Today is Sam’s 15th birthday. And as a result, today’s post is going to be about Sam. I would still consider it adventure; just an adventure of a different sort.
A birthday wouldn’t be a celebration without gifts. Sam got some nice gifts that will memorialize his trip to Egypt. But the best gift of all was not one that Sam received, but one that he gave. And I am blessed to be the recipient! My gift is seeing my son come face to face with history. Sam was not aware of me taking the photo you see today. But my peering around the corner to see where my son had gone revealed the gift of seeing my son touch history from 3,000 years ago.
Until now this knowledge was only revealed to him through books, internet research, documentaries and his own imagination. Now after nearly eight years of study, history is coming to life in ways that other modes of study will NEVER compare. Don’t get me wrong, I think books and other forms of media are not only a wonderful starting place, but they are essential. Sam would not be appreciating this adventure nearly as much had it not been for his years of preparation. But all of this alone is very difficult to create the emotional connection that comes from the physical contact with history. It sort of like in chemistry, you can combine various ingredients and nothing will happen. But then you add the crucial ingredient that causes all the others to react and BANG, you have an explosion. I think many of you understand, but if not, please visit the Lincoln Memorial at about 9pm on a warm summer evening. From the top of the steps look to the east and see the lights of the Washington Monument in the reflection pond. Then turn around and take a seat at Lincoln’s feet. Read his inaugural address or the Gettysburg address and see if you are not emotionally charged as you physically embrace history.
Well, for me to see this happen in the life of my son is an amazing experience. Several times I have been moved to my own private tears of joy as I have witnessed my son in his glory. This trip to Egypt is turning the page to a whole new chapter in his impassioned pursuit of history in the Middle East and specifically Egypt. God only knows where it will go from here or how He will use it to direct Sam’s steps. But as only God can do, He is touching my heart through my son Sam. WOW, what a gift…and it wasn’t even my birthday!
Sam did actually receive some gifts and we celebrated in grand style at Taboula, a Lebanese restaurant in Cairo. We were joined by our friend, Lee Rizzo, from San Diego and our Egyptian friends Maged, Tamer and Bassem plus their wives and children. The food was amazing and Maged even surprised Sam with the birthday cake...candles and all!
Sam’s daily entry:
Today we toured the Egyptian museum in Cairo. The amount of artifacts is absolutely amazing. The well preserved colors and hieroglyphs were fantastic. But one of the most spectacular sites I have ever seen is the mask of Tutankhamen made from 71kg of solid gold. Additionally, the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamen’s 3 coffins made from 110kg of solid gold was spectacular. We also saw many different tools, statues and colossi.
Following the museum, we went to the Hanging Church where the crypt (sort of like a basement) that Mary, Joseph and young Jesus stayed for three months while they were hiding from King Herod (see Matthew 2:13-15).
We finished the day with dinner at one of our friends favorite restaurants to celebrate my birthday. It was one of the best days of my life. A dream is being fulfilled!
Tomorrow is our “day in the desert”. We head out to explore the great pyramids of Egypt. Before signing off, I have two questions for the 5th grade class at North Clackamas Christian School to answer:
1. What is a colossi?
2. What was King Tutankhamen’s former name (before it was changed to his current name) and why did he change it?
I will reveal the correct answers in tomorrow’s post along with several more questions to answer!
Be well and may all your travels be filled with joy and adventure!
A birthday wouldn’t be a celebration without gifts. Sam got some nice gifts that will memorialize his trip to Egypt. But the best gift of all was not one that Sam received, but one that he gave. And I am blessed to be the recipient! My gift is seeing my son come face to face with history. Sam was not aware of me taking the photo you see today. But my peering around the corner to see where my son had gone revealed the gift of seeing my son touch history from 3,000 years ago.
Until now this knowledge was only revealed to him through books, internet research, documentaries and his own imagination. Now after nearly eight years of study, history is coming to life in ways that other modes of study will NEVER compare. Don’t get me wrong, I think books and other forms of media are not only a wonderful starting place, but they are essential. Sam would not be appreciating this adventure nearly as much had it not been for his years of preparation. But all of this alone is very difficult to create the emotional connection that comes from the physical contact with history. It sort of like in chemistry, you can combine various ingredients and nothing will happen. But then you add the crucial ingredient that causes all the others to react and BANG, you have an explosion. I think many of you understand, but if not, please visit the Lincoln Memorial at about 9pm on a warm summer evening. From the top of the steps look to the east and see the lights of the Washington Monument in the reflection pond. Then turn around and take a seat at Lincoln’s feet. Read his inaugural address or the Gettysburg address and see if you are not emotionally charged as you physically embrace history.
Well, for me to see this happen in the life of my son is an amazing experience. Several times I have been moved to my own private tears of joy as I have witnessed my son in his glory. This trip to Egypt is turning the page to a whole new chapter in his impassioned pursuit of history in the Middle East and specifically Egypt. God only knows where it will go from here or how He will use it to direct Sam’s steps. But as only God can do, He is touching my heart through my son Sam. WOW, what a gift…and it wasn’t even my birthday!
Sam did actually receive some gifts and we celebrated in grand style at Taboula, a Lebanese restaurant in Cairo. We were joined by our friend, Lee Rizzo, from San Diego and our Egyptian friends Maged, Tamer and Bassem plus their wives and children. The food was amazing and Maged even surprised Sam with the birthday cake...candles and all!
Sam’s daily entry:
Today we toured the Egyptian museum in Cairo. The amount of artifacts is absolutely amazing. The well preserved colors and hieroglyphs were fantastic. But one of the most spectacular sites I have ever seen is the mask of Tutankhamen made from 71kg of solid gold. Additionally, the innermost coffin of King Tutankhamen’s 3 coffins made from 110kg of solid gold was spectacular. We also saw many different tools, statues and colossi.
Following the museum, we went to the Hanging Church where the crypt (sort of like a basement) that Mary, Joseph and young Jesus stayed for three months while they were hiding from King Herod (see Matthew 2:13-15).
We finished the day with dinner at one of our friends favorite restaurants to celebrate my birthday. It was one of the best days of my life. A dream is being fulfilled!
Tomorrow is our “day in the desert”. We head out to explore the great pyramids of Egypt. Before signing off, I have two questions for the 5th grade class at North Clackamas Christian School to answer:
1. What is a colossi?
2. What was King Tutankhamen’s former name (before it was changed to his current name) and why did he change it?
I will reveal the correct answers in tomorrow’s post along with several more questions to answer!
Be well and may all your travels be filled with joy and adventure!
We miss you so much! Happy Birthday 15 year old! How cool to read all that you are learning about and seeing in person. A dream come true.
ReplyDeleteLove you both
Happy Birthday Sam! We just found out about the blog tonight and I know that you're probably sleeping soundly right now - but, we've been thinking of you and praying for you on this your special day! It's a special day for us too - because you bless our lives in so many ways. What a gift to hear of your adventures.
ReplyDeleteWe love you!
Grammy and Tim
missed an airsofting game with mark. p.s. i powned mark a few billion times and i'm not being sarcastic oh yah happy birthday.
ReplyDeletelove josh
hey this is mark and happy birthaday! by the way this was joshes face when he completely got owned! :O he was completely clueless of what hit him! and i said, " i hit you!" have a fun trip! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are both wonderful chroniclers! We are reliving our awesome Egyptian experience through your eyes...your wonderful words making us feel like we are right there with you. Thank you Bubba, for sharing your tender father's heart. Don't say you heard it from me but Cockle got pretty misty as he read your words! This is clearly a 'marker' experience in your lives. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. XXOO Uncle Ron & Aunt Sue
ReplyDelete