2023 was a special summer bookended by trips to Athens and Yellowstone.

I collect refrigerator magnets of special times.

It started with a cruise for Bill and me from Athens to Rome celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. The top picture is the Parthenon in Athens, our first stop.

The Parthenon was built between 447 and 438 B.C. I can’t imagine! Elephants moved and hauled the heavy pillars. Originally dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena, it was later taken over by Christians and became a church; and then by the Turks who transitioned it to a mosque.

The highlight of our time in Athens was the following day. Bill and I walked to the top of Mars Hill, next to the Parthenon, sat and read Acts 17, Paul’s account of preaching (“reasoning with” ESV) to the Jews, devout persons, and the philosophers of the day.

After I snapped the pic, I also sat & read Acts 17.

“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.
For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship,
I found also an altar with this inscription,
‘To the unknown god.’
What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.”
Acts 17:22, 23

Paul went on to introduce them to the “God who made the world and everything in it,” verse 24.

New life was born in Athens. “But some men joined him and believed, among them also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.” Acts 17:34.

And we were sitting right there where Paul preached!

Our summer ended with a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park. The beauty was overwhelming even enjoying some of it through the rain.

My Morning View as I spend time with God.

Between these two amazing trips, we relished the time at Our Sanctuary. Our cabin in the Wet Mountains always provides quiet and solitude, a place to refuel and recharge. It did not disappoint.

Once again God directed me to Isaiah 40:31: “but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;” This time my heart continued to the next verse, “Listen to me in silence … let the peoples renew their strength;” Isaiah 41:1.

The refueling and recharging doesn’t come from the novels, the puzzles, or the knitting I enjoy while at Our Sanctuary. Those are extras. The refueling and recharging come from waiting on the LORD, the times of quiet and solitude, of developing my friendship with God.

Tucked in the middle we were blessed with brief times with friends and family.

It was a good summer. History, beauty, and quiet with dashes of family and friends was the perfect recipe. And I’m glad to be back connecting with YOU!

What were the highlights of your summer?

Copyright Sue Tell, September 2023