Looking for the Sandstone Cliffs

It’s been about a week since my walk to Barenloch. Leah and her son, Anthony now invited me on a journey to look for the sandstone cliffs.  These cliffs, consisting of large white rocks, a friend of theirs, a nun, led them to them once a long time ago but they had always wanted to return. So we hiked up and down the hills around Landstuhl and Kindsbach on the trails looking for them.

We stopped at a plaza for lunch in Landstuhl to watch the fountains splashing in sequence. Then we wound back up the trail singing Christian hymns and enjoying nature. It was a little cool but just right with an occasional splash of sunlight to mark our way. I took picture of everything I could but it was dark in the woods so some of the pictures didn’t come out.

We never did get completely lost but we couldn’t find those mysterious cliffs. My both legs started to hurt after a while so I had to stop and rest a few times. However, I limped along and when one leg felt better, the other hurt. At least, they didn’t hurt at the same time.

 A few times we went the wrong way. We went in a circle and ended up back where we had started right by the hospital. We couldn’t believe that happened and we were very disappointed. Somehow, we had gone in a big circle.

Leah shook her head. “I guess we are not going to find those cliffs today. Do you want to head home?”

“Yes!” I replied. “I’m tired!”

Sometimes life seems that way; one big disappointment after another. Sometimes it feels like we are spinning our wheels or going in the wrong direction. But, if we pray for God’s help, He is right there to help us. He will lead and guide us and aim us in the right direction if we pray for it.

We finally came out of the woods by the traffic circle in Kindsbach and walked home a different way. We crossed the street and took the first lane to our right, but it was a dead end. When we walked around the corner however, we saw a little gate that was partially open.

 

“It’s the cemetery.” Anthony said. “I think we can go through there.”

 

We treaded softly through it. The cemetery was neat and filled with beautiful flowers and plants. Every grave was respectfully taken care of like a miniature garden. After we came out of there, we walked down another narrow path and past a miniature horse that was quite beautiful. I tried to take his picture, but he got right up in my face. Then he saw we had nothing for him to eat so he moved away and started grazing. I quickly took his picture then.

 

We finally came out on Hirtenpfad.  My legs wouldn’t hold up much longer so I was glad the trip was almost over. And I thanked the Lord for bringing me safely home.

 

A Walk to Barenloch

On a sunny afternoon, I decided to walk down to the lake. I had been there Saturday with the grandchildren and wanted to go again and explore it a little more.

I started at the “I Am Risen” fountain on the corner of our street and the main road in front of a little florist shop. (Yes, that was the name of the fountain!) Anyway, I strolled through the lovely streets decorated with bowers of flowers and ivy was growing everywhere. I soon got to the Barenloch and took some pictures of it.

 It was a peaceful scene. I need that because I felt turmoil within. Was I supposed to be a substitute teacher again? My head ached with a migraine and I rubbed my temples but I refused to slow down.  Please, Lord, I prayed, show me what to do.

Then, I heard children playing and I climbed up the hill along one of the hiking trails. When I got to where the children were, I realized they were speaking English so that was odd. I strolled back down the hill and by a guy naked from the waist up sitting in a field of daisies, drinking from a bottle with a towel on his head. I steered clear around him.

Then, I looked up and heard laughter again. I saw the children walking in a line with two women adults with them along the path. I waved and smiled and said hello to the last one. She responded In German and I said: “But I speak English.”

“Oh, I didn’t know! Hi!

“Hi! Are you and these kids on a camping trip?”

“No. I am a sub teacher and these are my students. We are just taking a hike.”

“Like a field trip”

“Yeah, like a field trip.”

As they continued to hike, I followed them around the lake.

“So, I want to be a sub teacher too.”

“Yeah, they need them. I am leaving after this year; getting shipped out to Poland actually.”

“That’s rough, isn’t it? To adjust to another country?”

“Actually, we are excited about it.”

“Wow. I like your attitude! And, what school did you say you are from?”

“Oh, Landstule Elementary. It’s an American military school.”

We rounded the corner and chatted a few more minutes about her and the school.

Then I asked: “Where are you going?”

“Back to the school. We’re hiking there and it may take another hour.”

I gracefully backed out at that point and turned back. Just then I turned around a bend and saw a large crucifix in a grotto and thanked Jesus for dying on the cross not only for the sins of the whole world, but for mine.

Also, I thank Him for giving me direction. I will go for the substitute teacher opening and pray He will make a way for me.

I made my way back down the mountain to the lake and from there headed on back.

Back through the bowers of flowers, the quaint, ivy-bestowed houses to the “I Am Risen” fountain in front of the floral shop.

He really IS risen!

Then I returned home thanking Him for the answer.