Monthly Archive for August, 2006

dining with a priest

Published
by
skotmxpx
on August 29, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

Let’s recap/update:

  • My Grandpa: 8/20/06
  • Amy’s Grandpa: 8/24/06
  • Last payment to credit card company went through: 8/25
  • Chiefs Game: 8/26
  • Trip to Dubuque, IA for the Funeral: 8/27
  • My first Wake, they prayed through the rosary: 8/27
  • My first Catholic Funeral: 8/28
  • My first Catholic Eucharist (no I didn’t partake!!) 8/28
  • Drive home: 8/28

I have two more things to add.
First, the whole time I was at the Wake and the Funeral, my mind was racing with questions. I kept running through questions I was going to ask Richard when I got home. So Richard when you read this (and I know you will) prepare yourself.
Secondly, I got to dine with the priest of the church/parish where the funeral was held. A side note: The church was very very cool looking. I wouldn’t call it beautiful because I very rarely call anything man-made beautiful. Anyway the priest sat right next to me at the table. I found this very ironic because of all the questions that were racing through my head pertaining to Catholicism. Who better to ask than the “big man” himself, right? YEAH RIGHT!! It was not the appropriate time for questions. So we made small talk. It turns out he was recently in KC visiting a friend of his who’s parish is possibly in Olathe/OP he couldn’t remember. All he remembered was that it was a parish with a fairly decent school. Around 700 people. Does this sound familiar Richard?

Check out my sister’s blog, she’s listening to Angels and Airwaves.

Listening to: Northstar (RIP)
Recent Album Purchases: Cursive - Happy Hollow

a tale of 2 grandfathers

Published
by
skotmxpx
on August 23, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

I really wish this post was one of those incredible post that everyone refers and loves but, life just isn’t at that point yet.

My grandpa’s funeral was today. I’m 2000 miles away and wish I could be there. I’m just glad I got to see him not very long ago. I wrote up a little something to be read aloud at the service.

Wanna read it:
My grandfather. I could tell tales of how he made people laugh. Or how he loved his family. But instead of repeating stories that we all know by the outward actions of my grandpa, I will tell of how he helped raise me from 2000 miles away.

Growing up grandpa was never one of those mysterious characters that was occasionally involved in my life. I can recall years and years of phone calls weekly where he would ask to speak to me on the phone. It might have been a simple “How are things?” or “How’s school going?” But even in the simple questions, he chose to be involved in my life. Where it would be easy for someone to get caught up in the momentum that is life, and get too busy to be involved. He made sure to keep up with his family, and let them know that he loved them and was praying constantly for them.

I will never forget when my grandpa’s oldest son (my uncle Dale) passed away. The first words out of his mouth when he received the news were, “Well, praise the Lord.” Can you imagine that? My grandpa’s first born child just passed away and he praises the Lord? That should tell you all that you need to know about my Grandpa. He praised the Lord. He was righteous. He LIVED his message. He was a man after God’s own heart. Even up until his last days, he was sharing the Good news of Christ. He fumbled in his words, his memory was fading, but he still praised the Lord for his time here, and was blessed with many opportunities to share Truth.

This was how my Grandfather raised me from 2000 miles away. He showed me how a man lives for God. During the most difficult times of both his wife and son passing away, He praised God. It is because of him that I know the power of prayer. And, it is because of him that I know how a man of faith LIVES.

And since we’re on the topic of grandpa’s, Amy’s grandfather isn’t doing well. In fact it’s only a matter of time. For awhile there we thought we were going to lose 2 grandpas in 24 hours.

Sorry for the depressing post. Here’s some good news; I pay off my credit card this Friday. It’s the last payment, then that baby will be at $0 balance.

Here keep yourself busy: My high score so far is 1999!

wasted time and disappointments

Published
by
skotmxpx
on August 13, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 9 Comments

Well, we (Amy and I) drove around on Saturday scouting out houses. And then on Sunday (today) we actually went around w/the realtor and got to see the inside. We looked at 8 houses today which brings our total to 13. Today we saw houses we liked, houses that had black mold, houses for old people, houses w/HUGE foundation issues, and houses that were simply too good to be true.

To say we’re discouraged is an understatement. This last batch of houses we researched were located in an area we originally weren’t interested in. But due to the fact we hadn’t found anything else we opened up our range of locations. So, to not find a house in this area (Blue Springs) was a HUGE blow to us. It is very very frustrating. Because none of the houses we’re finding have that “wow” factor that we got when we saw the one I posted about previously. We both felt physically and spiritually that that was the home we supposed to have. And to not get it, was very frustrating. I think we’re holding strong though. But still….it’s tough.

My Mom left for Seattle today. She just got back not too long ago after being up there for a month. My grandpa I guess, isn’t doing to hot, again. He’s surpassed the 2 weeks they gave him, which I’m thankful for.

Here’s some cool links:

Biiible.com is a very cool Bible search engine.

Cool Game: Squares 2

Would you go pee in this bathroom?

I remember being apart of these in college. It generally resulted in a policeman showing up.

declined offers, interviews, and prayer

Published
by
skotmxpx
on August 9, 2006
in Uncategorized
. 4 Comments

Amy and I found a house we really loved. It was in a good location. The style of the house was something more than a front/back split, which we also liked. And it seemed a reasonable price. We spent a lot of time in prayer, fasting, and sought guidance from spiritual mentors. Made sure the time was right, then we made an offer. Well, as it turns out I think the people were insulted at what we considered a good offer, after all everyone starts low and works their way up. Well, they apparently think their house is worth more than it is because they didn’t even counteroffer. To give a little info without talking prices. The house we were looking at is listed almost $14,000 more than the houses around it!!!

Needless to say we were a little discouraged at first. But the night before we made the offer, we told God that He still had plenty of room to close the door on this house. And so He did. And we’re glad that he did, because that means he’s got something better in store for us!! For those interested here’s a picture of the house:

On a totally different note, I had the sweet opportunity (props to D. Krizzle) to interview one of my favorite artist. Stephen Christian of the band Anberlin. Check it out here.