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Back to the 80’s…..again.

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Tonight we went “Back to the 80’s.” It’s the Noblesville High School Musical that Scotty is in, and a few other kids I know from over the years. It was awesome, and I am more than happy to tell you I will be there tomorrow and Saturday nights as well. I laughed pretty hard. And though I graduated from high school in 1979 and college in 1984, I still remembered all those songs. They were bad then, and are much better in parody!

We got to sit by one of my two college roommates (Jeff), his wife (also from college, Paula) and their two youngest boys. Their oldest son Evan was in the play like Scott was. And where Scott was this happy-go-lucky goofball student (yes, art often imitates life), Evan was the kids’ twisted and conflicted teacher. I don’t think Jeff, nor Paula, not I could have ever predicted ever having such a laughter-filled night provided by our kids, but we sure did enjoy it! I cannot remember laughing that hard in a long time.

“Back to the 80’s” made a lot of fun of a generation of which I was a part. It was convicting to say the least. Their “costumes” looked pretty familiar, and yep a lot of people talked like that back then. What we thought was cool looks pretty silly now, but I don’t mind being made fun of.

After all, they will have kids of their own some day and then it will be their turn. I am looking forward to it!

God Bless you my friends!

Fr. Tom+

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Working long and hard with my mini me………..

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Ben, my constant assistant and I spent much of the day together with a few other good friends down in Nashville at St. Matthew’s. We were working on a special project, and it is a surprise of sorts. And though Ben is really not much help, he added moral support as he watched Veggietales’ “Lord of the Beans” probably 30 times. We left St. Matthew’s a little after 8pm, and we are both exhausted. I will be heading down there again in the morning, so hopefully sleep will visit me very soon.

There are often long days like this in the ministry, but few long days like this are quite as fun. We are surrounded by some pretty wonderful people, and even in the middle of hard work it is easy for me to see how very blessed we are. I know we are ALL exhausted, but I am sure we are also all very satisfied with the work of the long day.

Anyway, with these blessed thoughts, and Ben and I’s safe return to home, I will bid you all goodnight. My hope is you have had an equally blessed day. And may we all enjoy another tomorrow!

Goodnight and God Bless.

Tom+

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Swatting at the oldies…………

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Yikes! I was just thinking about Stephanie graduation from high school in 2010 and then Scott in 2011, when while reminiscing I realized before that ever happens I will go to my 30th reunion. (and my 25th for college!) Who would have thought I would live that long? I know my kids think I am ancient, but my classmates I am sure feel I am quite young and spry!

Time sure has a way of flying, not that I have any regrets. I have a pretty good life, and in my 28, I mean 47 years, I have packed a lot in. Sure, there are some things I would have liked to have done (none of them illegal). But when I think about gathering together with my classmates of Mishawaka High next summer, it will not be to impress, but to rejoice and remember! Many of us still keep in touch through an Internet group someone created, and I have to tell you I am blessed. I really grew up with some fine people. I know not everyone can say that, but the small town I grew up in (it is no longer small) couldn’t have been better. I am proud to have come from there.

Anyway, I will get back to marveling at how old I am. I am not quite ready for plaid Bermuda Shorts and black socks, but I know I am older certainly than I was. But I truly love every age, and I love my life. God has blessed me with a wonderful life…….or as my kids would tell you, maybe I am just too old to know the difference.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Fr. Tom+

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Does anybody know what time it is? Does anybody really care?

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Though I often get into arguments with ardent supporters of Daylight Savings Time, I have never been a fan. I am sitting down to write this blog now at 8:30, but it feels as if it is 11:00pm! Plus, I have yet to pick up Scott at school (he is at rehearsal for the school musical until 9:00 pm, and Stephanie works until 10! I am anxious for the other car to be fixed and have them be able to drive themselves!

I grew up in Indiana, and one thing I was always proud of was never changing our clocks. It was taught that whatever time it was was the time, and that was just that. When I went to grad school and got my first dose of DST I was tired and confused for days. And we did it of course twice a year! It has now been a couple weeks and I am still finding clocks that need to be reset. It drives me nuts!

But what can I do? Like so many others like me I just have to go along. I will admit that at least Ben goes to bed when it is dark now, but in all honesty it really wasn’t an issue because he doesn’t tell time! He just went to sleep when he was laid down!

So I apparently will be all messed up for at least a few more weeks, but I am learning to adjust. Ben and Amanda are still sick, so I suppose having it seem later makes her think at least she is getting more sleep. She is from one of those adjustable states though, so it all seems natural to her.

Anyway, I think it must now either be a lot later or even earlier than when I started typing….heck I do not know. All I can do is look forward to being in heaven someday with Jesus. I am sure He is old-school Indiana……those clocks up there I am sure never change!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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A warm heart on a cold night……..

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I saw some snow today for the first time this year and my life is now starting to make sense. After all, it is NOVEMBER, and November is a snow month as far as I am concerned. Though I enjoyed the 70 degree weather, somehow it just doesn’t seem right to me to do so. After all, I do not live in the Carolinas or Florida, I live in Indiana. It is supposed to get cold as it gets later in the year!

Over the course of my life, I even remember seeing snow in July one year, though I protested that too. I am sure the Lord just left someone else in charge of it all, and that they are no longer working in the home office.

I have to say however, that I am glad to see the Winter weather move in. As a native of Indiana it just feels right for it to be November and cold. And though I know that not everyone is happy about it, I do believe there are just somethings (like this) that are just best left to the design of God Himself.

Of course I am no longer on the porch typing these, but inside….not even the cat will join me for very long out there now. But I am just thankful for the opportunity I have to live the life I have been given. I have got it pretty good, and whether is be warm or cold outside, I consider myself very blessed. I hope your life is just as wonderful.

Stay warm! Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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A disappointing day, an important day……

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Tonight we were going to attend the Noblesville Millers Hockey game where they were retiring the jersey of Michael Treinen, our Assistant Women’s Lacrosse Coach who you may remember died from cancer a few months back. His jersey was to be retired during the game and then a Miller Skate Night would take place afterwards. We all wanted to go, but Ben and Amanda are sick, and Scott is feeling like he may be getting something. We decided to stay at home and help work here at our own private infirmary. It is so very disappointing to not be there. We all loved Michael, and such an honor was the right thing to do for the school and his family. They all are in our constant prayers.

I think of Michael often. It’s been almost eight years since my sister Stephanie was taken by cancer and almost five for my sister Sarah. I know I think of them often and miss them. I am sure they get a charge out of that, but my point is that when someone dies too soon it leaves a pretty big hole that we often find hard to fill. My friend Michael was a spectacular kid, and I know it is hard for them. His sister Meredith is running a marathon in January to help raise money and awareness about blood cancers. Check it out at http://pages.teamintraining.org/dm/pfchangs09/mtreinen I encourage you to make a pledge too! Those of us who have been effected by cancer thank you in advance!

Anyway, Michael and his family, tonight especially, are in my thoughts and my prayers. But I also have others who need it here too. Please pray for my family that they might recover quickly too. And especially for Scott, who needs to be well. He has a big part in the Noblesville High School Musical this Thursday through Saturday nights!

Goodnight my friends, and God Bless. Back to being the doctor for me!

Fr. Tom+

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A comedy of errors….so it’s time for bed!

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Well today it finally happened. After a whole indoor season of great lacrosse from the Noblesville Lady Millers, we finally had a game where a few things went wrong….actually it was a game when everything went wrong. If there was one positive it was that our goalie got A LOT of practice today.

But, in the end, it was a great lesson for the girls. We could not even master the basic skills, we got behind, and then it went downhill from there. As a former athlete, I remember days like today well. They seemed torturous and way too long. They made me angry. But as I began to learn from them I realized that they could be teachable moments and in the end far more beneficial to my game than a big win. Anyone can win well, but it takes real character and determination to recover or to get better after you have been clocked. We talked about that after the game. I was smiling as I talked with them. Everyone has bad games. It was just unusual to have an entire team have it all at once!

Anyway, even I was glad to see it end. We play a combined scrimmage tomorrow with a couple of other high schools against Purdue at the end of an afternoon clinic the Boilermakers are putting on tomorrow in Westfield. It will be a great day and a great way to recover.

Everyday cannot be our best. That’s why we should be thankful to God for second chances and new opportunities. He certainly gives us a lot!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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A day of lacrosse and now rest…….

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Today has been a long day, the end of which we spent at Scotty’s lacrosse game. It is such a great time and my only regret is that lacrosse was not an available sport when I was a young man. I think I would have really enjoyed it. I am not sure if they have an “Over the Hill” league, but if they do, count me in!

Today also marked the end of voluntary fall practices for the girl’s high school team of which I am the coach. We offered the opportunity to practice, and enjoyed it. The girls and I were so amazed to have 70 degree weather in November. There should be SNOW! Anyway, it was good to be out and active. We play tomorrow at 4:20 in the indoor league in Carmel, and it will be a great way to kick off the weekend.

Today will also mark the first time I am heading to bed before 9:30!!! I have been up too late and too early too many days, so it will be nice to get some rest. Ben has been up the last few nights, so going to bed early may be helpful to be sharp at 3 am when he wants to talk!

So it is off to bed for me. I apologize for the lack of depth tonight, but we all know how it is when we are tired! I hope you have had a blessed day.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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On the occasion of the election of a new President.

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Though I did not vote for him, I am committed to pray for our President-elect Obama. In elections there are winners and there are losers, but in the end the very fact that we are free to decide who those winners are, who will lead, is what indeed makes us all win.

During this post-election season there is always anxiety about what we are heading into and how a completely new administration will lead. But we seem to survive it all, and head off into writing new chapters of our history.

In truth, despite who leads, God is still in control.

Pray for our country. Pray for our government. Pray for President-elect.

Goodnight and God Bless.

Tom+

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A brief election post…….

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The election is going on and with so much division we can only hope and pray that the outcome brings us a sense of togetherness and purpose as American people. Despite our disagreements, we still live in the greatest county in the world, and I do not believe that will ever change. We should remember that EVERY election produces winners and losers, and that God’s Hand is still upon us as a whole.

I will not be writing more than this tonight, but instead go back and fix my eyes and thoughts on the TV and the results as they happen.

My hope however is that you voted! God Bless you and God Bless our Country!

Goodnight!

Tom+