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Election day looms………

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I will be getting up very early tomorrow in an effort to be at the poll before it opens. Voting is one of the most important things we do as a free people, and I intend to exercise my right.

This election however, causes more anxiety in me than any other. I have never seen people so divided, politics so deplorable, and tensions so high. It troubles me deeply that we seem to go through one election and then see people start campaigning for next. If I lived in Illinois or Arizona, I would be incensed that we were paying Senators to represent us, yet they were hardly ever there. And now with Acorn and the messes of voter registration I wonder how in the world we set common sense aside. Do we really want to be like the countries we send observers into to make sure elections are fair and just? We seem to be unraveling the very fabric that has held us together. It is deeply disturbing.

As much as that bothers me, I will still go out to cast my vote. You need to to give your voice credibility. I hope and pray we all do.

Get out and vote tomorrow!

Night my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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A day to remember……..

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Today on the Sunday after All Saints Day (November 1) we took the opportunity to remember those saints of God who walked the walk of faith before us. It is a special day, and one on which I pause to give special thanks.

I thank the Lord this day for the lives of two of my sisters, Stephanie and Sarah, who entered eternal life much too soon. For my great-grandparents, three of my grandparents, which includes my grandfather, “the architect of my life!” I also remember many friends and others who helped shape the part of the world I walked in. We often are so focused on the present that we forget all those others who made the present possible.

And I also thank the Lord for those saints I did not know, who walked the walk before us. It takes all of God’s people to make all of life work. I am thankful for them all. But today I am particularly thankful that both you and I are His saints as well.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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Of seeing the Lord in the beauty of nature…..

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Tonight I find myself on the back porch alone. I guess there is something about 4 adult Golden Retrievers that our cat just can’t tolerate. They are all on the deck, but I am guessing that feels a little too close for her. So I will just attempt to write with the sounds of panting.

We were down at St. Matthew’s in Nashville today for a meeting and we will be back there tomorrow for service as well. Brown County is such a beautiful place, and if there was one regret I had about the day it was that we had to be inside for most of it. I am sure there are very few atheists looking over the trees of Brown County. All that beauty and wonder could convict anyone of the need of a Creator! It could not just happen by chance!

Amanda and I became engaged down there in Brown County for that very reason. I figured if I could distract her with all the beauty of God’s Creation that maybe she would let her guard down and say something stupid! AND IT WORKED! We were there in the Spring, which is my favorite time there. Don’t get me wrong, the changing colors are wonderful, but to me I love the feel and the smell of Spring there.

Anyway, it is too dark to see a thing here and all I hear are the dogs and now the inspiration-killing wrestling match that they have started on their own. But they are all wonderful dogs, they just love to have fun. And tomorrow, when I am done with work, I intend to get them out with me in the middle of some of that nature. Nature is always fun to look at, but nothing is better than hanging out among it with the love of a dog!

Okay, I am off to put them to bed and then myself! Goodnight and God Bless!

Tom+

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Who’s that lurking around that corner? Could that someone be “Ben the Shark?”

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Tonight was a pretty amazing day. We started by negotiating out a deal with our insurance company that means Stephanie’s car will be repaired rather than totaled. There are so many regulations applying to these things, and with it being a 1999 model, the overall value is low. You do not need to do a whole lot of damage to a car like that before it is finished. BUT, we have had it two years. It runs like a top. AND it has only 75k miles. With what they offered us, we would never find a car like that. Needless to say, the last week has had Steph depressed thinking she would inherit my 1998 dark-green tank-ish Volvo. We had to go get the plate off her car a couple of days ago, so she was sure my car was certainly hers. She obviously is quite joyous now! We even drove out and put the plate back on her car! She was however, not so embarrassed to take the Volvo out tonight!

But before she left, we all took Ben out Trick or Treating for Halloween. He went last year, but only to a couple of places. This year, at 16 months he walked up to every door in his shark costume chanting “go go go”, pushed aside the candy they offered, and tried to enter every house. He doesn’t quite get it, but he had fun with his good buddies Gabe and Bella. We finished off with pizza after it got dark.

Just prior to that however, the shark made an appearance at the Noblesville Lady Millers lacrosse game. Tonight there was a schedule mix up, so they just scrimmaged, but the ladies not only brought the shark candy for his basket, they also played the scrimmage in his honor as the Noblesville Lady Sharks. It was a great time and we enjoyed it immensely.

Now however, it is 9:30 and the shark is in bed, no longer in his fins and tail, but snuggle-bunny pajamas. I am about there too. I have had a blessed day, and for it I am thankful. My hope and prayer is that you have enjoyed one as well, and that tomorrow will be even better for us all.

God bless.

Tom+

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Standing in the line of fire……….

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Tonight I watched proudly as my son Scott took his turn in the net as goalie for his lacrosse team. Each player takes a turn, but I do not think they all enjoy it. Scott survived it, and he has the war-wounds to prove it. But I am certain he is not anxious to get in there again anytime soon. The team they were playing tonight was pretty good.

Sometimes it’s hard to just sit back and watch your kids do things without interjecting yourself. You just love them and you want to protect them. I remember the first time I left him at school, the first time I put him on the school bus, the first sleep-over, the first time away. All of them produced anxiety, yet somehow, someway, he managed to survive without me.

Tonight his knees are a bit torn up, his body is a bit achy, and he is bruised in a couple of places pretty good……but there is nothing wrong with his self-esteem. He looks at it more as a right of passage I think, and in looking back to my own life, I guess that is how I’d see it as well. It was a battle, and he was in it, taking his turn, being part of the team. I am sure he will always remember it too. I know I will.

Scott’s a pretty great kid, with a heart of gold. I am proud to be his dad. I don’t take it for granted…..I know that I am truly blessed!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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Of coaching, of haunting and blessings…….

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Tonight St. Patrick’s Men’s Bible Study met at our home. We are using Tony Dungy’s “Quiet Strength” and its accompanying Bible study manual as our guide. It is an opportunity to look at our lives from a different perspective. For instance, last night’s lesson was all about “our game plans.” As an (former) athlete, it is a model I truly enjoy and I am looking forward to the next five lessons as well as the opportunity I have to study with other men.

About an hour after the study I had to go pick Scott up from “The Haunted Trail,” where he was working in order to not have to write a paper for one of his classes. There were two things about that that I found bizarre…..one, that scaring people could lead to credit, and then two that people actually pay to be scared. Go figure. I just hope the other team finds him just as scary tomorrow night when he suits up for his lacrosse game……my bet is they will not be as anxious!

Anyway, all the ghouls and goblins are home and the little shark (on Friday) is in bed. I need to head there as well. It has been a busy day, and tomorrow looms on the horizon. I am just thankful on this one, for family, friends, and the opportunity the Lord gives me in all of them.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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Viva a cool Fall evening!!!

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Today we finally got Steph’s car to the body shop and she and I are on our way to no longer sharing a car, although it may be a while. Ben is back on a pretty regular schedule, and Puddy and I are out on the back porch at a wonderfully cool 37 degrees! To me it feels just about perfect!

I know that most people love the warmth of Summer, and though it is nice, for me I prefer it about like it is tonight. In fact, the breeze I feel tonight is about the same way the breeze feels when I skate. It brings back a lot to me. It centers me and actually makes me feel quite good. Of course when I type out here in this weather it also assures no distractions other than the cat waiting for the birds to return (which I hate to tell her will be in the Spring).

I always wondered why the Lord made the different seasons, since each one is so different. Maybe it’s because people are different too and have all sorts of different likes and dislikes, needs and wants. And though I love to cold, I really enjoy all the seasons. That’s one of the reasons I like Indiana…..you get them all. No offense to Florida, but when I lived there I could never get used to hearing “Merry Christmas” from someone in a winter coat when it was 75 degrees!

Anyway I will sign off for now and head back into the inferno (65 degrees) inside the house. I live in a house of apparent potential Floridians…but cheap ones since it is just 65 degrees! But I am glad to have this brief time to enjoy the Lord’s blessing of this crisp cool night and to share it with you as well. I hope you have had a great day….warm or cold, and one filled with the Lord’s many and abundant blessings!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tom+

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The toddler son returneth, but he sleepeth not……

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Where in the world does he get his energy? Dear Lord, I do not know! Ben arrived (with his mommy) at the Indianapolis International Airport at 12:45, and after a short power nap in the car (about 10 minutes), he was up and remained up and active until he was put to bed FINALLY at 9:45. BUT, I can hear him screaming for someone to come get him even now, so I am pretty sure his awake and active streak is still alive.

But really I do not care. I am so happy to have them home. Scotty, Stephy and I have all felt it has been way too quiet around here (and clean)…..a situation he remedied within minutes of his return. It has been a delight to see our lives get back to normal almost instantaneously!

Anyway, the down-side is that I am exhausted and do need to call it a night. I have played and played all day, but clearly Ben has won every game. I have hardly talked to Amanda at all, but I will if she can get to me before I am unconscious. Unfortunately, I see that happening anytime!

Off to bed for me. Pray for me! Ben and I have a date all day tomorrow!!

Goodnight and God Bless!

Tom+

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The prodigal son, or at least the toddler son, returns……

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Oh finally!!! The night before the return of Ben and Amanda! On the phone tonight we all commented about how weird this has all been. We are not used to the house being so silent. No one has been hit in the head with a toy, the TV has had shows on other than Veggietales, and more than anything, we are just desperately lonely for their return.

But tomorrow will come and we will rejoice. Steph has to work shortly after school, but was excited to know that Ben would be here for the short time she will be home. Scott will be home later, but is anxious to wrestle with his brother. Ben on the other hand, probably doesn’t know a thing. Last we heard he was on his grandma’s lap being read a Dr. Suess book. I am sure he is miserable without us (at least that is what I tell the kids). But in reality, he will be so excited to be with us all.

I am looking forward to 12:35! Amanda, I know is as well. We have a pretty great family, but we are really at our best when we are all together. I know we will all rejoice tomorrow when the noise level will once again go up and the toys will be everywhere. It may seem chaotic, but it’s our life and we enjoy its many blessings. Thanks be to God that tomorrow we will finally all be under one roof again!

I am going to bed so it gets here more quickly!! Goodnight and God Bless!

Tom+

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The end of a busy day…….

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Today many members of St. Patrick’s in Noblesville joined us in Nashville at St. Matthew’s to get an idea of they type of facility we might be able to acquire up north. It was a great day. The people of each mission are so different, and it was great to give them a glimpse of the possibilities! And though there was no cake, there certainly was coffee and donuts as well a lunch…..as I said, it was a great day!

BUT, it was a long day! With all I had to do, I am just finishing up….just prior to 11. I did get to speak with Amanda and Ben, though I understood Ben better. I miss them both and Scotty and I got to talk to them on the phone. Steph, who has a boyfriend AND a life currently, was at the movies. She seemed disappointed to miss their call. We are just two days from their return, so we will just be patient.

I have to say though that I miss Ben running us ragged. I miss Amanda coming to bed talking about how exhausted she is. I miss having Ben as an excuse in order to watch Nickelodeon and Sponge Bob. And I know we all do! Though it is often chaotic, our house is best and blessed when we are all here.

Anyway, that’s it for tonight. I am beat and can go to bed without the expectation of being disturbed…..at least until Monday night. Tonight will be great, but I am looking forward to Monday more!

Good night my friends and God bless!

Tom+