What Is The Message?

Waking up on October 10, on October 12 and again yesterday, October 14, to a covering of snow on the ground is not my idea of Fall in Iowa! If this were December or January, it would be beautiful with the light, fluffy, white stuff gently drifting down and decorating the trees in the yard. But this is just too early!

I think of my Uncle Norbert, with his wonderful sense of humor, saying: "There must be somebody new at the weather controls up there. You know, we had that funeral last week of ___________, and I'll be they're the one in charge now!" It surely seems like things are "out of control" lately as we note the weather happenings all around the world.

Whether you subscribe to the global warming position or not, it is difficult not to see the extremely unusual weather occurrences and begin to wonder what is happening. From a faith perspective, I believe that God is trying to get our attention. From God's viewpoint, it is not nature that is "out of control". It is we humans who seem to have "lost it". Once God has our attention, if we are ready to listen, there will be Good News awaiting us.

Does God have your ear yet?

Touched By The Holy

From 1974 to 1996, I was blessed with opportunities to travel in foreign countries. In Africa, India and the Philippines, I interacted with native priests, gave them retreats, lived in their homes and moved about in their parishes. Although I was handicapped by a lack of knowledge of their native languages, yet we were able to communicate in English and so we could establish some bonds.

This inability to converse in a native tongue led me to Bolivia where I studied Spanish and spent nearly a year in the Bolivian culture. What a great difference in understanding a people when you can "speak their language"!

Now these many years later, in reflecting on those experiences, several things have become very clear to me. Once a person has been graced by being picked up by the hair and transported out of their comfort zone, nothing is ever the same. When that transport includes living in another culture, life is changed forever because one has been Touched by the Holy (like Isaiah 6). Only the Holy is God's People experienced in that other culture.

Or to put it in another Biblical image, like Moses before the Burning Bush, one learns to "take off your shoes, for the ground on which you walk is holy ground" (Exodus 3:5). When we learn to approach another person, another people, another culture as we approach the Holy, then our lives are changed, we are transformed, we are blessed.

Fortunately, it is not necessary to leave this country to experience the Holy in this manner. This grace is available each time we meet another person, whether on the street, in the grocery store or in our own family. God is present, desiring to lift us out of our comfort zone and move us into the Divine Presence in every personal encounter we have. Only our own prejudices and fixed mindsets can prevent us from recognizing the Holy One standing before us.

Are you ready to be transported out of your comfort zone so you can be touched by Holy?

No Toasted Marshmallows!

Ancient peoples spoke of the four main elements of the universe: earth, air, water and fire. These elements were the basis of life and were necessary to sustain that life. We've all experienced and appreciated the peace and renewal that comes from sitting quietly beside a body of water, be it a pond, lake or ocean. Something deep within is touched and rejuvenated as we let our spirits be healed.

Thanks to the generosity of Mike and Jane, we have been blessed with a housewarming gift for Shack Too. They presented us with an electric firebox and mantle for a fireplace. With a little time and some pieces of lumber, I was able to build a framework for the fireplace, as you see in the photo below.



Then I glued sections of imitation rock to the frame, both around the firebox, and at the bottom of the hearth. Behold! We have a beautiful fireplace in our home.


Sitting by the fireplace with a good book, or just relaxing with My Love -- that is about as wonderful a way to be in touch with God as is possible at home. Life is gift and God is Good!

Gratitude List

Time to post a new Gratitude List -- things for which I am especially thankful today.

1. My Love is alive and safe. On Sunday evening, while driving into town for Bible Study, our car hit loose gravel, went out of control and plowed into an embankment. After climbing up the hill, it flipped onto its right side, swung around and landed back on the wheels. Thank you, God, she was wearing her seat belt and is only suffering from bumps and bruises. With extensive damage sustained, the future of the car is uncertain at this writing. The insurance adjuster is expected sometime today.

2. A fun weekend with friends and relatives. On Saturday we traveled to the home of John and Jan for good food and relaxing company. Also present were Darold and Sondra and Denny and Linda. Following our delicious dinner, we guys proceeded to give the girls a lesson in Joker, beating them 3-2 games. A good time was had by all.

3. Shack Too is shaping up. In between times we have been able to get pictures hung, boxes unpacked, shelves put up and sundry things placed. It is definitely feeling and looking like home. Over the weekend, our landlord put the deck outside our walkout lower level. Now we are able to sit outside and enjoy the beauty of the world around us. (This morning there were 4 deer walking through the bean field just outside our front door.) To attract the wildlife closer, we have hung a couple of bird feeders, a squirrel wheel, and a block of salt for the deer.

4. Our small faith/bible sharing group has been studying and reflecting on Change -- how we view it, respond to it and grow through it. What a tremendous gift to have faith-filled friends to walk the road with because change is constant. Only our attitude makes it a blessing or a curse. When we see through the eyes of faith, God is leading at every turn.

So, once again, it is time to says "Thanks, God, for all the blessings, in whatever form they appear. We welcome them with open arms and grateful hearts."

Too Long Gone

Too long since my last post, so it's time for some idle meanderings.

With all the hubbub of moving and trying to get settled in, time at home has been at a premium. Add to that the additional attention required for the care of parents and you have the present reality of "not being as far along in the process" as we had hoped. We are still in that "I know I saw it someplace, but I don't remember where it is" state. We have no difficulty locating items that we are not searching for. But those that we need are sometimes proving elusive. Yet, slowly progress is being made as we put our stamp on Shack Too.

Outside the bean fields are turning from vibrant green to golden yellow to crisp brown. At the same time the trees are beginning to lose their leaves, some after changing colors, others dropping in their summer hews. While the beauty is glorious, I find it a bit depressing because of what is to follow before very long. I am not yet ready to face winter.

Another benefit we have been blessed with through our move is: Leroy! Leroy is a dog. He belongs to our landlord, who previously lived in the house we are now renting. Hence, Leroy thinks that our house is his home as much as the one across the road where his master resides. So we have the blessing of a dog without the responsibility! He is lovable, appreciates a scratch behind the ears, and is always ready to relieve us of our table scraps. What more could we want!

In the midst of all these happenings, we continue to thank God for leading us to this place of peace and quiet. The gift of nature surrounding us puts us immediately in contact with the Divine whether we are walking outside, or merely looking out the windows. How blessed we are.

Home At Last

For thirteen months My Love and I hung our hats in a comfortable little apartment in Meriden, Iowa. For those same months, we carried our groceries and laundry up and down the 23 steps to the second level. During that time we ate, slept, relaxed and paid our rent. We were content and satisfied.

But it was never home!

Now we are five days in our new location in the country. We are still in the process of unpacking boxes and looking for different items of importance. Then, after finding them, to relocate them later! Yet, with all the chaos and disruption, it is already home! In all the moves that I have made in my life (and there were MANY of them), in none of them have I felt so at home so quickly. I could not feel anymore at home if we owned this piece of property.

What is it that makes a place into a home? Why is it that one place can be only a place to live, while another is a place of renewal and life?

One thing I am able to put my finger on is the sense of belonging. This location is a good fit for both My Love and me. It nourishes our spirits and feeds our hearts as we soak in the presence of God in the surroundings, both outside and within. Whether we are merely looking out the windows, or walking in the yard, we are breathing in New Life.

Truly we feel blessed as we begin this phase of our journey here in the Valley of the Little Sioux River.

Natural Refreshment

It is impossible to exaggerate the renewal of life that has come with our move to the country! Just stepping outdoors, breathing in the fresh air, and soaking in the peacefulness of the surroundings is enough to remove any burdens, worries or concerns that may be present. We are at home in Shack Too!

Thanks to the able-bodied assistance of Jim, John, Larry and Jeannie, My Love and I began about 9:00 am last Saturday morning loading the remaining furniture, boxes and clothes. In about 2 hours, everything was packed into the four pickups, two trailers and one car for the 15 minute drive to our little corner of paradise. In a lot less time than it took to load it all up, we removed everything from our vehicles and placed it in piles inside the house, hopefully somewhere close to their ultimate landing spot.

Then we took time out to renew our strength with the delicious food that My Love had prepared beforehand. Along with Jeannie's fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and apple braid, our first meal in the new house became a virtual banquet. Fine food and good friends in a gorgeous setting -- what more could anyone desire!

Now we are in the process of sorting through the maze of boxes, finding locations for all our treasures, and just soaking in the New Life that we have been given. How awesome and wonderful is our God! When we left Texas just a little more than a year ago, we had no energy and less interest in becoming enthused about where we hung our hats. Now we are excited, energetic and reinvigorated as we "settle in and take possession of this land that the Lord our God" has given us. Blessed be His Name!

C4C

For the past two weeks, I have been scurrying with several projects in my life. Hence the hiatus here on the blog. But, lest you think that I have died, today brings a brief respite and the opportunity to share some random, if disconnected items.

As the Business Manager at our car dealership, I have been chosen to be the contact person for the Cash For Clunkers government program. Under this initiative, we have sold 10 new vehicles, removed 10 "clunkers" from the road, and buried ourselves in mounds of paperwork. After one month of involvement (our first deal was done on July 25), we have yet to receive our first payment of the promised $3500/4500 for each deal consummated. (Today there is a rumor that at least half of the 625,000 deals done in the country will be reimbursed by the end of September!)

I have refrained from getting political in this blog. But I have to say that if the management of this government program is any indication, a government-managed healthcare program would be a disaster. Yet, I am afraid that in the present situation, doing nothing would even be more catastrophic.

Item #2: We are getting VERY EXCITED about our impending move to the country. We are in the process of moving smaller items each day as we travel to Shack Too. However, the BIG MOVE will take place this coming Saturday. Several relatives and friends have volunteered to assist us in the transfer of the larger furniture that day, and we anticipate sleeping in our new home for the first time that evening. The cleaning, fixing and painting are moving ahead on schedule. We look forward to being neighbors to our new landlords who have been wonderful in preparing the place for our impending occupation.

As we have had the opportunity to visit and work out there, we have been deeply touched and moved by the peace and quiet. It takes but a few moments to become aware of the awesome presence of God all around. Stay tuned for pictures after we are settled in.

God's Timing

Last evening we spent time at Shack Too working alongside Kevin and Hallie, our new landlords. We were cleaning, stripping wallpaper from the bathroom walls, and preparing the house for painting. It was a thrilling, albeit tiring evening.

Over the last week, My Love has also been busy following up on the local radio station's Swap Shop, a daily listing of items people are offering for sale. We have been fortunate enough to purchase 2 like-new refrigerators, 1 freezer, plus matching Maytag washer and dryer. We are nearly prepared, as far as appliances are concerned, for our relocation. Only an electric stove is still needed.

The excitement of getting things ready for this move has truly taken hold of both of us. Somehow the timing is right. One year ago, when we arrived here in Iowa, we had neither the desire nor the energy to undertake such a rental location with a yard and all its upkeep. Now it is exciting to be enthused about the possibilities of our little paradise in the country. Truly, God's timing is everything. As one of my friends was accustomed to say: "God is never in a hurry. But He is also never late." We are witness to the truth of that statement. With grateful hearts.

Spirit Grazing

Each day going to and from work, I pass by a small pasture populated with three beautiful riding horses. They move easily from one end of the field to the other, eating their fill of the lush grass which this cool, wet summer has produced. I have never seen anyone attending to them, or riding them, yet they seem content.

Yesterday as I passed by, I reflected on their typical day. They go from one end of the field to the other, not by a decision to journey that set distance, but by nibbling one bunch of grass after another. This process is called grazing. They meander from this luscious mouthful of grass to the next one, then to the next one until lo and behold, here they are at the opposite side of the field.

How like our journey with the Lord. We respond to the Spirit today, in this situation. That leads us to tomorrow where we again respond to the Spirit in the circumstances of that day. As all the tomorrows pass from todays into yesterdays, we awaken at some point to the realization that we are now at a place that we would never have chosen if it had been presented to us in the beginning. Our grazing in the Spirit takes us to new lands, new relationships, new realities which are more blessed and more wonderful than anything that we could have planned for ourselves.

As I have listened to our friends, Gail and Marilyn, as they have been celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, I have heard them say that when they spoke their vows to each other 50 years ago, they never imagined that it would bring them to their present reality. They did not choose their present situation 50 years ago, but rather they grazed with the Spirit down through the years. Now they awaken to find themselves in the loving arms of God as they are in the loving arms of each other.

So, graze on, my friends. Know that God will surprise you by taking you on a path unknown to you. A blessed path.

Shack Too

Last evening we were presented with the opportunity to view our own little piece of paradise. Shack Too is a small home located on about three acres of land overlooking the Little Sioux river four miles northeast of Cherokee. Nearly two acres are wooded, providing us with ample opportunities for wildlife, including various bird species, deer and coyotes. Hiking in the area will definitely be a possibility.

The owners, Kevin and Hallie, are as excited to rent to us as we are to be their neighbors across the road. They are a working couple who share a love and commitment to rodeo. She is the secretary for the Bull Riders Association and Kevin is a judge of bull riding events. This interest takes them on many travels around the country where they can also watch their son, Alan, who is a rodeo clown.

Since we are required to give a 30-day notice to our present landlord (which we have done!), we will be assisting Kevin and Hallie the next few weeks to clean, paint and get Shack Too ready. We hope to move in before the end of the month.

So why Shack Too? Because we expect to find God there also in even more ways than we already have. We believe that this location is a gift from a loving God who is drawing us out there to reveal to us even more God's care for us. We are looking forward with great excitement and anticipation to this new venture on the journey to the Kingdom. Stay tuned.

Learn The Lesson

Lately I've been pondering the fact that so many of the people I know -- family and friends -- are going through terrific struggles/challenges. Some are health challenges, some are emotional difficulties, some are financial adversities. But they are all very real and very painful.

It is possible to affirm that God is present with them in the struggles. It is possible in faith to know that "everything works together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purposes." (Romans 8:28) I can posit these things, but somehow that doesn't answer all the questions that come up in the actual going-through-the-struggle episodes.

I have come to the conclusion that there is another dimension to this whole reality. I have come to believe that God uses these struggles to teach us some lesson(s). That is not to say that God causes these illnesses or adversities. Only that God uses them to show us new realities, new dimensions in our lives.

It might be that I need to recognize that I am not in control of my life. Even though I proclaim my dependence on God, sometimes I live as though I am in charge. Therefore, from time to time I need to be reminded Who is really in the driver's seat.

Maybe what I need to learn is how to ask for help from others. In my idea of myself, sometimes I see me as self-sufficient, able to get along without the support and assistance of others. Here my pride comes into the picture. It is rather humbling to have to ask someone else to do for me what (I think) I should be able to do for myself.

Perhaps God is trying to change my priorities. Maybe the lesson plan for me is to reveal my mixed up hierarchy of important things. What I see as number one may not be so for God. God could be telling me to slow down, take more time for prayer because all the running around that I am doing is all being done to avoid facing God in my life.

One thing I have learned: God wants me for relationship with the Godhead. Everything else is secondary to that. My health, my finances, my home, my job, my whatever is dispensable if it comes between me and God.

Whatever the lesson(s) God wants to teach me, the sooner I learn them, the sooner my life can move on. That doesn't mean that my life will get back to what it was before because, as my friend Gail says, once we have come face to face with God, nothing is ever the same. But if I am slow, or refuse to learn the lesson, then the Teacher finds it necessary to prolong the class. So my mantra is to learn as quickly as possible.

What lesson is God teaching you at this point in your life?

One Year Later

It was a year ago yesterday that Hurricane Dolly blew in upon us with her not-too-friendly "Hello!" And it was one year ago today that we awoke to water coming in around the foundation of our home. That day saw us journey from frantic, frenetic activity in attempting to salvage our home and its belongings to quiet, exhausted acceptance of its loss. You can read more of the details in two former blogs, And the Waters Came and Then Came the Angels.

Today we find ourselves comfortably settled back in Iowa, surrounded by family whom we are enjoying immensely. As I have written so many times previously, the blessing of being with loved ones can only be appreciated by those who have been apart from them for a significant time. The opportunity that has been afforded us through this move can only be understood as a backhanded gift of a loving God.

As we have been approaching this anniversary of our water upheaval, I have vacillated between gratitude for the new life that we have been gifted with here in Iowa, and a renewed sense of loss for our South Texas home and life. Not that I want to go back. But this one-year time of recollection seems to be necessary to bring the past to some sort of closure.

In the midst of reflections on the past year, which in some respects has passed rather quickly, and in other ways seems to have been eons long, God seems to be moving again. We are investigating a move to a rental home out in the country. The possibility of enjoying the beauty of nature and the privacy of the country tugs at us very strongly. God seems to be opening a door in that direction. We will see where it leads. Stay tuned.

Down Memory Lane

Sunday was a perfect day for an outing. With sunshine, temperatures in the upper 70s, and a light breeze, nature was calling to come out and play.

So My Love and I packed up a delicious dinner and left mid morning to visit my Mother. When she came home from church, she found us in her kitchen preparing some of her favorite dishes, like scrumptious meatloaf, sweetcorn on the cob, garden fresh tomatoes and broccoli and cauliflower salad. This was followed up by sweet, ripe watermelon and cantaloupe with my Mother's own oatmeal logs as a kicker. Makes my mouth water again just to write about it!

Such a delicious meal demanded a short rest afterwards. Then with Mom in tow, we headed out for a tour of the countryside. For years we have traveled the road between Willey and Dedham with Mom commenting: "I grew up on a farm over there and drove 6 miles to school by horse and buggy." But I had never seen the "farm over there". So we retraced the journey she took each day to and from school. As we went up and down the hills, Mom pointed out farm places, detailing which families occupied them years ago. Many of the farmsteads are no longer standing. Finally we reached the corner where she spent most of her youth. The original home still houses a family, though with some additions and moderations. Mom regaled us with some of the activities that occupied their time during her youth. When I commented that I had never been by here before, she said that it had been "at least 50 years" since she had been there.

From there we traveled to Roselle to visit the cemetery and the graves of her parents and her brother, Norbert. We had been there several years ago, but it was time to return and touch base with some of our family roots.

Then we headed across the countryside to Wall Lake to visit the grave of Mom's brother, Gilbert, who died two years ago. From there we circled Blackhawk Lake, recalling memories of my childhood when we would visit the lake on a Sunday afternoon to swim or enjoy fireworks.

Finally we returned to Mom's home in time for supper. After the day's enjoyable trek down memory lane, we were renewed and relaxed, ready for a good night's sleep. My Love and I made our own journey home, grateful for another experience of God's blessings, for the chance to spend time with Mom and enjoy her company. As we come this week to the one-year anniversary of the hurricane striking our home in Texas, we look back upon so many gifts of God's love that have been ours in these past twelve months, gifts that would not be ours except for the push that Dolly gave us. Thank you, God.

Fields of Memories

I love this time of the year. Driving down the road with the corn fields beginning to tassel, the (few) oats fields turning brown as they ripen for the harvest, the fresh-mowed hay lying in neat windrows, and the bean fields covering the ground with their lush green bushes -- it is impossible to miss the abundant love of God surrounding us.

As a youngster, this was the season when I began to work on the farm with my uncles and grandpa. At age 10, I began to drive the tractor on the bundle wagons as the neighbors gathered together to thresh the oats. We young boys would steer the tractors between the rows of shocked oats as the men pitched the bundles into the hay racks. Then, when the rack was full, we would pull up to the threshing machine where the men would pitch them into the feeder. Sometimes, when we stopped for lunch or dinner, while the men were resting, we boys would be engaged in various forms of entertainment. It was not unknown that a simple drink of water could turn into a cooling water fight. Those among us who were a little more mischievous would climb up on one of the racks and tie some of the bundles together. This would make it very difficult, if not impossible for the man whose load it was to pitch them into the threshing machine. It was a carefree time with no concerns or worries beyond the fun of the day.

In later years, I worked with those same uncles in their hybrid seed corn fields. This was the season to bring in the detasseling crews to pull the tassels from the female rows so that the cross pollination could happen. Teenage boys and girls from the surrounding area would walk up and down the rows yanking out all the tassels in the assigned rows. It was my first lesson in the work ethic. I discovered that some people were hard workers, efficient and steady, while others either could not see the tassels or chose to overlook them. I remember especially one character whose nickname was "Blackie" (not because of any racial implications. After all, we were all white kids who had never encountered a black person.) who pulled tassels all the way across the field, carrying them all with him as he went. When he reached the far end of the field, he laid them all out on the ground making himself a comfortable bed, and proceeded to take a long nap. When we finally found him several hours later, he was given an early ride home.

It was a season of first loves. Many of the female detasslers stole my heart as I fell head over heels for them, at least for a week or two. Some of them even paid special attention to this young town-kid-in-the-country.

Every small town in the area had a men's fast pitch softball team. Once or twice each week we would attend the local game. At the end of the season, there would be a celebration for the team and all the followers. The menu would be bushels of cooked corn-on-the-cob, a big cauldron of melted butter, and lots of beer. If one was old enough to pronounce the name of a beer, it could be had.

All these memories, and more, come to mind now as I drive past the fields in all their verdant beauty. After being away from Iowa for the last 15 years, the rolling elegance of the abundant crops assures me that life goes on. Generations come and go. People live and die. But God continues to bless our land and the people who tend it. God's faithfulness is evident to those who have eyes to see. And hearts to be grateful.

Witness to Love II

They arrived on Friday evening with bags, crutches and hugs. Then the celebrations began. Gail and Marilyn, our friends from Idaho and members of our morning bible study, had arrived from Omaha where they were visiting at their daughter's home. How excited we were to welcome them to our Iowa world after having hosted them in Texas several years ago.

We spent Friday evening and all day Saturday sharing, laughing, praying, eating and enjoying one another. Gail had sprained a ligament in his left ankle, so his mobility was somewhat limited. However, he had no difficulty climbing up our stairs on his hands and knees, and then descending on his backside. It was wonderful that he cleaned our steps for us!

Gail and Marilyn had traveled to Omaha to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at their daughter's with friends from Nebraska. On Sunday, they gathered for a Mass, food and festivities with about 20 family and friends. To prepare for that event, they came to visit us. While with us, we helped them write their renewal of marriage vows, expressing what they truly wanted to from their hearts. For some pictures of that gala event, go to Greetings From Nebraska: Anniversary Mass & Party.

After spending this sacred time with them, I am able to say that I have truly seen God. When two people as different as Gail and Marilyn can come together in marriage and remain together for this many years, it is due to one thing only, the Spirit of God. Only God could take two human beings with such different personalities and temperaments and make them one while at the same time respecting those differences.

When Philip came to Jesus and said: "Show us the Father. Then it will be enough for us"...Jesus responded: "To have seen me is to have seen the Father" (John 14:8, 9). In other words, God is present in concrete form in Jesus.

Today Jesus would respond: "To see Gail and Marilyn is to see the Father." They are the concrete form of God in our midst today. For that we are grateful, to God for his fidelity and to Gail and Marilyn for their response to God's movement of grace over these many years.

My Love and I are most grateful to them for choosing to share part of that celebration with us. It gave us the opportunity to present them with a print out of the blog that I had written about them last May, along with all the responses of those who love them. Their Witness to Love is an encouragement and a sacrament to us of God's goodness and faithfulness. As God has kept his promise to them, so he will also do for us. And for all of you.

Total Disrespect

What makes people act the way they do? What leads them to behave in a manner that is lower than an animal? That is truly senseless?

We are looking to rent a small, 2-bedroom home with a laundry and no stairs to climb. So, following an inquiry, we journeyed to an acreage just outside of town. The landlord, an elderly gent who walked with a rolling walker, let us into the house that had been rented until recently to a young man and his live-in companion.

What we found inside the house made us sick. There were holes knocked into the sheet rock in several rooms. A dart board had been drawn on the wall of the living room, and, from the puncture marks, had obviously been used quite a bit. Empty beer and whiskey bottles littered the floors. Several doors had been kicked off the hinges and broken. One kitchen cupboard door was missing, and in the cupboard we found a small plastic bag of some kind of white powder. The basement was littered with dog droppings. Outside we saw a burn pile with the remnants of the garage door amidst the ashes. Someone had totally trashed the property.

The owner informed us that the young man who had rented it was behind bars in the local jail for violating his parole. Whatever he was on parole for was unknown.

Which leaves me with the opening questions. What is it that generates such actions, such disregard for the property of others? I can only think that somehow it involves a complete lack of respect for self. Whatever his background, he cannot have any healthy sense of self-respect and perform in such a manner. His destructive actions are ultimately self-destructive as evidenced by his present residence in jail.

I certainly find myself feeling sadness for the landlord, who is now stuck with a property that he cannot rent out without a sizable investment in repairs. From his physical condition, he is unable to do the work himself, so will need to hire it done.

Those repair costs will need to be passed along to any future renters, even responsible, respectful ones. Herein lies the community effects of sin. Others are touched by the sin of one individual.

Finally, I feel sorry for the young man who perpetrated these actions. To be so unhappy with self and with life to act in this way is truly lamentable. Not that he should not be held accountable and suffer the consequences of his behavior. But, what a waste of a human life and God-given potential.

Then I recall the words of St Paul: "Just as through one man's disobedience all became sinners, so through one man's obedience all shall become just" (Romans 5:19). Jesus died for this young man also. He just does not realize it yet and has not accepted it yet. My task at this point is to not let my own disgust, anger, frustration with his actions influence my own loving response to life. I cannot let his disrespect for himself, others and life become my own through subtle resentment or hidden bitterness. My calling is to love him and forgive him, if only from a distance. I can do that without understanding him or knowing the reasons for his behavior. I only need to open myself to the action of the Spirit of God. That is my prayer for today.

Michael Jackson?

All of the muss, fuss, fanfare and hoopla of the last two weeks following the death of Michael Jackson has me scratching my head and wondering, "Are we really that crazy as a society?" I mean, have we really strayed so far afield that this person has come to epitomize our values, our hopes, our dreams and our goals?

That he was a success as an entertainer no one would argue. That he introduced some new elements of dance and singing into the pop scene are without question.

Whether he was a success as a human being can certainly be called into question. His predilection for children, especially young boys is not something to be idolized or imitated. I mean, Mothers, would you want him to babysit your small children? The fact that he either settled charges out of court, or was not found guilty does not alter the perception of his secret behaviors. Then there is his seeming discomfort with his own racial identity. His attempts to blur or dull his "blackness" seem to indicate a person who would rather be someone else. This does not seem to be an individual to be held up for emulation.

Yet, the overwhelming adulation and gushing from both ordinary people and media types call for pause and questioning on all our parts. What does this say about our society? About us as a people? Is this the best we can do when holding someone up as a model for others, especially our young people?

I remember when Elvis Presley died in 1977. There was a woman in her 70's who was cleaning and cooking in the rectory where I was living. She was in tears for almost a week because "the King is dead". I thought it was strange at that time; I still think it strange as I look back upon it. Even though there have been many "sightings" of Elvis since that time, he has never come back. I suspect that the same thing will happen with Michael Jackson.

Maybe I am just "out of touch" with the real world!?! Or maybe I just cannot forget that Jesus is the only one who said that He would come back again. Maybe I keep remembering what Jesus said to Satan when he tempted Jesus following His 40-day fast in the desert: "Scripture has it: 'You shall do homage to the Lord your God; him alone shall you adore.'" (Matt 5:10) Somehow I think the world will move on, the sun will rise again tomorrow and music will play in the hearts of all people. Michael has died. May he rest in peace.

July 4th Family Gathering

What a good looking group gathered together for the annual July 4th picnic at Don & Kate's. With the overcast skies, picture taking was excellent.Maria and Camille earned the prize for traveling the farthest to attend. How Camille has grown! What an active little wiggler she is, twisting, turning, bending and moving. She has the makings of becoming either a gymnast or a pretzel.

It's not easy being a super host, cooking great tasting burgers and brats, and at the same time managing to stay cool, calm and collected with all the hubbub around. But Don did it.

Grandpa Gerald, Jim and his son Alex enjoyed some outdoor time after filling themselves up on the wonderful dishes prepared for the occasion.

With all the opportunities for visiting and catching up, everyone agreed that the day was a super success. Our gratitude to Don and Kate for making possible this gathering of the clan. My Love and I appreciated the chance to be a part of this memorable tradition. Here's looking forward to next year.

Potluck Picnic

Where are your fireworks this year? In a nearby town? By a lake? Out in the backyard? Or in your heart?

Since this is our first 4th of July in Iowa, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to join with other members of the family for the traditional picnic at the home of My Love's brother, Don. While in Texas, we heard each year about the wonderful and enjoyable time everyone had, tasting all the great food dishes on the potluck table and swapping lies.

We will be taking with us My Love's parents who have been annual participants for many years. When they lived in Texas with us, it was always understood that they would embark on their trek north to Iowa in time to be present for this Jefferson, SD, gathering. So, they will be functioning as "guides" to show us newcomers the ropes.

What a beautiful way to spend a day: giving thanks for our freedoms and our families. We will also be praying for those who are protecting our freedom in far away places, and sacrificing their own family time while they do it.

Finally, we will be praying for our nation, that we can return to the faith and family values upon which we were founded. May God bless us all. We need it.

Winner or Loser?

If the saying "It takes all kinds to make the world go 'round" has any truth to it, it is in the car business. Each person that comes through the door looking for a vehicle is as unique and different from every other one as is possible.

Recently we had a customer who was shopping (for several months actually) for a car for his wife. He had found one that she liked here at our dealership. Now it was just a matter of negotiating an acceptable price.

During the process of negotiation and subsequent sale, one thing became very clear. This fellow had framed his world in a win-lose mold. Every situation, every encounter was defined in such a way that someone would be dominant and the other would be subservient. He was bound and determined to be the one who exerted the power and others were required to cowtow to him. It was not enough that he got most of what he wanted in the process, he had to have all of what he wanted or he was unhappy because he had not really won. For him, the only important thing was winning, dominating, getting his way.

I have thought of him often since that encounter. What an unhappy way to structure reality. What a miserable way to live. To set up life in such a way that there is always a winner and a loser guarantees that in every situation half the people are going to be dissatisfied, half the people are left unhappy.

Fortunately, God does not operate in that framework with us. When we set things up in a win-lose scenario, God draws a bigger circle and makes it possible for everyone to win. In St Paul's letter to the Romans, we are told: "God makes all things work together for good for those who love God, those who are called according to his purposes" (8:28). So even when we may feel like we are on the losing end of the stick, we simply need to re-focus our eyes to see with the vision of faith that God is at work to bring about something even better.

What is your framework for viewing the reality of your life? Are you a winner? Is everyone around you?

Serenity Prayer

In a previous reflection, I wrote about My Dad. The Serenity Prayer was his favorite prayer. It is also one that has occupied my attention frequently in the last few months. We have a beautiful cross-stitch framed rendition of this hanging on the wall in our apartment. It was a gift from a friend in south Texas. So I thought that I would post a meditation on that prayer today.

The prayer is very simple. It goes as follows:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.

God, grant me (in other words, God, I recognize that I cannot do this on my own. This is something that you need to do for me, in me. I cannot give myself anything because everything comes from you. I certainly cannot give myself the life that I want or desire. Please, Lord, grant me...)

Serenity (I mean that peacefulness of heart that doesn't get shook up by every passing wind or whim. This is that calmness that is deep within, that is not dependent on the approval of others, the rise or fall of the stock market, the mood swings of others or myself, or the weather reports or forecast. God, this is the "peace that is beyond all understanding".)

To accept (not just put up with, not just grin and bear it, not just grit my teeth and wait for it to be over. But really allow it to be without fighting against it, without getting angry or frustrated, without letting it drain my energies.)

The things I cannot change (Oh my, are there ever so many parts of this world that I cannot change: the weather, the attitudes and prejudices of others, the price of groceries or gas, the behavior of my spouse, family or friends, not to mention my neighbors or strangers. This list could go on and on...limited only by my imagination.)

The courage (it really does take courage because of all the resistance that I will run into. This is not for the faint-hearted.) to change the things I can. (Sometimes it is easier to just let things go the way they are going. To really stand up and try to change the status quo is threatening to anyone who has a vested interest in the way things are right now. I remember my Mother saying to me in the past "Someone should really do/say something about that...." When I responded, "Why don't you do something since you noticed it", she was a bit taken aback. However, after a while, she began to DO something. It is not easy to actually confront the realities of our everyday existence and effect change. Sometimes problems and situations seem overwhelming. Frustration with our inability to accomplish REAL change also leads us to give up after a while. So there is a real need for the courage to keep plugging along.)

And the wisdom to know the difference (It does take wisdom, which in the biblical understanding is right doing, right action based upon discernment. Only a truly wise person can distinguish between the battles that need to be fought and those that are a waste of time and energy. So many times I find myself expending energy on issues or problems that are going nowhere. Lord, give me the wisdom I need to tell the difference between those things that you want me to bury myself in, and those that either belong to someone else, or are not worth the effort.)

As I continue to reflect on this prayer, I see the great freedom there is in being able to live it on a day to day basis. How much more energy and life I would have available if I could only enflesh this prayer in my heart and mind.

Which of the parts of this prayer do you find most easy for you? Which is the most difficult? Where do you want to go from here?

Peace Of Mind

Speakers at some goal-setting workshops that I have attended in the past often posed the question: If money was no object, what would you do with your life? In other words, if I did not have to concern myself with making a living, how would I spend my time, what would I want to accomplish, where would I choose to focus my energies. This question was designed to help get in touch with deep-seated dreams, desires and longings so that they could begin to become reality.

As I reflect on that question in light of the past year and where we are today, I see it all from a different perspective. What a difference a year makes!

Last November, My Love's sister, Annette, and her husband, Jim, moved from their home in Larrabee to Maryhill. They put their home on the market. We prayed. It did not sell. Now they are joyfully fixing up the house and this weekend will be moving back into it. God heard our prayer by not letting the house sell, thereby making this comfortable return possible.

We continue to spend time with My Love's parents as we navigate the process of her Dad's deteriorating dementia. However now other members of the family are becoming involved with the care-giving by being present for a few days or even a week at a time. What a gift it is for all concerned to have this time together, to support one another, and to build even more family memories. As I've stated before, the general direction of this whole process is rather clear, but the particular steps of the journey have yet to be worked out.

What has become clear to me in these processes is that peace and contentment have been very deep so long as I am living in the present moment. As long as I am just being open to God's presence and action in each day and whatever it brings, I can remain undisturbed. Insofar as I can accept whatever each situation presents to me, I then move through it with equanimity.

Only if I begin to focus on how I want things to be other than they are do I start to become upset or dissatisfied. Only when my will gets at cross purposes with God's will does my life begin to unravel around the edges, and sometimes in the middle. Want and desire, when not in conformity with Divine Purposes, are the seeds of destruction. At that point chaos takes over.

How do you see the relationship between your own wants/desires and your peace of mind? Does your equanimity depend on the circumstances of your life, or the focus of your heart?

"No" Is A Complete Sentence

Barbara is a friend who is always willing to lend a helping hand. She will drop what she is doing to assist her neighbor by taking her to the grocery store. If the elderly woman down the block needs a ride to the doctor, all she has to do is call Barbara. Barbara will also spend hours on the phone listening to her younger sister's endless problems, or her mother's countless aches and pains. She is just the sweetest, most kind and sensitive person you would ever want to meet.

There is only one small difficulty. Because she is so engaged with the concerns of others, she has no time for her own husband and children. Their needs and concerns somehow never make it into Barbara's line of vision. Consequently there is friction and discord in her household. When she is criticized or asked about this, she simply replies that she "can't say no to others who are depending on her." Her family should "not be so selfish. They should be more understanding."

Barbara is struggling with a problem that is not that uncommon: Boundaries. The ability and freedom to set boundaries in one's life is critical to survival. The insight to know one's limitations, and the strength to live within them enables one to give of oneself in a healthy and life-giving way -- healthy and life-giving not only for oneself, but also for others.

I was helped to learn this lesson early on in my life as a young priest. I was counselled by an older priest who told me: "NO is a complete sentence." What he showed me was that it is OK, it is acceptable to say "No" to others without having to give reasons or excuses. I do not have to justify my answer to them, just give it to them. I do not need to feel guilty or ashamed for not meeting their needs. I do not have to feel inadequate for not satisfying their expectations. I do not have to feel like I have failed simply because I have set boundaries for myself that preserve my health and sanity. I do not have to live in fear of disappointing others, only in the freedom of loving them.

As another older priest once said to me: "The Savior has come. He is not YOU!" In other words, the world is not dependent on ME to solve all its problems. I have been called to fulfill a task, a mission, but it is not to SAVE the world. So the setting of boundaries on my part is not going to lead to the downfall of the world. Only to the survival of my own world.

Where do you have a hard time setting boundaries or saying "No" to others? What would you like to do about that today?

Values Guide Choices

Movement is a sign of life, even when the direction is not clear. We are certainly alive in our Morning Bible Study because there is much movement going on.

Yesterday morning, John departed Montana for a four-day trek back to San Antonio, TX where he will be starting a new job. This will also provide him with the opportunity to spend more time with his three grandchildren before the military transfers them and their parents sometime this fall. Meanwhile, his wife, Clar, is staying behind for a couple of months in Montana before joining them.

Gail and Marilyn are entertaining their granddaughter, Therese, for a few weeks. At the same time, they are preparing for the influx of family for the celebration of their 50th Wedding Anniversary over the 4th of July. There is still time for any friends or family to add thoughts or reflections to my previous blog so that I can include them in the booklet I am preparing for the "newly weds".

My Love and I are juggling schedules with her sister, Annette, who is in the process of remodeling her home in Larrabee before moving back to it this coming weekend. That is all being done while at the same time trying to provide 24 hour care for their parents, especially her Dad. With the rest of the family, we are approaching decisions about their future care. Where all that will lead remains to be seen.

As all these decisions and new directions are entered into, it becomes more and more clear what the values are of those making them. What is truly important and what shapes meaning for all those involved begins to surface as the peripheral and unimportant is stripped away. Questions begin to surface like: Whose good are we focusing on? What do we really want for them? What is the best choice at this time? As was said on our call yesterday, "We may not be doing what we like to do, but we are doing what we want to do." We are doing what we really value in our heart of hearts.

Look back on the important decisions that you have made in the last months, last year. What do they tell you about your own values? What are you able to sift out for yourself and say with clarity: These are my values. Are you satisfied with them?

Birthday Greetings To A Special Lady

This past Wednesday we celebrated the birthday of the World's Best Mother-in-law! What a joyful celebration it was with good friends, delicious food, and plenty of fun and games. Present with us for this special occasion was My Love's friend from Bolivia, Sr Suzanne, who is also a longtime friend of the family. Having her with us made the day even more special.
My Love had prepared her famous barbecue ribs. They are so good that when we came up here from Texas, the Tony Roma's ("We're Famous For Ribs") restaurant in Sioux City closed down. Along with the twice baked potatoes, veg salad, asparagus spears, it was terrific. Topped off with angel food cake and homemade ice cream. What a banquet!

For the afternoon, games of marbles were lined up and enjoyed by all. Then followed happy hour with wine and munchies. As you can see from the attached pictures, everyone enjoyed themselves.

Together with family members who called to give birthday greetings, we all thank God for the gift of life that we are so privileged to share in through Mother Rita. May God grant her many more years of health and happiness.

Old Age Is Not Kind

While living in Texas, My Love and I worked for eight years in the nursing home business. She served as Admissions Coordinator/Marketing Director, and I as Administrator. It was a very rewarding and enjoyable, albeit stressful, occupation. We were blessed with the opportunity to minister to people at a very trying and transitional period of their lives. Helping residents to adjust to the curtailing of their lives in an institutional setting, and assisting family members in the very difficult decision to place a loved one in our care, these were the focal points of our day-to-day energies.

Through the years of that work, and even in conversations since, many people have said to us that there is no way that they could do that kind of work. It would be too depressing, too sad, too taxing for them to handle. Yet, in reality, it was very fulfilling. There were so many moments of humor -- like the day I was walking Raymond (a resident in the grip of Alzheimer's disease) into the dining room. Another resident, Marian, was observing us passing and said in a stage whisper, just loud enough for me to hear: "Sort of makes you wonder who is leading whom!" I thought I would die laughing.

There were also many holy, sacred moments when we were able to pray with people as they were dying. Or pray with their family members after they had died. Those were God-blessed times. It was truly a form of hospice as we helped people let go of life here and move into the fullness of life in God's own hands.

One of the things that we learned that helped us to deal with the people and their circumstances: there is a huge distinction between a person and their illness. Many times we were called upon to remind family members, who were upset by the behavior of their loved one, that this was not their father or their mother doing this. It was the illness manifesting itself in this way. That separation of person from disease made it a little easier to cope with what was unfolding before them.

I recall all those times now as we find ourselves reliving those experiences from the viewpoint of the care-givers. In supporting and taking care of family members here in Iowa who are now journeying on those same roads of senility and dementia, I find the pain and the pathos, the humor and the joys, the frustration and fears that we helped others navigate. I am finding the struggle to be very real, the emotions to be very strong, and the desire to make the best decisions for all concerned to be more clear than the decisions themselves.

Yet we walk in faith and love, knowing that God's plan will unfold as we continue in the process. The path will be revealed to us as we walk it step by step. Where it will lead, only God knows.

Which Wolf Are You Feeding?

Perhaps you have seen the story being passed around on the Internet that goes something like this: A Native American father is speaking with his young son, telling him how there are within him two wolves who are fighting with each other. One is angry, vindictive, vicious and mean. The other is loving, patient, caring and peaceful. When the young son asks which one will prevail, the wise father replies: "Whichever one you feed."

As I was driving to work after lunch yesterday, there was a discussion on public radio. Those involved were pondering whether the recent rash of crimes against the Holocaust Museum, the abortion doctor killing in Kansas and other so-called "hate crimes" were being fueled by the inflammatory rhetoric of some far-right spokesmen and pundits. They were also considering whether the present historical situation with our economic crisis, a black president, the return of so many war-damaged veterans and the general insecurity of our age were feeding into this violent reaction within our society.

I don't have the definite answers to those particular questions. However, I am struck by the insight of the wise Native American referred to above. The same wisdom was expressed by St Paul in his letter to the Galatians: "Make no mistake about it, no one makes a fool of God! A man will reap only what he sows" (6:7). Those who focus on negativism, criticism, pessimism and cynicism can only bring forth a harvest that befits the seed they are watering. Their lives cannot bring forth the fruit of the Spirit listed in that same letter to the Galatians: "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faith, mildness and chastity" (5:22-23).

As I tried to unravel in an earlier post, life is too short for me to expend my energies on things that produce only negative outcomes. Negative energy and negative thinking, which lead to negative actions, are not life-giving for me. They seem to be "feeding the wrong wolf", to pursue the imagery from above. Therefore, I refuse to read or pass on all those emails that tear down public personalities, whether they are political, religious, or social. I try to ask myself: "What of a positive nature does this add to our world? How is this going to help someone else live a better life?" When engaged in a conversation with someone else, and the direction turns negative and critical of another person, I try to change the focus or the topic to something more pleasant. Sometimes I am more successful than others.

Which wolf are you feeding in your day-to-day life? Which wolf do you want to take over your world? The world at large?

Self-Discipline

This past week in our morning Bible Study, we have been considering the topic of "Self-discipline". For instance, one day we were studying Paul's words to Timothy in 2 Tim 1:7: "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (Some translations have "self-control".) Out of our reflections and discussions, several things came to the fore.

First of all, self-discipline is a wonderful thing for other people to have. If THEY would just have more self-discipline, my life would be much easier. If other people would just control their tempers, if they would just control their desires, then the (my) world would be much more serene and peaceful.

Secondly, self-discipline is not a problem for me to have for a limited time. I can control my appetites or discipline my desires for a specified time period. For example, I can go on a diet for a month, or I can exercise for a couple of months with no problem. But to think about changing my lifestyle in such a way that I actually develop different habits and patterns of living for the rest of my life -- well, that is a different kettle of fish!

Another point that we came to is that self-discipline is much easier when it is something that I choose for myself, rather than something that is imposed upon me from outside. In other words, if I choose to limit my shopping habits and curtail my expenses because I want to be thrifty or saving and spend the money on charitable causes, that is much more palatable than having to curtail my shopping and my lifestyle because I have lost my job and have no source of income. In that latter case, I have no choice in the matter.

In the end, we decided that self-discipline is a fruit of the Spirit. As Paul says in Galatians: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience....and self-control" (5:22). As such, I do not attain it by simply gritting my teeth, stiffening my spine and plunging ahead. Rather, I need to learn to relax, surrender to the Spirit, and let God accomplish the work within me.

Fruits are not something that grow on a tree over night. They take time, patience and much cultivation. God will bring about the fruit of the Spirit called self-discipline/self-control in us as we accept the reality that we cannot do it ourselves, but we need to let God accomplish it in us. It is not my project, but the work of God in me. What a relief it is to know that! What a freedom to know that this is not one more thing that I HAVE TO DO!

Every Day is An Anniversary

Last evening My Love and I took some time for ourselves to celebrate our wedding anniversary which was actually last Sunday. We went to one of our favorite restaurants in the area for a delightful meal of BBQ ribs and chicken, accompanied by a salad bar, baked or broasted potatoes and corn fritters. With a glass each of our chosen wine, it was a joyful celebration of our 13 years together.

At the same time, we came to the conclusion that it was not enough to celebrate just this once. After renewing our commitment to one another each day for the last 13 years, we decided that we must continue the festivities through 13 celebrations, however long that takes. After all, life is a gift, each day is a treasure, and so we want to experience it to the fullest with hearts open in gratitude.

God has blessed us abundantly during these past 13 years. At no time have we felt anything other than total immersion in God's love, even in the stressful or bleak moments. When we passed through the hurricane, we felt surrounded by God's constant care. As we moved back to Iowa, we found God's angels caring for us and going before us to prepare the way.

Now we rejoice in the love that God has given us for one another that grows with each passing day. As we enter into year 14, we do so with joy and anticipation of the coming wonders of God. Where we will be a year from now is known only in the mind of God. But we celebrate each day as it unfolds before us.

C Is For Control!

My Love made it home safely -- but not until Saturday afternoon. She decided to take the opportunity, while traveling through eastern Iowa, to visit an elderly friend in Cedar Falls, and then a cousin in northern Iowa. Although her arrival was delayed, it was sweet nonetheless.

To celebrate our wedding anniversary on Sunday, we had some tentative plans to relax together, and then perhaps go out for an evening meal at a restaurant. However, around 11 am, we received a phone call from My Love's Mother saying that Dad needed a little extra attention and care since he was struggling with some confusion. So we went immediately and spent the day and evening with them, taking them for an outing, watching a movie and playing some games. It was a time of loving togetherness which turned out to be a blessing as we begin our 14th year of wedded bliss. Perhaps this is a foretaste of things to come.

Throughout the weekend, I found myself confronted again with my old nemesis: CONTROL. Time and time again in my life, through differing circumstances, God has brought me face to face with the primary issue in my spiritual journey -- Who is in charge here? While I frequently fool myself into believing that I hold the reins, never am I allowed to live with that misconception for any great length of time. God's loving hand on my shoulder gently taps, or sometimes lovingly slugs me to remind me of the truth: God is God, I am not! While at the time I do not always enjoy the call back to reality, in the end I am grateful that God does not let me wander too far from God's presence.

What is the primary spiritual issue that you have to deal with over and over again in your life? Do you see how God uses that to draw you closer into the Divine Presence? Do you accept it?

Absence Makes the Heart Grow

Today My Love Comes Home!

For the last 10 days My Love has been traveling in eastern Iowa. She first visited my sister, Diane's home for four days to help in the preparation for the graduation of Diane's last daughter, Megan. Together they prepared potato salad, broccoli-cauliflower salad, watermelon-cantaloupe salad and lots of other delectables (like chicken lip dip) for the party that was held last Saturday evening.

Then My Love went to Cedar Rapids for a day to visit a friend. According to her report, they had a wonderful time reconnecting.

Her last stop these past four days has been to visit a family in Cascade, Iowa, that has been like a second family to her for many years. She discovered that the father of the family had just died several hours before her arrival. So she has spent these days helping the family prepare for and celebrate the funeral.

Now today My Love is coming home. This coming Sunday will be our 13th Wedding Anniversary. Believe it or not, this past week and a half is the first time that we have been apart for more than one night since we have been married. Hence my excitement on her return. While we have spoken with each other at least once each day, and most days twice, there is nothing like "love with skin on"!

Truly our anniversary will be a celebration: of love and gratitude.

Isaiah John

Our friends, John and Clar, are the new, happy grandparents of Isaiah John, born just a couple of weeks ago. A healthy and bubbly boy, he gave his mother fits for the last couple of months, but arrived to the warm welcome of his parents, John and Clar's daughter, Trenna and her husband, Moyad. Also on the welcome committee were Isaiah's two older sisters, Makya and Ashtyn. He is truly finding a loving home in which to grow.

After spending the last six months in San Antonio, John and Clar are now heading back to their home in Montana. They travel to Texas for the winter, not just to avoid the Montana cold, but especially to spend time with these three precious grand babies. To have experienced the wonder of Isaiah John's entry into the world has been an added gift of this beautiful time spent with their offspring.

We have had the "pleasure from afar" of being a part of their experience. John and Clar are also part of our Morning Bible Study. Thus we have prayed and shared with them the joy of welcoming Isaiah John (named after his granddaddy!) into life.

Now we are praying them safely home to St Ignatius, Montana, where they will again be surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. May God go with them as they journey with a large part of their hearts left behind in San Antonio. And may Isaiah John and his two sisters continue to know the boundless love of their grandparents.

People Connect

Recently I connected once again with a high school classmate with whom I had lost contact for many years. We grew up near one another, went all through grade and high school together, and then went our separate ways. It was good to compare notes, see how our lives had changed, and how they had remained the same over the years.

I find that as I move into my "senior years", I want to re-establish relationships with people from my past life. This is especially true of people who played some kind of significant role in my life at a former stage. It's as though there is "unfinished business" that requires completion, as though the circle must be fully drawn.

This in turn brings me back to the realization, which I've reflected on in a previous pondering, that all we really have in life are the relationships we've formed. Since, as the saying goes, "There are no uhauls behind the hearse", we can take nothing out of this life except the people we carry in our hearts.

So what more important thing are you doing today than building, patching up and strengthening the connections with the people in your life?

Blessed Are They

Blessed are those who have nothing to say, and don't take all day to do it! This is one of those wise sayings that is ignored at one's own peril. So today, only a few ramblings.

We have been enjoying fresh lettuce, spinach, radishes and onions from our garden. How delicious! How much we have missed while in Texas. Makes coming back to Iowa all the more worthwhile.

Finally last evening, we finished hanging the four new fans in the condo of My Love's parents. Their children had gifted them with four new ceiling fans, one for each bedroom, one for the dining area, and another for the living room. Each fan includes a light kit, so now they have ceiling lights in all the rooms. Thanks to the help of a local guy, we have them in place and the Folks are very pleased and happy.

This weekend we will celebrate the graduation of my sister's youngest daughter, Megan. It will be another wonderful opportunity to join together with family in an event that we would have missed in Texas. The blessings of God continue to unfold.

So now it is time to finish and heed the words of the Wise Man quoted above.

Father Hank and Marriage

Gail and Marilyn, celebrating 50 years of wedded bliss, have requested to recognize and honor someone who had a great impact on the success of their marriage. I am welcoming them as Guest Authors of this blog today.

* * * * * * *

I REMEMBER

Father Hank Schorn

November 9, 1930-April 22,1981Father Hank, 28 years have passed since you have died and joined Our Father God. This year 2009 we are celebrating 50 years of COMMITMENT to marriage. Our hearts in 2009 are still deeply etched with your own words: "You two must be the greatest sign of Matrimony that this world has ever known. If you don't LIVE your sacrament, the world will never know how GREAT coupleness can be." You, Hank, always pushed and pushed us to be GREAT...to be EXCELLENT.

Only History will judge to what degree we have lived or are living that passionate plea.

We still remember you, Father Hank, at the Eucharist- not because we pray for you or ask you to pray for us but because to us your LIFE with us and for us was and is Eucharist. You made Eucharist such a deeply heartfelt celebration. We remember you affirming and loving us as your arms embraced us-bringing us PEACE and strength and moments of conversion. We remember you as a caring person to each person you came in contact with. Status or politics didn't impress you.......

I remember your playfulness and chiding with Father Printy and the resulting deep giggles of laughter that didn't stop.
I remember you celebrating your last birthday with Father Pauly Fangman beside you. I have that picture on my Memory Board and see you every day.

You judged people by the qualities of their heart.

We miss your physical presence....however the GIFT of your passionate vision of what Matrimony can be still burns in our hearts. The Impossible Dream seems possible when you say it......

I INVITE EACH OF YOU TO REMEMBER FATHER HANK AND SHARE WITH US. HOW ABOUT A FATHER HANK.....STAND UP FOR MARRIAGE DAY CELEBRATION SOME TIME DURING THE YEAR OF 2009. EACH OF YOU CELEBRATE THE GIFT OF YOU......HE WILL COME AND ENJOY THE DAY............Gail and Marilyn Koch