MINDFUL MOMENTS

                                          Stille-Nacht -Kapelle, Oberndorf bei Salzburg                             2019 is over and I'm so joyful that my two Christmas wishes were fulfilled in December. Although I didn't make it to Austria for Christmas as I had hoped, I was able to bring a bit of Austria to where I live in the U.S.A. In the town of Frankenmuth, Michigan, United States is the exact replica of the famous "Stille Nacht" chapel located in Obendorf bei Salzburg in beautiful AUSTRIA. I was able to spend a half hour in that chapel in Frankenmuth, praying, and thanking the LORD for my blessings as I listened to the famous Christmas carol being sung in several languages in mid December. A week later on Christmas Eve I sat at the piano and sang "Stille Nacht" next to the glowing Christmas tree wi...

I miss living in an environment where I can bicycle, walk, or take public transportation. Not that I can't do those things where I currently live, I can but it's a lot more challenging in the winter months when there's no walkway and the conditions are icy, snowy, and cold. We're in the shortest days of the year in North America and any sunlight is truly appreciated. This morning after taking care of 25 children for "Mother's in Christ" at the local church, I walked on a highway with no sidewalks to get some groceries. Let me tell you, when I first began walking I thought it would be easy but as each step turned into another step it became challenging. There were ice patches all over and I had to do most of my walking on snowbanks. When I finally made it to the supermarket I was thrilled. I took my time shopping and than I had to return back home in the same conditions but now it was getting colder and the traffic was getting heavier. It was a miracle ...

This time of year SANTA CLAUS certainly has a long list of things to do and having a "to-do" list is a very good idea because CHRISTMAS is a busy time of year. Today, I had a list of things to do and I've only checked a few off my list but thankfully the day isn't over yet. When you find yourself overwhelmed with things you have to do just write a to-list. It's amazing how good it feels to cross off the things that you did accomplish on the list. 1)  ballet class 2)  cross country skiing                                                                                     3)  pay the bills that are due 4)  sort out paperwork 5)  clean and tidy 6)  choir practice 7)  work on my play and short stories 8)  a few minutes playi...