Chet Collins

Toys, toys, everywhere.

A home teeming with toddlers.

Time to get to work.

New friend at the Zoo

I can choose way of the just or the way of the wicked. I pray for the wisdom of God to make the right choice and it’s up to me to make that choice, daily.

I won’t get it right every day, but life isn’t about the last play. It’s about the next play.

First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Gorgeous day to be outdoors!

Apparently political campaigns can text you now. It’s quite gouache. I’m going to stop giving out my phone number, period.

Using emoji in my Things projects is quite useful.

It’s nice to not be on Twitter. Or Facebook. Or Instagram.

Cleaning car seats is such a chore.

Goal for the day: put house back in order

My personal spiritual philosophy is based around the concept of attunement. I want to be grounded enough in my prayer life to venture out into the world. I make decisions based on an educated guess and remain alert to clues that I have chosen correctly or incorrectly.

This suits me very well. I fear presuming to know the mind of God, so by making decisions in light of our relationship, I can be open to hearing His wisdom for my life. After all, He sent His disciples out into society, not up onto the mountain. Having this philosophy also prevents me from paralysis of decision making or the temptation to over analyze what may or may be a sign.

The opening prayer at Mass today calls for us to be attentive. Pray, work, and in all things, be ready to make adjustments to conform more perfectly with God’s Will.

First Reading: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-27

Gospel: Luke 1:39-56

That moment when you look at the recipe for dinner and realize it should’ve got into the slow cooker 6 hours ago

I was reminded this evening about the importance of our eyes. The most delicate and wonderful organ, they are the windows to the soul. The eyes and heart work together. So much good is possible if I choose to protect them both.

As I drove the final mile to our house on Sunday, I started to wonder why I was so excited to be home. It’s just a structure with all of our stuff inside. I had a fabulous time at the lake, so what would make me enthusiastic to go home?

Home is the place where I’m most comfortable. It’s good to travel, it’s wonderful to see family, and it’s great to be home.

Currently reading: Retire Inspired: It’s Not an Age; It’s a Financial Number by Chris Hogan 📚

This was my second time reading Parish Priest, the story of Fr. Michael McGivney. While his legacy is the founding of the Knights of Columbus, the book mainly focuses on his life and ministry, with a small portion of the overall book covering his work with the Knights.

McGivney lived in a very difficult time in America. Not only was there the threat of an early death, vigorous anti-Catholic sentiment colored just about every aspect of his daily life. Out of that adversity, he founded the Knights of Columbus which has gone on to go countless good works in America and around the world.

What impressed me most about this book is how connected the American Church of today is to the American Church of the 1880s. The authors did an excellent job of explaining the movement and explosive growth of the Church with the rapid influx of immigrants in that period. I now have a understanding of the leadership thought processes for decisions that we continue to live with today. They did a wonderful job shepherding the infant American Church.

I read this book looking for inspiration as I become active once again in the Knights. This book kept its promise and gave me exactly what I was looking for.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

ISBN: 9780060776848

Really enjoying listening to Ben Rector’s catalog. Pleasant songs to unpack to and listening on the HomePod is a real treat.

Finished reading: Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney and American Catholicism by Douglas Brinkley & Julie M. Fenster 📚

I knew that Mass this evening was going to be a struggle. We arrived home after lunch, and given the week worth of strange sleep schedule and arrangements on the road, the kids were bound to be tired. Felicity was the one I was really worried about.

Sure enough, she was just chatty. Not terrible, just loud and constant. As I sat there wishing that she would settle down, all I could focus on was her loud voice filling up the quiet chapel.

God spoke clearly to this weekly struggle that parents feel:

> And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma.

Let the voices of the young Church speak and may they be welcomed.

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8

Second Reading: Ephesians 4:30 - 5:2

Gospel: John 6:41-51

Even Elmo is happy to be home in his bed.

Food Network Star is total garbage. Never again! Manny is king!

It’s good to be home.

There’s nothing quite like a road trip on brand new tires.

What a great find on the road!

Our week at Lake Michigan is coming to a close. Even though I used to live here, this is actually only the second time that I can remember coming to the lake. The first time was at a big state park and, this time, a private residence with a quiet beach.

Growing up, whenever we went on the water, it was usually the Atlantic Ocean. I wasn’t a fan of the way the salt water made my skin feel, the sand everywhere, and the beating hot sun. I was more of a mountain person than a beach person. After this week, I’ve clearly turned.

Months of 100°+ temperatures and high humidity at home set me up perfectly to enjoy this week. The cool lake breeze and temperatures in the low 70s at night have been like a drink of cool water. We had rainy days, windy days, cloudy days, and sunny days. I spent a lot of time out in the kayak and building fortifications to protect Benedict’s sand castles. I particularly enjoyed floating in the open kayak with my legs overboard.

My favorite activity this week was going out in the lake and existing. If I was out on the kayak, I’d sit and let the waves pass me by. I also walked out 40 yards onto a sandbar and body floated. Existing in the tranquility of the lake was rejuvenating.

The sunsets have been phenomenal, as have the aunts and uncles, running around with the children while I blogged, journaled, swam, and read. We picked up the tradition of cooking a meal each night by different members of the family, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to share those meals out on the deck.

All good things must come to an end. If I lived at the beach, I’d take it for granted. This place is too special to go to waste. Instead, we’ll decamp to our Western homestead, and enjoy a completely different ecosystem. I’ll always remember this week at the lake, and count the days until we do it again.

Van is on the road again. Just in time!