Neuschwanstein Castle and Other Sites

It was on my bucket list.

Neuschwanstein Castle.

Check that off!

Huge

Gorgeous

Magnificent

Impressive

As we waited in line for the tour, we enjoyed a taste of Pretzel!

On the way to Lindendorf castle the next day, we enjoyed the lazy road winding through the Alps in Northern Austria and then back into Germany an hour or so later.  

It took our breath away when we saw this lake and mountain.  The Lech River and the adjoining lake had this very unusual turquoise color to it.

This palace was just as gorgeous as the previous castle.  We enjoyed a nice stroll through the gardens.

Then it was off to Oberammagau where the Passion Play is presented every 10 years.  Next time will be 2020.  This quaint little town had unique buildings.

Following along the Romantic Road, we stopped to see the Wieskirche Church. Wow!

Then, the following day we stopped in the town of Ulm and enjoyed a 30 minute organ concert in this cathedral. It is the tallest church in Europe.

We stayed in the small village of Dinkelsbuhl, very similar, however not as touristy as Rothenburg.

Each day, we purchased local bread, ham and cheese and made ourselves an open face sandwich.  We'd stop and eat it along with fresh fruit such as an apple or an orange.  
We would sit on a park bench and watch the world walk by.

Glenn drove 160 km an hour on the auto-bahn.  I just shut my eyes.

In Fussen, we strolled through the streets hand and hand.

We even ate some Spaghetti Ice Cream,

a local favorite!

"Spaghetti" - Ice Cream

"Tomato Sauce" - Strawberry Sauce

"Parmesan  cheese" - White Chocolate Sprinkles

Retirement Flight

Glenn and I joined retiring AA Captain, Scott, and his wife, on his 

next-to-last flight

 and on

 his final flight

 before his retirement effective early September.  

By the way Scott, 

Happy Birthday!

and

Happy Retirement!

We are taking advantage of a few days here in Germany.

We rented a car and traveled to Rothenburg, the famous walled, medieval city.

We took the Night Watchman's tour of the old City.  Very Fascinating!

On Friday, August 29th, we fly back to DFW from FRA on Captain Scott's last flight before his retirement.

Moody Calendar

For the second year in a row, one of my photos has been chosen to represent the Moody Bible Institute Scripture Calendar.

November 2013 displayed a photo I took with my good friend Virginia S, while visiting in Panajachel, Guatemala.  We were enjoying a beautiful sunset overlooking Lake Atitlán.

June 2014 displays a photo I took while a team from Grand Prairie Bible Church was ministering here in Guatemala back in 2012.  I remember going up to Judy V. while at Guatemala Bible Institute in Chimaltenango and asking her "What are you taking a picture of?" and she pointed out the beautiful purple flower.

It gets better.  Moody will be using one of my photos in the upcoming 2015 Scripture Calendar! :)

I'm thankful for the education that both Glenn and I received over 40 years ago while we prepared ourselves for ministry in missions.  And then I think about the long heritage we have at that great school.  Glenn's parents both graduated from MBI in the 1950's, Glenn's grandmother was dorm mother in the 50's and 60's, and then 2 of our 3 children both graduated from Moody Bible Institute.

  4 Generations.  

There is more to come.

Cotton Candy

 Pink, Blue, Yellow or Green

Your choice of Cotton Candy

A common sight in the streets of Antigua

In the Kitchen

For the past several days, we have been with my parents.  Mom doesn't cook any more.  So, I spent several full days in the kitchen, preparing, baking, and then freezing dinners for mom and dad to pull out later.

And then Glenn and I would serve their dinner to them while we watch Bill O'Reilley.

Earlier in the week, Glenn and I took my mom over to visit with her BFF.

Her BFF is Lucille T.  
They have known each other for over 65 years.  

Lucille will be 97 in November.

Lucille talked about her husband.
  They were married 69 years.  He passed away 4 years ago.  
As she talked about him, she said,
 
"You know, when I get lonely, I just pull out these letters that Gene wrote to me when he was in World War 2 fighting over in Burma, India and China."  

She had several letters right there by her open Bible.  I asked to read 2 of them.  

The post mark read March 23, 1945.  Mr Tilley would describe how much he missed his sweetheart and how he was so proud of her.  He also described the culture of the Chinese people and how poor they were. 

I am thankful for my mom's BFF - Lucille!

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? 

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be afraid; 

do not be discouraged, 

for the LORD your God

will be with you

wherever you go.”

Psalms 95

 Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
 for he is our God
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    the flock under his care.

Psalms 95:6,7

Visit with Gary and Madison

Last week, Glenn and I spent 24 hours with Gary and Madison.  They took us to the most delightful restaurant.  WoodenSpoon.  If you are ever in NW Arkansas, this is the place to eat.  Come hungry.  Leave full and satisfied.

On Saturday, we spent the morning down at the State Park where Gary and Madison had gotten engaged 2 years earlier.  And guess what we did?  

Yep! A Letterbox!  

And we found 1! 

 Yippee.

And on our way back to Dallas, we found another Letterbox off of US 75 in Oklahoma which was in front of Reba McEntire's parent's ranch.  Who would have known?

However, beware of chiggers!  Glenn has been itching for over one.solid.week.now.

~J

Tomb Stone

Up at the Kebler pass heading to Crested Butte, is the Irwin Cemetery.

On Mary's tombstone, it reads:

"My good people, as you pass by;

 As you are now - So once was I;

 As I am now, You soon must be;

 Prepare yourselves to follow me"

I understand there was a gun fight over Mary, and she stepped between two  boyfriends and was shot and killed. 
 Age 17.

I'm Lost!

On Wednesday, we started out towards Paonia Reservoir, but took a sharp turn up over towards Kebler Pass (10,000 feet) heading to the famous ski resort town of Crested Butte, Colorado.  

The road is mostly gravel and is closed during the winter months for snow mobiles.

We found LOST LAKE!

Glenn rode his bicycle down from the pass to Crested Butte!
  Paved and unpaved!

Another Ham and Cheese Sandwich!

I would recommend this beautiful drive from Paonia to Crested Butte.

Rainbow of Promise

 

After a full day of exploring God's creation here in Colorado, Glenn and I were having a picnic dinner at the picnic table. As we were watching the sunset, we captured this double rainbow.