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Being thankful for the important and right things……

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It has been a stressful day. Amanda and Ben are still out of town, and this morning Steph (who was driving) and Scott got in an accident with two other cars on their way to school. A friend of theirs was also riding in the car, and although no one was hurt, as a parent it still weighs heavily on your heart. I am so very thankful they are all fine. A car we can fix.

But the stress and worry has me struggling to keep things straight! I have a gathering tomorrow to be at in Nashville in the morning at St. Matthew’s, but I am supposed to bring quite a few things with me, and in the fog I am wondering whether or not I will remember. Fortunately people are pretty forgiving and what I do forget, if indeed I do, I can go buy someplace down there.

With all of it though I need to say I must now go to bed. The posting times of these entries do not reflect the time or time zone I write them in. It is now 1:30 in the morning and I am leaving in 6 hours. Stress and too many things happening is never my friend, but I will not make it worse…..I will sign off and go try and sleep.

Thanks for checking in! Say a prayer of thanksgiving with me today! I hope you have had a blessed day!

Good night and God Bless!

Tom+

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Home Sweet Home, with qualifications…..

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I am SO HAPPY to finally be home. The sad part is that Amanda and Ben are not here, but are in Kansas visiting Amanda’s mother. It disappoints me greatly to not be able to lay down on the floor and have him run and jump on me like he loves to. But I am going to wait on that until Monday, because Steph and Scott would not only jump at the chance, but it would probably hurt!

So anyway, it’s going to be the three Musketeers until Monday, but we will do our best to get by. I was originally worried that without Amanda here that Scott and I might not know when we were wrong, but apparently Steph is working for the darkside and will not just remind us of the rules, but certainly will tattle. She is on Amanda’s team and deeply devoted to Ben, but one day she will see that Ben is really on our team, and drawn to the ever rule-avoiding world of guy-dom! Scotty and I can hardly wait.

Anyway, my trip home, though slow, was good. My dad’s family is from Brooklyn, New York, but my mom’s side is from Ohio. So, as I often do when traveling through, I stopped at the cemeteries to visit the graves of my Great-Grandparents. It was a difficult time, because though I had been to both cemeteries often, the need to think in a linear fashion and handle confusion made itself well-known. The cemetery office was open in Urbana, and they were helpful in getting me to my grandfather’s parents. (I had actually buried my great grandma during Holy Week in 1998 at 103!!) But the office in Springfield was closed, and despite my “remembering” I could not find the graves. I intend however, to call before I go back.

I know many people believe visiting the cemetery is unnecessary, but it is important to me. Though I didn’t grow up knowing my grandma’s dad, I did know everyone else. They were all important to me too, and the parents of the most influential people in my life, my grandparents. I owe them all a lot and going to their graves is an important way for me to remember. I am glad I did…I am just sorry I was just 50% successful.

They say that home is where the heart is. I believe that to be true. I also know that cemeteries are just places……but I don’t worry, because I still hold all of them in my heart. Who you are and what you become is often a reflection of the people in your life, particularly those who love you. I am truly blessed, and I am glad I went.

Anyway, it is great to be home. Pray for my wife….I am sure she misses me terribly!!!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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Conferencing my brains out……..

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Today has been an exhausting day. I have worked hard to pace myself, particularly since our conference today was loaded with some of the most influential Bishops in the Church. It was a blessed day! And the conference ended for the day with a service where the preacher was Bishop Bob Duncan, the Bishop of Pittsburgh. He has been the lead Bishop of most the reformation in the American Anglican Church for years, and he was recently charged, tried, and deposed by the Episcopal Church for “abandonment of the Communion.” What a farce! He, like me and many others run through the Kangaroo Court, all seem to be still hard at work for the Lord. I just thank God for brave leaders like him.

Tomorrow however is the final day, and after a 6 hour drive home, I hope to get my life back to normal! I have lots of work to do when I get there, but the very fact that my bed will be there waiting for me is kind of exciting! Hotels can be nice, but Dorothy was right, there really is no place like home. I look forward to getting there!

Anyway, I will sign off for now. Please keep me in your prayers as I travel tomorrow afternoon. I am looking forward to coming home!

Good night and God Bless.

Tom+

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Awakening? How can it be? I’m tired!

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Today has been a long day, but overall a good one. The clergy of our district (that made up my first meeting here in Akron) are some of the finest people I know, and it is always uplifting to be around them. We are not just colleagues, but good friends. I truly feel blessed to spend time with them.

The second part (the part that now lasts until Thursday) is what is called the Anglican Awakening. It is a gathering of Anglicans from across many jurisdictions to talk about a variety of issues facing the Church as well as to worship with each other and pray for each other. It is an important gathering, particularly with the current ongoing Reformation taking place in the Anglican Communion. These are people on the front lines of this work, and it is exciting to be here.

It is, however, exhausting. I am just not used to sitting and listening that long, even when it is interesting! I am SO THANKFUL I was there after a good night’s sleep, but even with that it was trying. Pray that I will have more energy tomorrow….particularly in that it is a longer day! I would rather come back with a report of what went on, rather than having to report how many naps I had to take!

Anyway, I miss my family and of course the good people of Indiana, God’s FAVORITE STATE! I love Ohio, but I love home more…….and I am looking forward to being home very soon!

Goodnight my friends from the Home of the Akron Zips (really) and God Bless.

Fr. Tom+

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On being a compliant and easy-going guy………not!

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I have a meeting tomorrow that begins at 10 am, and the interesting part is that it is in Akron, Ohio! My original plan was to leave with Father Sean at 3 in the morning and drive carefully through the night. Father Sean however is from Ohio, so he came up Sunday afternoon. And as Amanda and I thought about it, she was pretty uncomfortable with the idea of me driving all that way at that hour…..particularly alone. I did think I would be fine, which only led me deeper into the abyss. I apparently do not have the self-awareness I used to have, and though I protested, it just led to more conflict. I finally put my foot down and said I would be fine.

So anyway, it is just after 11 on Monday night and I am at the hotel in Akron writing this blog! I know which battles to fight and which ones not to. I will say, and I already told her, that after I unpacked, and checked into the room, I went back out to my car only to find the door wide open. Nothing was in it because I had taken it all out, but so much for having a handle on myself and what I am doing. Don’t get me wrong, I feel much better, but I still have quite a few blindspots. How do you walk away from a car you are looking at and leave a door wide open??? What a goof!

Oddly enough it brought back my conversation with Amanda from earlier this afternoon. It’s when I do too much that I get a bit confused and have trouble. Stress does it too. She wanted me to go so I would be worth something to myself and to others at these meetings. And she was and is right (but please do not tell her). Had I left at 3, I would have been a zombie and had a lot of trouble catching up, if I even could.

In fact, I am pretty sure my wife just loves me and is showing me concern. I can be a little stubborn (ha ha – can’t wait till she reads that!) but I usually end up listening sooner or later. In truth, I will enjoy getting a good night’s sleep and feeling sharp in the morning. It’s how the pre-stroke me would be regardless of the departure time, but the only way the post-stroke me will do well tomorrow.

Anyway, I hope and pray your day went well and that you have a peaceful night’s sleep! I know I will!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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Some ramblings on car repair……..

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About a year ago, we sold my beloved SUV since gas prices (along with the amount I drove) were going way up, and we purchased an old 1998 Volvo for me to drive. It is not just far better on gas, but its value was already pretty low! There is really no amount of driving I can do to effect what we will get out of it in the end……it is probably heading from our house to Volvo-heaven! It is not the best looking car, nor is it the most comfortable I have ever had, BUT it runs and is reliable.

I am however spending a lot of time with it in terms of little things. Yesterday the brake lights had a short I needed to find and a panel of the dash had become loose (thank God for duct tape)! But as a guy who works in an environment where little is tangible, it is nice to be able to “fix” something. It reminds me of my younger days in high school where all my cars needed to be fixed, but now I repair for myself rather to try and impress some girl.

The Volvo and I will be heading to Ohio this week for a 3 day meeting, so I hope I have got it in shape. I don’t have OnStar, but I don’t want you to worry. After all, though a priest, I still am a guy……….the trunk not only has a small tool bag, but also a big roll of duct tape.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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Being the sweetest guy I can be……..

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Today was Sweetest Day, which is a day that I have never understood. I do not remember it as a young man, yet despite that I did not let that stop me from making sure I got Amanda a card and flowers. It seems there is a day for about everything these days.

I found this to be true also in my ministry as a priest. Even though we walked through the Church calendar, there was also some type of theme to raise are awareness of something. We often got detoured into causes that I often felt a good Christian would probably be about anyway by engaging their faith. We are called to “love our neighbor as ourselves” and that makes for a big net!

You see, reflecting both who and whose we are is so very important in this life. It’s what gives life both purpose and meaning.

Anyway, it has been a long and fruitful day. I am happy however to see it end. Sweetest Day with a cute little baby around always puts me in second place. But I am just hedging my bet and doing my PR work……after all he goes to college in just 17 short years!

Keep the faith and God Bless!

Fr. Tom+

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Of recovery, confusion, stumbling and philosophy…….

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For those of you who have been wondering, Ben has made a remarkable recovery! His attention getting fever seemed to last just as long as he needed it too, and he reminded me as he took up most of our bed last night and spent the entire time kicking me in the ribs. He was no worse for the wear today, and for it we are all thankful. He is back to his usual jovial self!

My day however has been long. I worked all day and have a bit more to go before Sunday. Sermons come harder post-stroke, but I like them because they cause me to dig deeper. I suppose we could call it exercise for my mind. The proof is in the pudding though. Even though I work hard I suppose there is always the possibility that after hearing my sermon people may think my mind is out of shape! (But if so, hopefully not morbidly so!) I try hard, and I really do feel I have made good progress. With time I hope that I am satisfied with how I am doing myself. After all, I am my own harshest critic!

To report, a group of us spent all morning yesterday hoping to finalize a location for St. Patrick’s in Noblesville, but sadly we could not agree. As frustrating as that is for me, I know the implications are deeper. I really do believe that the Lord will provide what we need at the right time, but yesterday just never got to the point we all felt right. He however is very near, and I know resolution is right around the corner! Keep praying!

Anyway, I think I will go to bed early. After all, as the old saying goes, “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man just tired still in the morning.” At least that’s what I think, but what do I ever know in such a confused state?

Good night my friends and God Bless.

Tom+

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Hunka Hunka Burnin Love……

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Well about 75% into the day, our ship finally hit an iceberg! Ben and I went out to lacrosse practice and found that Ben was not only quite irritable, but also quite warm! We had to abruptly cancel practice and head home to put him to bed. He was exhausted, yet despite the Motrin and nap offer, he just laughed and giggled and let me know that the nap was not on his little baby agenda today. Despite my best argument and convincing pleas, Steph finally got him out of his crib to proclaim how very cute he was and how he just wanted to be up. Sadly, they both work on the same team! And as Amanda got home and Scott and I headed to his game, I knew he would be in bed and asleep well before I got home. But you got it…..I was wrong again. Ben does better sick than I do well. I might just need to study under him.

But the day is now over and we are all home and heading to bed. I can’t say that I am disappointed, because I am not. Being a parent is one of God’s greatest gifts. But being the parent of a sick child, especially a baby, is one of the most trying things I know.

Fortunately he seems fine tonight. It must have been “Spoil-me Fever” because he got both. I guess I should be thankful that he knows how to work the women of the house to walk in his ways and it is not wasted on me…….I will pay close attention. Compared to him I am a neophyte in terms of my abilities to get sympathy. We are living with true male-genius!

Anyway, it is bed for me. I am tired and my body aches. Maybe if I throw my cup on the floor and spill a bowl of goldfish crackers I can get someone to give me a Motrin!

Yeah, I know…..fat chance!!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless. Keep little Ben in your prayers. We appreciate it!

Fr. Tom+

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Overpacking, every day……….

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Though Ben is almost 16 months old and in our eyes quite brilliant, often he tries to get his toys and fit them into spaces they not only don’t belong but where they also could never fit. God knows he tries, but he is just not old enough to know the difference.

Quite often I wish I had his excuse, because despite age and wisdom, I appear to do that same thing all the time, especially with my schedule……I attempt to fit in too many things that just could never fit into the opening there to accommodate them!

Today is a perfect example. I am scheduled all day, with little time in between, yet things like lunch, dinner, and one possibly two hospital calls may have to wait till after the Bible Study tonight at my house. Looking at tomorrow it is not better. I am scheduled all morning, then a neurologist appointment, then lacrosse practice, then I pick up Scotty because he has a game at 6:55. And, I have Ben through the whole thing!! With any luck I will be in bed sometime Saturday!!

Anyway, I forgot to schedule time to write this, so I will be off to meet up with another pressing need! Keep the faith my friends and pace yourselves. They say the God only gives us that which we can handle….just a few of us add some more too it! It all works out however in the end! At least I believe it!

God Bless!

Fr. Tom+