I have always loved the skies!  For me, “The heavens are telling the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1).  I am most apt to experience God’s presence in the beauty of the sky…it always makes me feel close to God.  Here are some of my experiences of the beautiful skies of Croatia and Italy at sunrise…

Dawn in Dubrovnik looking out our window the first morning we were on the boat.

Another morning seeing sunrise over the Adriatic Sea from our boat.  The water was a beautiful midnight blue, the exact color you see in the photo on the right.

Early morning along the coast as we left Zadar and headed north by land.

Sunrise from our hotel window in Opatija where the beautiful woman holding the sea gull graces the shore line.

My last view of Venice the morning we boarded the water bus for the airport.  I held this in my heart as I said ,”Goodbye”, wondering if I would ever return to this beautiful city. I didn’t want to leave.

I managed to stay awake most of the 10 hour flight home so I could go to sleep at a decent hour by Texas time.  Then I awakened Sunday morning to a light bursting forth over the horizon out in my own back yard…

Wow!  The grace of God flooded my heart as I witnessed the most beautiful sunrise of all.  I had come home. I suddenly remembered the words written by my Grandpa to me in a letter.  I received it as a young girl and have saved the letter all these years.  Here is a portion of his letter just as he typed it with that old typewriter…

I suppose we never know where a very few simple words have the power to speak at a volume that lasts a lifetime.  “You do not have to go far to find the beauty of God’s world.”  SO TRUE!  Thanks Grandpa.  I love you.

nk

It’s the dawn of a new day in my world as the sun rises over the city of Zagreb, Croatia.

I am reminded of the words in one of my favorite hymns, “Morning has broken, like the first morning.  Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird.”

The woman sits atop a building in the old town square and the blackbird is there with her.  “Pay attention”, they both seem to be saying to me. “Take in all you can in the unexpected places and moments for there lies the most important part of the journey.”  Ah, so it is!  The journey into an unknown land always brings a new perspective into my life.  And the creative part of me always seems to awaken best through the eyes of creative expression.  So, here it is…

The Unexpected…

The Cathedral…

I have never before seen a dog present for the Last Supper!  And I love how the light fell upon the baptism sculpture in such a way that it was coming from within Christ.

Angels Among Us…

The Market…

Place of Prayer..

 

In the old part of the city of Zagreb a painting of Madonna and Child was found untouched amidst ashes and rubble after the city was bombed.  This painting now hangs in a special cozy spot under an old bridge.  Persons have placed stones in memory of loved ones, always with the word “Thanks”, “Hvala”, inscribed as praise to God.  It is a holy place present along an everyday pathway, a reminder that God is always present  to bless in amazing ways.

One of my favorite memories of Zagreb took place near the old town square after dark.  Live music by “B and the Bops” included some great Elvis tunes sung quite appropriately with a constant shaking of the legs while strumming the guitar.  I had so much fun dancing on the checkerboard dance floor right there in the middle of old town Zagreb along with the locals! Never before have I “cut a rug” on such ancient stones!

nk