CLAVIER FAMILY BLOG (Archive)

Fr. Tony Update: MRI, Orbital Biopsy, etc...

Wittle Guinea Pigs Looking For Loving Home...

Buddy Pics...

Lent Is Here...

Clavier+ Response to Tanzania Report...

MY Nagging Question...

FR. TONY UPDATE: MRI, ORBITAL BIOPSY, ETC:

Chemo was cancelled yesterday. We spent the morning with Dr. Craig going over Tony's MRI results. Conclusion? Eyeball is OK. Sinuses look OK. He has a brain! (yes, for those of you who often wondered... it's now confirmed! All the marbles were present and accounted for.). The bad news is he's got swelling in the tissue of both orbits. This week he'll be undergoing surgery to have biopsies done of the swollen tissue. By doing so, Dr. C can hopefully better understand what's in the tissue. It seems unclear if this is a separate problem, or somehow related to the cancer issues.

Below are some images that will give you an idea of what Fr. Tony's about to undergo. I've yet to get details about the surgery, but I think you'll kind of get the idea of what lies ahead. The procedure doesn't take very long, and is done under general anesthesia. He'll come out looking like he's gone a few rounds with a boxer.

Image One: From what I can get from googling, it looks like there are several options with regard to how a surgeon goes in to retrieve a tissue sample.

Poor Tony. Doesn't look like much fun, but we've got to get to the heart of the matter, so the doctor's can better treat what's going on. We thank GOD we're hooked up with the WVU physicians, and nursing staff!!!! I don't know how we'd have managed otherwise. They have ALL been so kind, caring and THOROUGH! An answer to legions of prayers.

Today's lab results came back better then last week's. The only thing we need to try and boost is his potassium level. He's not had much of an appetite, and after the CT scan he's feeling a bit queezy.

WITTLE GUINEA PIGS LOOKING FOR LOVING HOME:

INTRODUCING ARCHIE (Short for Archibald)

INTRODUCING BERT.

BUDDIES: BERT AND ARCHIE

Above is a photo of two little guinea pigs who happen to be looking for a loving home. Their names are Burt and Archie. They're about 4 months old, and quite gentle, as well as wonderfully adorable. They make all sorts of cute little noises, and would be a great pet for someone. If you can help us locate a LOVING home for them, please contact Pat. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

What to know about Guinea Pigs:

Guinea pigs, or cavia porcellus to give them their proper name, are in many ways ideal family pets! They're originally indigenous to the Andes, but are no longer found living in the wild.

Unlike dogs you don't have to walk them daily or bathe them frequently, and unlike dogs you can go out all day leaving them safely behind.
Unlike cats they do not destroy the local wild bird population.
Unlike hamsters, and some other small rodents they do not sleep all day.
Unlike rabbits they eat little, can be handled easily, and can even stay indoors.
Unlike snakes, and other reptiles they do not need extra heat and light.
Unlike birds they do not make incessant noise and mess.
Unlike fish they can be handled and give affection.
Unlike horses they do not need regular veterinary attention or expensive upkeep.

Yes, the domesticated guinea pig can make a great pet - low cost to buy, low cost of upkeep, not noisy, does not demand constant attention, yet are affectionate, and cuddly.

Lifespan: 3 to 6 years typically

Size: 8" - 12" (Bert and Archie seem to be of the smallest size)

Feeding: Guinea Pigs are vegetarians. They simply need commercially prepared pellets, with a variety of fresh fruits and veges. Carrots and leafy greens are especially liked, and important to their diet.

Handling: It's best to handle them often, especially if children will be taking care of them. They can get spooked if they think they're going to fall. Guinea Pigs are a great pet for children, and help teach them the importance of caring for and protecting the weee little creatures of the world.

Treats: Its good to have wood for them to chew on. Clippings from an apple tree, or commercially made wooden chew toys work well to help keep their teeth in good shape.

Cage Maintenance: It's very important to keep any little critter's cage clean. A Guinea Pig does not stink, but the cage will get stinky if not cleaned regularly. They currently have a cage lined with a layer of newspaper on the bottom, then a layer of super absorbent bedding, and a layer of pine shavings on top of that. To clean their cage, you simply put the pigs in a separate cage/box, then dump the old bedding, clean bottom of cage with antibacterial cleanser (1/10 mixture of bleach to water will suffice), dry and put the layers of bedding in.

Now that you know everything you'd like to know about Guinea Pigs, and then some, we'd love for you to help us find a home for these little guys.

MEET BUDDY BOY, The Hahn's Mini Macaw:

Ahhhh, a nice little stretch of the wings.

Having a little fun climbing atop his cage.

What a Prettttty Boy!

What the images can't show you is what a character he is! Buddy continues to do very well, adjusting to life in the Clavier asylum.

LENT IS HERE:

Today is the first day of Lent. I hope you'll all be planning to be in church. For some Lent is a time for giving something up and taking something on..

Giving Something Up: Ideally something which is good, pleasant, pleasurable, or comfortable, as these things are lawfully ours and therefore represent a small sacrifice

Taking Something On: Ideally something which can make a permanent contribution to our habits of worship, prayer, or study. You have a great opportunity for taking on worship, if you live here in Morgantown, by attending Fr. Tony's Wednesday Evening Lenten Studies. It's food for the soul.

LENTEN PRAYER

The glory of these forty days
We celebrate with songs of praise;
For Christ, by whom all things were made,
Himself has fasted and has prayed.

Alone and fasting Moses saw
The loving God who gave the Law;
And to Elijah, fasting, came
The steeds and chariots of flame.

So Daniel trained his mystic sight,
Delivered from the lions’ might;
And John, the Bridegroom’s friend, became
The herald of Messiah’s name.

Then grant us, Lord, like them to be
Full oft in fast and prayer with thee;
Our spirits strengthen with thy grace,
And give us joy to see thy face.

Father and Son and Spirit blest,
To thee be every prayer addrest,
Who art in Threefold Name adored,
From age to age, the only Lord. Amen.

(A Lentent Office Hymn from St Gregory the Great of the sixth century)

CLAVIER RESPONSE TO TANZANIA RESULTS:

THE PRIMATES SPEAK by Fr. Tony Clavier

If this whole sorry story were about winners and losers, the "Windsor compliant" bishops would seem to have won the first round. They did so, I would suggest, because their attitude and mode of operation sounded Anglican. They didn't sound like politicians or go for the headlines. Nor did they seem to be engaged in an opportunistic grasp for power. Their reticence must have appealed to +Rowan Cantuar and the primates who still prefer to use the language in an understated manner.

In that our own primate signed the final statement there may be hope that a similarly moderate liberal response will be forthcoming. Certainly the appearance of unity -if a less than total expression thereof- may enable TEC to care for all our parishioners and parishes rather than merely those who agreed with majority votes in General Convention. It will be interesting to see in what manner General Convention will function in a two room house. One welcomes the moratorium on law suits. I've written before on the scandal these law suits present to the watching world. In that 815 has encouraged legal proceedings, the ability of our Primate to be a shepherd to all, rather than the leader of a party has been greatly damaged. Ecclesiastical parties come and go. It is to be hoped that the primates have enabled moderates in TEC to have the courage of their convictions.

On the other hand, TEC may be prepared to walk away from the Communion in September, arguing that we must all wait for the next General Convention. That would be an utter tragedy. The draft Covenant defines accurately classical Anglicanism. Mention of the 1662 BCP and the Articles of Religion as authoritative documents may need some further drafting. Perhaps the Historical Documents section of our Prayer Book provide sources and language which speak to who we are and whom we serve.

The House of Bishops and the Executive Council are being given perhaps the most difficult and most important decision in the history of Anglicanism in America. At least the Canadians have now ample warning to prepare themselves to respond to the WWAC.

Surely if it is in God's will that gays and lesbians may marry, or bishops in same sex relationships are the thing of the future, we can all wait to see if this revelation becomes apparent more widely across the world before we break ranks with our family and tradition?

In the meantime perhaps those on the right can practice good manners and the language of Anglican diplomacy. We are not living in the reign of Edward VI or George III. Evangelicalism is an important aspect of Anglicanism, but, except for a few years in Edwardian and Elizabethan reigns, the sort of evangelicalism we've heard from recently has never defined our tradition. It is for this reason that the Windsor bishops have been heard. They represent different traditions within our church and lack the shrillness one reads in certain blogs!

Certainly TEC has been taken to the Principal's study. I think that to be a thoroughly good thing. We've all been much too arrogant to the point that some of us think that our financial gifts abroad should have bought us support. Americans constantly moan that nations we have supported show little gratitude. Gifts with strings are no gifts at all. Claims that General Convention has a direct and unique link to the Holy Spirit sound remarkably like the claims made by Mormons and Christian Scientists.

Perhaps the proposed Covenant will bring us back to reality?

MY NAGGING QUESTION: (editorial from PC's soapbox)

Over the past few years it seems the Episcopal Church has been plagued by a constant air of discontent, infighting, power struggles, and lack of Grace, Dignity, Compassion or Forgiveness. Now that the boil seems to be coming to a head, after the meeting of the Primates in Tanzania, I wonder if the new resolutions/agreements will be the final lancing of the inflammed boil, or simply enable more festering of the growing disease.

A few years back, I was fortunate enough to attend the Minneapolis General Convention of the Episcopal Church USA, and I'll never forget the overwhelming feeling of hurt, betrayal, confusion, and hostility in the air, with the pending confirmation of Gene Robinson as a bishop. You could see the suffering in the faces of so many, whether they agreed with the decision or not. One could not help but feel the incredible forces beginning to bear down on the Church.

I asked myself then, and I continue to ask, "Why was Gene not willing to graciously bow out of the election"? WHY?

It was clear from the very beginning this would/could cause great amounts of suffering, sadness, heartache and strife among the entire Anglican Communion. Liberals and Conservatives, Men and Women, Young and Old, Bishops and Priests, Clergy and Lay Folk within the Church continue to be at odds with one another, and the divide only grows wider.

In my simple way of thinking, I've come to realize one must question their personal motives, if an action they plan to take will cause distress and discord among others. This seems an especially important consideration for our clergy, yes? The reaction to Gene's confirmation was more then predictable. At times I cannot help but wonder if this has all simply been a well choreographed DISTRACTION on the part of our father below, like so many other distractions among the flock?

I'm convinced the devil easily finds his way into the human heart through the act of distraction and self-centered-ness. How easy it is for us to be distracted by the simplest of things. How sad it is that some refuse to see they're possibly being used as an instrument for something other than Good.

If you take a moment to think, you may quickly muster up a variety of ways you've seen the body of the Church distracted from its calling. Money issues? Power struggles? Personality conflicts? Clergy gone bad? Lay folk gone mad? Bishops inflicting pain and suffering? How easy it is for us to bury ourselves in hurtful distractions of the mind, ignoring the heartache of our soul, and more importantly the pain we must certainly be inflicting on God our gracious Father. It's no wonder the Church is breaking in two.

Maybe God is sitting among us having a good giggle at how infantile we can be. Ohhhhhhhh...I'm sure he's (yes, I said "he"--- grin) seen it all before, and we won't be the last to be an embarrassment to Christianity, but honestly folks.... Shouldn't we expect a bit more out of our clergy? Should they not be taking into consideration all those who suffer in silence, do good for others, attend their Church faithfully, and serve willingly, when they decide to undertake actions that harm the whole of our mother Church?

When it's all said and done, Robinson had a choice, and continues to have a choice. How long will the suffering and strife continue? I simply want to understand. I have nothing against the man, and care not at all about his sexual preferences, but hold him to the same standard as I would any other in a similar situation. (in case you were wondering)