Walkin' in Memphis

...er, snowin' in joliet, that is.

Tonight, my brother is arriving.  Tomorrow, we fetch Kohn from Chicago, and northeatern Illinois shall tremble at the combined might of our physical ineptitude.  Then next week, Christopher and Carrie and Mary and Doug!  How much awesomeness can be contained in a single major metropolitan area?

We're about to find out...

The sermon was received well Sunday.  I'm always a little unsure as to what that means, but I do feel it was a worthy contribution, so I'm happy.  I may try to post it here sometime, but I'm not sure.

Holiday parties and hobnobs are the order for the rest of the week, so that should be fun.  Draining, but fun.

There's still so much I'd like to share here, but I remain unable to do so.

Caleb Dean is becoming quite the little gentleman.  A gentleman who craps his pants daily and seems intent on ignoring everything his mother and I have to say, perhaps, but a gentleman nonetheless.  He likes cars, juice, and counting, and I like him.  We need haircuts, though.  Sarah's going to have the shortest hair in the family soon at this rate.  Not that there's anything wrong with that...

Nine days until the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle, kids.

Currently Reading Amazing Grace: Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation, The By Jonathan Kozol see related

So much to do...

Sermon to write, people to call, staff retreat to plan for Monday.  Our holidays are going to be crazy, in a good way.  We are expecting to see/hang with:

- Families and friends (Rocky and Julie from NY for a couple of weeks, Christopher and Carrie from LA for at least a day, Kohn from Indy for a week, my brother for a weekend, and (hopefully) Jason, Doug and Mary, the Shafty family, among others, at some point)

- Extended familes

- Santa Klaus

- Trips downstate and weststate would be nice, too, but don't seem likely at this point.

Is it a sign of serious delusion that, after spending twelve weeks working at a homeless shelter with more to come, I would like to work in one, like for real?  Not the one I visit now, but maybe even one with similar or greater "issues" to be dealt with?  Am I sick?  I must be...

In light of the expected, but unfortunate, brouhaha over His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass movie coming out and all), it may be time to finally read Paradise Lost.

So, part of being an aspirant is you have to see a spiritual director regularly.  I'm looking forward to that.

Anyway, I'm still in Uptown twice a week for tutoring.  Well, this is our last week for this semester, but I'll be going to CCO again next semester.

It's cold in Chicago.  Despite my numerous protestations to the contrary, I might like being cold after all.  In Chicago, anyway.

I'm preaching again this Sunday at Grace, 114 N Pine in New Lenox if you're looking for something different.  Masses are at 8 and 10:30 am.

If it hadn't have been for my horse, I never would have spent that year in college.

Currently Reading Take This Bread: A Radical Conversion By Sara Miles see related

Adam the Aspirant

I'll officially be entering the discernment process for ordination to the presbyterate (priesthood) or permanent diaconate (order of deacons) in the Diocese of Chicago after the New Year.  This is a big decision, one that's been almost two years in the making, and one that's been made through a lot of prayer and with Sarah's support.  I'll fill you all in on the details as I learn them, but would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as I prepare.  The answer to the question, "deacon or priest?" may well be "neither", but those answers will come through a process of speaking, praying, and interacting with my church community, both on the parish and diocesan levels.  I hope that wherever this journey ends, either with a bishop placing hands on my head or with a trusted mentor saying, "we believe your unique call to ministry is best expressed as a member of the laity", I will learn and grow and become a better husband, father, and friend because of its lessons.

Almighty God, who has gifted all your people for ministry whether lay or clergy, I humbly ask for your voice to speak clearly through the people of Grace Church and the Diocese of Chicago, as it has and continues to speak through family and friends.  Help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak, help me to develop a rule of life consistent with my calling.  In all things, remind me yet again that I can indeed do all things through Christ who strengthens me; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.