Stille Nacht in Oberndorf, Austria (Christmas Wish Fulfilled)

                                          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 with European ornaments to my mother who has Alzheimers.

It was Christmas Eve, 1818, in Obendorf when the carol was first performed as "Stille Nacht Heilige Nacht." Joseph Mohr, a young priest who wrote the lyrics and played the guitar, sang along with Franz Xavier Gruber, the choir director who had written the melody. A calm village, in December 1818 where a simple carol was created and sung and now over 200 years later it's sung throughout the world in over 140 languages. That in itself is a Christmas miracle.

December 2019 for me was filled with precious moments indeed for it revolved around my love for the country of AUSTRIA where I got to live and work for two summers. I will return again to AUSTRIA but for now I'm grateful that I was blessed to have my mother for yet another CHRISTMAS and that I was able to sing to her my favorite Christmas carol, "STILLE NACHT."

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year! 🎄🎄🎄

"Faith is believing in things when common sense tell you not to"

"With GOD all things are possible"

Walking, step by step...a positive way to improve health and brighten your moments!

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 I made it home without sliding and falling down with all my groceries.

To reward myself with some comfort food, I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato slices after returning home feeling cold, wet, and hungry. We can't always be dependent on our vehicles or public transpiration to get us around. Sometimes we have to use our legs to get around. Walking really is one of the best exercises for human beings and we should walk as often as we can.
Start your new years resolution early and make walking a part of your daily routine.

                                 My long walk today was to get some groceries, pictured above!

Benefits of Walking:

1) Boosts mental health
2) Weight Loss
3) Reduced risk of chronic disease
4) Improves Digestion
5) Improves Cardiovascular Health
6) Increased Lung Health

Where do people walk the most?

1) Hong Kong. 6,880 steps per day
2) China, 6,189 steps per day
3) Russia, 5,969 steps per day
4) South Korea, 5,775 steps per day
5) U.K. 5,444 steps per day
6) Italy 5,296 steps per day
7) Hungary, 5,258 steps per day

A "To-Do List" just like Santa Claus at Christmas

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 playing my ukulele                                    
9)  study Dutch, French, and German on "Duolingo"
10) cook dinner
11) do laundry
12) make chocolate truffles
13) bake cookies
14) call some friends



The list goes on.....and eventually it gets smaller. As human beings we have pretty jam packed days whether we're 12, 85, or somewhere in between. Whatever we get done in our 86,400 seconds/24 hour day is fine. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it all done. Just make a to-do list and check off the things you were able to accomplish.