My daily cross

Many years ago, my wife gave me this cross as a birthday gift.

Every night, before I turned in, I took off my cross and placed it on my bureau.  Every morning, I put it back on.  It was my routine and I did not think about it at all.  When I broke my shoulder earlier this year, I could not do that simple action, so I made a choice.  I left it on for 5 weeks.

Now that the shoulder is healed, I had to make another choice.  I went back to my old ways.  There is great symbolism in my old ways.

Each night, I take off my cross and turn my cross over to God.  As my mother used to say, "He'll be up all night watching anyway."

Each morning, I pick up my cross again and move forward with my day.

Staring at the ceiling

"Lord, help me trust you more"
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner"

These are my 'mantras' when I find myself unable to sleep and staring at the ceiling at 3:00 A.M. It is not every night, but once in a while.   Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't.

Gentle reader, any advice for falling back asleep?

Secular considerations

Well a lot of my spare time now is considering the secular aspects of my transition.

I've made a time line at work to exit there and give myself a month before I start at the seminary.  That should give me time to do some packing, some vacation and some family visits.

I've started the process of looking for a condominium where my Dad and I can live.  We're talking about bringing in my sister and her husband as well.  Nothing is decided yet, but there are some possibilities.

Meanwhile, I wander through the house and mentally tag items: seminary (very few), condo, and St. Vincent de Paul.  In those travels, I still see too much stuff.  There is so much in this house that I never use.  " 'tis a gift to be simple..."

I tell my secret

Well, the cat is out of the bag at work.  I told my manager and her manager on Friday.  They both took it very well.  I've asked for a July 29th end date.  Thus far, that seems reasonable to them.  Of course, their management may change that date at any time by asking me to leave. But it does not matter, I'm on a new path.

Now that my management team knows, I've been more open about this at work.  I've been telling former co-workers and folks I know at work.  I've posted it on Facebook and on LinkedIn.  The word is getting out.

My pastor told the entire congregation at the 9:00 Mass on Sunday.  I did not expect to turn as red as I did.  I was humbled by the applause the congregation gave me. 

God is good... All the time...

ACCEPTED!

I just got a call from the Vocation Director.  I've been accepted for the fall semester.  My letter should be in the mail today or tomorrow.

Praise God!

Blessed John National Seminary

I just completed my admission interviews at Blessed John.  I met with 6 staff members over 2 days.   The admissions board meets this Tuesday.  The letters will go out on Wednesday.  I should have an answer by Friday or Saturday.

Of course, the Rector of the Seminary will also call the Vocations Director on Tuesday or Wednesday.  The Vocation Director may choose to call me and let me know the decision at that time.

In either event, I should have an answer by this coming weekend.

Blessed John National Seminary

I've been asked to visit Blessed John for 2 days later this month for my final acceptance interviews.   Your prayers are certainly appreciated.