Recently, I visited the Mission in Solvang, CA, attending a Mass led by an Irish Priest, and experiencing the spiritual and social life of the Santa Ynez Valley. Through serendipity I received a blessing for my upcoming medical tests, as well as a blessing for a precious Bible purchased by a dear friend whose mother is nearing her end of life. The kind greetings from all of the staff at the Mission were most memorable as were the old fashioned gospel songs played through guitar by yet another priest. None of this was pre-planned which is why I am blogging, with gratitude, about my experience this day. It was a very special day!

View a selection of photos I snapped throughout the visit. Solvang is a charming Danish town and this Mission is the 19th Mission (founded in 1804) of the total of 21 scattered along the coast in CA. In addition, one finds the culture of the Chumash tribe through the successes of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians nearby. I am so grateful to find this Mission and the multiple instances of joy one may discover there.

#gratitudelite