Ephesus and Prienne

St. John's Basilica

Color scheme

What is left of the once great Temple of Artemis (fertility goddess), is this single reconstructed pillar. 

This was found in the site of the grand city of Ephesus, where Paul spent a lot of time doing missionary work.  The people at Ephesus had a hard time accepting the Gospel because they worshiped false gods like Artemis (or Diana).  Here we can see what will happen when we put anything before the Lord. The Greeks spent so much time, money, and effort in worship of Artemis, and for what? Once one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, now a reconstructed pillar. Are we focusing our efforts on the right things?

Antiquity is fun. 

Finally... Ephesus!!! 

I did my site report on this place, which was cool so I actually have some background knowledge about his incredible ancient city.  Our group does a pretty good job of teaching us about each site we go to though; we are required to read a field-trip manual with info about all our sites before we go see them.  I love that requirement because it helps me appreciate the site so much more and helps me learn about it before I see if for myself. 

Ephesus, I did even extra research on so I was excited to see it.

Kona?! What are you doing here?

Nike! See the swoosh?  

I am amazed at how well preserved these mosaics are. In its prime, this place must have been unbelievably beautiful.  I think it's beautiful in ruins, so I can only imagine how gorgeous it must have been when it was a fully functioning city. 

 

Can you guess what these are?  

 

This theater is a lot bigger than it looks; we are sitting near the front.  That's Tyler down there going to sing for us, how cool is that?  He sang for crowds in the Ephesus theater.  He is very talented.  

 

The library!!!

  

Thinking of Paul's example serving the Lord here, we sang this song.  

All of us who did our report on Ephesus. 

Yippee! 

This library is the best well-preserved as detail goes.  Turkey had some very talented architects and stone carvers.  Those intricate designs must have taken a long time!

 

hahaha uhh awkward? 

No just kidding, I actually love matching! We didn't even plan this. 

 

So this is where the picture in the back of my scriptures is talking about... coool. :)

This was one of the locations where Constantine's  Nicean council took place, debating on the godliness of Jesus Christ and questions concerning Christianity.

 Oh, and my lovely gorgeous roommate Chaille!

Next stop... Prienne! 

Miletus is over there in the distance. I love the Turkish countryside.

Queen and princess? 

Another grand temple in the beautiful wilderness.  These Greeks chose great spots for their cities. 

Check out my view of the Aegean Sea

Our hotel was on the beach this night too, it might have been the best one yet!  It was the nicest, with the biggest buffet and a pool! We had a lot of fun here, swimming, sauna, and beach! We told stories under the stars and played games out in the sand.