Yesterday was my mom's birthday. Last year I was able to drive home so we could go out to dinner at Johnny Carino's, but this year we had to settle with skype. Yesterday's AmBex adventure was a trip to Neuschwanstein castle, built for [mad] King Ludwig in the 1800s in classic medieval style. The castle was never finished because Ludwig died (likely murder) in the process...just a few days after being declared insane (likely because he was massively in debt!). It took us around four hours to reach the castle by train and we had to switch trains twice. This winter day produced uncharacteristic sunshine that bounced off the snow and fog to display a picturesque scene. Neuschwanstein is also the castle that the Disney castle was modeled after. Oh! I also found out that this is the lace of the actual Swan Lake (Ludwig had an odd obsession with swans). The hike up to the castle was long, and even colder than what we've been used to, but we were so distracted by the snow-peaked Bavarian Alps that we didn't mind all that much. After a minor bus mishap in Regensburg, we finally made it back to the hostel...safe, sound, and in enough time to wish mom a "happy birthday!"
This morning our group drove about an hour to Amberg to church. We visited "High Point Baptist Church" which is a church for American military stationed in Germany. I didn't think it would be such a big deal to hear people speaking English around me, but it was actually really comforting. The church was bigger than I expected, there were about 100 attenders. The pastor, John Beech, spoke on the end of Ephesians 1. We had been going through the book of Ephesians in my Bible study [yay truth study!] so I was really excited because Paul's words to the Ephesians is always an encouragement to me. He emphasized what believers are and have in Christ. We should be encouraged by the fact that we have been chosen, bought, and in the hope that we will be redeemed. The thing that stuck out to me the most was his illustration of TiVo-ing the superbowl. Since he is over here in Germany, he has to special record the big game from his brother's TV in the states. He noted the frustration in finally being able to watch the game, but accidentally catching a glimpse of the end score. Aside from the frustration, no matter how many times your team fumbles the ball, no matter how many interceptions are made, you know the final score...you know that your team wins. It is comforting to know that our ultimate end is glorification and that God truly does work all things together for our good and His glory.
Class starts back up again tomorrow and I hope to have the castle pictures up soon!
Berlin Time
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