Seligenstadt

The weekend farmers' markets are about the only thing that is normal about being in lockdown. We enjoy getting to see all the cool cities in Germany, but we are ready to do some real traveling.

The gardens in the courtyard will be producing in just a few short months.

Need to get to the other side, just wait for the ferry to take you across.

Record Preservation Project

 Lancashire “Marriage Bonds” Linking Project:

Family Search is looking for VOLUNTEERS to help with the Lancashire Marriage Bonds Linking Project. The volunteers would work their own schedule, from home, using a web browser (no special software required).  The task consists of linking written records in an “Excel-like” table to digital images.  No special computer knowledge is required.  The linking of written records to digital images is an important process in helping families discover their ancestors, by seeing high-quality copies of original documents.

A few months ago, Elder John Sandberg asked me to put the little blurb above in the Wegweiser requesting volunteers to help with the Lancashire Marriage Bonds Linking Project. A few of the senior sisters who had some extra time (including me) were eager to help.

It took a little bit of training and some eye straining, but I am now able to read the writing from these 1775 marriage records. If you read the first sentence in the record below, you see the words these and presents where the "S" in the middle of the word looks like an "F". That is just one of the things I have had to get used to. Reading the cursive and the signatures gets even more interesting.

The goal with this project is to link the digital records seen in the middle of the screen to the information on the right. The date and the spouse need to be verified by scrolling down on the digital record, then the witness and the bondsmen are added in an edit window. 

This is just another way I am able to serve on my mission. I am grateful for the opportunities to learn new skills and help the work of the Lord move forward in small and simple ways.

Another fun connection to this project is that Dave served in Lancashire on his mission. 

Braunfels 2.0

The Castle in Braunfels is over 750 years old. 

This was quite a breath-taking view as we turned the corner coming into the city.

The town square of Braunfels, with the half-timbered houses and ornately decorated buildings, 

was very quiet because of the restrictions around COVID-19. 

We did find a nice bakery where we could eat right outside in a covered area. That is rare these days.

"Castellum Bruninvels" with its historic town center was first mentioned in documents 

dating from the year 1246. The history of the town is closely linked with the 

history of the castle and the Counts and Princes of Solms-Braunfels. 

John Richards caught us recording a Marco Polo for the family.

The archways and doors really conjure up the imagination of what may have gone on in the past.

Someone got a little out of hand and had to be put in the stocks.

Shauna and John Richards make a Weekend Wandering more fun.

One of John's hobbies is photography. He can get some amazing shots with his nice camera.

Once a larger entrance, this door is one of many that captured our attention.

Welfare Project for Refugees

Sister Valerie Ballif, who works with the Welfare and Self-Reliance Department, reached out for help with a little project at the warehouse in Bad Homburg. There was a clothing drive by the Youth of one of the local wards in December and there was A LOT of clothing to be sorted before it would be distributed to those in need. I am always ready to get out of the apartment or the office and get to work.
It was a fun morning working with my fellow sister missionaries.

Michelle Sutterfield, Myrna Boam, Shauna Richards and me!

Valerie Ballif

Myra Boam and Michelle Sutterfield

Sorted, boxed and labeled....

Some items are being distributed to refugee centers and homeless shelters in Frankfurt. Some will be shipped to Croatia and more will be going soon to help refugees there and in Bosnia. 
Other items will be going to Albania.

Büdingen

We noticed right away that Büdingen had a frog theme. Frogs on buildings and a frog fountain?

In my search to find out more about the frog theme, I found a blog post from some senior missionaries who served in Frankfurt in 2017. Here is what they learned from a tour:

The legend of the frogs: A young woman was sent to Büdingen in an arranged marriage. She was a teenager and just wanted to go home. The people and the count loved her and wanted her to stay. Rather than say she was a homesick girl, she said that she couldn't stay because the frogs made too much noise at night. The citizens organized a massive frog hunt and eliminated the frogs, the noise, and her excuse. So as the story goes, she stayed, had a large family and served the people of Büdingen.

     

Bridge across the now dry moat, through the Jerusalem gate.

Jerusalem gate inside the old city.

The weather station.

          

Old town wall 1353.

In this Protestant church hangs a Moravian star (100 point Christmas star), but otherwise is unadorned.

Notice the frog on the side of the arch.

Imagine how beautiful this area would be in the Spring and Summer.

It was a very cold day and we were so grateful to find an Italian restaurant open. Take-out is our only option when we go out exploring these days. This pepperoni and mushroom pizza was the best we've had in a LONG time. We have ordered pepperoni in the past and gotten pepperoncinis instead.
This was a delicious lunch, even if we had to eat it in the car.

But we couldn't find any public toilets open. The restaurant wouldn't let us use theirs and even the toilets at two gas stations were not open to the public. So, we just decided to go home.