Luzern, Switzerland with friends, Matt and Sherri Mcreynolds.

Luzerne is one of our favorite cities and how special to share it with friends! We visited the old square with beautiful painted buildings, one of the cathedrals, strolled along the lake crossing the old wooden bridges, saw the amazing lion monument and enjoying a hamburger (yep, that's what I said). Tomorrow we'll take the scenic ride on the boat across the lake and hike up onto the mountains. I can hear some yodeling already :). As I turn into bed for the night, I say a prayer for you and ask God to show His power and light today.

Baden Baden

This city is beautiful and THE place to go for Europe's wealthy to be pampered. The 1800's bathhouse was quite an experience. Very relaxing! We walked around, ate, and relaxed. The Roman ruins, castle and stone water fountains tell of the historical significance for wellness. I was excited to see a second hand shop...but after walking through all the mink coats I think I found the cheap rack. Blouses starting at 750.00. ;) We thanked the clerk and left. This is an expensive place!! So off to Strasbourg.

Last day in Leipzig

Last day we went to a medical market. And said our good-byes.

Gable's birthday

Can you believe Leipzig has Build-a-bear!!
Heymom and Grandpa had to get her one. Gable picked out a puppy and named her "Sparkles" then out to lunch for the birthday people. (Gable, Dennis, and me) This cafe is famous for the patronage of Goethe and Schiller.

Berlin, Germany

The Pergamum Museum is still one of my favorite places in Germany. To see the alter from Pergamum and then Nebuchadnezzar's gate, knowing Daniel saw it too was surreal. We went to the German History Museum. The Berlin Wall was sobering. So much devastation and sadness from WWII. We'll spend more time in Berlin on our way back home.

Leipzig

There was so much to see in Leipzig. A lot of what we saw was from the GDR era. The people seem to still be recovering from WWII and communist rule.
Here are some pictures of our time in Leipzig.

Germany was beautiful

It was wonderful to be with Karen, Houston and our precious granddaughters. They were so hospitable and loved seeing that part of Germany with them.
Wernigerode in the Hartz Mountains which is said to have one of the most beautiful castles.

Thoughts as I prepare to leave Germany

After 3 wks in Eastern Germany and being exposed to a history of war, violence, and tyranny, I see how pride and arrogance is always at the center. Unless one's thoughts and actions are in line with God's Word, the result inevitably leads to pain and destruction. I'm reminded of the well known verse, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end leads to death" (Pv 14:11)
So many decide what God thinks and act upon it, yet their actions are in direct contrast to God's Word...idol worship of Hittites, Assyrians, Roman Empire, Catholic Church sending out the Crusaders, later aligning with Hitler and killing those who simply want to read God's Word for themselves. Kings and other rulers who begin to think of themselves above others, placing themselves as gods in their own minds.
All this makes me feel the importance of knowing the Word of God for myself and acting upon it. It gives me pause to daily evaluate my own thoughts and actions. I know I am nothing. God is everything.
It renews my drive to share and help others learn for themselves what it says.
"...we cannot speak rightly of either God or the world without speaking of Jesus Christ. All concepts of reality that ignore Jesus Christ are abstractions."
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Ethics, quoted by Eric Metaxis in Bonhoeffer, p 469)
"For Bonhoeffer, there is no reality apart from God and no goodness apart from him." (Eric Metaxis, Bonhoeffer, p 468)
Only by serving Him can I possibly be happy and have a positive influence. I pray for His guidance. I pray I will know His Word better and better.

I discovered once again how we have brothers and sisters everywhere. Here in Leipzig we met with a new congregation just getting started. Many have never read or owned a Bible. The 2 missionary couples are doing a great job and there is a part of me that envies the work they're doing. What a blessing to serve God in such a powerful way.
We also visited the STATSI Museum where under communism the people were spied upon. Very unsettling but terribly interesting.
I hope you see God's blessings in your life today!

Yesterday Sat March 16th we spent the day in Wittenberg where Martin Luther, as a priest, began to protest the Catholic Church. He was very brave to speak against indulgences, the Pope's authority, and other unbiblical beliefs and practices. He preached about love and more importantly how Christianity is centered around the gospel of Christ and nothing else. He translated the Bible into German so people could read for themselves the Word of God. He began a movement back to personal faith and knowledge. These pictures are of the church he preached in and the one he famously nailed his protests on the door.