Neuschwanstein and Conference!

On September 27th I finally was able to go to Neuschwanstein Castle! It was so beautiful!!! My day started pretty early as I had a tour that I was going to go on. I was supposed to meet my tour guide at the central train station at 9am which meant I needed to leave my house around 8 to get to the train. I was a little early which gave me time to get some breakfast and wait for my tour group. Well when the tour guide finally came he informed us that he was doing the Spanish group and that our English tour guide got sick and there wasn't a replacement. So we were given the option to go with the Spanish group just not to have the tour. I decided that would be best for me as I didn't know when I would be able to go again and it would be cheaper to go without a guide so that was a bonus! The train ride there would take 2 hours and so I had brought a couple of books and things to do while I was on the train. Turns out I didn't even need them because I ended up making friends and talking to them the whole time! It was so fun. I met this girl and her dad who were from Canada. The girl's name was Robin. She had been a nanny in Spain for a couple of months and then they moved to Ireland. She was there for a few more months and then she started traveling. She has been everywhere and will continue to travel for the rest of the year. She was so funny, I really liked getting to know her. Once we got to the end of the train ride we were at the bottom of the hill where the castle was. The Spanish tour guide told us to meet him back there at 4 as we were to take the train home. And we were released. The Hohenschwangau castle was just opposite of the Neuschwanstein castle and I went there first. It was comparably smaller and less elegant and extravagant as Neuschwanstein, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I was only able to walk around it because I didn't have a ticket inside. It was still amazing.

And then I walked the way up to the Neuschwanstein castle. The walk up was so pretty. A pathway through the trees and it was so sunny and just beautiful. Once I got up to the castle I just walked around and looked at everything. My ticket into the castle was 20 minutes later. Luckily, Robin and her dad had the same entry time so we went together. The inside was dark, but still beautiful. King Ludwig was insane in my opinion... there were swans on everything. And just the way he had things decorated it was strange but amazing. There was a random man made cave in the middle of our tour. I loved it though. After the tour I wanted to go to the famous bridge. So I walked over. That was my favorite part of the whole day. I could have stayed on that bridge the entire day. It was so pretty. Having a perfect view of the castle and the valley behind. It was just breathtaking. After I stayed on the bridge for awhile, I realized the time and had to hurry down to catch the bus back. Once I got on the bus I sat with Robin and her dad again. The two hours went by in no time and before I knew it I was telling them bye. It was such a nice day but by the time I got home I was exhausted. It was completely worth it though. :)

A week later October 4th was the weekend I had been waiting for since April. GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!! I was so excited to hear from the beloved prophet and all the other leaders who would speak to us. As I do every conference, I had a couple of questions I wanted answered and I had been praying about it. I have no doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father is there and He listens and answers our prayers. My questions were answered in the very first hour and kept being confirmed throughout all of conference. It was amazing. I felt that this conference was for me. And it was just the best feeling. I love listening to my prophet.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I love it. I KNOW without a doubt in my mind that Heavenly Father is there for me and for you. He will answer our prayers in His own time. It may not be when we want them answered, but He will answer them. He loves us so much. I love Him so much. In this time that I have been in Germany, I have become more close to Him than I ever thought possible. My testimony has been strengthened and keeps being strengthened everyday. Coming to Germany has been the most trying thing of my life so far but it has prepared me for my future in so many ways. I am so thankful for the chance to be here. :)

Life is good. I am enjoying everything even when it is difficult. I try everyday, especially through the hard days to keep my Head Held High and I encourage you to do the same!!!

Love always-
Kasey :)