! What a special time you had together
I hope you’ll continue to share!
Hi Shannon! It is so great to meet new people through blog-hops. Thank you for coming over and reading my post. It was a fabulous vacation, and it is overwhelming to see so many different cultures. But so fun too. The world is beautiful place!
Thank you for your comment and I hope you’ll come by here often. I’ll have to visit you too, if only to keep up on your dog
Happy Monday!
Ceil