Prayer Break

I have fallen out of habit to have a prayer break during the week. This is a break in my schedule to stop by St Mary's and say a prayer.

Usually I do this during lunch. It is amazing what 5 minutes of prayer can do to a stressfull day.

Sometimes something happens that makes you realize people are genuinely good

Last week, I was sitting at my desk at work really not thinking about anything, and then the phone rang. I gave the usual "Fred Deaton at Jackson State Counseling Office, may I help you" to the caller.

A student enrolled in college called to tell me that I had helped her buy a book, and she wanted to pay me back for the book I bought for her.

To be honest, I have purchased books a lot of times for different students. This is the first one to take the step of returning the money. This action by a student comes at a time that I have been struggling to have faith in people. I needed something to restore my faith in people.

It feels real good to have one's faith in our fellow men restored.

I guess I have to show this snow. This was taken Sunday afternoon February 13, 2006. The white flecs in the picture are snowflakes. This is a big southern moment with snow.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!!

The weatherman is predicting snow for the Jackson TN area Friday and Saturday. We live just north of the snow line. FYI, the snow line in Western Tennessee is Interstate 40, and we live 2 miles north of the expressway.

Anyway, the prediction is for 2-3 inches Friday and 1-2 inches Friday night and Saturday. I've got hoopty out, gassed up and ready. Hoopty is my OLD 1989 Buick Skyhawk. I guess this was the last year they put heavy metal in a car's body. It is like a tank in comparison to today's cars. So I am ready for the seen and unforeseen of winter weather.

Too bad this isn't Wednesday, so it could create a situation that would allow the college (work) to be closed!!!!!!!!

One downside, I might have to buy my powerball ticket tomorrow at lunch instead of Saturday.

Well, I went to St Matthew Spaghetti Supper in Milan

Well, on Feb 7, 2006, Annette and I drove from Jackson TN to Milan. It took us 30 minutes to drive from work to my parents home. We picked up my parents and then proceeded to go to St Matthews just down the street on Telecom Drive.

St. Matthews is a small church and a mission of Sacred Heart in Humboldt. It is very similar in size and design to other churches in the rural area. Bishop (now Cardinal) Stafford really opened up the rural area to the faith. They have one weekend mass at St Matthews, Sunday at 8:00am.

The place was very crowded. there was a line waiting to be served. The food was great! The spaghetti was very good, and the salad was one of the salads I have had in a long time.

The most striking thing I can say about St Matthews is that everybody was super friendly. Keep in mind, my dad just moved to Milan recently, and Annette and I live in Jackson and attend a much larger St Mary's church. Dad had attended a few masses prior to this and he said that everytime he goes, everybody is super friendly and really makes you feel glad you are there with them at the church.

Fr. Joel Schultz, the St Matthew's pastor is great! He talks to everybody and takes time to get to know everyone at the Supper. In my opinion, he is a throwback to the priests of years ago. He makes a person feel that he is glad to know you.