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

FINALLY ON LINE AGAIN!!!!

Greetings all from Siberia... I mean..... La Porte, Indiana! Bloody cold up here on the northern prairie. I took a break from the unpacking to snap photos of the recent blanket of snow. The 26th we got about a foot of snow, and yesterday we got another 18 inches! Click below to view stills and videos.

CLICK HERE to go to my Picasa Web Album, or click on the image below.

BIG SNOW- LA PORTE

More about the "interesting" trip north, after I get more unpacking done.

Enjoy the photos.
Miss you all!
PitterPat

The service for the Celebration of a New ministry for the congregation of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, La Porte, Northern Indiana will be on Friday, May 16th., at 6:PM Central time. The Reverend Mark Clavier "may" be preaching at the installation of his father.

Anyone interested in attending, we'd LOVE to have you there. Please contact me if you plan to attend, and we'll make sure you have adequate sleeping arrangements, if need be.

Sure has been a while, aye?

Fr. Tony's interviews are over, and a decision has been made. This will be Fr. Tony's last month in Morgantown, WV. (hmmmm, will have to change his blog name!). We're headed north to La Porte, Indiana.

If you'd like to take a little tour of La Porte, the parish church and rectory, visit the link below.

Morgantown Snow and LaPorte, IN Visit

I'm quite busy with sorting, organizing, and packing, but plan to get back at blogging once we're settled in La Porte. In the meantime, blogging will be hit and miss.

If anyone knows of someone looking for a used car, we're selling one of our Jeeps. I've got 3 weeks to get her sold, so if you think of that "someone", please spread the word.

1992 JEEP CHEROKEE LOREDO LIMITED 4WD

RUNS AND DRIVES Great! MUST SEE!!!
Well Maintained!!!
Sturdy! Reliable! Always Road Ready!
In WV only 2 years; NO Rust Issues!
EXT: Turquoise/Green,
INT: Grey,
Engine: 6 Cylinder,
Transmission: Automatic,
Tilt Steering Wheel,
4WD (Hi/Lo),
---> HEAVY DUTY HITCH <---
Bonus: Spare Set of Rims!!!,
AM/FM/Cassette Stereo

NO ACCIDENTS!,
NO Cracked/Ripped/Torn Fabric or Vinyl!,
4.4 Liter Engine (THE Best!),
NEW: Muffler, Tailpipe, Thermostat, Tail light.
INSPECTION READY!
179,000 Miles and keeps on going and going and going!
Suggested Retail Price: $1,800.
Selling her for only: $1,500.
Email ASAP for more information, and photos.

TRIP TO GREENVILLE, SC

Ohhhhhhhhh, what a weekend!

We arrived in Greenville, SC Friday afternoon and were greeted by a handful of the search committee. They were so very kind and attentive! We were taken to our hotel on the river, in downtown Greenville after taking a brief tour of St. Anthony's parish church. The church is so very lovely, and it reminded me of the Anglican parish I attended in Charlotte, NC, where I discovered Anglicanism.

Tony and I spent some time resting up, then were treated to dinner with the search committee at a local restaurant. Speaking of restaurants... Greenville is busting at the seams with every kind of eatery you could imagine! And MY how Greenville has grown!!!!

Dinner was wonderful. The search committee of St. Anthony's is quite large, but all very warm and welcoming. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening, and the meal!

Saturday morning Tony spent with the search committee and I was shown around the renovated and renewed Main Street. I was treated to a visit to a local bead shop that had a sinful amount of baubles and beads to choose from. At noon we returned to the church to have lunch with the search committee and another informal meeting, where I was invited to share my thoughts (very refreshing!) with the committee and allow them to ask more questions.

All in all everything went so very smoothly. It's clear the members of the search committee care a great deal about their parish and everyone seems willing to roll up their sleeves to get whatever job needs doing, done. Not only do they have a beautiful church to worship in, but they have an ample sized parish hall for lots of fun events!

Saturday afternoon mother nature decided she had other plans for us, and as a result of Charlotte airport shutting down, we were trapped in Greenville for another day. Tony was unable to take services at Becket, or attend the annual parish meeting back home. As we spent the evening biding our time, watching voting results from Nevada and South Carolina, we flipped through the phone book and found one of Tony's former parishioners from Clermont-Ferrand (France), and gave her a call. She was as thrilled to hear from us, as we were to catch up with her!

This morning we were able to attend church at St. Andrew's. It was grand to be in church with bells, incense and the feel of true reverence within the four beautiful walls of St. Andrews. I especially enjoyed being able to SING the "our father"... something I've missed for a long time!

If you'd like to see pictures of St. Andrew's parish church....
CLICK HERE

After church we were treated to lunch, then off to the airport to catch our flight. The trip back to Pittsburgh went without a hitch, although there was a man in the smaller airplane, a couple of rows behind us, who was sawing logs like you would NOT believe! I've never heard anyone snore THAT loudly!

We arrived in Pittsburgh to find the battery of our car dead! Dead as a doornail! UGH!!!! After an hour of waiting in the BITTERLY cold weather, a guy finally arrived to give us a jump and we were on our way home....!

Tomorrow morning will come early, and we drive BACK to Pittsburgh to catch a flight to South Bend, Indiana, for the second round of interviews there. As I'm sure it's mightily cold in that neck of the woods, I'll be sure to bundle up!

More later........
pitterpat

FR TONY UPDATE
SPECIAL REQUEST

FR TONY UPDATE

Fr. Tony seems well recovered. This morning he preached a wonderful sermon (which you can find on Sermons that Work, written by our Tony), and had a lot of the congregation in tears as he explained why he had to begin his search for a new parish. What he forgot to mention is there are many other factors which present themselves these days, when a priest is hunting for a new job. The largest of these factors is all the hoooooo ha going on in the Episcopal Church. But, I'll not go into politics at this time.

For those interested in seeing a bit about the parish we recently visited, view their Profile HERE.

SPECIAL REQUEST

As this blog goes out far and wide around the states, I thought I'd post a special request. A dear friend's 18 month old son is in need of a good Pediatric Urologist. It seems the Pediatric Urologist at Ruby Memorial Hospital has moved on. If you know of a good P.U., please contact me.

This 18 month old is such an adorable little guy, and growing by leaps and bounds, but they've found a tumor that needs seen to. I'm grateful for any information you can send regarding pediatric specialists who can best care for him.

FR TONY UPDATE
JUST FOR FUN


FR. TONY UPDATE:

Christmas has passed, and we're well into the new year. Fr. Tony seems more and more his old self. It's actually beginning to get hard to imagine how ill he really was. THIS is a good thing!

Our trip to Indiana went very well. We didn't get to see much of the area, as our trip was so short, but the people in charge of taking care of us were quite nice indeed. The interview went well. The church is lovely, and the rectory is huge.

JUST FOR FUN

I edited my recent sketch... I don't know about you all, but I'm already getting tired of the day to day coverage of the candidates!

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

the 12TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
in honor of the hour by hour, day by day,
and week by week of constant coverage
of the 2008 Presidential Election.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (a bit delayed)

OUR 11th day of Christmas (following whirlwind trip to Indiana)

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
EXCITING CLAVIER FAMILY BLOG NEWS

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

OUR 10TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS
Sorry, but the 9th Day of Christmas got lost in the shuffle.

EXCITING CLAVIER FAMILY BLOG NEWS

10,568 times our blog has been viewed! TEN THOUSAND!!!! Thank you all for staying in the loop with us over the past year+. We couldn't have managed without your ongoing love, care and well wishes. If you would like to see the hit counter, it's located at the very bottom of the family blog home page.