This evening we went to dinner with our two assistant zone leader couples, the Edgingtons and the Hadleys. The Edgingtons leave in a couple of weeks and we are sad to see them go. During our meal we took care of some business and made plans for the coming weeks.
We’re happy that the Edgingtons live near our home, so we will get to see them often when we’re all on the other side.
This evening the Janssens, Edgingtons and Simpsons shared some final thoughts and testimonies with the rest of us as they prepare to depart this month. We hate to see anyone leave. Gratefully new missionaries keep arriving to fill the holes.
After our fun evening, the Activities Committee met to plan our next events. We sure have a lot of fun here!
Every month we have a workforce devotional here at the Phoenix Haus. It’s broadcast to all of the workers scattered throughout Europe. This morning we had a fun overview from our FamilySearch about how to easily download and take a name to the temple. This was followed by some inspiration from our church leaders.
John’s favorite refreshments served each month:
After a lovely drive through the Luxembourg countryside (so many wildflowers are blooming right now), we found the Vianden Castle (about 45 minutes away). A small village is nestled in the valley below.
This is a castle worth visiting. It was fantastic. We seemed to be there at a time when many of the volunteers (in period dress) were there for some special event.
Vianden Castle, located in Vianden in the north of Luxembourg, is one of the largest fortified castles west of the Rhine. With origins dating from the fourth century as a Roman outpost and the 10th century. The more familiar castle form was built in the Romanesque style from the 11th to 14th centuries.
We walked down the hill to the valley, then back up the hill to the castle.
As we went in, several “castle people” rotated out. We learned that there are about 30 volunteers here to show and explain what went on in the Olden Days.
These volunteers represented different time periods through the centuries, for example, here are some of Napoleon’s soldiers.
Smithies working the fire and bellows to make metal tools and things:
Here’s an oven for brick making.
These are the traditional wagons used by generations of Europeans who moved from place to place and carted their wares and belongings. During war times, when people were displaced, they traveled pulling these wagons, not unlike pioneer handcarts.
The rooms in the castle had wonderful displays and people working, showing various kinds of castle life. There was a marked path to follow so we didn’t get lost. It’s a BIG castle!
The armour makers.
One room showed the evolution of the castle through the centuries with models and history of each renovation.
There were also collections of things found here in this castle as they excavated and restored it.
The Kitchen. Perhaps my favorite part of any castle tour. I love seeing how things were done, what they ate, how they prepared and stored food, and what items were used. This was a fantastic kitchen based on actual illustrations from kitchens long ago.
Here are the foods grown and used in those days.
I felt like I was looking at old paintings of people doing things, but these people were moving! And the food they were preparing smelled So Good, with onions and garlic simmering.
Here’s an old illustration showing what it was like back then.
I met this woman outside the castle on one of the upper levels and asked if I could take her photo. She spoke no English but she started explaining to me what she did in the castle as an older woman. I followed her into her castle room where I learned all about women’s work in the olden days.
The sign says “women’s life in the Middle Ages.” Below are things used to teach the children.
Tools used in handwork and weaving:
The glass is a nursing cup for collecting milk.
Women also collected medicinal herbs.
This is a tampon, not used for menses, but used to pull infection out.
Here is an illustration of birthing a baby with some forceps.
Also in this room was a medical doctor with his tools and wares.
Again, from the illustrations showing medieval practices, they’ve gathered tools used to do surgeries and other medical procedures.
I find this fascinating.
Here is a family tree, painted on the wall, of the people who lived here in this castle.
There was a deep well inside the castle to provide water.
Woman doing handwork.
I think this was a short meeting with some of the volunteers.
Looking down from inside the chapel:
The chapel:
More craftsmen’s tool for book making and other things:
It’s remarkable that places like this have endured through time.
The great hall:
Looking down into some other rooms:
Now, outside the castle:
We met a few of Napoleon’s buddies. One of them was very interested in his family history research. We told him about FamilySearch and he got very excited to go home and create an account.
It was a really great visit. I loved every minute. I’m so happy we are here and so happy we get to see so many interesting places.
It seemed fitting on this Memorial Day weekend, that we stop at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial on our way out of town. We are in the area where the Battle of the Bulge was fought.
The Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Offensive, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II which took place from 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945. It was launched through the densely forested Ardennes region between Belgium and Luxembourg.
In this cemetery, 5,076 American military are buried, including General George S. Patton, Jr. This visit was sobering and heartbreaking. Imagine all these young Americans cut down by war. I pictured each one standing by his grave marker (and one woman, buried here). I imagined mothers and siblings receiving word of each death. It is truly sobering.
The monuments list every American and explain the different battles fought in this area, and throughout Europe.
Here is a small chapel where you can go to pray.
Here is the sea of white marble, each marker bearing a single name.
Flagpole detail:
As we rode the free tram to the end of the line and back to see what we could see along the way, I noticed a big beautiful Friedhof (cemetery) and begged that we stop there on our way back. We did. For an hour or more, we wandered through this quiet and sacred resting place.
I love cemetery angels. I felt the anguish and despair and grief portrayed in these silent, sad monuments.
How grateful I am for Heavenly Father’s plan for us. We will live again, because Jesus conquered death. What an incredible gift–we can feel peace.
I’ve never been in a cemetery with so many crucifixes. Looking out over the tombs, you can see most of them have some sort of remembrance of the price Jesus paid for us.
What joy awaits on resurrection morning!
Our Frankfurt Germany Mission 