The List … One Thing Down, Many to Go:  On the Thursday after Christmas I decided I was going to head out to my sister Cindy’s house in Allenton to install their new Nest thermostat.  I also wanted to work on a few issues that have been dogging their network and computers.  My evening was free so I decided this was the night to accomplish these tasks.  Going out to Allenton to work on an item on “THE List” is no easy task.  First, you have to consider the hour commute back and forth.  Second, and even more important, you have to make sure you have EVERYTHING (and I really mean EVERYTHING) you need because that one missing or broken part that is often in the way of you completing a project is 30 to 40 minutes away.  In all seriousness, I regularly overbuy at Lowes or Home Depot and then return things that aren’t used simply because I’ve been burned too many times; simple projects can turn into a two day job just because I run out of time going back and forth to the stores.  That’s why I also rely on YouTube and Family Handyman Magazine website videos to educate myself on more complex projects.  This stuff has to be well choreographed and well planned.
 
Because my schedule can change faster than the weather in Michigan, I rarely give my family a heads up I’m on my way.  If things change I don’t like disappointing people, especially when word gets out that SOMETHING is being tackled from THE LIST!  So, when it appeared I had a green light to start my way up to Allenton, I gathered all of my stuff and hopped in my car.  It was then that I called my sister.  I was in luck because they were going out to the movies that night and so I would have the whole house to myself.  This was absolutely perfect!  I could make all the noise I wanted without disturbing anyone and I could stay focused on my tasks.  When I got to the house, I gathered my tools and needed supplies and walked into the house.  Now Emmi and Lily were still home and greeted me (the family dogs).  But once they figured out I didn’t come bearing any treats they left me alone and went to their respective pet beds and faithfully “guarded” the house.  I was psyched.  The house was quiet.  I could crank up the Christmas music and focus on getting things done.  This couldn’t have been any more perfect for me.  About 30 minutes after my arrival, I heard the sound of voices coming from the garage.  Because family and friends come and go at their house all the time, I figured it was someone who may have thought they were home; my visitors were going to be surprised it was just Uncle Mike working on a project.  But then the voices were all too familiar.  First I saw one of my nephews, then a niece, another nephew and then my sister.  “I thought you were going to the movies,” I somewhat “barked.”  I then learned they felt really guilty about leaving me alone at the house working on a project so they decided to turn around and come back home so they could hang out with Uncle Mike.  I was touched and sorry I barked!  Yes, I was a tad annoyed at first because I really wanted to plow through these projects and make use of the quiet and the time I had.  But then I quickly came to my senses and realized the project list wasn’t all that important.  God obviously had a different plan for me that evening!  It was great because we ended up having dinner together and just laughed around the dinner table for about an hour and a half.  When dinner was done, I returned to the Nest thermostat and successfully finished the installation.  I got it all programmed and showed them how to program and operated it from either the thermostat or the app on their phone.  Because I’ve installed a number of these thermostats for other family members and helped with the programming of the 14 or so we have around the campus, I have plenty of Nest thermostat installation experience!  By 9:30 that night, I was cleaning my mess and wrapping things up.  Usually, I’m walking out the door much later at night!  Even I was surprised it went this well.
 
When all was wrapped up and my tools and things were in the car, I returned inside to say goodbye.  After saying goodbye to the kids, I said goodbye to my sister.  She walked me to the garage door and then congratulated me. I was a bit perplexed because I didn’t know why she was congratulating me.  I was racing through my mind trying to figure out what I did.  But then she cleared it all up.  With a huge grin on her face and a tap on my shoulder, she said:  “I’m impressed you’re leaving so early.  Your projects don’t often turn out like this!”  I could only laugh because she was right!
 
Happy 60^th Birthday Fr. Rich:  This weekend, Fr. Rich turns 60!  WOW!  Sto lat (a common Polish phrase wishing a person 100 Years)!  We congratulate and thank him for the countless ways he is SO GENEROUS to our parish community with his many gifts and talents.  We also give thanks to his parents!  Fr. Rich, we are grateful for your life, for your many gifts and talents but most especially for your gift of the priesthood.  We are blessed to have you in our midst!  Happy 60 ^th Birthday!
 
Catholic Schools Week:  This week we celebrate Catholic Schools Week throughout the United States.  This weeklong celebration is an opportunity for us to highlight the great work and ministry being accomplished in our Catholic Schools.  SJA’s celebration of Catholic Schools Week begins on Monday morning, January 28th, with the celebration of mass at 8:30 a.m.  I encourage you to attend this liturgy as we thank God for the many wonderful ways our parish school prepares young disciples for the task of thinking and acting according to the mind and heart of Christ.  Catholic Schools Week events will continue throughout the week culminating with our fun-filled Staff vs. Student Volleyball Game on Friday afternoon.  We also have our Open House and Learning Fair which takes place on Thursday, January 31 ^st from 6 – 8 p.m.  The Open House and Learning Fair are great opportunities for you or prospective new school families to come and see the amazing things we are accomplishing at our school.
 
Enjoy the week.  Know of my prayers.
 
In Christ,
 
gmb
gmb@sjascs.org