Fortune

I was sorting through some stuff in my calendar and I found a fortune cookie fortune that I had saved, but forgotten. We had gone out for Chinese shortly after my ordination to the Transitional Diaconate. My fortune read:
"You will be unusually successful in an entertainment career."

Confused about technology and youth

So, I have been encouraged by all (many of whom I would assume are "in-the-know") to create electronic ways to reach out to the youth. So I did. I have a blog and am familiar with blogging, so I created a youth blog for the church. I am on Facebook and am familiar with it, so I created a Facebook group for the youth group. I put links on our parish website so that youth and parents could reach these sites. I sent out emails to them with links so that they could reach the sites. I even set up parent specific areas on these sites, so that parents could remain in touch with what was going on. And then.........I found out that youth don't even use email. They consider email slow (and old) technology. They don't blog anymore ("so last year"). Facebook is still new and they use it, but I can't get them to join the group that I set up. AAARRRGGGHHH! I guess I go back to posting things on a bulletin board and then calling them on a telephone (oh my, how last century!) :-)

Paving!

Finally! After weeks of parking in an empty lot, hiking through the wood-lot, and tip-toeing through the mud, the parking lot is being paved. Yeah. Unfortunately, due to the ground still being too wet from our "biblical" rain last week, they won't put the second coat on until next Monday. Oh well, at least we are getting closer!
As I look at the parking lot, which up to now has been a mish-mash of gravel, newly poured concrete, and dirt, I am amazed at how pleased I am with uniformity. The sight of the black asphalt making the entire expanse of the parking lot a uniform color really pleases my eye and my sensibilities. Why? It makes me question whether or not I really do value diversity. Do I really prefer that everything look the same? Do I really prefer that everything is all one uniform color? I know that it doesn't really equate to compare a parking lot to life in general, but I really had to stop when I realized just how satisfying that uniformity was to me. I sincerely hope that in my day to day life, in my interactions with people, that I really do see and appreciate each piece of gravel, each section of newly poured concrete, and each clod of fresh, life-giving earth.

Feeling a bit selfish today (or maybe self-pity)

I'm a little down today because I wasn't invited to a friend's wedding. I know all the reasons that Brides and Grooms can't invite everyone to their celebration, but to see the pictures posted and all my friends there having a good time made me sad. Yeah, I know, it's not about me, but I really would have loved to have been there. Oh well, enough pity-party. Back to work now.

We Lived!

Well, I took 7 youths on a mission trip and came back with all 7! Yeah! We went to the Heifer International Overlook Farm in Rutland, Mass. (just outside Boston). It was a great experience. The kids got to learn about, experience, and live as most of the rest of the world. There were morning and evening chores to do, which included taking care of the animals. We had service projects to accomplish on the farm, which kept us very busy. We also had learning sessions which focused on issues such as why are people poor and hungry, why can't they just grow more food or move or something, gender inequality and what it means, and the global distribution of wealth and resources. We even spent one whole day living, working, and eating in one of the global village villages. One part of our group was in the Peruvian village and one was in the Thai village. We had to barter for our food at the local market (what meager amount we could get), build a fire, cook it, and then eat. We spent the evening discussing various aspects of our village's culture and then spent the night in our village (out under the stars with the mosquitoes, spiders, skunks, and barn cats!). All in all, a very good learning experience. I would recommend it for others.

Paul Bunyon and Babe, the Blue Ox

In preparation for the start of the rebuilding of our Parish's drainage system and parking lot, the tree company has been here for the last two days clearing a section of the "forest" next to our church offices. On the first day, they parked a HUGE wood chipper (think large, diesel engine powered, ground shaking, ear splitting, tree grinding piece o' machinery) right outside my office window. Just lovely! Between that thing, the chainsaws, and the gas powered blowers, I am about to lose my mind!
And it just gets better! I just found out that they are going to start the process of grinding off the black top next Monday! Yes, GRINDING off the blacktop! They stopped in the office to let us know that next week might be kind of loud and dusty! Woo Hoo! Aint progress great! :-)
Repeat the mantra: "The new parking lot will be more welcoming, the new parking lot will be more welcoming, the new parking lot....."

They're Done!!! Yeah!!!

I just received word that my GOE re-writes are SATISFACTORY!! Yeah!! I am officially done with the GOEs!!! It is seriously time to party!! Hallelujah! "The strife is o'er, the battle done...."