Community

For the last few years I have not stayed in touch with the community of Van Meter (my hometown). It's not that I don't enjoy those that I went to High School with or anything negative, we just all went our separate ways after leaving Van Meter.

This week a good friend, and former classmate took his life. Mike was like a brother to me while growing up. His sister (one of my best friends still today) and Mike use to spend hours at my house and my brother and I would spend hours at there house together. We grew up together, learned together, and share so many wonderful memories together. When our water pipes would freeze my brother and I would hope that the water would not come back on so we could go over to Mike and Nikki's to take a shower b/c that meant we got to play together and hang out.

Mike I will forever remember your smile, your baby blue eyes, "cows just float down the river", "Mikey wants to go out there", your sleep walking, dancing with you at your sisters wedding and so many more memories. You will truly be missed.

This week I have been thankful for the community of Van Meter and the family of Mike. I have seen old friends, we have been a source of comfort, peace, and prayer together this week. This week has shown me that COMMUNITY both old and new are important, and that love will always be there.

For those of you who had the honor of meeting Mike, thank you this week for sharing your stories, tears and prayers with me, I am blessed to have you. For those of you who have been praying for the family, thank you we need all the prayers we can get!

On Monday and Tuesday we will say good bye to our good friend Mike, share stories, tears and prayers. I am thankful that I have so many friends to walk with me in this journey.

Michael Joseph Robinson R.I.P, you will always be in my heart. I pray that Greg, Renee and Nikki that you are able to have peace...

TRIDUUM and other life updates....

The church at St. John's is almost ready for Holy Thursday's mass: the white flowers are up, the feet washing stations are out, new candles are ready to be lit, and the adoration chapel is ready for prayer. I need to run and get more white towels for the washing of the feet, and then everything will be in place.

Many of us that work for the Catholic Church call this not only Holy Week but Holy Hell Week. There are so many small things that need to be done to make sure everything runs smoothly. I have taken extra time this year in prayer while doing preparation. It has truly made a difference. These three days are a gift, it is my prayer that you are an active participant....

Other Highlights:

The running is going slow but well.

Not talking on the phone while driving is HARD!

I have got a bad cold or allergies are here. As long as I take drugs I am good.

I will be on the radio next Friday morning with Bishop Pates, if you live in the Des Moines area you should tune in to hear me on KWKY 1150 AM at 9 AM.

Andy is coming into town on Good Friday! WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

Prayer request: Please pray for a high school student of mine who is having a hard time with homework. We talked about doing a month of self improvement and her goal this month is homework. Please pray for her.

God Bless you on the first day of the Easter Triduum!

These items are not Apirl Fool's jokes....

Happy April!

April's word is "fool" .... I will try to incorporate the word "fool" into everyday life the month of April. If you have a word for May let me know and I will pass them on to my good friend who picks the words for me each month.

One of the things that I am doing this lent is buckling up each time I get in the car. I know that for so many Americana's this is a non-issue however it is something that I have struggled with due to being lazy. This has become very useful in my life now because while buckling I do a short prayer for safe travels, it's been nice! Yesterday when pulling out of the gym parking lot this foolish lady almost ran into me because she was talking on the cell phone while driving. I could not help but think of how often I have done that. So...April's self improvement goal is to no longer talk or text on the cell phone while driving. This will be a struggle since this is when I make 60% of my phone calls. I am looking forward to seeing if it makes me a better driver and more alert to what is going on around me. I will keep everyone posted.

I have made it my goal to be able to run a 5K by September 2009 or maybe 2010. On Monday I started the Couch-to-5k running plan. I would say that I am at .1 of week one with this plan. My goal is by the end of April to make it to week 2. Hey, everyone has to start someplace. I have some friends joining me on the journey to run as well, so please pray!

Well those are the April updates from my life....more to come soon!