My wife has a lot of ideas, and when I mean a lot I truly mean A LOT. Most of them are good, and ironically, most of them involve me doing some sort of work. I suppose that’s what you get when you are married to someone addicted to an organized life-style. And she is not just a member of their little society, she is their queen.

Some of her ideas don’t seem to as practical as others. Her attempt to organize a national “Clean Out Your Junk Drawers for Jesus,” as well as her desire for all people to wash and save their sporks so she can send them to her home state of Kansas where they sport the largest collection of sporks outside of Vermont, were both in my min, a bust.

But, a few months ago, she did suggest that we connect up with the “Souperbowl of Caring” (www.Souperbowl.org)……and that we did. We are now in the process of collection cans of soup (not just soup cans as Father Hicks so brilliantly points out) (okay, as Father Hick’s wife Susan so ably points, out….Father Hicks asked for soup cans….they need to be full…..of soup). Our goal is to collect 1000 cans (of soup) using all our missions as collection points before Superbowl Sunday, which is February 7th. ALL the soup will then be distributed to local feeding programs and pantries!

You can donate for us to buy the soup for you too if you do not live close enough to drop it off by sending a check to St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church at 3032 State Road 32 East in Westfield, Indiana 46074. Or you can go to the Souperbowl site and enter your zip code to find a drop off location near you!

Thanks for considering being a part. In these difficult economic times, helping those less fortunate than ourselves is more important than ever. And this idea is good one too. It sure beats the “Save the Little Plastic Circle Thingys from the Top of Milk Jugs for Cat Toys” idea that I see on her list for tomorrow.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

After a long day of work, we (Amanda, Ben, and I) met at Cheeseburger in Paradise for dinner. Ben, who had been spectacular with ME up to that point decided to throw a fit…..all over the amazing toddler issue of not being able to hold his milk himself.

Prior to that, I had about two full hours of toddler comments about every singe solitary detail of our trip. I needed some things for work tomorrow, so we went from the babysitter to Staples, to Walmart, to Kohls, to Bed Bath and Beyond, to Office Max, to Brookstone, to Fry’s, and then to dinner. There were approximately 500,000 things to see on that trip and he commented on them all, and all beginning with “Daddy,……” We started with the sun, and then where did it go? And from there trees, fire trucks, and all the other things that entered into his field of vision.

In truth, I/we had a blast. We laughed and chased each other around all those stores. He rarely wanted in a cart, and felt like a real big guy with all that freedom. AND, he had people in every store cracking up laughing with all his antics. It was a great time.

But at Cheeseburger in Paradise he was suddenly corralled. Into the highchair and no big-boy freedom….sort of like marriage without the highchair . And the delightful little man, within the first time spent with his mom today, made sure everyone saw him there too…..not just in a good way!

So tonight we spent some time whining and dining Amanda. Ironically they came home and both went to their respective beds! My adventure is over, and so is the noise. Thank God for the day’s end. I will hopefully be sleeping well tonight.

Goodnight to you my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

I miss the year prior to July when Scotty got his license. For that whole year I sat in the passenger seat while Scott, with his permit, drove me everywhere. It was originally to let him practice, but in the end, I rather enjoyed it. I got to spend time with my son, and could enjoy all the scenery I couldn’t while I was driving.

I was thinking of how that situation is a metaphor for a lot of our lives. A lot of us just like to drive, and though we have control when we do, we certainly miss a lot along the way.

I always am reminded of that old bumper sticker “God is my co-pilot.” Lots of people live that way….faithfully, just as long as they are in control! But the reality is that if God is your co-pilot and not your pilot you are missing out on the best ride of your life. And if He is not even not even close to driving, well that is a whole other issue altogether.

Take it from me. I spent a lot of wasted time in my life thinking I had to do it all, and that’s even as a priest. But guess what? We can count on God for His part, and in fact, when we actually hand it all over to Him we see a lot that we were missing……I know I did. In truth, life is a lot easier when He drives!

I miss Scotty driving my car, but Viper is “technically” 42 in dog years and wants to give it a try. I trust the Lord, but not the dog. I was there, his license is only for rabies.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

At church the other day some people were talking about the Extreme Home Makeover show that apparently did something to a house around here. Let me start by saying, yes, I have heard of the show but I have not watched it. I know very little about the current shows because I am living a life of apparent indentured servitude to my wife and kids. I watch the news and HGTV to learn more about fixing my house!

So there I was at church, “semi-hip” I suppose, in that at least I knew it was a show. But then they started talking about some sort of exhibit, and wrapping, and the way they were talking got me totally lost. But after being enlightened, apparently this exhibit is actually a celebrity……a celebrity that cannot spell because he doesn’t use the “e” or an “h,” but adds an “x” and a “z.” That’s right, it is xzibit. And there is no wrapping involved at all….it is rap, which is defined as a genre, by whom I do not know. He is one of those guys who talks and yells, and shakes his hands at the camera wearing all that “bling” (see I got one right) and people go nuts. As you might be able to tell, I am no fan of rap…..but exhibit is a apparently a pretty good guy because I know the show is about helping people. I have heard he is pretty awesome with cars!

But it disturbed me at how out of touch I have become with the modern world, so I thought I would do my best to catch up. I came home and turned on the TV, and I read about the most recent stuff. The picture (see above) is actually part of my plan. After reading about Avatar, which I believe is a remake of the Smurfs, I decided I am giving all the kid’s lectures now in 3-D. I am not certain it will work, but it is all part of my plan to be cool once again. Pray for me, I clearly am going to need all the help I can get.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

What a spectacular weekend! Father Michael Henry, a long time priest in another part of the Communion, was finally licensed and able to celebrate today at Christ the King. It was a marvelous thing too. Michael has been a part of our ministry for over a year and it was a blessing for all of us.

In fact, all our churches reported great blessings today, and it made the entire day quite enjoyable. Too often on a day when things go this well the phrase “it’s just all too good to be true” comes into mind, and then the bottom falls out! Today was no such day. We were solid from beginning to end, and nothing was held together with duct tape!

And of course I did not have my camera all day! I am surprised I didn’t see Elvis or Bigfoot. But in the end, I can take it to heart that I not only witnessed it, but was a part of it. It may not seem like a huge thing, but for as expansive as our ministry is, a day like to day is a real encouraging blessing!

Our future is looking bright, as is any future that walks in the light! If you are not already, I hope you consider being a part. In terms of the ministry of Christ, there is always plenty to do……..and it would be a great blessing to have you join us in doing it!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Finally Ben has returned to his normal self…..well at least as normal as he is. The top picture will show this history of Ben’s boots. There are 1) cowboy boots, 2) Spiderman cowboy boots, and 3) Woody cowboy boots. It is far deeper than that though……anyone who happens to wear any footwear higher than the ankle is wearing ______ cowboy boots. Thus when we go skating we wear ice skate cowboy boots.

Of course as his dad I am happy to see anything manly coming from my boys! The chapstick thing really does bother me, and as funny as it is to see him trying to wear Amanda’s shoes, my hope and expectation is that it does not become a habit!

He is now home irritating his mom with a bulldozer. She doesn’t need to worry though. Soon enough he will be in some cute pajamas carrying around his blankie. He’s still just a little guy, and we are all thankful for that!

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Oh sure, I remember the chap-stick incident of 2010, and I also remember my promised retraction pictures. But even at his young age, Ben is clearly smarter than me. He not only weasels his way into what was once my spot, the prime spot in my wife’s field of vision, but he now sleeps in our bed like it is his. He gets his back scratched, all her attention, and he is even working on the dog. And if all that were not enough, his obsessive need to wear cowboy boots so I can print a picture of him looking manly, has all but disappeared…..not because of anything other than he knows I want it! He is way too smart. I am confident he probably sneaks out at night to work for the government or something.

Anyway, I intend to wait him out. I am older, more patient, and highly motivated. And, since he is just two, if waiting does not work I will dive into his college fund and buy a copy of Photoshop and make my own.

Of course even if I could, he would still have the last laugh. After all, he has my number, and I know he will be telling me so……in a few short minutes probably when we both try to sleep in that same bed.

Pray for me, he’s tricky! (but I’ll keep him!)

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!

Tommy+

Winter, though I love it, does mean that Puddy and I cannot get out on the porch each night for our glass of wine (okay, the wine is normally mine) and the writing of these entries. And what makes matters worse for her is that Viper is now in the house full-time taking up what she clearly feels is her space.

Cats are really some of the strangest of all of God’s creatures. We have to check and see if the dog is even breathing half the time because of his lack of movement, but a cat has to claim ALL the space. If you go to sleep she is there where you are at. At dinner, there too. And if you try to watch TV she is on the arm of the couch. Cats seem rather efficient, particularly since they sleep approximately 23 hours of a 24 hour day.

But our longing for the porch we do have in common……and it is just a couple of months away. The snow is but a temporary inconvenience, and our space we will reclaim.

But tonight I just keep shooing her away from me as I type. I apparently am in her space, after all the dog is already in bed……go figure.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+

At first it was just too cold out in the garage pen, but now we are seeing the incredible value. Viper, or as Ben calls him, “Diaper Dog,” is back in the house full time, and with that retakes the job of safeguarding us all.

Scott has been working with him using flashcards. He is slowly getting it too. Today I think he only slept 80% of the day. I am sure if there were indeed a crisis he would bound to the rescue. But for now I can see his brilliance….he is saving his energy lest he needs to attack.

For now however, he will just hang out, get his belly scratched and snore. God sure knew what He was doing when He created the Golden Retriever. He is certainly cheaper than ADT, and clearly a lot better looking. We love him and are looking forward to feeling super safe from this point and forevermore!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless. And no, I didn’t forget about the retraction…..I just was not able to get the evidence….I mean the picture!

Tommy+

I am pretty much a man’s man, and I always have a problem with the boys doing things too girly, but when you are the dad of a toddler, often you just need to turn your head. Ben thinks it is cool to wear anyone’s shoes, including Stephanie’s and Amanda’s. And if it were not for his incessant need to whip stuff across the room and tear apart things like a tornado, I would be worried.

I will post the manly retraction evidence of this tomorrow, but tonight he was given some Toy Story chap-stick, cherry-flavored, and being the tough guy he is, he refused to allow anyone to help him. The picture shows what a stellar job he did. And though he looks utterly ridiculous, the good news is that he put so much on that his lips will not chap until 2024.

In an effort to do my part, I think I am going to go and scrub him down. Thank God it was just chap-stick……kids this age do all sorts of strange stuff.

Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+