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  • Dubrovnik, Croatia

    We decided to take a Mediterranean cruise because we were in Europe already and we might never get the chance to go again. Plus, my husband wanted to show me where the Air Force stationed him in Turkey when he was in the military.  The three places on the seven-day cruise would be Croatia (Yugoslavia when I traveled to Italy as a girl), Greece, and Turkey.  I was excited to go to Turkey and Greece but Croatia?  Who goes to Croatia?  But it was on the itinerary so what do I know?

    We flew to Venice and boarded the ship ready to start the cruise.  My husband had never been on a big cruise ship and neither had I. Can I tell you we loved the cruise?  My daughter worked for Norwegian Cruise Line at the time and got us a great deal on a balcony room.  The cabin was spacious…for a cruise accommodation, that is.  Even if the bathroom was not.

    I didn’t realize it but Dubrovnik was not a deep-water port so the captain docked the ship a ways away from the port but we could see the port and marina from the ship’s deck.  I thought we’d just sail right up to the port and disembark as we did when we got on in Venice.  Not so. We’d have to take little boats called “tenders” to the port.  I also didn’t realize these boats doubled as lifeboats.  The tenders are enclosed and get quite hot for the short trip to shore. I can’t imagine being on that tender that held 150 people if something happened to the ship. Since we had other shore excursions planned, and I wasn’t keen about going to Croatia in the first place, we opted to just hang out in the old city and find things to do until we got back on the ship.

    We didn’t have much time to explore because the ship’s personnel told us many times if we missed the last tender, we were on our own to get to the next port.  Well, that would not happen given we almost missed the ship when we boarded in Venice.

    We tooled around the old town walking through the vast array of alleyways between buildings that led to quaint restaurants with outdoor seating.  We looked at the architecture of the square’s many buildings and the churches.

    We bought an ice cream cone because the heat of the day was getting to us.  Thankfully, the shop person spoke English and we could buy our cones with the euros we brought with us.

    The city was lovelier than I expected and reminded me of my beloved Italy.  They simply spoke a different language.  Today I recommend visiting Croatia because it’s beautiful and the people are very kind and accommodating.

    At one point, a bird dropped its load on my arm and thoroughly disgusted me but I had tissues to wipe it off but the tee-shirt was toast for the rest of the trip.

    We still had time to kill, so we took a ride on another type of ship ride around the bay.  An 18th-century fishing ship!  Getting on and off that ship was harrowing not anything like the big cruise ship but then why would it be?

    There weren’t many of us on the ship, maybe a dozen or so passengers who were brave enough to board the decrepit-looking ship. The only seats were rough-hewn free-standing benches next to the low walls of the ship.

    Once out of the marina the ship sailed around the bay with the masts flapping in the summer wind.  When the boat turned it leaned into the water.  The edge of the boat was mere inches from taking on water.  And while the ride was pleasant, it was also nerve-wracking.

    From the sailboat, we could see the summer sun-worshippers didn’t have much sand, but they made the most of what they had. There was one sandy beach, but it was in a cove and it appeared the only way to get to it was by boat.  The old city’s massive fortress walls were awe-inspiring.  Makes you want to study the history of the city.

    I’m glad we went on that sailboat, but I’d more appreciate a new boat next time.

    The adventure of the day over, we hopped a tender and returned to the ship.

    Another adventure next week.

  • Promises…Promises…

    And the king took an oath and said, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, ‘Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,’ so I certainly will do this day.” 1 Kings 1:29-30

    This verse introduces a solemn oath. David would confirm the previous promise he made to Bathsheba, that her son Solomon would become the next king, and he promised to settle the issue that very day. He would abdicate the throne and give the crown to Solomon and crushed the plans of his other son.

    David shows us he made the promise before God and he would keep his promise.

    This verse calls to mind that when we make a promise, we must keep it.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a small promise to go to lunch with a friend or if you’ve promised to take care of a task for a sibling or parent or if you have pledged a possession.  It doesn’t matter.  When a person breaks a promise, it’s hard to trust that person again.

    And it’s especially hard when we give promises to our small children and break them.  Children depend on their parents and guardians to tell the truth and not break a promise, no matter how insignificant that promise may be. Our children are our greatest resource.  We must treat them with kindness and care where our promises are concerned.

    David was the King, a leader.  It calls to mind our leaders today.  They rarely keep their promises and wonder why their constituents don’t trust them.  In today’s world, it’s all right to break a promise if it furthers that leader’s career goals.

    Same in the business world.  If you promise your client you will call him on a specific date..  Call.  Keep your promise.

    Have you ever made a promise you reneged on?  I have and this verse convicted my heart.  The easiest thing to do is to NOT promise unless you are certain you can keep the promise.  So the wisest thing to do is say, upfront, what the expectations are.

    Many business people use the vernacular:  Under-promise and over-deliver.  A great way to do business. I wish everyone lived by that philosophy, don’t you?

     

  • Birthday Blessings

    It seems fitting to write a blog today about birthdays. Yes, it’s my birthday but I won’t tell you how old I am. Those of you who know me…family, classmates, and friends, know how old I am so I won’t bore you with the details.

    I want to talk about a few things concerning birthdays.

    A toddler doesn’t really know what the big hub-bub is about. They smash cake into their mouths, play with the many toys but do they know it’s their birthday and they are a year older? Surely not! Then when that child gets older, he or she looks forward to their birthday. There’s cake, ice cream, friends and family and sometimes even something special like a pony ride. As that child progresses, birthdays are fun and they may even extend to a birthday “week” rather than just a single day but when a person reaches a certain age, having a birthday seems like it’s just another day. But it isn’t, really. Being remembered makes all the difference in the world.

    With social media, birthday reminders are always popping up on my screen and I try to wish all of my family and friends birthday wishes and they reciprocated today with an outpouring of words of encouragement and even telephone calls. Birthday presents? I can do without them. When I watched the number of Birthday wishes increase today, I told my wonderful husband how loved I felt. I still do.

    But then I thought about God and His role in my birth. The psalmist David said in Psalm 139:13-18 (NKJV):

    For You formed my inward parts;
    You covered me in my mother’s womb.
    I will praise You, for am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    Marvelous are Your works,
    And that my soul knows very well.
    My frame was not hidden from You,
    When I was made in secret,
    And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
    Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
    And in Your book they all were written,
    The days fashioned for me,
    When as yet there were none of them.
    How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
    How great is the sum of them!
    If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
    When I awake, I am still with You.

    And another verse about how God loves us in Matthew 10:30 (NKJV) the Apostle said:

    But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

    I can’t even comprehend that kind of love…that He numbered every hair on my head…and yours too! His unconditional love is awe-inspiring and I want to thank Him for my life today and I pray I can measure up to the person He wanted me to be.

    These verses prompted me to do a little study on birthday verses from the Bible. These verses have also lifted me up today. I hope you will print out these verses and have them to bless you on your birthday…an

    For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Eph 2:10 NKJV

    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 NKJV

    For by me your days will be multiplied,
    And years of life will be added to you. Proverbs 9:11 NKJV

    You will show me the path of life;
    In Your presence is fullness of joy;
    At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 NKJV

    May He grant you according to your heart’s desire,
    And fulfill all your purpose. Psalm 20:4 NKJV

    So teach us to number our days,
    That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NKJV

    With [a]long life I will satisfy him,
    And show him My salvation. Psalm 91:16 NKJV

    GODS LOVE 3 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
    And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
    Commit your way to the Lord,
    Trust also in Him,
    And He shall bring it to pass.
    Psalm 37:4-5 NKJV

    Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
    Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning;
    Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations: 3:22-23 NKJV

    And finally Psalm 139:1-6 NJKV
    O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
    You know my sitting down and my rising up;
    You understand my thought afar off.
    You comprehend my path and my lying down,
    And are acquainted with all my ways.
    For there is not a word on my tongue,
    But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
    You have hedged me behind and before,
    And laid Your hand upon me.
    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    It is high, I cannot attain it.

    No matter when your birthday is, I’m wishing you a very Happy Birthday with God’s love and peace in your life.

  • Military mourning.

    And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. 2 Sam 1:12 NKJV

    The context of this verse is that King Saul of Israel and his son Jonathan died in battle with the Philistines.  David, who would be the next King of Israel, and his men are those who are mourning, fasting and weeping for the two men.

    David loved King Saul, and he was a best friend to Jonathan and it hit him harder because he lost both of them.

    Those of us who have lost someone dear to us can relate to this verse.  And while I have not lost a dear one in battle, there are many that have.

    It seems fitting that we talk about men and women lost in battle.  Any family who loses a loved one in war is a tragedy.  But a family who loses all of their children at one time is unthinkable. That’s just what happened to the Sullivan family during World War II.

    While the Sullivan boys stipulated they wanted to serve together in January 1942, they were all lost at sea when their ship, the USS Juneau, sunk in November 1942.

    Several years after the Sullivan parents lost their entire family, and another family lost four members of their family, the military adopted the sole survivor policy which is a set of regulations designed to protect members of a family from the draft or from combat duty if they have already lost family members in military service.

    Parents who lose a baby or a child are overwrought with the pain of loss but to lose five sons in one fell swoop, I can’t even imagine the pain of suffering that family endured. Some may say, it was a long time ago or time has a way of healing.  That may be true to some extent but a parent who loses a child whether that child is a baby, child or an adult, can’t ever be consoled and time doesn’t heal.  It only covers the grief until the anniversary of their child’s birth or death.

    Parents who have lost children have said it never goes away and I believe them.  It’s always there, in the corner of their heart. Jumping into the forefront of their minds when they least expect it.  Something or someone will trigger a memory and grief rushes into their hearts.

    May we all have an extra measure of compassion for those parents who have lost a child.

     

     

  • Munich BMW Museum


    My husband is a car nut, so he was in his glory when we lived in Germany.  The Porsche and Mercedes museum are in Stuttgart, and since we lived outside of Stuttgart, we felt we could see those museums anytime. We missed out visiting the state of the art VW plant, I’m sad to say.
    But on this early spring day; we visited the BMW museum in Munich.  The Germans pronounce it “Mewn-chin”. I don’t know where the Americans got their pronunciation but I digress.
    Originally, my husband wanted to visit the actual plant but was told the BMW people schedule those tours six months in advance so we settled for the museum.

    Upon arriving, we thought the building we were in was the museum but it was actually the BMW factory showroom with a high-rise office building attached.  The pristine showroom is modernistic in design and huge.

    What fascinated us about the factory was if you buy a BMW and pay an extra 400 Euro (about $650) they will bring your new car up through the factory floor on a round dais to the factory showroom, spin it around so all the spectators and visitors can admire the new car and then allow you to drive it out of the building.  An extraordinary and cool process to watch.  Sadly, I only had a camera and didn’t get a video.

    The museum was across the street from the factory and they had a walking bridge overpass to get to it.  I snapped a photo of the building but couldn’t get the whole thing in because it was so big.  I’d have needed a panorama camera to get it all in.
    While I’m not a huge fan of the motor aspect of the cars, I like the history, the looks and the technology that has gone into making them. There’s also a bit of romance with the design of the cars.  Guys are especially enthralled with all of it!

    One element of the technology is the study of airflow. The first room we visited had silver balls hanging from clear wire (similar to fishing wire). This was the airflow room and the balls would move according to however they programmed the air to flow. It was uber cool to watch, but a photo doesn’t do this exhibit justice.

    The old models were particularly fascinating, and I found them beautiful (and romantic).   I particularly like the paint job on the 1934 model. seen here. I would drive that car! There weren’t many (at least I didn’t see them) from 1939 to 1950. I would imagine they curtailed the cars made for public consumption to work on war machines and were re-building their country and infrastructure after the war ended.

    For those that don’t know, BMW stands for Bavarian Motor Works. BMW originally designed airplanes. The insignia is a circle with the blue (the sky) and white (propellers). The museum contained virtually nothing about their airplane production. The Germans glossed over the war years. I believe they are ashamed of their country’s part in the annihilation of so many Jews.

    I loved the little blue and black model that never went into production.  It is SO cute! I don’t remember the year it was supposed to go into production but judging by the style, I believe it was the late 30s probably around the time World War II started.

    BMW that never went into production

    They also had not only a chronology of cars but motorcycles (road and racing). The road cycles were stacked in a plate-glass case that went from the bottom floor up to the top floor of the museum. This one reminded me of the one Harrison Ford and Sean Connery used in one of the Indiana Jones movies. Can you guess which movie?

    If you thought the “Smart” car is one that’s brand new. Think again because this tiny little car was built in 1955! It was called an Isetta. Notice that there are no side doors, it opens from the front and the steering is attached to the door!  And it is super tiny!

     

    Side view of the Isetta.  I must admit I was fascinated by this car.  How people got in and out of it. No doors. God forbid something happened to the front of this car, a driver would have a hard time getting out.

    From a safety perspective, this car is a death trap.  Cute, but a death trap, nonetheless.

    This 1956 model was one of my husband’s favorites.  Its sleek lines would attract anyone!

     

    Another favorite of mine is this Red job. I don’t know the year but notice the driver’s door. I would imagine the passenger door does the same. The door slides down but doesn’t open like a conventional car door. My husband seems to think we never saw it in the US because of safety reasons. I don’t know. I just like it!

    Another of my husband’s favorite cars is this Z8 model. He can drool all he wants, he’ll never afford it! It’s over 235k Euros which is about 300k dollars! I can’t believe people would actually spend that much money for a car. Nice or not, to me, it’s just not worth it! Of course, I can’t afford it either.

    Remember that bowl-shaped building from the photos at the beginning of this blog? Well, there was a circular ramp with an open center so you can see to the bottom floor. I didn’t even count the floors because it made me dizzy, but there were a LOT of them!

    As we walk up the ramp on either side of the ramp, there are these big ball-like structures attached to the handrails. They depicted the history of vehicles including the plastics and other elements of the production throughout the years. As we reach the top, there’s an incredibly long escalator, but it only goes ONE way – down, so we continue our trek to the top. When we get there, there’s a bevy of concept cars.

    1934 BMW – My favorite

     

    The very last exhibit had a video but no car on the dais. The video depicted the use of ultra-lightweight material allowing a person to open the door and it would bunch up (like skin). There were no openings where the door hinges should be. That’s the best description I can give for what we saw. It’s called the Gina. I would love to see the Gina (probably named for someone’s daughter or wife) in production but it won’t be for years.

    Another building housed ONLY Z-4s!  I spent at least 30 minutes playing with the onboard computer system which includes navigation, phone, contacts (probably downloaded from your phone), radio, DVD and CD’s. It was SO cool to play with.

    As we were leaving, there was a gentleman who worked at the museum who had been standing around I think he had been eavesdropping on our conversation. We were looking for the exit and he escorted us and we had a lovely conversation.  It turns out he had spent a year in New York and traveled the southwest for six weeks. He loved the States and was curious about what we liked about Germany. During our long conversation, he finally admitted to speaking four languages, one of which was Italian! With a name like Damato, I would think so! Sadly, he no longer had any relatives in Italy. His grandfather had immigrated to Cairo no less.

    We also visited the main plaza in Munich but that’s for another day.  Enjoy the cars…I sure did!

     

     

  • God’s timing.

    Then she made a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”  1 Sam 1:11 NKJV

    Let’s put this verse in context first and I’m paraphrasing here:

    Hannah was one of two wives to Elkanah.  In ancient Israel, the practice of polygamy was common. While Elkanah’s other wife had children, Hannah was barren.  The other wife derided Hannah because of her barrenness.  And while this is cruel and unjust today’s society, in ancient times when a woman was barren, it brought shame to her.

    The family had gone to Shiloh to bring a sacrifice to the Lord God which was their custom. Elkanah gave a double portion of blessing (meaning food) to Hannah because he loved her and because she was barren and looked upon with derision. But Hannah wept and would not eat.  She begged God to open her womb.

    That’s what this verse is about.  Hannah begged God to give her a child who she promised would be given to Him, consecrated as a Nazarite and set apart for God.

    God did open her womb and gave her a son named Samuel. This verse is not about Samuel but about his mother, Hannah, who could only depend on God to fix her circumstances.

    What heartbreak the woman must have endured at the hands of not only her husband’s other wife but all the women in her community!  And yet, she went directly to God for help.  It reminds us to look to God when situations are dire.

    Some might ask, “Isn’t no even harder to endure?”  I would say, no, because when a no comes, I believe God has a better plan than what I proposed.  Thus, it goes hand in hand with wait.

    Do you go directly to God when you are in dire situations or do you go to your friends for counsel?  Who is better prepared to handle your situation?

    What are your thoughts? 

     

  • The Human Spirit

    Never underestimate the power of the human spirit!  There are those who, when burdened with an overwhelming life event come through it stronger and more able to stand against the next crazy life event that could have them crawling on their knees. Then there are others who, when dealt a crushing blow, are devastated to the point of immobility and can’t rise above the situation.

    When a person has a life-threatening health crisis, like latter stage cancer, does that person stand up and fight it with their last breath or do they resign themselves to their bed to die?

    In a health crisis, we never see those who have lost their battle to cancer without a fight.  Some retreat into themselves to waste away and die with their family and friends dismayed they wouldn’t fight to live…not only for their family and friends but for themselves.  Some give up when their friends and family never wanted them to give up.  Others fight until their last breath. Even though they lose the battle, they have fought.  Even through death, they have risen above their circumstances. If you’re suffering from cancer, fight the good fight, be strong, and give yourself and your family hope!

    A couple of great examples of high-profile individuals who had fought the fight to their last breath.  Farrah Fawcett looked for every known cure and Patrick Swayze continued to work throughout his treatment.  Both lost their battle with cancer but did so with dignity and strength.

    What about when a kid is bullied?  Does he constructively fight back or does he retreat into himself possibly committing suicide?

    We often hear about kids committing suicide because they were bullied.  Sometimes it’s a genuine wish to shed light on bullying and how awful it is for the kid’s family and friends.  But oftentimes, it’s a political entreaty to advance someone’s agenda which is totally not cool.

    But what about the kids who rise above the bullying?  Why don’t we hear about those kids?  Today I watched a video of an 11-year-old kid who took free violin lessons because the kids at school bullied him because he had cancer.  Kids can be cruel and merciless.  They have no filters or have not been taught any filters.  But this boy made my heart sing.  He appeared on America’s Got Talent and blew everyone away with his violin playing.  He made it to the television show.  What an example of how the human spirit can overcome.  This boy chose music to overcome his heartache over being bullied. Other’s may choose sports or some other positive way to overcome.

    What about when a person has lost every possession to a hurricane, tornado, or flooding? Does the person retreat to a homeless shelter never to be heard from again or does he take action and rebuild his home and his life?

    When a person loses everything, it is total defeat. They have nothing.  No clothing, no memorabilia, no means of personal identification. They become lost. How do they come back from such a devastating life event?

    Personally, I trust in the Lord when some life event brings me lower than dirt.  I know it works.  It gives me peace and strength.  God gives us what we need when we need it if we call on Him to help in our time of need.

    Several years ago, my 61-year-old husband lost his job.  I was afraid at first then I remembered God had it all in the palm of His hand.  I told my husband we’d pray about it and let God lead us.  And lead us, He did.  My husband got a job offer not three weeks later.  To say it was a miracle is an understatement.  Who hires a 61-year-old man who is almost ready to retire in a few years? God can do anything, even heal the sick and restore a home.

    I don’t know if any of the people described here trusted in the Lord but I believe the Lord gives us strength and power to overcome.  It comes from within.  It comes from Him.

    What are your thoughts on where your strength comes from?

     

     

  • A model daughter-in-law

     But Ruth said:

    “Entreat me not to leave you,
    Or to turn back from following after you;
    For wherever you go, I will go;
    And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;
    Your people shall be my people,
    And your God, my God.  Ruth 1:16 NKJV

    This verse was the response to her mother-in-law, Naomi, who had lost not only her husband but also her only two sons.  Naomi wanted her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to stay in Moab, the country of their birth.  But she, Naomi would travel to her hometown of Bethlehem.  In those days a childless widow was among the lowest and most disadvantaged. They had no support you and had to live on the generosity of strangers. Thus, Naomi was desperate and had to leave but didn’t want Ruth or Orpah to come with her as they had family in Moab.

    But Ruth’s dedication to remain with Naomi was the noble and loving commitment of a daughter-in-law to a mother-in-law.  Something we lack today.  Naomi’s life and love of God made an indelible impression on Ruth.   Naomi had lost her husband, her two sons…her entire family and yet she continued to honor God.  Her character was impeccable.  She trusted God to take care of her.

    Ruth saw Naomi’s lifestyle and love for God but never gave up her gods.  But when Naomi made the declared she would return to Bethlehem, that’s when Ruth left everything behind. Her gods.  Her family. And took Naomi’s God, the one true God as her God.  And stayed with Naomi for the rest of her life.

    Her story is one that is beautiful.  She honored her mother-in-law and God had mercy on her and gave her another husband.

    The website women of noble character had these ten tips for being a better daughter-in-law:

    • Speak to her and about her with kindness and above all don’t complain about her to your husband.
    • Make an effort to listen to her advice – even if you don’t agree with it or take it.
    • Allow her to spoil your children as long as it’s within reason.
    • Don’t make comparisons of your parents and your in-laws either to yourself or to your husband.
    • Offer help when you can.
    • Cultivate a relationship with her by treating her as you would a girlfriend by calling or inviting her to do things with you.
    • Don’t take advantage of her good nature and expect a built-in babysitter all the time. she may not mind but don’t overdo it.
    • Don’t say negative things about your in-laws to your husband.
    • Make plans for the holidays ahead of time with your in-laws to avoid any hurt feelings.
    • Thank your in-laws for the way they raised your husband.

    How have you cultivated a relationship with your mother-in-law?

     

     

  • Lichtenstein Castle

    Castle Lichtenstein

    The last adventure on my adventure page was the last castle we toured while living in Germany. It was the weekend we found out we had to vacate Germany within 30 days (another story for another time).

    We decided we wanted to visit one last castle before the stress of moving began and we wouldn’t have time to do much sightseeing.  This one is Castle Lichtenstein (not the country of Lichtenstein, of course.) It is in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg.  That probably means nothing to you but it’s near Stuttgart—where Mercedes and Porsche have their headquarters (also another story for another time.) It’s about 40 kilometers from where we live but Julie (our GPS guide) was not helpful.  I had printed out a Google map because I didn’t have an exact address.   We knew it was west of Reutlingen.  So we plugged in Reutlingen and then stopped when we got there and try to find it using the Points of Interest feature on the GPS.  It worked.  The GPS listed the castle. Thank goodness!

    Other Buildings from the drawbridge of the Castle itself.

    As expected, we traveled up a hillside to get to the castle, parked the car and trekked the rest of the way to the entrance.    Enchanted by the German castles, as always, this last trek was no different.  “Castle Hopping” which military personnel and ex-patriots (those who were in the military or civilians who live in Germany or any other foreign country) call visiting castles was our most favorite thing to do while living in Germany.

    I’m always amazed at the size of the grounds and this castle was no different.  The outer bailey had more out-buildings than the other castles we visited.  They had converted one building from a lodge to a restaurant for visitors.  The Tudor type building housed a museum of sorts and a place to buy cold drinks.

    Castle Keep

    The castle itself is a “fairy-tale” castle.  One that easily could have been the subject of a dark fairy tale given where it sits.  It’s on the edge of a cliff and to get to it, we had to walk a bridge to the keep.  It’s smaller than most of the buildings on site but the beauty of the rooms and the artifacts were amazing.  Weapons mounted on walls along with various shields captured my husband’s attention. These remnants of the past are irreplaceable.

    What surprised me was how small the rooms were but they were so ornate.  Every available wall and ceiling was gilded or painted or a combination thereof.  The detail and intricacy of the work made me stop and stare. I didn’t know where to look first.  The other thing I noticed was how many stained-glass windows were in this castle but in the other castles, there weren’t many, if at all.

    An ornate room in the Castle.

    I didn’t have the heart to take the picture but our guide showed us bullet holes where the German army in WWII took over the castle and shot up the walls.  They didn’t see the value in the castle.  Such a waste and so sad.

    After the tour, we had a bite to eat at the cafe.  We sat outside under an umbrella.  We split an order Maltauschen (a rolled-up ravioli with spinach – the Germans call them ‘noodle bags’) with egg and a salad.  It started to rain as we started to eat but we thought we could wait it out and sure enough, the rain was just a drop here and there.

    Thank you for allowing me to share this adventure with you and taking me down memory lane that was an enjoyable and lovely day!

    View from the drawbridge to the village below

  • God is with you!

    No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Josh 1:5 NKJV

    Joshua 1:5 is another of those Bible verses that is a promise of God. Even through trials, no one can come against you and that He will always be with you.

    To make the verse more personal, substitute “God” or “Jesus” for “I” and your name or “me” for “you” making it a personal verse to memorize and repeat when in a trial.

    For example, my life’s verse could read: “Jesus will be with me. Jesus will not leave me nor forsake me.” Or it could read: “God will be with me. God will not leave Seralynn or forsake her. And while the latter is in the third person, it’s personal and becomes a prayer. And bonus…the prayer is scriptural and praying God’s word back to Him. There’s immense comfort in it. Comfort that surpasses all understanding.

    Even in my darkest hours and there were many over the years, I always knew God was with me. And I know He’ll be with me until I breathe my last breath.

    Do you know God is with you and will be with you until your last breath?