Random Photos from Ein Kerem

Moscovia Monastery


A small church in Ein Kerem



View from Church of the Visitation


Daycare center


Paintings in a restaurant


On the way home...

St. John the Baptist Church

Like the Magnificat at the Church of the Visitation, Zechariah's prophecy is printed on large placques at the church of St. John the Baptist in many different languages.
Here it is in English,



and Lucanda. Has anyone heard of Lucanda? Where is it?

Poland

This is also at the St. John the Baptist Church, but in a little different category.

The sign says, "HERE IN AIN-KAREM, CHILDREN FROM THE POLISH SCHOOL OFFERED THEIR THANKS TO GOD FOR DELIVERANCE FROM EXILE IN SOVIET RUSSIA."

St. John the Baptist Church

This is an educational post. Meaning, it has information, in the form of pictures, so that you will know a little about the Roman church. Also known by some as a "Christian" church. I couldn't bring myself to post some other pictures, because they had figures of people and angels. I saw them with my own eyes, but I feel funny about publishing them.

This is what you see in the front of the hall, along with a statue of Mary.

A baptismal.


I have nothing against good wood doors.

And good wood pews.


Luk 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied...

This is a confessional. A man inside claims to be able forgive your sins or something like that.

They Come, They Go

Many of the services held at the Y are attended by only four or five people. But quite often there are visitors and they are from all over -- Poland, Canada, Holland, Italy, Scotland, England, France, Dominican Republic, India. Maybe others I have forgotten. Once we had over 30 people. Some are familiar with reformed worship, others are not.
When I think back over important moments in my life, certain events come to mind. The people involved in them weren't aware that their words or their actions would have a lasting effect on me, or that they were used by God for my lasting good. And other events just as important I have completely forgotten. So it may be with some of the visitors.
We make our plans and labor over hard decisions and sometimes feel we are in the dark. The whale that swallowed Jonah just... happened to be there at the right time and open his mouth at the right time? No, nothing just happens.
"They have sought out many inventions."
but
"A righteous man's steps are ordered by the Lord."
"The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry."

Clouds

Clouds do weird things to you. Like they can make you extremely tired. This morning in class I was strongly tempted to leave and lie down on the floor somewhere. But the feeling soon passed and the rest of the day was good.
Maybe it wasn't the clouds, maybe it was the cornmeal pancakes with blackstrap molasses that I had for breakfast. Or maybe it was the combination.
But I'm home now and feeling really lazy. Feel like reading poetry, but that's not always edifying. Thinking about how odd the present is. Imagining my father holding Noah on his lap. Thinking how my mother would have liked my son-in-law and my daughter-in-law. Thinking about how all the things that I consider reality aren't all present reality.

Here is a good poem by Ogden Nash:

The Middle

When I remember bygone days
I think how evening follows morn;
So many I loved were not yet dead,
So many I love were not yet born.

December

I should try to get at least one post done for December. Let's see, it's winter, the snow is beautiful in the moonlight, and the house is warm and cozy and there are cookies in the oven. No, that's not it. It's winter, and it's not quite cold enough for my winter coat, but I wear it innyway, just in case. I'd rather be too hot than too cold. No snow, no rain, not much different than usual, except some trees have lost their leaves.

Christmas passed and so did Hanukkah. I didn't see much evidence of either. A few Christmas trees, and one hannukiah with two candles leaning over in it.

Famous (or not-so-famous) quotes:

Without geography, you're nowhere.

Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.

That'll have to do for tonight. I have a terrible headache and computers are bad for headaches, or great for headaches, which means the same thing.