Hi everybody! It's been awhile since we added to our blog. It hasn't been because of a lack of activity. In fact it's now a little intimidating (Ok a lot intimidating) to review all that's happened and try to catch up! Through the week we are still very busy working with the wonderful missionaries and Mission Presidents in the Europe Area. We receive blessings daily in this effort--both through frequent inspiration regarding how to help them, and by catching a little of their spirit and enthusiasm. On the weekends we continue to take a much needed break and visit some of the great places within striking distance of Frankfurt. You will see more of some of these places in the pictures that follow.
Also since our last posting, Mel took a surprise, quick trip back home to accompany a young missionary who was too ill to travel home on her own. Then in addition to all going on here, our family grew as we all welcomed Liam on March 3. Liam is Gena and Mike's first. Mom, baby and even Dad are doing fine. Our welcome had to be by Skype, phone, and email, but that helped us feel a part of things and our thoughts and prayers were and are definitely with the now expanded Lineweaver family.
On about one hour notice and without luggage - Melody had to rush to the Frankfurt airport to catch a plane to Bucharest, Romania to accompany the missionary mentioned above. Due to security problems several passengers missed the plane, including one Sister Taylor. During the 7 hour wait at the Frankfurt airport, Melody makes a new friend (no real surprise in that). This is Timo, who was also traveling to Romania.
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Arriving about 1 am ...Mel stayed overnight at the home of Mission Pres. and Sister Lundberg. Didn't really have time to see the sights this time...but will try to return to at least see the castle of Count Dracula!
Melody and traveling companion, Sora (Sister)Gibson loaded up for travel back to Frankfurt.
Mel in Paris! Not really... just passing through the Charles de Gaul airport on the way to US.
Neil Peterson surprises Mel with repairing the jeep (with only a few hours notice that she's coming to town). The heater working made a whirlwind trip much more comfortable - THANKS Neil & Sarah.
Eight wonderful women meet for dinner - an effort to keep Mel awake on her night of arrival!THANK YOU for being my friends.
The absolute highlight of the trip back to Utah was a meeting with niece, Sherry Henderson Fertig! We had lost contact for many years and Mel had searched for her and her brothers! It was a real
tender mercy that this connection was made for the first time just a few weeks before Mel's surprise trip. So reconnecting, sharing genealogy and love was a real blessing. Looking forward to more of the same when we return in summer 2011!
Back in Frankfurt...the weather continued to be ...well, "winter". We can see one of the young Elders clearing the walkway between our offices and our church building. Gotta take care or all these Senior missionaries could slip and break something:)
These are the women of the Silipu family. They are from Peru. Mel and her friend Suzanne Dye have been helping Stacy, age 16, with her English. Mom, Clena and Auntie Illiana have now come to church with Stacy.
On the weekends that the weather is challenging we try to do something right in Frankfurt. This represents our trip to the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. It was a bit like the movie "Night at the Museum"
Once the weather improved we ventured to Rothenburg (pronounced Rottenberg).
Rothenburg is a magical medieval city. It has all the charm of a fairy tale.
We arrived in Rothenburg during the weekend of the International Wanderreunda (people who trek with walking sticks, etc.) There were people from as far as Australia and Asia.
While we were looking for a place to eat we happened upon the dining hall for the Wanderreunda. As you can see...A treking Grandma is swiggin back her beer and a Grandpa trekker watches the lively music (love the hat).
The city is actually called Rothenburg ob der Tauber (over the Tauber River).
It had great views from any vantage point.
One of the significant features is that this very old city still has it's original wall surrounding most of the city. If you go at night (summer) there is a night watchman tour. We were traveling with the Whiddens and all of us were excited to walk the wall and see the views from there.
A broader view of the city wall that we traveled. Lots of slots in the wall for the knights to defend the city by shooting arrows, etc. from the wall.
The architecture was so very visually satisfying! Look at all those pointy roofs on the half timber houses! Cathedral in the distance. So much to see here.
No this is not a recreated place like Disneyland...it's a real city where people still live. Grandma is wishing all little girls could come here...surely there is a princess in here somewhere!
The city is full of Knights and their memorabilia.
First on Gary's list was a visit to the Kriminalmuseum. (Medieval torture stuff!) Mel thought the best part was the weird window on the building.
As a former police officer it's only fitting that Gary try out the stocks.
There were many "masks of shame". If you acted like a pig you got a Pig head mask. This is the mask for a gossip...who sees all, hears all and then tells all. .
We plan to visit Rothenburg again in the warmer weather. It was a favorite place so far.
On another wintry weekend we stayed fairly close to home and went to Schwetzingen for the Ostererea show. (Fancy Easter Eggs) It was held in the summer residence (rustic palace, hunting lodge) of the Prince Elector. It wasn't all that rustic!
This is just one corner of their "back yard". It started snowing really hard so we plan to visit the gardens again in warmer weather.
AND we did see many lovely eggs. Not the most exciting weekend for our menfolk.
Here are our men gathered in a tight circle discussing the fine art of painted eggs! We did get a good meal near the schloss (castle).
Another WOW of a city was Trier! It was known anciently as the "2nd Rome". Today it is called "Germany's oldest city". (Pre roman/celtic) Most ruins are from Roman times. This is the city's main gate - Porta Nigra (referring to it's black stone)
Porta Nigra is really cool inside. Part of it was once turned into a chapel. But Napoleon restored that part back to it's original Roman glory.
There was so much to see. There are several Roman baths in town. Imperial and Barbara. They are some of the largest found in the Roman empire.
There was also a wonderful but more modern cathedral (only a few hundred years old)
Sometimes you just gotta stop and notice the details! Pretty much all the door handles in the Dom were of this hand. Didn't hear the significance but loved the details.
Well, that's a partial catch up, but no more time for now. We'll try to add more over the next few days before we get even further behind. We love you all!!
This photo shows a great view of the Imperial Roman Baths in Trier, which dates to before Roman times and is believed to be the oldest city in Germany--sometimes called the second Rome. The many tunnels below were accessible and we wandered quite awhile. The site of this ruin was quite impressive and in our mind compared favorably to the more extensive ruins in Rome and Pompey. 
In Trier we visited the "Imperial Throne Room". Because of the name and since it was right next to the Palacegartens, we expected to see an ornate royal palace room. Instead we found it was currently a large, operating Protestant church. The walls were original and among the oldest still standing in Europe and the church contained a few nice art pieces of art from earlier times. The statue of Christ above is an impressive example.
This is a test...to see who is reading our blog. Charlotte, this photo is for you! Your very own street Charlotte Strausse in Trier, Germany.
