Adoption

Yhttps://youtu.be/UEMw3yIUFCk

This post is specifically for the MacDonald Bible Fellowship class

I hope this video will shed some light on the adoption each of you have thru God, our father.

Elizabeth Swicegood

Santorini

Our day started off around 8 AM. We were tendered over to the island of Santorini, Greece in the town of Thira. When we landed at the dock, we had the option of taking a gondola or donkey up the 1500 feet track to the town center. We chose the gondola. Our good friends Ed and Melissa Godby suggested earlier in the week that we consider the trail to Oia. Oia or Ia is a small town on the South Aegean Sea. The trail is approximately 4.2 miles and was along the Cliffs of the island over a volcanic landscape.

So we took them up on this challenge. The 1st mile and a half was through an area that had carved out of rocks some of the most beautiful white stucco hotels with swimming pools. The trail at this point was like walking through old streets of antiquity. However after that first 40 minutes of walking, we began to greet the less populated area of the trail.

I would estimate that the trail dropped 700 feet over the next half mile. The cobblestone turned into volcanic gravel. Along the way you would find beautiful flowers, cactus, and the occasional befriending dog who followed us along the way. There was a certain area where the trail was right beside a drop off and caused you to take each step with precaution.

If you notice Elizabeth's left shoulder you will see a white Village. That was our destination. To the right of her shoulder you will see the mountain that we crossed to get there.

As we made our way down we could see in the distance the alabaster colored homes that seems so far away. But as we dropped 700 feet or so, we realized that we would have to go back up to breach the mountaintop. There were beautiful rock structures along the way and walls of lava that had harden from the last volcanic explosion that took place on this island.

When we reach the second peak we were able to look down into the city and see our destination ahead. By this point we were all tired...all 12 of us. Along the way, we would have to be careful because there were other friends who traveled on the same trail to get to the village. (See below)

 As we reach the small town, I noticed an executive helicopter flying over the island. I decided to get some photography of it as it was so close to us. There did not seem to be a helipad nearby but nevertheless this helicopter decided to land practically right on top of us. I yelled to the crowd "close your eyes and get behind the dumpsters". Unfortunately the dumpsters were the only thing that kept us from getting sandblasted by the helicopter. We were covered in grit, dirt, and the smell from the dumpsters was unbearable. So we walked on into the town...tired and hungry, our main goal was to find a restaurant, sit down re-hydrate and have a Greek  feast. We found just the place to eat that had the most incredible view of the sea. I had an incredible salad with balsamic vinegar dressing and a Greek pizza. For dessert I enjoyed a strong cup of espresso and a baklava that was homemade and delicious.

Our eight hour experience in Santorini has only wet my appetite for this quaint village. I'm ready to come back. Am I tired? absolutely! Am I taken by this island, Absolutely!

Mykonos, Greece

What a long hot sunny day. At 9:30, we were picked up at the ship by our new Grecian Friend Costas. I hand no idea that by day's end, we would be friends with his son Nicos and Alex and wife Jo. Rather than spending time in the touristy area, we hired this family to take us to the north side of the island. There we would be fitted with our snorkel gear and introduced to our two man kayak. The day included a 4.5 mile paddle into the ocean around a rock formation with a blow hole. Despite the taxing effort of paddling all those miles, the view was amazing. Rock formations, fish, bleach white houses with beautiful greenery growing up the walls. At 1 PM we settled in for a gourmet Lunch. Costas mother made home olives, we had bread that was made that morning, fresh tomatoes and a fresh Tzatziki Sauce made by his mother. Can you taste it? It met our appetites expectation.

A formal evening with a pretty lady!

27 years later and she is more beautiful than ever. We enjoyed each other, a filet Mignon, cheese cake and the outstanding performance of Graffiti (four stringed pieces).  We were accompanied at our meal with Gary & Karolyn Chapman. Gary is the author of New York Best Seller "Five Love Languages". The conversation was quite entertaining. We also enjoyed the company of Jeff Templeton, owner of Templeton Travel.

Deck 11 near sunset

Gary & Karolyn Chapman, Elizabeth and me.

Breakfast on the Meditetrrian

With our bodies adjusting to the time change, we woke up early this AM at the Tiber Hotel, located on the shores of the Med. Breakfast was on the 5th floor over looking the boats headed to catch the days bounty on the Mediterranean Sea. My internal GPS could tell that I was facing west which is unusual for an east coast person. I opened Google earth to see how far I was from home....this morning....4772 miles. That was a little daunting. But then I realized I was on vacation and thought about the men and women who travel that far to the Middle East....they're not there on leisure....and not for a few weeks; they're there on duty and for months. 

We are headed today to Civitavecchia. This is a town and in the province of Rome. A sea port on the Tyrrhenian, it is located 50 miles west-north-west of Rome, across the Mignonet river. The name Civitavecchia means "ancient town". 

Some really neat culture this morning includes eating blood red oranges from Silicy. Tangy, but really good! I was offered a delicious cup of cappuccino for breakfast which made my eyes a little brighter. The pace is a little less pushed today and we are causally making our way up the coast to the port. 

For Elizabeth and me, our trip is a delayed celebration of 25 (now 27 ) years of marriage. We delayed our 25th for various reasons.  Although I am missing my children and family, I am enjoying putting 100% of my focus on Elizabeth. For the last 31 years (dating included), we have literally been around  the world. I don't regret a moment. 

Tomorrow is just another adventure to a new place.  We are headed to Sicily. To me, this piece of Italy was made famous by two movies; My favorite, "The Godfather" and  the military classic "Patton". Although we are not going to Corelone, the fictional birthplace of Vito Corelone, I'm certain the place will bring alive both of the movies. 

Chow....So long for now.

Messina, The Island of Silicy

Messina is the capital of the province of Messina. It is the 13th largest city in Italy with only 250,000 population. We arrived via the Strait of Messina,  which is opposite Villa San Giovanni on the mainland.

The economy is made up of seaport industries, tourism, wine production, lemons, mandarin orange groves and of course olives

.
After years of watching the trilogy of the Godfather, I finally stepped on Sicilian soil. Around 11am, we entered the town of Messina. We landed on a day that was The Republic Day of Celebration with the city alive with Military bands, ceremonies and lots of locals. We made our way to The Duomo of

Santa Maria Assunta which is one of the cathedrals of the Archdiocese of Messina-Lipari-Santa Lucia del Mela.
The current building is the final result reconstructions that took place in the 20th century. This took place during an earthquake which happen in 1908. Later, damages took place during the English and. America victory over Mussolini. , which took place following the English and American victory over Mussolini. 

As the clock struck 12, a bronze lion roared three times representing the lion of Judah. At a height of 80 feet, the lion's was loud enough to be heard for blocks. A few seconds later, a bronze rooster, below the lion crowed three times. Then Ava Maria played in it entirety. Bronze statuettes circled around the Virgin Mary at about 60 feet on the structure and they bowed  before her. There was probably 1500 people standing in awe watching and hearing the beautiful symbolism of the Gospel.

An hour later, we hailed an 8 passenger taxi and visited Taormina, Italy, about an hour drive from Messina. The drivers name was Giovanni. He looked like Al Pacino and spoke Italian and Spanish.

So we were able to communicate fairly well. The first question was "dov'è il bagno"; yes you figured it... "Where is the bathroom?" To get to Taormino, we went through 12 tunnels to get to this classic Italian beach community nestled on a side of a hill. Hungry, we showed up in time to eat a late lunch at Belle Blu. Built with the view in mind, the Italian restaurant was served our group of 8 five different kind of pizza; olives, tuna, pears, pine nuts, pistachios, pepperoni, tomatoes, and plenty other things. The scene, the food, the Sicilian red wine, and the laid back atmosphere was perfect. 

Having four divas in the group, we shopped the cobble stoned walk way shops. 

We visited another small church that reminded me of a scene in Godfather part 2. It was 800 years old. In the door way was an unkept woman with a child seated. She was begging for money. Thinking about my good friend Dick Smith, I dropped three Euros in her cup.

Dick told me that we I won't have to answer for what she does with it; she will. I felt good about the decision and even better remembering my good friend Dick who passed a few months ago.

Tired, we made our way back do the ship with plenty of time to spare. It was a good day. The sunset over Messina was amazing!  As the "Don" said its a cosa nostra thing (translated "our thing") ... The Messinians made their thing ...our thing!

Making a Great Marriage

When you’ve cross the milestone of marching your daughter down a 175 feet aisle, it gives you pause to look at the aisle you and your bride walked down yourself.

I remember that full moon evening on March 17, 1989.  I was a nervous 140-pound young man who walked out in front of family and friends onto the chancel of the Omwake Dearborn Chapel. As I watched the wedding planner open the doors into the 80-foot high gothic nave, I saw the most

Omwake-Dearborn Chapel

beautiful woman I had ever seen walk towards the candlelit transept. Even today, I remember my heart racing. We left that church and reception with the typical naïve expectation to what life would hold. We had only clues to what it would take to make for a good marriage. Our ride was just beginning.

Now, 27 years later, I am able to look back and see the road map that we forged to what I know my wife and I would call a good marriage.

First off, I will tell you that it didn’t just happen. There are so many things in this world that seek to destroy your marriage and happiness. So, what is it that makes two people happily devote themselves to each other for their life? I'll share with you my thoughts.

1.     Give when you want to get. Norman Maclean once said that “As humans, we are a d(ang) mess.” That quote was from one of my favorite books, "A River Runs Through It." I think what Maclean meant by this is we are all a product of a fallen world. By nature, we are selfish. In life and in marriage, when we allow “our wants” to be number one, we have set ourselves up for a selfish driven life. A selfish driven life means that we are putting our personal wants, needs, and desires above anyone, including our spouse. Many times it's because we are seeking control of the relationship or control of the relational environment. So, how do we give…when we want to get? I will tell you it is done with intentionality. Happenstance most likely will not work. You have to seek out the needs of your partner. Your goal in life should be to meet and exceed the other's expectations. The amazing thing is, overtime, your partner will see that you really want the best for them and they will begin to demonstrate reciprocity ( if they hadn’t already). As the years go by, if you do these things, you will bump into each other trying to serve the others' needs. Now that is a beautiful thing.

2.     Love even when you’re not being loved. I’d love to tell you that my wife and I have never fought. The fact of the matter is most couples do. It usually revolves around money, work or just plain being selfish (see the above paragraph). A repeated word I will use is the idea of loving someone with intentionality. Don’t look at all of the weaknesses of your spouse; rather, use their shortcomings to be a way to see your own. When your spouse treats you unloving, don’t lash out at then; rather love them. You may say “How do I love someone who is unloving?” Personally, I lean on my faith. My faith teaches me that I was loved when I didn’t offer love. Don’t be afraid to say “I’m sorry” or “you’re right” or maybe “babe, I disagree with you, but I love you more than I disagree”. Fights are like small field weeds, if left alone, and watered with more and more fights, they can grow into really big things and ruin a beautiful field of gold. Love your spouse. You’re just as imperfect as they are…. I promise. My acknowledgment of that reality changed my life!

3.     Seek after and devote yourself to what makes the other happy. Know your spouse's hobbies. Without a doubt, I know my wife’s hobbies, her sense of style, clothing, and her favorite perfume. I have studied her since we met.  I absolutely delight in seeing her happy. She is my best friend. No one, no earthly thing is more important than her….not a golf game, hunting trip, nights with the boys….nothing,  not even my children. Raising children is about preparing them to meet adult challenges; its about preparing them for potentially being wed someday. I believe the best way you can show your children love is through a loving healthy marriage. That bring security to them.

Call me old school, but I don’t want my wife to open doors, I offer her an arm walking down steps, and I always pay her compliments. I try in every way to make my wife’s life better. I don’t always succeed, but I honestly try.

27 Years

4.     Remember that marriage was not created by man, it was the invention of a Supreme Maker. This is the overarching idea that has made our marriage so great. We both look upward to a heavenly father. We both understand that He is more important than each other. I call it the positive triangulation of God. When we use this, we are able to see the calculation of our personal coordinates as it relates to God.  As each of us get closer to our Maker, we are drawn closer together. That is a beautiful thing. In your marriage, each of you should be seekers of God. All the things I have pointed out are attributes of His nature.

Marriage is not about chance, but it is a chance to show someone that they are number one, more important than yourself. When two people do that, they are showing just a small image of the love that God had for you with His Son. So, just think about it, in your marriage, you are showing a glimpse of God’s love for the world.  Humbly I will tell you that my wife and I got it right; and it has made all the difference. My goal is to make Elizabeth’s life the best it can be spiritually, physically and emotionally. As a middle age guy, I know the end of our ride will be great, no matter what struggles we are thrown, we have each other!
 

Consider reading Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages. This number one selling book has helped many marriages. If you'll just recently married, read it and invest in your relationship...You'll be glad you did.

Kyle

A Happy Marriage....what does it take