Gdansk, Poland

A very quaint Old Town and an amazing, and sorrowed, history. World War II began in Gdansk and through Solidarity, Gdansk was the catalyst for the fall of Communism in Europe! The World ,and especially Europe, should have great respect and appreciation to Poland.

Tallinn, Estonia

Onto Tallinn... In 8 years, they have made great strides and improvements. Estonia is an impressive country.



Enjoying hot chocolate in Estonia

From Stockholm to Helsinki to St. Petersburg

We stayed on the ship in Helsinki, the Rock Church was a difficult walk (sorry, no pictures in Finland). Onto St. Petersburg…

Look familiar?

Church of Spilt Blood

Hermitage

1st Steam Powered Battleship - WW I and shot the first shot of the Russian Revolution

Leaving St. Petersburg

The Baltic Beginnings…

Although we departed Copenhagen during the evening, our trip really begins in the Stockholm Archipelago. What memory it evoked as we thought of our last journey through the Archipelago with everyone on the top deck swimming and enjoying the islands of Stockholm. Our next stop was Helskinki where we spent the day enjoying the accoutrements of the Crown Princess. Next, off to St. Petersburg, RuSSSia!

Stockholm Archipelago

A very narrow passage we crossed on a very, very large ship!

A very busy channel through the Archipelago.

Lunch in the square at Gamla Stan. This is the same square we had lunch at when we were last in Gamla Stan with everyone and Andrew reached out to touch the water in the fountain.

Julianne’s Dissertation Station at Buckland

Julianne is finishing her final days of Trinity Term working on her dissertation and preparing for Degree Day; a long day at Buckland! She along with Lincoln and Neal are completing another step, although Neal is now stepping out of academia. Congratulations to Julianne, Lincoln and Neal for staying the course. What Neal is finishing, Lincoln begins. And Julianne, well, more to be written.

Julianne really did work hard at Buckland.

Many, many hours. Of course there were also walks to Stanton.

The weather was brilliant!

Time with Julianne - Oxford

Today we spent time with Julianne touring Oxford. We spent time at Christ Church College and attended Corporate Communion in the Anglican Church at Christ Church Chapel where Julianne's friend Ruth played the organ.


The fan vaulting at Christ Church Chapel.


The Quad at Christ Church


Traditional English Tea with Julianne at the Randolph Hotel. It is wonderful being with Julianne. She is having a great time at Oxford and brings great joy to her mum and dad!

Mother's Day!

To each of the Mother's in my life, what joy you provide!

Mom, thanks for the tenderness and love expressed in all of my days and for the lessons taught early in life that have shaped who I am. Thank you for setting an example of kindness, charity and service - and in teaching the value of friendship. Thanks for your patience and constant trust. I love and appreciate you that words can't express.

Lauren, words can't express the joys of life that we have and will continue to experience because of you. We have had the blessing of seeing a glimpse of Heaven in the eyes of our children and grandchildren. You have mothered and loved, taught and mentored. Our sons and daughters have been shaped and nurtured to be who they are because of your tender love. Our daughters' capacity to mother is a reflection of you in every wit. Through trials and tribulations you have been the constant in my life, and my love for you grows without measure!


To our 6 daughters - thank you for the sustaining joy! Each of you in your capacity to mother, now and in the future, brings comfort to my soul. Your spiritual foundations and capacity to love and nurture are a reflection of the love of and for the Savior. Having spent the past few weeks reflecting and visiting with each of you, and to see Julianne next week, brings the greatest of joy. It sustains us and comforts us beyond measure. To know within the homes of our children that each shares a constant and common love for He who gave all, that we might have joy, opens the windows of Heaven today. Thank you for the glimpse of what is and what can be eternally. May you enjoy, in abundance, the bounty of this special Sabbath day - that with an eternal perspective, know that each of you are loved, always! There is no greater joy!