Holy land day 5

Today we were in the old city of Jerusalem.  So amazing.  So wonderful.  Worth the trip all by itself.

We entered the city thru the lion's gate.

Notice the 2 lions on each side of the top of the entrance.

St. Anne's Church built in the 1100's.

There is an inscription over the door in Arabic-

"I Saladin have taken this place from the Crusaders."

The acoustics in the church are amazing.

Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Built originally n 325 it was destroyed years later.

This building dates to the 1100's

It is the traditional site of the death and burial of Jesus.

Old city shops.

Several from our group were interested in the Jerusalem Cross 

and Roman Coin necklaces.

The Mount of Olives is covered with tombs.

This is where the Bible says that Jesus will return.

To the right of the Mount of Olives is the city of Bethany.

Jesus visited Mary and Martha there.

Notice the wall separating the Palestinian area from Jerusalem.

The Garden tomb

Charlie and Linda Wells prepare to go into the Garden Tomb.

Old man standing next to the tomb.

We exited via the Zion Gate.

Note the many bullet holes from the 1967 six day war.

Tomorrow we will visit the Mount of Olives, the Temple Mount and Qumran where the dead sea scrolls were found.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com



- - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Day 4

Holy Land Day 4 Read the captions for the story!!!

Church of the visitation... Where Mary visited Elizabeth

priests playing music for local children at John the Baptist Church

The Herodian, one of Herod's palaces and his tomb.

Ginger Murphy at the Olive Wood Factory.

Raw Olive Wood in the background.

The artists do amazing things with the Olive Wood 

Vendors waiting to sell us stuff!!!

Charles and Linda Wells smile after fighting off the vendors

Greg and Holly Henson at the Shepherd's field

Mary Van Tol and Joanne Priester at the Shepherd's fountain

Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem

Oldest church in the world.

Oh my we are having a wonderful time.

It's a beautiful day in God's world be sure to see the good.
Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

- - - - - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Day 3

Today we visited Mt Nebo where Moses viewed the promised land.  There we saw a wonderful view across the Jordan river to the promised land of Israel.  We also visited a 6th century church on that site.

We went to a factory where they make mosaics, and sell them of course, in the same manner as they made mosaics in ancient times.

We went to the Jordan river and had a baptismal service.  It was very very moving.

We went to Jericho, the oldest city in the world.  We saw the ruins of the old city and some of us got up close and personal with a camel.

We have moved to a hotel on the outskirts of Jerusalem.  We are on the tip top of a mountain and should have a great view.  However, a sand storm has clouded the skies.  Hopefully a little rain will clear the air.

We are having the time of our lives.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

view from the top of Mt. Nebo

Ginger Murphy, Gloria Heston, Mary Van Tol on Mt. Nebo

Floor mosaic from the 6th century

Floor mosaic and ruins of 6th century church on Mt. Nebo

An artist at work at the mosaic factory

Baptizing Ann Trask in the Jordan River

Bill Pogson kisses a camel.

Pat and Debbie Stark at Jericho

Part of the ancient wall of Jericho

More tomorrow.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.



- - - - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Day 2 - Petra

Today we got up and were fed a wonderful breakfast.
We rode the bus for 3 hours to get to Petra.  The guide kept us enthralled with tales of the Old Testament stories that took place in this area.  Borders were different in Bible times and much of what took place in the Bible took place in present day Jordan as well as Israel.

We arrived at Petra and walked down the hill to the narrow corridor 2/3 of a mile long that leads into Petra.  It is called the sik [pronounced seek]  the sik was a natural barrier that made Petra very easy to defend.

It was a lot of walking and a lot of bus riding, but I have to tell you that it was totally worth it.  Petra was/is amazing.  A true wonder of the world.

We got our tickets and visited my bookstore.

It was a strenuous walk so I kept my heart doctor close by.

Walking down towards the Sik. 

Petra Mountains in the background.

Several in our group were worried about the walk, horses, donkeys

and chariots like this made it work for everyone.

The tomb of the obelisks just outside of Petra

The Sik

water channel cut into the side of the rock wall the entire way.

Pam Pogson, Ann Trask, Bill Pogson

Sik pave stones laid by the Romans

Pat Stark in the Sik

First glimpse

The "treasury building"

Joanne Priester touring by camel

More tomorrow.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.


- - - - - - - - - - -

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

4 Night cruise from Port Canaveral to Key West and Havana, Cuba.

August 13-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/cc18081318h17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland with optional London Extension

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#.WqHrI7puLIU

Holy Land Day One

So after lots of fun international travel, we finally reached our hotel outside of Amman Jordan on the Dead Sea.  Everyone is always worried about coming to the Holy Land, and we Americans tend to lump all Arab nations together in the "dangerous basket."

Today in the newspaper, the headline is about Jordan's continued participation and cooperation with NATO.  NATO countries are the USA, Britain and all of the Western powers.  Our guide is a Jordanian Catholic and he talks non stop about how much Jordan is a country of peace.  An Arab state yes, but a state of peace, closely aligned with the US.

Our hotel was as nice of a hotel as I have been in on these trips.  I have a spacious room with a balcony that overlooks the Dead Sea.  Our group is having a smashing time.

Tomorrow watch for pictures from Petra.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

very nice room!!!

Hotel walkway, Dead Sea and hotel next door under construction.

view from the veranda of Jordan and the Dead Sea

Across the water is Israel

New trip and London extension

Hello Friends,

I have some updates on trips.  As you read this I am in the Holy Land with 14 other friends. 

I have added a trip to my agenda this year, a cruise to Key West and Havana, Cuba.  It is on the Norwegian Sun and leaves Port Canaveral on August 13.  My entire family is going and I invite you to join us if you would like.  Here is the link to the cruise.

click here for the cruise brochure

We have also added a London extension to the Ireland trip.  I have always wanted to visit London to see the British Museum, so this will be a great opportunity.  The brochure for the Ireland trip has been reworked and now includes the option for the London extension.

click here for the updated Ireland brochure with London Extension

Several have asked about a Holy Land trip in the spring of 2019.  Let me know if you would be interested in that.

I love you all and I look forward to seeing you anytime that we can!!!

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

I will always love you

I think it was Whitney Houston that sang, and I.................. will always love you.....

So I don't really understand what has happened between us.  Maybe I upset you.  Maybe I disappointed you.  I just don't know because I never hear from you.  I have no choice but to assume that you are done with me.  That hurts.  But I respect you and I respect your decision to part ways.  If this is better for you than I am cool with that.

I am smiling as I write this.  I am thinking of all the good times.  Of smiles, and laughs, and hugs and stories, and dreaming and working to make things better.  Oh so good.  We had some great times!!!

Thank you for every moment.

I will always love you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

sand hill cranes part 2

There is a video that I took of the crane crying out for it's mate. 😢😢😢 For some reason it does not show up on my phone or in my email version of the blog.  You have to go to the web site to view it...

www.canyouhearthebirdssing.blogspot.com

Sandhill Crane

Mom, Dad and baby

There are many sandhill cranes in our area.  They pair up and keep a mate for life.  They are large beautiful birds.  They can also be noisy.

Read more about sandhill cranes:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandhill_crane

There is this bird couple that live near our home and I see them all the time.  One day last week, the male was alone and he was crying out for his mate.  I am not sure what happened to her, but he misses her.

Sad when away, glad when together is a rule of life.

I miss you too...  I miss you when we are away from each other.  I am conversely so glad to see you when we can.  Whether it is on Sunday morning in church or when I am visiting KC, I miss you and I am so glad to see you.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Don't miss it

Today is the day of the big parade. I hope you did not forget. All of the bands are going to line up downtown and march forth. March 4th.......

My mother told me that joke with the comment that it was the only joke that she learned from her mother.

My mother's mother. My grandmother. Louise Heising was born around 1896 and died in 1989. She was German. She spoke German. Children were to be seen and not heard. She raised six of them. Four boys and two girls. My mom was the youngest. Grandma was a good cook, but since they were poor she did not have much to work with. They caught, cleaned, and ate rabbits. My mom used to talk about digging dandelion greens in the front yard for the vegetable to go with dinner. Grandma made maple syrup from scratch and baked a lamb cake every Easter. They attended church every Sunday at Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, MO.

My Grandma tried to kill herself when I was a boy. My parents never told us very much about that. She was depressed I guess and got tired of it all. I don't think that she ever worked outside the home or drove a car. She liked to bowl. That is all I know about my grandma. That's not very much.

But, she left a joke. Today is March 4th. That makes me happy. I tell her joke every year. Friends, today is the day. Don't miss the parade.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours

Good bye my friend

KiKi interrupting my reading

If you are not a cat person, I understand, but please empathize with our grief.

We had to say goodbye to one of our cats, Princess KiKi commonly referred to as the fat cat.  We got her and her brother 14 years ago.  The girls called from Petco asking if they could bring home a kitten.  When I said yes, the one cat mysteriously turned into two.  Oh well.

When the girls went to college, the cats stayed home.  When the girls moved out, they did not take the cats of course so the cats [KiKi and her brother Tyler] became our cats. 

KiKi was a very sweet cat.  A Maine coon cat.  Click here to read about this type of cat:
maine coon cats

KiKi on left, Tyler on right

On several occasions when I was in personal distress, KiKi would hear me crying and come running into the room and jump on my lap.  I am going to miss this cat.

In the last year she has been in kidney failure- lack of energy, frequent drinking, frequent urination, kidneys not filtering the fluid, lack of appetite, bile, vomiting, and weight loss.  It has just become time.

We took her in to the vet.  She went to kitty heaven.  I hope that the sadness soon turns into a savoring.  She was a very good cat.  I will miss her.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

Send replies to jsbrink57@gmail.com

I am leading some trips in 2018. If you are interested in reading about them, or joining in, the links are below.....

Holy Land via Jordan

March 5-14 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/hl18-brinkman-030518j-17768#eotours

Wesley's Ireland

October 8-17, 2018

http://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/wesley-in-ireland-2018-with-rev-jeff-brinkman#eotours