Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful men who have made such a difference in my life. And wishing the same to those special men in yours!!💕
For my #Sundaymessage this week, I wanted to tell you a bit more about the amazing trip I was able to take with my son, Matthew. Our next stop was Cairo and Luxor, Egypt!!!🇪🇬🌍 I knew I would be inspired by the timeless pyramids, but I knew little of the wonders of Luxor and its daunting temples.🤯 We even got to ride camels again!🤗🐪
In the USA, we are amazed by artifacts and structures built 200 years ago. In Europe, there is history dating back over 1,000 years old that we are left in awe. But the ancient structures in Egypt are over 3,000 years old. There are even a few items in Luxor’s museum like the Narmer Pallet that goes back to 5000 BC.
The structures in Luxor are so intense…and the original paint that still there… The colors are spectacular even after all these years. Wow, right! I can’t put into words just how amazing it all was!!! I put in a few photos to show you!!
Matt and I went on this trip with our amazing friend and guide, Dr. Clark Anderson, Clark taught us so much about the ancient Egyptians. For example… most people believe in an afterlife, right? Well, the ancient Egyptians were all about it!
The colors inside this pyramid just blew my mind! They built massive pyramids, constructed impressive temples, carved huge granite obelisks, and dug and decorated elaborate tombs…all because of their belief in an afterlife. The word death isn’t even in their vocabulary.
Clark took me to his friend Ali where he custom-made vases with all these beautiful symbols on them… Yes, Ali Baba gifted me with one of his special vases from his shop Shahar Zad Alabaster Factory. It’s just incredible!!!✨ I want to thank him for his amazing kindness and generosity. If you’re ever in that area, you must go to his shop—it’s fabulous!!!! Even this special vase reiterated the message and concept of gaining eternal life (the ankh). It’s etched repeatedly on their statues, gates, temple walls & tombs. Hieroglyphs and etched carvings portray visually this message throughout temples & tombs as well. They link 3-4 major concepts together hieroglyphically in key locations. You will often see health (seneb or djed), strength (jded), power (was), eternal life (ankh), for all eternity (jed) all linked together.
As a Christian, I see how our beliefs are really not that different. Through Jesus Christ, I’m given health, strength, and power. Because of the Atonement and we are able to enjoy these blessings for all eternity. But, it leads me to think about one big difference between us…
The Egyptians built an empire that focused on these beliefs. It was their focus. Many of their rituals might seem so foreign or strange to us, but they are all rooted in their belief that this life is temporary, and there is much more to come. The climax, core, and end goal of all of their beliefs and priorities is to gain eternal life and to be like God. This was their ideal potential, it was their desire, it was their pursuit, and their daily quest! But I don’t want to build an empire, I want to build a life centered around that purpose.
So for today’s Sunday Message, I want you to know that this trip was so inspiring to me that I am making this my daily quest! Every day I will ask myself this question… am I living life with purpose and acting as a child of God? Is He at the forefront of everything I do? I think these are good questions to ask ourselves every day. Being in a land full of purpose reminded me to strive even harder daily to do all I can and prepare myself to one day be with my Savior. I hope you’re enjoying these photos. I have one last post next Sunday and that will be Jerusalem. I can’t even begin to tell you how amazing that was. It was life-changing.
I love you all and wish you all the best on this beautiful Father’s Day a day to remember God, our Father, and the great blessings and promises that He has given to all of us, His children, to one day be with Him again through His Son Jesus Christ, our Savior.
