Final Goodbye

"I'm changing all my strings, I'm gonna write another travelin' song about all the billion highways and the cities at the break of dawn." -Bright Eyes

Last night in Washington, IL. Emptying out a storage unit tomorrow to unload it all again in a new place in a new town to prepare for a new job. I'm tired of this moving stuff but this feels more permanent. More "me" than things have felt in a while. It feels good. Exciting. Scary. Real.

And with that, my friends, I bid you a final goodbye. Thanks for reading. Thanks for commenting. Thanks for journeying with me these past four years. Here's to the next chapter...

CALL

Drumroll....

I have been called to serve as an Associate Pastor in downtown Madison, WI for a one year term!!


Now my to do list begins...
Find an apartment.
Paint walls.
Get a kitty.


Oh and...
Move.
Find a doctor, therapist, and spiritual director. Schedule appointments.
Locate grocery store, hippie produce place, and target.
Acquire bus pass, gym membership, and update Netflix address.
Find local pub to become a regular at.

Sunsets

The fog is clearing.

I am applying to some jobs around town, coloring in some coloring books, loving on family and letting them love on me, holding Alpha's family in prayer as they grieve his recent death, grabbing some Oreos and breathing in and out. This is life. It goes on.

And as the fog clears, the future seems a bit brighter. I'm disappointed this position didn't work out. However, I get to go work at Starbucks again. Or work as a server! Or... whatever!! I get to hang out with family in IL. I get to bike and eat better and get myself healthier than I currently am. I get to do more genealogy and work on my green stole. This time is not wasted.

I will continue to see what life brings. "No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. It means more than you know.

Advice

And as a follow up, some good words from one of my professors at the seminary.

http://craigasatterlee.blogspot.com/2012/05/god-is-in-control-fourteen-years-and.html

The Day

Yesterday was a difficult day. Over 24 hours of waiting for the phone to ring. I was going stir crazy and changing my mind about the church every other minute. Yes, I still wanted to work there. No, it wasn't the right fit. Yes. No. There were probably a few minutes in there where I was calm enough to NOT think about it but let's be honest, nothing is worse than waiting for the phone to ring. News from a doctor. A diagnosis. An interview. A result. A date. Well, you get the idea. It was a rough day.

And after waiting that long, I basically figured out that I did not have the job but I needed to KNOW. I started getting worried that something had happened at the church or to the pastor and that was delaying this phone call. I started worse-case-scenario-ing it.

I shopped. Bought a new camera as a promise to myself that more adventures were happening in my life that needed photographing. I got my favorite grilled cheese from Michael's and a chocolate and strawberry smoothie from Starbucks. After that, after locking myself in my room and cuddling into my pillow, I finally passed out.

Only to be woken by THE phone call. It was very nice. I had a great skills for ministry. I wasn't the right fit. Don't be discouraged.

My question the rest of the evening to myself and anyone I talked to was how to not be discouraged when this is my third failed interview. I get that this call process is difficult and that it is about matching up my skills with the needs of a congregation. I get that. It is still difficult to be, essentially, rejected three times. It's like dating. How do you keep putting your heart out there? When is it really about ME, not THEM. Or the situation. Or the fit. Or the timing??

I had some advice from my former supervisor about connecting with people during my interviews. About letting myself be myself, warts and all. We spent a lot of time talking about it on internship. So I take that advice and go forward. Onward. Wherever this road will take me.

The Universe is unfolding as it should.

As I wait, people are reminding me that God is at work. If not this church, then another, and likely better suited for me.

What came to mind was the line, "No doubt, the universe is unfolding as it should." It comes from this quote by Max Ehrmann and brings me comfort now.

“Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love – for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment is it perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you from misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.” 

Max Ehrmann


p.s. Bold bits are mine to show you which bits I like best. :)

Hyde Park and Goose Island

As strange as it is to be back in Hyde Park for a few days packing up the last remaining bits and pieces of my apartment and saying hellogoodbye to friends... it has been healing. This place, or rather, these people get me. I got to be myself in this space. I was loved for myself. AM LOVED for myself.

I couldn't think of any place better to process my interview than here. I grabbed a few beers at Goose Island last night with three friends who are all yet-to-be-ordained seminary friends. It is good to be amongst those who get what this crazy process is like. To get what it means to be un-ordianed but still doing ministry. To get what it is like to go interview at churches and simultaneously imagine yourself there and find it impossible to imagine that future.

I've spent the last four years... or maybe the last eight... thinking about where I would find a place for my first call. Driving through Wisconsin on the way to and from MT and then again to MN for a wedding August last year... I felt some stirring. Like I wouldn't mind ending up in Wisconsin of all places. Perhaps it was hearing my friend Sally talk about it. Or visiting her and my friend Carolyn. WI became a place where my heart felt safe and happy and curious.

So when it came time to fill in bubbles on a big document about where I wanted to go, the five synods in Wisconsin were clicked. And after hearing months later that I was in the South-Central synod of Wisconsin, my heart was rejoicing. I had a place!

Fast forward to 5 months later to my third church interview. This is after drifting around the globe for two months plus. After being "rejected" by two other churches. I felt like I had no place. At least all of my stuff now lived in a storage unit in central IL. But I was so nervous that I barely ate anything all day. My stomach was a mess. I couldn't form sentences. I was sending out prayer requests like no one's business.

The interview went well. Really well. I'd say most of the people liked me. Their questions were great. Their answers to my questions were great. I enjoyed my evening with them. Thanks for all your prayers and questions and for giving me time to process!!!

I'm looking forward to finding out Sunday. ;)

Ask me Monday

So that church I like? Interviewed last night. The pastor said I should feel confident in how it went. But my brain doesn't operate that way. Where my head is going?

OhmygodifIgetthejob..... I will have to work so hard and I don't even know exactly how to do the job I am about to be employed to do except that I can love people to the best of my ability and after all that is what is most important but what about those job specific things that I learned in seminary or was supposed to learn but what if I was sick that day and will I come across as a total fool who has no idea what she is doing and make them regret that they hired me.....

See that run on sentence? That's my brain right now. My brain on post-interview.

I will hear back from the church after Sunday. There were at least two other candidates. It is hard not to think of them and wonder if they too are feeling called to this place and this ministry. Are they better qualified? More interested? Married? Babies? Does that mean they should be the family and youth minister?

I apologize. I am rambling again.

And sometimes, well a lot of the last day, I just get too overwhelmed and I have to stop thinking about it. So for all of you who have asked me how it went and I didn't respond... I don't have a response yet. Ask me Sunday. Or Monday. Monday would be good.

Grieving Our Losses

It's odd when grieving happens. It bubbles up from things that you thought you had long since processed or recovered from.

I'm a home body. Homebody? I'm wicked attached to the place where I lay my head. It's my center. My place of refuge and place of recharging (yes, I'm a robot - don't tell).

In some vampire folktales, vampires have to carry with them a piece of soil from the land where they were turned or have to stay on that home soil for their entire long lives. Home matters. Their territorial about it, too.

So as I pack more boxes and prepare for my interview on Monday (PLEASE send prayer), I am actually weeping over the lose of home (plural? collective?). From the home that I had before my folks divorced to the various places I lived throughout college and seminary. I miss home.

My junk is spread out in so many places. I have a few things back in Chicago with my former roommate. The majority of my stuff is in my cousin's basement in IL. Some things from college and the old house are in my dad's basement here in TN. Some random bins of this and that and childhood things are in my mom's garage. I had about 15 boxes in my brother's attic until he added them to the collection at dad's last week.

Then I have my suitcases that I've been living out of for two months +.

I'm tired. I miss home. I want that job. I want a home. I want to paint walls. I want ALL of my things in one place. I want to store the suitcases up in a closet and recycle all those cardboard boxes. I want home again.

Rest and Water

I've spent the last week in Mississippi with seven youth from a church in New England. We were working outside on an historic house in Biloxi weeding, landscaping, planting bushes, cleaning up debris, scraping and painting siding, and fencing in an area for little kids to play in. Every hour or so the pastor or I would call out, "Take a break. Grab some water." We would sit on the front steps in the shade, drink down some water, and get back to work.

So perhaps that is why my brain is set on the connection between water and rest. And because I am who I am, I think about baptism. I've been kind of drifting these past two months, without a true center or home. I spent 25 days in Germany, a few weeks in TN, 4 days in FL for Sibling's wedding, and 10 days on this mission trip. No where is really home. I've been living out of a suitcase for two months and for me, while I enjoy the simple-ness of that, it is exhausting. I like having a center. I've always tried to shift away from making that a place, but we, as humans, are tied to places. I'll never understand a nomad lifestyle. If I roam, I like to come home.

So what about baptism, eh? I realized that at the very center of me is an identity that is unshakable. I am a baptized child of God no matter where I lay my head. No matter where I find home. No matter how restless my soul may feel in this in-between time.

For a time I said that I had "people homes." I reasoned that people I loved were my homes. While this is still somewhat true, I recognize that people do not always refresh me, I cannot always rely on them, and I still get lonely. This is especially true as I recognize that some of my best friends are getting married and need me less (and need to spend time on that special relationship), some are having babies and have less time for many things, and some are scattered across the country seeking their purpose in life. Telephone calls and Skype make things easier but it is never quite the same. And even then, I find myself listening a lot and caring for others instead of taking time to process how crazy life is for me right now.

I don't mean to complain. I have so many friends and family members who care so much about me. I have tons of places to stay with people who love me and often ask how I am. Genuinely. For this, I am so grateful. So lucky.

What I mean to say is that there is an unshakable, unchangeable, constancy in the depths of me. It is there... here in this ID as a child of God where I am finding new energy and peace. If this crazy summer of wandering has taught me nothing else, it has taught me this. I am okay on my own.

Travel Annoyance

I often wonder why airport travel is so taxing on my person. What is it about sitting down all day that is so exhausting???

And as I sit here, listening to a little girl cry because her parents threw away the rest of her juice... I stop wondering. Overhearing family arguments is so much fun. Overhearing people's personal phone calls at top volume is just as much fun. Slightly less uncomfortable but annoying.

My mom and I talk about sensory overload. Taking in all the sights, all the sounds, everything about one's environment. At the airport, meeting so many people, sitting in and among people and their virtual personal space is exhausting. Listening to every overhead announcement just to triple check and make sure it isn't about me or my flight. Making sure my baggage is with me "at all times" for security reasons. Having to re-pack up everything if I want to go to the bathroom or grab a drink.

Sigh.

That little girl is still crying and her parents are still yelling at her. *makes awkward turkey symbols with hands*

I'm ready to be home!!

Pet peeves

#23 Crowding around the belt so no one else can get it.

Dahan says this is not time to make a metaphor about accessibility and the Eucharist. Lol.

Mindfulness

Of all I have learned of the major religions that govern our great world, I believe they each try to teach a way to be present to the present. In Hinduism they call it mindfulness. It is all over Buddhism as a way to avoid suffering. And in Christianity, we have Christ telling us that he IS. To not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.

I'm enjoying my summer. I got to travel to Germany. I got to bless the marriage of my brother and his new wife. In Florida. On the beach. And now I get to be in TN with friends and family. What more could a woman want?

Oh, a job, right? In the midst of my mindfulness... I remember that I am waiting. Waiting through a transition. Waiting for not only a job, but a move, a new place to call home, a new set of friends, a congregation to love and do ministry with, and even a pet of my very own.

I have a phone call conversation with the lead pastor of a church tomorrow. Hopefully after that, an interview with the call committee will follow. Keep me in your prayers. I'm really excited about this one...

The in between time

Hello again! I have basking in my TN surroundings and trying to beat the heat. Wow, south, you and the heat don't mess around. Thank God for air conditioning!!!

I have another church's paperwork and I am really, really excited. Their job description for the associate pastor sounds like it was tailor made for me. Can't wait to talk to them more...

Heading to FL in two days - Sibling is getting married!! It's real. Love Currey to pieces. They are a beautiful couple. I am excited to be a part of the wedding Saturday. Keep us all in your prayers and have a great weekend whatever it brings you!

Getting a Call

I realize I have been lax about updating as regards my getting a call. My apologies!

The way this works: I have been assigned to the South Central Wisconsin synod. That means I will likely get a call in the greater Madison area. In this particular synod, they give a church a handful of names for an open position. Other synods may only give one name at a time. There are advantages to both methods.

I got paperwork for one church, met with the pastor, and had a Skype interview with the call committee. They opted not to meet me face to face. I was somewhat disappointed but ultimately knew that that particular church was not the best fit for me. Perhaps they recognized this as well?

Then while in Germany, I got another set of paperwork for a church in Madison. Since I could not do that interview in person, I set up a Skype interview for 2am my time! After the internet at that particular hotel ran out 2/3 of the way through their questions, I felt already that it would be a good fit. I enjoyed the people I spoke with and appreciated their questions of me.

However, by the time I got internet back to figure out how to answer their remaining questions and to ask the few that I had, the lead pastor had contacted me to tell me that they were offering the position to someone else. This was preceded and followed by very complimentary things about me which was nice.

So now I wait. I've scheduled a meeting with my Bishop to see what else might be available in the synod, to touch base, and to get a sense of a timeline. There's no guarantee's, of course, which can be frustrating. But that's the job market even beyond the church so I really have no room to complain!

Keep me in your prayers (and thank you for your prayers). I am trying to keep the "but what's so wrong with me" at a low level and in check. Rejection in any case is difficult, very much like dating, ironically...

I keep breathing and try to remember that God is at work.

München

A fantastic fountain in Munich that shoots INWARD instead of outward. Love it.

You should know I'm a HUGE fan of Annunciation art. This was in Munich at the Church of Our Lady. Gorgeousness....

Recovery Day

For me, recovery days are crucial. I am an introvert which means that while I do adore people and being around them, I have to come home to recharge and find my center again. So trips like these with large groups (52 total on my Luther tour) are especially taxing to my person. Last night I arrived back in Stuttgart to my home away from home. Sleeping in, delicious pastries from the corner bakery, and lots of time to play Castleville.... ;)

More (instagrammed) pics from the trip:

Delicious beer continues to abound.

Woah huge pretzel! From the green market in Munich. My dear Carolyn and I.

That's me. And that's Luther's room at the Wartburg. HOLY SHIT.

From the Bach house in Eisenach. This is showing how they did facial reconstruction from a skull they hoped was Bach's. Turns out... totally was. I am fascinated by things like this. Or I've watched too many episodes of Bones.

The stained glass windows that inspired Luther's rose!

The Veste Coburg

This is Corinna Waltz's article on the Veste Coburg from The Lutheran! 
http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=10751

--------------------------------------------

Luther and the 'empire of the daws'

German Lutherans offer tours as part of educational ministry

Horses' hooves clang on the cobbled street, part of a procession of more than 300 equines and about 200 people on their way to Coburg, Germany. Just over the horizon, the towers of the castle come into view. As the travelers pass the Spital Gate, Martin Luther says to his friend Philipp Melanchthon, "I just wish I could come with you to Augsburg."

Martin Luther spent six months in 1530 at the Veste Coburg while under imperial ban — while others attended the Diet of Augsburg.

But he can't. He was declared anathema (cursed by ecclesiastical authority) in January 1521 after burning the papal bull. Shortly after, he was placed under the imperial ban. His life in danger, he could be imprisoned or even burned as a heretic. Nevertheless, Luther wants to attend the Diet in Augsburg. His liege lord has prohibited this, demanding that he stay in Coburg.

Nearly 500 years later, retired pastor Rainer Axmann explains this scene to tourists.

"It was April of 1530 when Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Justus Jonas and the Duke of Saxony with his entourage arrived at Coburg," Axmann tells his audience. "[Without Luther], the others traveled on to Augsburg to attend the Diet, which had been convened by Charles V. Martin Luther stayed behind and spent six months at the castle."

Axmann, 79, gives the "Luther and his Stay at the Veste Coburg" tour to commemorate the 1530 presentation of the Augsburg Confession at the Diet of Augsburg. His tours, a ministry of theEvangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, are run by the educational institute of the Lutheran churches in the Coburg deanery.

"We want to bring Luther back to mind, especially during the Luther Decade," said Dieter Stoesslein, theological adviser at the institute.

Besides tours, the institute offers educational material on Luther and the Reformation, projects for schools, and speakers if a congregation wants to organize an evening on the reformer.

In Bavaria, Lutherans will hold major festivities during the Reformation anniversary in 2017 in Augsburg, Nuremberg and Coburg.

Tours mix history, theology

Although Coburg belonged to the Saxon duchy, Luther, a banned outlaw, still had to take precautions. To conceal his location, Luther used fake place names, as he did when hiding in the Wartburg Castle. He signed his letters "Aus dem Reich der Dohlen" (from the empire of the daws), a reference to the birds flying around Coburg castle.

Almost every day, messengers with Luther's letters in their pockets left the castle to go to Wittenberg, Augsburg and other places. Some 120 of these letters have been preserved and published.

"Over a hundred letters in just six months. Who could pull that off?" Axmann says while tourists enter the rooms where Luther lived and worked. "It's unbelievable what Luther did accomplish. Today we probably would call him a workaholic."

While quartered at the castle, the reformer also continued to translate the Bible into German, focusing on the Psalms. As encouragement, he even painted some verses on the walls of his study. One example is Psalm 118:17: "I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord."

Today Luther's apartment has been turned into a museum. Some of his works and original copies of letters are on exhibit in the museum and art gallery. One of the most famous artworks on exhibit is Lucas Cranach's life-size painting of Luther from 1575.

Speaking about the tour, one young participant says, "[Rainer] Axmann has such a compassionate way to talk about Luther. I never thought that history could be so interesting."

Another admits: "I didn't know all this, even though I have been living in Coburg all my life."

This is why Axmann says he leads the tours. "There are a variety of ways to explore the Veste Coburg and learn about Luther," he says. "As a theologian I offer a theological approach."

Part of the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria, Rainer Axmann, a Lutheran pastor, leads tours focused on Luther's time in Coburg, Germany.

Following in Luther's footsteps 

But the Veste Coburg isn't the only place where Luther spent time while in the city. Axmann also offers a tour of Coburg following the reformer's footsteps.

"I don't want people to just visit the Church of St. Moritz, where Luther preached seven times during Easter season [in 1530]," Axmann says. "There are more places to see."

So he begins tours of Coburg at the Spital Gate. From there he takes people to the former house of Paul Bader and his wife, who took care of Luther's meals and physical welfare while he stayed at the castle.

Another stop is the Ehrenburg Palace, a former Franciscan monastery rebuilt in 1543. Today it houses a famous library, including the Luther collection begun by Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the husband of Queen Victoria of Britain.

One of Axmann's favorite stops is the Lutherschule (Luther school) with its sculpture of the reformer. "Luther's impact wasn't just a theological one," Axmann tells the group. "His translation of the Bible influenced the development of the German language significantly."

It intrigues Axmann that the first teachers working at Coburg were Melanchthon's students.

At most stops along the way, Axmann reads a passage from one of Luther's letters or sermons. At the Lutherschule, he tells his audience that Luther preached about students and teachers, quoting from a 1530 sermon where the theologian asked for kids to be sent to school. "Luther's sermons [are] still relevant," Axmann says.

At the Church of St. Moritz, there is another Luther sculpture, as well as an opportunity to buy Luthertrunk, a locally brewed beer named after the theologian.

Axmann began giving tours and lectures on Luther and Coburg years ago, inspired by a seminary class on the reformer's letters. His interest in local history and the opportunity to explain systematic theology made him more than willing to help with the church's tour ministry.

"The longer I study Luther, the more fascinated I am," Axmann said. "He was a multifaceted personality and an impressive theological thinker with a great impact on my hometown and the whole region."

A Woman Scorned

Oh group travel. Thou art.... special.

I'm currently skipping the evening lecture and compline. I need some Alison time. ;)

Carolyn and I grabbing some coffee and cake. Amaretto Machiatto.... and apple pie. 

Silvio over Luther's tomb in the rebuilt Castle Church.

Silvio over the font at the city church. HE was baptized here... as well as Luther's kids and tons of other awesome figures of Reformation history.

In the Luther House (former monastery and Luther's personal home with Katie and kids), this is the table where theology was formed. Table talk, ftw.

"When a coin in the copper rings, a soul from purgatory springs." OR "When the money goes in the chest, a soul rises to its heavenly rest."  Luther hated indulgences.)

Martin Luther is my LOVE

I am in Wittenberg.

I am actually IN Wittenberg.

Luther was in Wittenberg.

Actually IN Wittenberg.

I squealed like a little girl getting off the bus. We see the city tomorrow. Tonight was check in, supper, lecture, and compline. The seminarians (former seminarians as all 7 of us graduated) went for a beer at a beer garden to watch Germany kick some Netherlands ass. GO GOMEZ!

Ahem....

The East Side Gallery. Something like 100 artists from around the world came to paint a portion of the original wall. It is approx. a mile long. The panels are... amazing. And to see where the Berlin Wall stood... is powerful. This was one of my favorites.

The wall.

And speaking of the wall. This is at Checkpoint Charlie. 

The gorgeous, gorgeous blue glass and interior of the Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church.

And once again, I am in Wittenberg. Watched the game. Drank a beer. HELLO!

Things I've Learned

-"To-Go Coffee" has to be advertised as it is still unique. The understanding that all coffee shops carry paper cups so you can take your coffee on the go is totally American.

-Cobblestone streets are hard to walk on all day. But beautiful.

-Breakfast here is savory. Typically. But there are many, many delicious pastries and bakeries on every corner for the rest of the day. The best is a cinnamon pastry called Franzbrötchen.

-I love St. Pauli. This is the red light district of Hamburg where Corinna used to live and where her friends that we stayed with live. Being there in the middle of the German soccer game was hilarious. I have also nicknamed the two drag queens who like to have loud, long conversations beneath our window: Elmo and Thunder.

-Large coffees are 12oz if you are lucky. Again, Americans supersize EVERYTHING whether we realize it or not. The idea of drinking 20 oz of coffee in one sitting is silly. (Please, no commentary about taking a 20oz coffee with you to consume over the course of your day - which is what I do. That idea has yet to reach here.)

-Everyone wears scarves. There are, perhaps, 8 people who do not. I have not met them. Everyone wears scarves. Men, older women, babies...

-There is a strange obsession with wearing the flag of the US. Pants. Leggins. Shorts. Scarves. T-shirts. It really creeps me out.... 

-You must have a local show you the sites. It's the best way to see a country.

That's How We Roll

Today, I slept. And packed. A did more genealogical research on the family. Tomorrow, Corinna and I head out on our adventure!

Last night, we went out to Stuttgart's "downtown" parts. Got some more Euro cash cash, got to see the sites, and had yummy dinner. Something about Schwäbisch food?? Maultaschen was fantastic. So was the beir!

Yumm......

Corinna says, "Everything comes with a castle."

Lina, Lina, Lina

More on Lina!

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=westendorf%2Dmv&id=I7834

ID: I7834

Name: Lina Wilhelmine Friedericke Hoepner

Surname: Hoepner

Given Name: Lina Wilhelmine Friedericke

Sex: F

Birth: 17 Feb 1902 in DuPage Co., Illinois, USA

Death: 3 Aug 1926 in Elgin, Illinois, USA

_UID: 30D79CED3DF80F42831FE2135232802EDF3E

Baptism: 9 Mar 1902

Change Date: 3 Feb 2012 at 18:11:15

Father: Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hermann Höpner b: 13 Nov 1860 in Arendsee
Mother: Wilhelmine Christine Ihssen b: 13 Mar 1875 in York Twp., DuPage Co., Illinois, USA

Marriage 1 Herman Wilhelm Bernhard Schmidt b: 15 Mar 1897 in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, USA

• Married: 9 May 1923

Children

1.  Living Schmidt
2.  Living Schmidt

Genealogy

Corinna told me after first meeting her that everyone immediately declares how German they are or what ancestors they have that are German. I'm sure that mine went something like this, "Oh! My grandma is German! I'm at least a quarter German."

And it's true. My grandma Elaine Schmidt married a Bradley and had, among others, my mother who married a Williams and that's how you get me, Alison Williams.

Grandma's mother was Lina Wilhelmine Friedericke HOEPNER and I found a link for her on this crazy German website that is tracing ancestry! She married Hermann Wilhelm Bernhard SCHMIDT. Her father was Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hermann HOEPPNER and her mother, Wilhelmine Christine IHSSEN. So cool.... And even cooler, my big brother is Christopher. Who knew it was a family name?


I like being in Germany. It is inspirational.... I also want to learn to speak German now, too. 


Ay yi yi! 


(LINKS: Lina is #612. http://www.ende-genealogy.de/bliefernicht/pafg24.htm#53503)

Koburg Goodness

A trip on the Autobahn to Koburg! 90 Euro in gas to get there and back. Corinna says we are not allowed to complain about gas prices in the US!

At the church in Koburg where Luther preached several times. This is the beautiful baptismal font that had cherubs around the bottom and the phrase "Let the little children come to me." Awesome.

Corinna posing with Luther's bust in the church.

In Koburg town center.... Gotta love on Prince Albert if you are in Koburg!

But you know my love is for this man.... here's Martin in the balcony area of Luther's Chapel at Veste (Castle) Koburg where he chilled for a time.

And on the wall of the room he slept in. This is where he translated psalms and wrote letters to the people hanging out in Augsburg where he wasn't allowed to go. So sad.

Cranach art of Martin and Katie. Woot!

I found out C's mom's mom was also a Schmidt! My mom's mom is formerly a Schmitty as well. ;) 

C's family is in Koburg - our main reason for going up to Koburg today! 

Bad to Good

Bad night of coughing and dry throat that could not be quenched. So I took some meds upon waking. And.... then I didn't eat soon enough and ended up throwing up on the train to Tubingen. Grand!

By one or so I felt better and the relaxing nature of Tubingen set in. A small town with lots of charm. This is the site of the major university and a center for theological study. Lots of famous faces graced the university's halls. Kepler, Ratzinger, Hegel... and my boy Melanchthon.

We did a boat tour first which was lovely. Lots of cute frat boys around as well which never hurts. One had a gorgeous tattoo of the world on his right shoulder blade. Gorgeous ink! We dined at a beer garden which was chock full of cyclists. Shopped around Tubingen with C's friend Sara who spent a year there and knew her way around. Got a few gifts and a brilliant blue scarf for me to where European-style (lol). 

Corinna and Sara on the train to Tubingen. Not sure if this is first or second time around....

This is the kind of boat we took. You can see the ones on the left have their planks locked and the ones on the right are all set up for passengers.

Corinna looked contemplative while we drift past a cool house built in 1870's.

Frat boat. They are all gondola style, pushed by the long stick against the water. These guys all took turns.

Well hello my new fantastic 3 Euro scarf...

This picture captures spaghetti ice cream. Sauce is strawberry. "Cheese" is shaved white chocolate! Vanilla ice cream has been churned through a grinder giving it pasta quality. Cute!

Difficult to decide which picture of the church to include. So you get this one because everyone can appreciate some stained class while not everyone gets a bunch of aristocratic tombs, Moses with horns, or an amazing pulpit on high. ;)

Last view of Tubingen as we leave. Sara told me these flowers are chosen by a city council of sorts every year. Also, they'll be a big race on these waters this week. 53 boats!

A Day in Life of the Lazy Vacationer

Day Two: Still in Stuttgart. Woke up around 7am this morning after a fairly decent nights sleep! So proud of my body's ability to sleep. Aww.... Corinna had a crazy day at work so we took it easy today. Tomorrow we will adventure to Tubingen! Something about a boat ride tour and good food?

Yes, I'll start the day with a glass of Orange juice. Oh wait, BLOOD ORANGE juice? Yes, please. 

(I know we can get this in the US but c'mon!)

Salz and Pfeffer sound like characters in a Dr. Seuss book! 

Corinna's living room and my sleeping area while I'm here. See my feet? Cuddly.

I have this thing with going to Chinese food restaurants in other countries. This General Tso's chicken was way different, not fried, and packed with lots of veggies and served with white rice. Yum.... no crab rangoons though. Tragic.