My Slow Takes (vol. 24)

1. Our annual Fair Trade Bazaar was a successful event. The volunteers that support our ministry devote their time and effort to make this work. I am blessed to have such a loving team.

2. I went for my eye exam which showed that I needed to update my prescription. Bought a new set of frames to go with the new lenses. Went back for a fitting because as they were too low and "digging" into my nose. So a after the adjustment all seemed fine at the time. Nope, not quite right, they are still "digging," only a little farther up. Will try another adjustment this afternoon. 

3. The "New Missal" is coming Sunday November 27th. It has created some interesting conversation in our men's group. Some of the new words are questionable because they are "new" and "different" from what we are use to. The words that stand out the most are "consubstantial" and "incarnate." This is change and we don't like change. However, if we put our minds in order and think positive about it these new words will become natural to us. The Mass has not changed, we are still in God's house and taking part in the liturgy.

Please listen to Jimmy Akin, "Are You Ready for the New Mass Translation?" on "Catholic Answers Live."  This is a question and answer session that gives insight to what other people are asking and provides some explanations as well.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a printout available for reference.

4. Since I am talking about change, there is a book entitled, "Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life." It is written by Spencer Johnson, Ken Blanchard and Kenneth Blanchard.

I read this book back in 2001 while working for a title insurance company. The organization was making some major changes. Many employees were getting stressed over these new and different things. The book was given to me to read by one of my co-workers in another department. After I read and handed it back to her she passed it to other people. She was an angel helping us to adjust. It helped people think about what was going on and calmed their fears.

The book is available at "Barnes & Noble." However I found a .pdf version by Spencer Johnson that provides some background and the "Story Behind the Story." 

5. I just returned from the "retina specialist" and everything is somewhat blurred and too bright. This is my annual checkup and everything is fine.

6. "For he is never long in any one condition, and his life on earth flows by like the mighty waters, heaving and tossing with an endless variety of motion; one while raising him up on high with hope, another plunging him low in fear; now turning him to the right with rejoicing, then driving him to the left with sorrows; and no single day, no, not even one hour, is entirely the same as any other of his life"

More on change, only this quote is from "Introduction to the Devout Life" by St. Francis De Sales, Chapter XIII. I read this while in the waiting room this morning and it brought to mind how my days go. Things are not always rejoiceful, but they aren't always sorrowful. But He is with me through everything. This is no different from what people encountered back in the 16th century.