Be sure to stop by the Carnival of Beauty on The Beauty of Photographs - there are some truly beautiful posts! This week it is hosted by Amanda at following an unknown path. Don’t forget to read my contribution, Photographs of God’s Beauty.

As we are entering into the season of spring, I am constantly reminded of the amazing beauty of God’s creation! I thought I’d share some pictures of the amazing, beautiful sites that we saw on our trip to Europe last summer. The beautiful world that we live in and the beautiful creations that God has enabled us to make never cease to amaze me!

These pictures were originally posted on my personal blog HERE.

These are scaled down for the blog, so they look a little distorted. To see larger, uncut versions with descriptions (that are really more beautiful), look at my flickr. And now, the pictures!

Arles, France






Florence, Italy





Vatican City







Rome, Italy





Pompeii, Italy





Sorrento, Italy



Capri, Italy



Mykonos, Greece









Istanbul, Turkey









Ephesus, Turkey





Athens, Greece





Corinth, Greece



Venice, Greece

I haven’t posted in almost a month, and I’m so sorry about that! Things have been busy with work, and I just returned from a trip to my parents’ in Florida! This week I return to regular posting!

What was I doing in Florida? Why, I was taking confirmation classes to join the Episcopal Church! This is something that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time, but have been unable to get the scheduling to work out. I wanted to join at our church at home instead of a church up here in North Carolina, but every time the class was offered I was unable to make it back to Florida to attend. But this year, it worked out, and I am so thrilled that I will be able to join the church now! The actual service takes place in a month, so I’m not official yet, but I learned a lot, and I will be sharing a post soon about what I’ve learned about the Book of Common Prayer.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:16-18

I am thankful for the season of Lent, and for the potential that the season holds! May the Lord be with you during this time of introspection and discovery!

See what others are thankful for at Sting My Heart!

One of the comments on YouTube says it best: “Great satire on the state of the church.”

Hat Tip: ThinkChristian