Sunday, August 30, 2009

Corinth/Leaving Athens for Israel -Augusst 26/27th, 2009

Mark
Exploring Corinth as a former international marketplace was exciting. This bustling city was a main crossroad as it sits between the Aegean Sea and Ionic sea. After being taken over by the Romans, entertainment was formalized in their theater (which was common w / Roman occupation). Among the ruins that have been excavated, we found an inscription in Latin on a stone from the first century declaring "Erastus as commissioner of public works". Erastus assisted Paul in his work in Corinth and across the region. It is revealing to see the text in the Bible revealed in this way.
In the afternoon, we journeyed back to Athens and hiked up to Mars Hill (Ares Rock - god of Mars as named by the Romans) next to the Acropolis. The dramatic scene surrounding this hill is stunning: The Acropolis slightly elevated above w / the Parthenon and other temples glaring down at you, and below you have the temple of Zeus, the Agora and other temples to numerous gods. Mark Driscoll took us through the passage in Acts 17 and of interest, the parallel of what consumes life and time today is very similar. We can't wait to celebrate our next "American Idol", fame - an idol. People want wealth at all cost! People want pleasure and comfort - today found in porn, addictions (drugs, sports, food, keep up the list) and abuse of others. At one point, it was easier to find a god in Athens than a man. At the time that Paul visited Athens he spoke to the court that ruled over the religions of the day. He was able to tell them about Jesus in a way that it shook their world since they were only familiar with distant gods and not a creator God with whom they could have a relationship. As in Paul's experience when he contended for the exclusivity of Jesus - his life, death and resurrection - some believed and followed the way of Jesus, and in our day it is still the same as we speak about Jesus. A great day - It's all about Jesus.
Sheri
Corinth was spectacular! We saw Corinth Canal which was very deep, but not wide at all! We were able to have lunch at a quaint restaurant right on the canal.
Also, the archeological excavation of the ancient city of Corinth was beyond unbelievable. So much has been discovered over the past 100 years, but so much more to be discovered over 100's of years to come. The Bema was a very special site to see.
We ended our day with Pastor Mark Driscoll speaking to us from Acts 17. This was on top of Mars Hill. - Which still has the inscription to "the unknown god".
Hannah
Woke up early and head out to Corinth. Our first stop was at the Corinth Canal. We were able to see a boat go threw the canal, which was very interesting to watch. Once we got to Corinth, we took a tour of the museum and then a tour of all the ancient remains of the city. I thought it was amazing to be able to see what was left of a city from 2,000 years ago. Later in the afternoon we were able to go on top of Mars Hill. While we where there, Mark Driscoll spoke on Acts 17. One of the main things that he spoke that stood out to me was that during the time Paul was there, there were more idols than men! Im pretty sure he said there where 30,000 people living in the city of Athens. - That calls for a lot of false gods! After Mars Hill, we went back to our hotel, had dinner and headed to bed. Once again, it was a long but enjoyable day. (: (Mars Hill ->)
Early in the morning the next day we had breakfast only to find out that we actually had more time to wake up and eat. Because of this, after we ate we went back to bed for like two more hours. Once we started our day, we went to the National Archeological Museum. There were so many naked statues man! I don't think if ever seen so many naked statues in one museum. It was nice to visit all the prehistoric artifacts, but the naked statues I could've done with out. (; After this, we went to The Plaka, which is the Roman Agroa. (Market place.) We spent some time here, and then we headed to the Parliament building to watch the changing of the guards. After this we headed to the hotel to pack up for our early morning flight .- Next stop, Israel! (Hopefully if there happens to be statues here, they'll be fully dressed!) ! I don't think if ever seen so many naked statues in one museum. It was nice to visit all the prehistoric artifacts, but the naked statues I could've done with out. (; After this, we went to The Plaka, which is the Roman Agroa. (Market place.) We spent some time here, and then we headed to the Parliament building to watch the changing of the guards. After this we headed to the hotel to pack up for our early morning flight .- Next stop, Israel! (Hopefully if there happens to be statues here, they'll be fully dressed!)
Ben
In the morning we had to wake up really early to eat, get ready and leave for the bus to Corinth and got to see the Corinth canal. And I got to see one boat go through and then we got to eat right by the canal and sail boats came in. I had a Greek salad and it was not the salad leaves it was just cucumbers and tomatoes. After we ate we drove for about 10 minuets and went to a shop that had art and I got one with a guy holding a discus (coach Joan if you are reading this Im putting this on top of my picture of the track team). Then we went to the bus and drove for about an hour and we got to mars hill and we got to hear Mark Driscoll teach on Acts 17 the bad thing was the speaker for mine was not working but I heard most of it. On the bottom of mars hill there is the inscription on the sign that said TO THE UNKNOWN GOD!
The next morning we went to the restaurant in the hotel and after me and daddy ate and then we found out the first place we were going wasn't open till later so I took a nap until about 11. Then we went to walk to the laundry mat it took a long time to find it but it worked okay. Then we walked over to the museum and after that we ate. After that we went back to the hotel and Hannah and daddy went to the laundry mat and got ready for the airport and then we ate dinner and then left for the airport. And that is where I am right now and tomorrow we will do the next day.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Touring Athens!

~ 8/25/09 ~

Mark

Today the work of man of centuries past left me in amazement. Wow! The ancient Greek custom for occupation of territory required the selection of the highest point to place their highly valued temples and monuments. However, the Acropolis is the second plateau in Athens as they preferred the larger surface area of the two peaks. Beyond the wonder of the great architectural structures is the fact that archeologist are still learning how they were built. For example, marble was hauled ten miles to assemble the Parthenon between 427-422 B.C. to join other established temples on the Acropolis. Today, a cross on an orthodox Christian church sits atop the highest peek in Athens.

Sheri

Today we changed hotels to meet up with the Mars Hill Church (Seattle) tour group. We had a nice tour through the city and then went up to the Acropolis. Here we saw the Parthenon, the Temple of Nike, the Temple of Athena and Poseidon. We could also see Mars Hill which we look forward to visiting tomorrow. The Parthenon is under reconstruction at this time. It would be great to come back in years later to see the finished product. The history of the Acropolis was incredible – the Parthenon is in its 5th cycle and there are many natural springs. So much more could be said of the wonders of the Acropolis and the Parthenon.


Caleb

We hiked this slippery rock to the Acropolis in the sun. My eyes hurt. The Parthenon is being renovated because it is very old.

Hannah

Today (Tuesday) we checked into our hotel that the Mars Hill Tour Group set us up with. We settled in and then at around 12 we went on a tour. We first were able to visit where the first Olympics were held. It was/is capable of holding 69,000 people! Next we were able to take a tour of the Acropolis. We saw the Parthenon here, and were able to look of the whole city of Athens. We also could see Mars Hill from the Acropolis. After this, we went back to the hotel and rested, then went downstairs for dinner. Today was very full, but so awesome to be able to see the ancient ruins of Athens. (Acropolis under my hand ^)

Ben

When we were packed, we went to the next hotel. When we got to the rooms (we had two rooms this time) ours had smoke in it, so we turned the AC on. Then we went downstairs and waited for the bus. When I saw it I was amazed at how big it was. When I got in the bus I wondered where we were going. We first went to the actual track and field of the original Olympics. I think it was smaller than it really is. (If Hannah and I ran on it we would probably beat our 400 pr.) Next we went to the Acropolis and saw the Parthenon. It was under renovation. I learned that its higher in the middle of the floor and shorter on the sides to help rain come out. After this tour, it was the end of our busy day.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Good-Bye London, Hello Athens!

Mark:

8/24/09
A trek from London via the Underground tube to Heathrow began w/ swimming upstream against all the commuters – we made it! We flew into Athens amidst the backdrop of spreading wild fires that were within 20 miles of the city. Fortunately for us, we did not have to haul buckets of water for our first night. Instead we celebrated Sheri’s youthful birthday with a lively Greek dinner show – what a night! I am sure that Sheri’s memories are filled a festive evening that I can only try to duplicate next year by wearing a “gooftastic” costume and work in my high stick step to rekindle the night in Greece.. Tomorrow, we set out to join our tour group from Mars Hill Church (in Seattle) to explore the Acropolis. On Wednesday, we visit Corinth and end with a highlight back at Mars Hill where Pastor Mark Driscoll will speak where the Areopagus once ruled and Paul was proclaiming Jesus with the backdrop of the Greek and Roman mythical gods of the ancients.

Caleb: 8/24/09

We had to take the tube to the London airport. It was a long ride. The 24th was my mom’s Birthday! I love her very much!

Hannah:

8/24/09 – On the 24th (my moms birthday) we flew from London to Athens, Greece. The flight was about 3 and a half hours long. Once we flew into Athens we took a taxi to our very beautiful hotel. After we settled in, we took my mom for her birthday (Happy Birthday Mom!) to this Greek restaurant. At the restaurant they performed a couple traditional Greek dances. There was a lot of live Greek music throughout our dinner. We left the restaurant at about 11:30pm. In the end, our first night in Greece was a long but fun night.

Ben:

8/24/09 – it was mommy’s birthday: the time was 00:00 & I was the first one to wish her a happy birthday! Then we went to bed. When we woke up, we packed up to leave the hotel. We took the tube to the airport. When we got to the airport it was huge! When we got in the airplane, the seats infront of us were right in our face. (British Airways) Once we landed we took a taxi to the hotel. After we unpacked, we went to a restaurant. A little while after we started eating, hundreds of people came in. Then the band started playing, and dancers came out. It was a fun night. Happy Birthday Mommy!
Sheri:

8/24/09 – What a great birthday! We traveled from London to Greece. We started with an adventurous trek on the Tube with ALL of our luggage – 7 pieces and our carry-ons. The looks from the locals traveling in the opposite direction during rush hour told us that we were indeed crazy – how else would we be – but we saved about $120 and it was worth it! Once we arrived in Athens we settled into our hotel and headed out to a spectacular birthday dinner – My Greek Birthday!! It had wonderful Greek food and live entertainment with music, dancing and lots of clapping – Opah! It was the most modest entertainment I have seen in a while – except for the brief bellydancer (Ben covered his eyes/Caleb was asleep/Hannah kept shaking her head in disapproval/ Mark and I laughed at it all)! Did I say that it was a wonderful birthday?!?

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Arriving in London!

Mark:

Crazy trip getting to London - 3 city stop before arriving in London; Ft Lauderdale, Miami, Chicago and then we were able to stroll through Green Park over to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and across the River Thames. The family fought through the fatigue as we enjoyed dinner along London sidewalk performers. Love hearing the British accent from the boys: "Glass of Wata anywun??

Hannah:
The flight to London was looooooong, but we got upgraded to business class in a 777! Well worth it! We've managed to see so many pretty sights during our short visit here. We've been to Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, & the London Bridge. I definitely love the weather here also! its been so nice and cool, probably around 75 degrees. The weather was really great to be walking around the London area today. We say good-bye to this wonderful city of London tomorrow morning, but i hope that someday in the future I'll be able to come back for a third time to the beautiful city of London (:

Caleb:

We have had a lot of fun! We have now seen the London Eye, Big Ben, & the Rosetta Stone.

Ben:

8/22/09 : When we got to the London airport, we got in this awesome taxi called a Lorry. Me and Caleb sat backwards in a jump seat. Once we got to the hotel, everything was small. Then we walked and saw Westminster Abbey. Then we walked a little further & saw Big Ben. (I have to share a name with a clock on stilts.) Then we crossed the bridge... & WE WENT ON THE LONDON EYE!!! it was really slow, but at the end we took a picture.

8/23/09 : In the morning, We took the tube (The British subway) to the British Musuem. My favorite thing that we got to see was the Rosetta Stone. Then we went to the London Bridge, now called the Tower Bridge. After that we crossed the London Bridge/Tower Bridge looking for somewhere to eat. Once we ate, we took the tube back to the hotel - The rest is still to come...

Sheri:

8/22 Wow! Our trip from the USA to London began our Adventure to say the least! However, we enjoyed a wonderful transatlantic flight in Business Class (thanks to Mark's travels for CIT). I loved watching the kids enjoy the fine meal, the reclining chairs into beds, and the amenity bags were a hit! Once we arrived and settled in at the hotel, we walked through beautiful Green Park just in time to see the Buckingham Palace in all its glory as the sun cast a glow upon it as it was beginning to set. We continuedr on to Westminster Abbey and then to the London Eye. Ben was thrilled, Mark wasn't sure of the heights and Caleb was getting hungry! We ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant on the The Thames River and the boys fell asleep at the table - we manged to get everyone back to the hotel!

8/23 Today we headed out for the British Museum. We learned so much about the Greek and Roman Empires. We are really stoked to get to Athens now! Hannah was scarred for life with the male Greek statues and the boys were embarrassed by the female ones - ahh the joy of teaching kids about cultural arts! ;) The kids taught Mark and I what a sarcophagus is - do you know? They were thrilled they knew something we didn't know. We later went to the British Library and saw the Magna Carta and the Guttenberg Bible - we have now seen 2 of the 3 - one is in the Library of Congress. We ended our day at the Londo Bridge/Tower Bridge - it was spectacular! We have had a wonderful time in London and hate to leave tomorrow, but are ready to head to Athens. On to the next part of our Adventure!

Friday, August 21, 2009

What We Are Looking Forward To Seeing On Our Trip!

Mark:

We launch out today! The thought of being a family on this adventure has me really jazzed! The world may never be same again….London, Athens, Corinth, Israel – here we come!!!


Sheri:

I am looking forward to the cruise on the Sea of Galilee. To have Peter’s experience and imagine what it was like to be so focused on Jesus, but then to be distracted by the storm. What a life learning experience this will be!!

Hannah:

What I am looking forward to experiencing on our trip is taking a tour of the Parthenon. The Parthenon is located in Athens, Greece. I'm most excited about visiting the Parthenon because of how ancient it is, but yet still here to this day. Because of its age, it is a very valuable sight to see. The Parthenon is one of the worlds greatest cultural monuments. Also, some of the surviving sculptures found in the Parthenon are placed in the British Museum. (We will also be visiting this Museum.) That's why the Parthenon would be at the top of my list of things I look forward in seeing on our trip. (:

Ben:

On this trip I am really excited to see the Parthenon. I am excited to see this because it is so old, but still standing. One thing I learned and thought was really cool about the Parthenon is that it has 8 coloumns on the shorter side and 17 on the longer side.

Caleb:

I am excited about seeing where it has been told Jesus was buried. We can see the stone that was really big and heavy and I can see where He lay.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Europe Trip '09 (Preparation)



Six days and counting till our departure! We have done some research to know where we are going so we know at least SOMETHING of what we're about to see. In the past couple of weeks, in our excitement, that's exactly what we've been doing. Below is a snapshot of the beginning of our journey. Join us as our journey begins now...

What To Expect In London

In London, (Our First Destination) we are looking forward to visiting the British Library,-->
which is the
National Library in the United Kingdom. It holds over 150 million items!
<-- We also plan on visiting the British Museum. It has more than 7 million collections which are included from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its beginning to the present. Lastly, in London the family is looking forward to riding in a Double Decker bus!

We look forward to our time we have in London, and hope to spend it wisely!