Christensens in Greece

Time Out

One of the nice parts of being a senior missionary is the opportunity to have family come to visit. Our daughter got a great ticket deal for her and her husband in January. I wasn't sure what the weather would be like and it did turn cold that week and rained but it was all doable and the best part was the absence of big crowds.

Safe Arrival! 20 hour flight. Crazy!

We got up early on a Tuesday after they arrived the evening before and drove to Meteora.

Μετέωρα, pronounced [meˈteora]) is a rock formation in the regional unit of Trikala, in Thessaly, Greece, hosting one of the largest and most precipitously built complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries, second in importance only to Mount Athos. The six (of an original twenty-four) monasteries are built on immense natural pillars and hill-like rounded boulders that dominate the local area. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the twenty-four monasteries were established atop the rocks. Meteora is located near the town of Kalabaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly near the Pineios river and Pindus Mountains.^[4]

Meteora was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988 because of the outstanding architecture and beauty of the complex, in addition to its religious and artistic significance.

The name means "lofty", "elevated", and is etymologically related to meteor.

Eating Lunch in Kalabaka

We made it to 4 monasteries that were open on Wednesday but the last one has lunch hours where it is closed and we were more than happy to find a nice Greek restaurant to eat at. I got cod with a garlic sauce. The cod was delicious. It had Greek music playing and locals taking their time to visit and eat.

The view from our hotel in Kalabaka at the base of Meteora

We went to one last Monastery before heading to Delphi. This monastery was built by just putting a front on a cave that had 4 natural levels. Long ago they accessed the monastery by climbing a rope ladder.

Delphi Museum

Delphi was an ancient sacred precinct and the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The ancient Greeks considered the centre of the world to be in Delphi, marked by the stone monument known as the Omphalos of Delphi (navel).

According to the Suda, Delphi took its name from the Delphyne, the she-serpent (drakaina) who lived there and was killed by the god Apollo (in other accounts the serpent was the male serpent (drakon) Python).^[5]^[6]

Delphi...the acoustics are amazing but it was roped off so we couldn't try them out.

Delphi

The city of Delphi. We ate at a wonderful restaurant that looked down on the layers of the village.

We had goat, potato and mushroom soup, cod with greens, beef stew, and yummy bread.

Acropolis Museum the next day

After the museum, we ate gyros. I included this picture because it shows you the meat they shave to put in the gyros.

Stadium at Acropolis

The Acropolis of Athens is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens, Greece, and contains the remains of several ancient buildings of great architectural and historical significance, the most famous being the Parthenon. The term acropolis is generic and there are many other acropoleis in Greece.

While there is evidence that the hill was inhabited as early as the fourth millennium BC, it was Pericles (c. 495–429 BC) in the fifth century BC who coordinated the construction of the buildings whose present remains are the site's most important ones, including the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike.^[2]^[3] The Parthenon and the other buildings were seriously damaged during the 1687 siege by the Venetians during the Morean War when gunpowder being stored by the then Turkish rulers in the Parthenon was hit by a Venetian bombardment and exploded.

One of my favorite things to watch is the changing of the guard which I wrote about earlier in a previous entry.

Bakeries are around every corner in Athens and Greece. We have tried many things and one of the favorite lunch item is spanakopita. It is feta cheese with spinach in between phyllo. The next day we ate at the pier while we waited for our ferry to Aegina Island.

We took a ferry to the closest island to Athens which is Aegina.

We found the yummyist cafeteria style place to eat at. We had eggplant, the best bread, beans and carrots in a sauce, baked peppers and tomatoes that were delicious.

Saying goodbye to Aegina

When we got back to Athens, we walked through the markets. Kalamata olives are the most popular olives and are grown in Greece.

Davelis Cave

The name comes from the belief that an infamous 19th century brigand called Davelis used the cave as a hideout. The story says that Davelis used the cave to hide his treasures. During the Middle Ages, it was used by Orthodox Christian hermits and later a small church was built at the entrance of the cave. The cave has been used as a shelter for civilians. Experiments took place in the cave or in the artificial tunnels around it.

Looking down the route they took to move marble from the quarries to the Parthenon. We said good-bye to Brooke and Whit and went home to take several naps. I think I am now caught up.

This bridge is made of marble that was used to transport Pentelic marble that we saw at the cave. Doukissis Plakentias is the biggest surviving stone bridge in Attica. Pentelic marble was thought to be of unparalleled quality. Doukissis Plakentias just happens to be the name of our metro stop. We walked to this bridge this morning in lovely 65 degree weather. It is a 5 1/2 mile walk round trip and so interesting to look at the shops, cafes, schools, etc.

We are grateful for the opportunity to see this beautiful country and experience the culture of warm and generous people. They are very family oriented and we enjoy seeing parents walk their children to school and shopping, etc. We are grateful for our family and the support they have been to us. We look forward each week to our zoom calls. We found out this week that a new couple has been called to serve here in Greece as Humanitarian, Welfare and Self Reliant missionaries. We are excited to get everything in place for them so that the transition will go smoothly.

"It's not what you are capable of. It's what you are willing to do" I don't know where that thought comes from but I have learned that I am lacking in many skills but that the work moves forward. I love that we just have to try and God makes up the difference.

Spiritual Muscles: Remembering Bryce

Bryce’s Journal Entries and Emails – Your Personal Spiritual Trainer

In this e-mail from February 2007, he was only out for five months at the time, he

talked about how Heavenly Father will test us. “I notice that Heavenly Father will

work you spiritually and mentally until you kind of just want to just give up. When

he gives you a break you grow. Just like when you go to the gym and lift, you lift

until your muscles give up, then you let them rest and they grow. Heavenly Father

is kind of like your personal spiritual trainer. He will only work you if you let him,

but if you let him He will work you hard.”

Πρωτοχρονιάτικα Κάλαντα

This is a Happy New Year song in Greece!

December to Remember

This is our second Christmas in Athens. We have decided we missed out last year because of being new to the country. We have found there is a lot to see and do in Athens.

We have spent more time going to places we have not been before. We have gone into churches and watched quietly to see what happens inside these beautiful buildings.

We went to visit a sister in our branch and to get to her home we walked to the metro, rode the train, got on the metro from the train and then walked 20 min. to her home. It was a lovely day and a beautiful walk. We went past many big mansions and homes.

My perspective on making visits to others has been broaden!

One day we went to Ithaca Laundry that has a mobile laundry unit and bagged traditional Christmas cookies and warm clothing for homeless and refugees. They also handed out very big large warm blankets for those sleeping out on the streets.

Traditional Greek Cookies called Melomakarma ( full of cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg) and Kourabiedes that are a shortbread rolled in powdered sugar.

The Nativity and Bounce House were at a metro stop with shops, food, and bumper cars. Many of the different areas have a Christmas village. The one near us has an ice skating rink.

Sculptures are in most of the parks and everywhere else.

Our apartment for Christmas

One day we wandered down around a new metro stop and saw this fun street.

Christmas Day

The missionaries came to our apartment for brunch, gift exchange and program. We had a wonderful time. They are off to their next meal appointment.

It has been a wonderful Christmas for us. We enjoyed zoom calls with family, letters and emails sent from ward members and friends, dinner appointments, piano recitals, quiet times, scripture time, health and well being and mostly a time to remember. The gospel of Jesus Christ is what makes us recognize all we have that is important. We are glad to be missionaries and be involved in helping to make the world a better place in partner with so many dedicated Non Profit organizations. We know it is the members of our church that make this possible. We have tried to remember. We love Greece and the Greek people. The language, not so much.

Wishing all the best in the coming year. Christ truly is the answer.

Zone Conference, Thanksgiving and Delphi...

We had a combined zone conference where all the missionaries either drove or flew into Athens for a preparation day to Delphi, meetings, a Thanksgiving celebration and brand new missionaries from the England MTC. It was a very exciting time!

Ancient Greeks believed that Delphi was the Navel of the Earth, a place seen as a spiritual focal point for all Greeks; it included many sanctuaries and the most prestigious oracle in all of ancient Greece. This is where Pythia, the high priestess, uttered the divine advice of god Apollo to mortals who travelled from across the world to seek a prophecy. Apart from Greeks, the Oracle was visited also by foreign leaders and dignitaries who were anxious to know the will of Apollo on important state affairs.

It was a beautiful cloudy day filled with lots of tourists. We visited the museum and then toured the grounds. Afterwards, we went to the little village past Delphi where we ate a delicious meal.

The Menu

None of us were brave enough to try the Ewe, goat, rabbit stew or rooster in wine sauce. We had a delicious salad and chicken in a cream sauce.

The next day we had Zone Conference and wonderful presentations and talks. The best was just being together with everyone. We are spread out over Greece and Cyprus and usually see each other on zoom. We were all uplifted and edified by our mission leaders and Zone and District leaders.

The next day was a day of service and Thanksgiving. We cleaned the church, organized the rooms, cleaned the windows, pictures, floors, bathrooms, etc. Then we gathered for a turkey dinner courtesy of our branch president's wife who got it for us.

The missionaries all brought food they had bought or made. The best part was that it wasn't Thanksgiving in Greece and it was easy to go shopping. Best deal ever.

The next day we gathered at Mars Hill and the new missionaries were able to share their testimonies in Greek. They did a fabulous job even though I don't speak Greek. You could feel their sincerity. Pictures were taken where it has been said that Paul preached and everyone found out who was training and their new companion.

Then it was off to their new places in Cyprus, Crete, Thessaloniki and Athens. We will miss the missionaries we have had but are excited to get to know all the new ones. We are grateful we don't have to think about transfers!

In Preach My Gospel it reminds us that it is just as vital as what you do as it is to who you are and who you are becoming. I am grateful for all we have been able to learn and hopefully we are becoming better followers of Jesus Christ. It is hard to tell at times but that is our hope. We love being missionaries no matter what. Smiley face inserted here.

Athens Marathon the Authentic

Map of the Athens Marathon Route and Incline

On our way home from church on Sunday, we altered the route we usually walk and went down one of the busiest streets in our area. We walked for a mile along the Athen's Marathon path. It was truly exciting to see runners from all over the world. More than 70,000 runners from 140 countries ( record number) were registered to run either the classic route or the various other parallel road races hosted that weekend. 20,322 runners registered for the marathon portion. No qualifying time was necessary but you needed to be 18 years old or more.

The route covers the same ground that the Athenian messenger Filippides ran when he brought the news of victory from the battlefield of Marathon 2,500 years ago. The finish line is in the Olympic Stadium, named the Kalimarmaro stadium, and the birthplace of the modern Olympic games held in 1896.

It is also the same course used in 2004 Olympics held in Athens. Ed win Kiptoo from Kenya was the winner of the 4th Athens Authentic Marathon. It was a new record of 2 hours, 10 min. and 34 seconds.

There was a band playing Rocky, Chariots of Fire and other inspiring familiar numbers.

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 1 Cor. 9:24 Our lives are lot like marathons. We are able to run only as good as we have prepared. Marathons are very grueling as evident in many of the faces that I saw as we watched. They are also very motivating. Back in the day, I prepared to run the Moab 1/2. I knew I needed to be serious because I didn't want to be embarrassed and not able to finish the race. I was grateful for my friend that I ran with because she kept encouraging me. I ran behind her for some of the race, just trying to match her pace and stay up with her. I am glad we don't have to run the marathon of life alone.