Auerbach Castle and Ladenburg

Auerbach Castle is located on a hill known as Urberg in southern Hesse, Germany. It was originally built by King Charlemagne, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, and the ruins of the triangular shape of the castle still stand today. From the turrets you can see the most beautiful countryside for miles. We thought it was interesting that a tree grew right out of the rock on the top of the castle.This was a really fun castle to explore because the ruins evoked the imagination of life long ago.

Loved the "windows" in this castle!

Between the wall from the North to the South tower and the inner courtyard were the kitchens, living quarters, stables and smithy. This is my kitchen!

We enjoyed the wedding festivities taking place that Saturday!

ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS!

You have to be really nice at this castle, or they will lock you up in the time out boxes, guarded by a green dragon. Grandpa was on his best behavior all day.

Next, we headed for Ladenburg on on the right bank of the Neckar River that dates back to Celtic and Roman ages. In the year 40 A.D. the Romans populated the town as a farmer/military outpost and kept its Celtic name. Today it is a quaint little city.

But explored a small church with beautiful stained glass windows.

We enjoyed the square and the charming, old  little houses along the winding, cobblestone streets.

Many of the buildings were colorfully painted. Some were half-timbered.

We came upon the most beautiful shop I have yet seen in Germany. We entered to a "river" of quartz. They decorated the shop with gorgeous minerals. It was so elegant!

We explored the old Roman ruins and the ancient city wall. 

We even saw a horse parade on our way out of the city. 

Fourth of July

We enjoyed a fabulous Fourth of July banquet with our Senior Missionary friends. We ordered in Kentucky Fried Chicken and A&W root beer. Each couple contributed to the feast by bringing salads, chips, carrot cake, brownies, baked beans, sweet potato casserole, and chocolate chip cookies. The food was great, but we got a few tears as we pledged allegiance to the flag and sang our anthems. We missed making homemade ice cream with our family and shooting off fireworks in our circle with our children and grandchildren. We’re glad that we have such good friends here who have become like family to us. Several of the couples who will soon be leaving shared their experience sand testimonies with us.

East of Frankfurt (under construction)

Our Beautiful Neighborhood-Eckenheim

Lately the weather has been warm and rainy. I have been going out early in the morning to get in a walk most mornings. The flowers are so beautiful, and I enjoy taking my camera along to capture the secret gardens. Frankfurt is an interesting place. It is very industrial with lots of noisy equipment, cranes, trains, and traffic. But once you get off the beaten path, you see how much German people value nature and their little patios and spaces of sanctuary. I have grown to love the weeds and the wildflowers. They do not use weed killer here, and there are no manicured lawns. Nature is very beautiful in its natural state.

Missionaries and Missionary Work

We are so excited because our sweet friend Monika Lippert, that we take to Church every week, has chosen to be baptized. The amazing thing is that she has been so excited about the Gospel, that she shared it with her friend in her apartment complex. Now her friend and her friend's husband will be baptized the same day--July 14! She has asked Bob to baptize her, and I will help her dress. The work is moving forward!

We enjoyed going to Daniel's baptism at the Chapel  in Offenbach.  




"God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again"

We can never sing that song without getting tears in our eyes. We sing it to every Senior Couple who leaves the Frankfurt Mission. There are many changes happening in our area with our Senior Missionaries going and coming. About one third (six) of our Senior Missionary couples in our Area Office are going home. Our friends, the Jarretts, are changing assignments. Brother Ron Jarrett just got called as the new Tabernacle Choir President. We will miss Ron and Lucie, but we are excited that Elaine and Martin Craven, friends from Holladay, are coming to replace them in the Public Affairs Office. 

Idstein Jazz Festival and Our 42nd Wedding Anniversary

On Saturday to celebrate our anniversary, the Dearings took us out for an afternoon in Idstein for a Jazz Festival. Idstein is a quaint little city in Hesse, about a half an hour drive from Frankfurt. From the late 18th  to the mid 20th century, Idstein was the center of an important leather industry. 

The town's landmark is the Hexenturm ("Witches' Tower"), a castle keep from the 12th century.

For the Jazz Festival, four sound stages were set up in different parts of the Old Town, and we enjoyed walking from one performance to another, even in the rain. I especially enjoyed the Oldies (i.e. Sentimental Journey) sung in English. It was kind of like a European mini Utah Arts Festival with a few craft booths for children, music, and wonderful food.

Of course, I had to get in on the fun!

We found a charming jewelry shop that had these charms made from paper that were modge-podged onto a wooden bead.

We visited the Unionskirche that dates back to the 14th century. Its interior was changed in the 17th century. It is a unique Baroque monument that includes 38 paintings of the Dutch Golden Age School of Rubens. 

The interior was very dramatic and different from most of the churches we have seen in Germany.  

The Dearings treated us to a delicious anniversary dinner at Restaurante La Fattoria.

Bruschetta! Yum!

Lasagna! Ummm!

What a wonderful anniversary! Couldn't have been better! Loved it!

New Missionary Tool and Stake Relief Society Creativity Workshop

Several months ago, I met with Elder Fingerle, one of the seventies, and presented this idea to further missionary work--a digital pass along card. I was excited to see that missionaries are now using it in England. Check it out:

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=c80c50d3dd74bde45568def96&id=fddd9c0276&e=eeead2f9fd

STAKE RELIEF SOCIETY CREATIVITY DAY

Sisters gathered from many miles and mingled in conversations mostly in German with some English. Several fun workshops were ongoing. I chose to attend this paper cutting workshop.  

 Then I went to this music workshop.

This sister made her instrument. In the 1950's violins were scarce and expensive. This was a less expensive instrument designed to be used in the schools.

This is an ocarina and has a beautiful flute-like sound.

Many lovely crafts were on display.

We had a lovely luncheon. Everyone was asked to "please bring something." We never know exactly how these buffets are going to turn out, but it was fun sampling many different German foods that I haven't tasted before.

Sunday evening, we had a "Linger Longer" after Church. This time we did have food assignments, such as "Those with last names beginning with A-H, please bring either bread or a beverage," etc. Again, it was fun to see how the food came together on the serving table. Unfortunately, the Bishop, who was last in line, and didn't get much. The children sitting on the floor had piles of food on their plates that they didn't eat.

A new man was introduced that will soon be baptized. Our sweet Monica that we bring to Church each Sunday told us that she and her friend (that she, herself, introduced to the missionaries) would like to be baptized on the same day--July 14. We continue to pray for them to understand the Gospel and receive testimonies of its truthfulness.