Bishop Ken

On the 10th anniversary of Bishop Ken Untener's death - a prayer he wrote, but usually not attributed to him.  I still miss him.
It helps, now and then, to step back and take a long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is even beyond our vision.
We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent
enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of
saying that the Kingdom always lies beyond us.
No statement says all that could be said.
No prayer fully expresses our faith.
No confession brings perfection.
No pastoral visit brings wholeness.
No program accomplishes the Church's mission.
No set of goals and objectives includes everything.
This is what we are about.
We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.
It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an
opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.
We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master
builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw

This prayer was composed by Bishop Ken Untener of Saginaw, drafted for a homily by Card. John Dearden in Nov. 1979 for a celebration of departed priests. As a reflection on the anniversary of the martyrdom of Bishop Romero, Bishop Untener included in a reflection book a passage titled "The mystery of the Romero Prayer." The mystery is that the words of the prayer are attributed to Oscar Romero, but they were never spoken by him.

Yum!

White Chocolate Carrot Cake M&M's - oh my - these are so delicious!  But - they are a Walmart exclusive!  That is why we had them - Joanna brought them to the Pampered Chef party.

Celebrating

We celebrated Sheala' birthday last night. I can't believe she will be 20! I spent Friday night and most of Saturday with her. What a nice weekend!

We also found out that Robbie will be an air cargo handler. One of the jobs he was hoping to get.  He will be traveling all over the world. He leaves for basic training just a few days after graduation.

Life goes on and grandkids grow up!

Saturday Morning

What a nice morning. Pat and I went to the Y. I lifted 22,598 pounds in an hour. Pretty good considering I started out with 6,000 in December!

Joanna and Sheala spent the night last night.

When I got back home I made breakfast. Then we vegged on the couch together.

Shattered Glass Chicken!

Not happy! After church yesterday, we had Jesse, Caroline, Javier, Ayva and Romeo over for dinner.

I had two large packages of chicken breasts in the slow cooker. I took out 8 pieces to coat with flour and brown in butter. I put the cover back on until I could store the extra chicken after dinner.

As I was pan frying our dinner chicken I heard a loud pop. The lid to the slow cooker shattered over the remaining pieces of chicken.

What a waste.

DST

Oh heavens! Finally! This is my time - Daylight savings time - I thrive on this time.

Every year I am so happy to have the immediate universe be on my schedule!

This is one thankful person today!

32 degrees and what that means

A very cold winter puts life into perspective!  Remember when 32 degrees was cold?  Now when we get over 30 we feel like it is a warm spell.  I don't even button my coat!  

I am beginning to understand the flannel shirts in Hawaii and the fur coat in Florida, LOL!

When the weather people say that it is going to be a cold spring, I don't even flinch.  Come on 40's - I'll be wearing shorts!

Bad Dreams

I had such bad dreams last night my mind shut them out this morning!  I awakened about 12:30 am shaking with fear.  The dream was so real that I decided I couldn't chance going back to sleep and dreaming the same dream again.  That has happened many times before!

So I went downstairs and watched a bit of television and played a few games.  I eventually fell asleep on the couch. When I awakened this morning - I can't recall the dream at all!  Thank Goodness - don't want bad vibes in my head all day!

Preparing for Lent

I think this is so simple and prayerful. I will always remember walking down the hall and seeing the purple Chihuly exhibit at the Rhode Island School of Art (picture below). It was as if I was drawn to that room. I immediately thought of Lent as it brought me to tears.
I always wanted to use that inspiration.  Nancy filled Mason jars with sand and weeds. I love this art.

Robbie and Papa

The new Equinox has a home! Robbie and Papa cleaned out a spot big enough in the garage. Thank you Robbie!

We love our new SUV - it handles well in the snow and ice (according to the only driver so far). The ride is smooth and it is roomy inside (according to the permanent passenger.

We all went out for perch at the Junction after. Yum! Certainly not a Lenten dinner though, so we were happy when the perch special started early.