Long Overdue
Dear all,
It's been a while since my last blog, and my apologies for the delay. As you all know, we're now living in La Porte, a lovely rural Midwestern town in NW Indiana, surrounded by miles of fertile farmland, only 13 miles from the beach (Lake Michigan), and an hour (as the crow flies, and not by time spent on the interstate) east of Chicago. La Porte reminds me a lot of Watertown, SD.... a town I grew to love dearly.... where folks seem to take life (and the weather) in stride, are pleasantly laid back and from every experience so far..... kind, caring and generous (well, except for the mechanic that just took complete advantage of us). While living in the Midwest, one can easily imagine living in a Norman Rockwell painting.
Spring is finally springing, in spite of being assured by our WONDERFUL bishop (+Ed Little) that spring would arrive "some time in August"! (grin) Having arrived one day before the area was buried in 22" of snow, I tended to believe him! Fortunately, we now have glorious bulbs springing forth all over the property. Bright shades of yellows, blues, purples and more... The trees are budding and soon the ground will be warm enough to start playing in the heavenly soil.
Looking at the calender, I can't believe I've been here EIGHT weeks! Time flies when you're busy as a worker bee! I may have mentioned there had been a flood in the rectory a couple of weeks before I arrived. Well, eight weeks into our move, we're still working at getting repairs completed...... inching our way toward "settling in". Having to realize we're back in the rural world, it takes a bit longer to get things done. With that in mind, I've set a hopeful goal of having the house completely sorted out by the time Tony's installation occurs, May 16th (and you're all invited!).
The critters have all settled in, for the most part. Fr. Tony keeps busy with services, getting to know parishioners and town folk, and working at various new positions he's been appointed to. Each day I'm up with the sun, working on the rectory till it's time to collapse at the end of the day. I've begun the registration process with Ivy Technical College and hope to begin taking classes this summer in Web Management and Graphic Design.
Slowly but surely we're managing the task of finding new doctors to care for our Tony, although we miss our Dr. Craig and Pamela GREATLY!!! We've been to see his new Hematologist, Dr. Abonour, who tells us that he does not anticipate Fr. Tony having to undergo chemo, ever again! THANKS BE TO GOD!!! This morning I return to my new G.P. to find out the results of recent blood work. I gather my cholesterol is up, but considering I've lost 20 pounds... what the heck!
Before closing, I have to again thank Irene for being such a dear and cherished friend, who helped me through a very difficult departure from Morgantown, and arrival in La Porte. One can never question whether God is looking out for us, when he sends an angel like Irene to lean on! I must also thank Britt, who took on the task of caring for ye olde parson during the pre move. We look forward to seeing them both at Tony's installation, and hope our other dear friends from Becket will join in the celebration as well.
To the former parishioners at Becket, YOU are greatly missed. Fr. Tony and I felt very much a part of God's little family on the hill, through some very difficult times.... unfortunate bumps in the Episcopal road, and our disappointment about Fr. Tony's appointment being unexpectedly shortened. We will always have a special place in our hearts for you ALL.
I've learned by now, "when God closes one door, He opens another". The new door that has been opened to us in La Porte is filled with many wonderful prospects and great hope for the future. I have to gratefully thank Margie, Lorraine, Christie, Sandra, Charlie, and many more at St. Paul's, who helped us smoothly make the transition into our new home and parish. Their love, care, dedication and devotion are truly an inspiration and much appreciated gift to us.
To all of you reading this blog, we would so enjoy having you attend Tony's installation on Friday, May 16th (6pm), and experience a grand celebration of beginning his new ministry in a church clearly filled (for over a century) with God's spirit and peace. While here, you'll also have the pleasure of meeting our Bishop Ed, who is by far one of God's truly chosen men of God.
If you need more information, help getting here, or accommodations, please don't hesitate to contact us. Over the month ahead, I'll be posting more information about the celebration. If you'd like to receive an invitation, or know of someone we should send an invitation to, please let us know.
Must close for now, but hope to check in more often.
Much love and God's peace to you all,
PitterPat
Spring is finally springing, in spite of being assured by our WONDERFUL bishop (+Ed Little) that spring would arrive "some time in August"! (grin) Having arrived one day before the area was buried in 22" of snow, I tended to believe him! Fortunately, we now have glorious bulbs springing forth all over the property. Bright shades of yellows, blues, purples and more... The trees are budding and soon the ground will be warm enough to start playing in the heavenly soil.
Looking at the calender, I can't believe I've been here EIGHT weeks! Time flies when you're busy as a worker bee! I may have mentioned there had been a flood in the rectory a couple of weeks before I arrived. Well, eight weeks into our move, we're still working at getting repairs completed...... inching our way toward "settling in". Having to realize we're back in the rural world, it takes a bit longer to get things done. With that in mind, I've set a hopeful goal of having the house completely sorted out by the time Tony's installation occurs, May 16th (and you're all invited!).
The critters have all settled in, for the most part. Fr. Tony keeps busy with services, getting to know parishioners and town folk, and working at various new positions he's been appointed to. Each day I'm up with the sun, working on the rectory till it's time to collapse at the end of the day. I've begun the registration process with Ivy Technical College and hope to begin taking classes this summer in Web Management and Graphic Design.
Slowly but surely we're managing the task of finding new doctors to care for our Tony, although we miss our Dr. Craig and Pamela GREATLY!!! We've been to see his new Hematologist, Dr. Abonour, who tells us that he does not anticipate Fr. Tony having to undergo chemo, ever again! THANKS BE TO GOD!!! This morning I return to my new G.P. to find out the results of recent blood work. I gather my cholesterol is up, but considering I've lost 20 pounds... what the heck!
Before closing, I have to again thank Irene for being such a dear and cherished friend, who helped me through a very difficult departure from Morgantown, and arrival in La Porte. One can never question whether God is looking out for us, when he sends an angel like Irene to lean on! I must also thank Britt, who took on the task of caring for ye olde parson during the pre move. We look forward to seeing them both at Tony's installation, and hope our other dear friends from Becket will join in the celebration as well.
To the former parishioners at Becket, YOU are greatly missed. Fr. Tony and I felt very much a part of God's little family on the hill, through some very difficult times.... unfortunate bumps in the Episcopal road, and our disappointment about Fr. Tony's appointment being unexpectedly shortened. We will always have a special place in our hearts for you ALL.
I've learned by now, "when God closes one door, He opens another". The new door that has been opened to us in La Porte is filled with many wonderful prospects and great hope for the future. I have to gratefully thank Margie, Lorraine, Christie, Sandra, Charlie, and many more at St. Paul's, who helped us smoothly make the transition into our new home and parish. Their love, care, dedication and devotion are truly an inspiration and much appreciated gift to us.
To all of you reading this blog, we would so enjoy having you attend Tony's installation on Friday, May 16th (6pm), and experience a grand celebration of beginning his new ministry in a church clearly filled (for over a century) with God's spirit and peace. While here, you'll also have the pleasure of meeting our Bishop Ed, who is by far one of God's truly chosen men of God.
If you need more information, help getting here, or accommodations, please don't hesitate to contact us. Over the month ahead, I'll be posting more information about the celebration. If you'd like to receive an invitation, or know of someone we should send an invitation to, please let us know.
Must close for now, but hope to check in more often.
Much love and God's peace to you all,
PitterPat
