Blet

Blet, Slovenia

September 2013 we visited Slovenia.  It is hard to believe it has already been well over a year ago!  It's true that time flies when you are having fun!

Waiting to be rowed out to the island

WARNING do not hang your hand over the side of the boat.  Swans bite.

The castle that was above our hotel

Our hotel on the lake

This beautiful Assumption of Mary Church  The church is still used for weddings but not weekly services.  

There are 99 steps up to the church.  Yes it is the only way up!  Tradition is that the groom carries the bride up to the church for their wedding.  I'm sure it makes searching for the perfect bride a harsh reality

 Linking this week with Blue Monday   Our World Tuesday     Outdoor Wednesday

Leopard Walking

Shadow Shot Sunday  Camera Critters  Saturdays Critters

Going through our pictures of our recent trip to Tanzania and the 8 day safari we enjoyed.  This picture just stands out as a perfect photo for Shadow Shot Sunday.  This beautiful Leopard decided to walk along the side of our jeep.  Our driver, who had done this for 7 years, said he has never seen one do this.  I just knew we were especially blessed.  

Her coat was so beautiful

This is the normal view most get to see. Can you find her? 

Split, Croatia

Part of the wall surrounding the city

1. Split, Croatia

   Split is the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, at one point in history the Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. 

   
   

   

   The "gate" we entered the city through to our hotel. The wall to  the right in this picture you get a glimpse of the red door to our hotel.
   
   
   
    The St. Francis's Monastery Grounds The courtyard was surrounded with standing tombs of prominent citizens of Split as early as 1400.  As we walked and realized many of these people were buried before America was discovered!

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   Some of the standing tombs.  

   It was the first I have ever seen where the tombs were standing and built into the wall.

   
   

   
   

   Sitting on some of the carved stone that were in the foundation of the ruins of a church.  The foundation was built using the ruins from the roman buildings from the 400's  The church was empty so it was just the structure but still amazing to visit if you love the history of Christianity. 

   

   
   

   

   Check out the round pillars at the foundation!

   

   
   

   Staircase and view down from the balcony Inside the ruins

   
   

   
   

   Some shots around town

   

   Love the blue sky in this picture of the outside of the  Byzantine church  built in the 800's AD

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   Sunset on the Adriatic Sea Isn't the yellow beautiful!

   Linking with

   Mellow Yellow Monday
   

   Blue Monday
   Our World Tuesday
   Outdoor Wednesday

   
   

   
   

   
   

Perfect Shadow

It's not often that we see the chance to snap a picture of that "perfect" shadow shot.  

This week took us to Miami, Florida.  It wasn't a trip for pleasure, but one to visit a life long friend Mike.  We met Mike when we were stationed in Germany in the 1970's.  So many amazing memories.  How scared he looked when I handed him our new born daughter, well she was tiny at 6 pounds and only 18 inches long, and he was a 19 year old army guy.  Many evenings sitting around with his guitar and singing the "newest" praise songs, mostly scripture put to music.  
Hosting his brides parents when he and Kathy got married.  Making their wedding cake.  

Then through the tough times...which is the proof of a true friend, staying by their side when they make mistakes, which we all do.

This trip will proabably be the last time we get to see him this side of eternity.  He is coming to the end of a battle with cancer.  

We sat in his hospital room and visited when he was awake, which was often because of the amount of pain he is suffering with.  Talked through great times and favorite memories and regrets.  All the things we wish we had done or had not done.  Talking through options, do I keep fighting or just go home.

Our life is like a shadow.  Solid and then things change, and then it's gone...

Knowing we have a hope of eternity, because of grace, we celebrate the time we have know him on this earth.  

Sometimes when we believe in 

Christ and eternity

we are ridiculed for our beliefs.

It's just a crutch some say.

OK, even if it is

It is my belief,

it is my hope

of something better to come.

No more pain.

No more hearing of children being shot that night.

No broken relationships.

I am not perfect, 

NO one on this earth is;

BUT there is one

who IS.

He laid down his life 

for me,

for you,

if we just believe.

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.  Psalm 62:5

Blessings, Debbie

Linking today with Shadow Shot
Spiritual Sunday