A New Home

The Steiermark - The Green Heartland of Austria

For those of us that have traveled to Austria, places like Salzburg and Vienna are quite familiar.  For those that have an Alpine focus, then Innsbruck is well known.  Between all of these places in the center of Austria is the province of Styria or die Steiermark (outlined in green).  Our new home is in the town of Leoben.  The Church congregation which we serve meets about 15 km away in the town of Bruck an der Mur.  Overall, from east to west the Steiermark is about 200 km, or 120 miles.  Our Bruck an der Mur congregation (Branch) extends over the entire northern portion.  The southern portion (divided by the light green line) belongs to a significantly larger, standard congregation (Ward) which meets in Graz, the capital of the Steiermark.

For those familiar with Alpine geography, you'll recall how the Alpine region begins in Southern France and Northern Italy, continues northeast through Switzerland and Liechtenstein, then on through Northern Italy and the famous Dolomites, through Western Austria and into the Steiermark. 

The Alps and surrounding regions are the source of important rivers. The Rhine begins in Switzerland, flows north through Germany, then through the Netherlands and into the Atlantic Ocean.  The Danube begins at the edge of the Black Forest, crosses through Germany and Austria and finally flows in to the Black Sea on the Romanian - Ukraine Boarder.  The Mur is the defining river in the Steiermark.  The Mur runs just a 100 meters from our apartment through the town of Leoben, then on to Bruck an der Mur where it turns south, passing through Graz.  After joining other rivers, it joins the Danube.

Following church services, on a Sunday afternoon this last month, Trudy and I took a stroll on a path along the Mur through town.  Nothing can be more true than the claim that our new home is in das „Grüne Herz Österreichs“ or the "Green Heartland of Austria".

Friends from Home - Visiting the Teichalm

Just two weeks after our arrival, we had a wonderful visit from our good friends, the Auxier family, on holiday in Europe. They had come to Vienna to enjoy the Taylor Swift concert.  Sadly the concert was cancelled due to a foiled terrorist attack.  Of course, this did not affect their plans to come to the Steiermark for a visit, a two hour drive from Vienna.  We met at Teichalm, a beautiful valley, up in the mountains just south of Bruck a.d. Mur.   Hiking through the Alps is a favorite past time for locals and visitors alike.  The trail took us through pastures with cows grazing.  I'm absolutely convinced that the cows here are the most content in the world!  In addition to the scenic vistas you'll often find at the end of the trail a 'hut', in German, 'Hütte', a small, usually family run, restaurant.  People in Alps love the out-of-doors and they have found a way to enjoy a delicious meal at the same time.

Relaxation takes on a new meaning in the Alps.  The sun gives beautiful warmth to the gentle breeze.  You can sit on the grass covered banks of alpine lake for hours casting your eyes on the forested mountains and meadows.  Nothing is more peaceful.  I think this is one of our Heavenly Father's finest creations, offering beauty for eyes and rest for the soul.  If it inspires you as it does us and the Auxier's, then let us know.  We'd be absolutely delighted to have you visit.

The next day on Sunday, the Auxier's attended church with us in Bruck an der Mur.  It's not uncommon to have visitors, who are welcomed with open arms. 

Happiness in Small Things - Latin Music and a Rose

Trudy and I have found ourselves frequently commenting on how we find Leoben to have similarities to our home town of Redwood City.  While it's population of about 25,000 is smaller, it has as similar feel.  The first recorded mention of Leoben goes back to the year 904, so it is a little older, but as Redwood City is home to the historic county seat, it has an old plaza as well.  During the summer, both Leoben and Redwood City have wonderful open-air events in the town square.

This last month we attended two open-air events.  The first was a Latin music event and the second was an out-door-projected showing of the latest Tom Cruise Top Gun movie.  Both were very enjoyable, but it was during the Latin music event that we enjoyed a special moment.

Of course, Latin music, with its happy energy and romantic melodies bring many to the town square.  Seated just a meter or two away were two lovely ladies, enjoying the performance just as we were.  As the performance began to come to a close, a happy, rather round Italian gentleman began to move through the audience selling gorgeous long-stem roses, something one cannot resist.  We bought several.  Then looking to our new friends next too us, it became clear, it was time to share.  Sadly the picture does not show, but all three lovely ladies have roses in hand.  The happy lady on the left then turned to us and said, "I haven't received roses in 29 years!".  As we heard that night the song Young at Heart, the famous line "and love is either in your heart or on the way" had new meaning.  What a joy for all of us to be young at heart.

New Friends - Peter & Heidi

Much of our focus is on visiting church members across the Steiermark.  Next month's post we'll share more on this. Stay tuned!  To start, here's a glimpse into our wonderful Branch President, Peter, who leads the congregation in Bruck an der Mur, together with his wonderful wife, Heidi, who is often teaching the scripture study hour.  On Saturday, the last day of August, they invited us to join them for an outing to Bodenbauer, just a few kilometers up the valley from their home near Bruck an der Mur.

As you've now already come to appreciate, good food is part of the wonderful life found here in the Steiermark.  Our friends Peter and Heidi treated us, and it was delicious.  I believe among the dishes ordered, there was wild deer goulash, pan grilled perch, and Wiener schnitzel.  Then, it was off for a hike.

There have been many moments this last month that we have felt very blessed and watched over.  These were small but important things working together to bring happiness to others and ourselves.  We hope you enjoy these posts and that it reminds you as it does us that there is beauty to be found.  Connecting with people, showing kindness and witnessing God's creations reveals this.