Living like the prophets!

Our current course for the deacon candidates is an on line course about the prophets. My first experiment into this way of learning is actually going quite well. It takes a little more effort on my part to keep up with this, but I actually am enjoying a little more free time in the process. We have the opportunity to post reflections on a regular basis and all the students in the section get a chance to review it and add comments.

This app called Catholic One is available at no charge. So I figured if it's free, this one is for me. What I have really loved about this one is the daily podcasts that are meditations from Pope Benedict XVI. Today's podcast centered around the theme "Living like the prophets" and the meditation states....          
  "They are not to be understood as seers, but as voices who understand time from God's point of view, and can therefore warn us against what is destructive, and on the other hand, show us the right road forward!"

 A very timely meditation indeed!

I strongly suggest that you should try it out.  It's available in the Daily readings section of this app at the bottom of the list!

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

I'm Back!

Well, I got home last night about 6:30 from my National Sales Meeting with Sherwin-Williams. It was a great week for learning about new products, new innovations, and I am fired up. Speaking of fire, I tried to use my Kindle fire last week to post something and I didn't have any luck at all. It was either too slow, or I had to pay to use the Internet. Needless to say I didn't post anything.

Terry had a great supper waiting for me. We talked for a while and soon it was time to get back on the computer and log into the chat session for week #2. I'm starting to like this a little bit more. I worked hard last weekend to get my paper in on time and meet the requirements for the second session. We had a lively and challenging chat to boot. Wayne and I discussed the use of metaphors in the Old Testament. We both were comfortable with this, but it seemed that some had a little problem with this issue. It still was a great night.

I thought I would sleep in today, but I got up early anyways. I first stopped by the Adoration Chapel to do Morning Prayers and spend some time in His presence. I had so much to be thankful for and it helped kick start the day. I then shared some of the details with the staff about the week I had, and began planning the events for next week.

Tonight we are going out for supper with my best friend and his wife, and then we will come back and watch "the bucket list". It should be another great night!

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

Bon Voyage!

These were the words shared to me by someone special. I will be away for a
few days on a business trip. I will try to post something, even if it is short.

Today I met with my pastor and he shared some very good wisdom with me that I won't soon forget. Our associate share about the prophet (timely isn't it) Jonah and how stories were metaphors for larger ideals. Ironically this was something I added to my paper this week on the prophets.

I wish nothing but the best for all of you and.....

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis!

Mitch

The first time!

I'm trying something new, for me anyways! Technology hasn't been my thing. I'm doing this one on my kindle fire. Really too slow for me.

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis
Mitch

It's that time of the year again!

January is usually one of our slowest months of the year sales wise in my store. The slower times allow for more open times to go out selling. Today was one of those days and we packed it in with cold calls and meeting some of our regular customers. My rep and I had a lot of fun out there!

What also makes this month a little crazy is that I'm getting ready for my National Sales Meeting with Sherwin-Williams in Nashville Tn. next week. I've been attending these for over 24 years now and I still love them. It's really a business retreat to gain some knowledge, bond with my co-workers, check out new products and recharge those batteries to help grow the business in the coming year.

It's also now week two in our step on line course through Notre Dame. So far I love this course. I keep hearing "you really need to be disciplined to take those courses." I guess so far so good. I turned in my paper on Monday, on line of course, and tonight is session two to participate in a chat. Again, this is very different experience for me. I'm getting to share with people across the nation and I can do this in the comfort of my home with no traveling involved. Though I really miss the time with my travel partner and the Plymouth team.

So, even though it is a little busy with what is coming up, it's been very enjoyable so far. I'll try to post something again before I leave and maybe, just maybe if I can figure it out i'll try to post something while at my trip. I love my kindle fire!

Well, the best to all of you!

Peace!

Bonsoir et Adieu mes Amis!

Mitch

"And He stooped toward me...."

It's early Sunday Morning and I'm praying for some guidance on my first paper for The Prophets course we are all taking. I seem to always get a little worked up about the first paper. You know, first impressions are important!

I've finished all my readings and I have really enjoyed them all. I started writing the paper yesterday and it was OK, but it really didn't excite me. At Mass I listened, I prayed and then it all started. I remembered that the paper was about how I would explain Biblical prophecy and what was a Biblical prophet to someone.

As I listened at Mass I heard the words that entered into my heart....."and He stooped toward me and heard my cry. And He put a new song into my mouth, a Hymn to God."
and then again more....."but ears open to obedience you gave me."

It's like I heard the Lord talking to me, telling me to relax, I hear you! Don't worry so much, just listen.......and He began to put a new song into my mouth!

I just got back from the hospital, and again I was reminded how much this formation is preparing me for the future. I met someone who was struggling with the loss of her Independence. I mentioned to her about how St. Paul also struggled, having to accept the generosity of others for his ministry. I mentioned to her that at times in our lives as independent as we may be, we may need to depend on others to get by. I asked her to pray to St. Paul and asked for his intercession on this issue. The words seem to offer comfort to her and then she received a call from her daughter and I left. She sounded better!

Looking back, I could feel and hear that He put a new song into my mouth!


Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

Mitch

PS, it's going to hit 15 below today here in Burrrrrrrrlin!

Sometimes I can be a little too persistant!

Yesterday, we were being covered with a snowfall way up North. Supposedly this was to be a MAJOR snowfall according to the National Weather Service! BEWARE.....dangerous conditions! Yeah right! I'm tough, I was born here, bring on the snow.

I got a call from a customer who needed some paint for a job that he needed to finish for Monday. I thought for a moment and decided that I was heading to Rumford Maine to visit a great friend of mine and tint and pick up this specialty product in his store. After all, this should be a piece of cake right? So what if it took a little longer than usual.

I called Terry and asked her if she wanted to join me on a road trip. Within an hour we were off. The roads were a little greasy but I kept well below the speed limit. I had to stop a couple of times to clean off the wiper blades, but no big deal at all!

We were a little less than 5 minutes from the store when  the truck started twisting and turning. Amazingly, instincts and training take over and after a couple of twists I thought I had it covered. Luckily, with twisting into the other lane, there were no cars or trucks coming our way.

Then it happened we were sliding sideways! In moments I thought we were going to hit the guard rails, and we missed them. Were still sliding and then I thought we would be all right and then we were heading down a small embankment. I thought we were going to hit a tree. I looked around, quickly put the truck in reverse and backed out of the ditch.

We didn't really hit anything, and I couldn't believe how we got out of there without a tow truck. The truck behind us saw us getting out and continued on his way. I then drove to the store and quickly got out and didn't even see a scratch on the truck. Terry, looked at me and said..."well at least we were together, and this will be something we can tell our grandchildren!" (if we get any!)

I talked to my buddy Larry and told him what happened. He said and not jokingly...."Mitch, you are touched by God!" I actually thought I was really "touched" in the head for making the trip.

This is the next day and I'm still stunned as to how quickly this happened and how blessed we are for coming home safe.

The next time this does come up again, and I'm sure it will, I will make sure that this time I say...."let's wait until tomorrow!"

Bonjour, et Adieu mes Amis!

Mitch