Do You Take Your iPad to Church

It is the first Sunday of Advent and the first Sunday to use the new translation.  Besides stumbling over the word consubstantial during the Creed it really went pretty smoothly.  The priest really has the hardest part with the translation.

For the first time in a long time I had to follow along with a missal.  I am able to say most of the prayers by heart and can still answer in Latin if given some time to think about it.  It is like riding a bike.  Once you do it you can pick up a bike after many years and if your knees aren't bad you can ride.  But today I was forced to listen, to read, and most importantly to think about what it was that I was saying and listening to during the Mass.  It was good.  It was fresh again.  I liked that we began this new version at the beginning of the Liturgical Year.

My quandary is should I take my iPad or iPhone to Mass?  I have had the iMissal, iBreviary, and iRosary on both for awhile.  I recently downloaded Ignio.  I like having them with me and not having to carry around a book, though I must admit that there is nothing like a real Missal with lots of ribbons to help you keep your place.  You also should have plenty of Holy Cards stuffed in various places to mark passages.

ignio

iBreviary

iRosary

But I can't quite bring myself to carry my iPad into Church.  It would have been very useful this morning as it contains the new translation.  I suppose if I turn off the volume and all the notifications for my games it would be okay.  Some might stare at me or wonder what I am doing, but God would know.

I wonder what Jesus would do?   Would he have used an iPad?  I can see him walking in Galilee texting Paul or John about a new commandment or his latest version of the Our Father.   Would he have "mirrored" on to a large screen the Sermon on the Mount?  He could have set reminders every hour to keep the Apostles awake while he was in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Not sure what I will do yet.  For now I have my handy pew card to remind me of what to say.

Happy Thanksgiving

Once again Thanksgiving is upon us.  All ready it is our second Thanksgiving in the States.  Time does fly.  We have so very much to be thankful for:

• Michael survived cancer and radiation
• All the kids are employed, except Cynthia and she is working on school
• We don't have to work
• My parents are alive and well
• The grand kids are healthy and growing like weeds
• I found a church that I love
• I have good friends
• I started writing
• Cynthia continues to be a delight, please don't tell her I said so.

 There are so many things to be thankful for in this country, even if it seems that we are divided politically, don't agree on how to worship, and can find so many things to disagree on.  We still are the best country.

My hope for all of you is that when you sit down at your overflowing table of food that you take a minute to remember all those who don't have a table to set down to.   All those who will be spending their first Thanksgiving without their husband, wife, father, mother, brother, or sister.  And just may-be you will find a way to give to those less fortunate, not just during the Holidays but all year long.

It Is Veteran's Day

I grew up in the US Air Force.  My father wore the SAC "Pocket Rocket" on his uniform.  Later he was part of the 18th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.  For me he was the man with the keys and the handsome guy in the blue uniform.

He worked two jobs so that I could go the Parochial School and I am sure to help with the bills of a growing family.  He served with Pride and is a Viet Nam Vet.

I joined the US Army and served with Pride Stateside and Abroad.  My current husband is a Viet Nam Veteran.  He also served with Pride.

I can claim Ancestors from the American Revolution, The Civil War, The War of 1812, and the Spanish American War.  I currently have family serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We are a family of Military.

For me Veteran's Day is not a day for furniture sales or picnics.  It is a day to remember those that have given their lives so that all of us can be Free.  Free to download from iTunes, shop at the grocery store, drive my car from one end of the country to the other, or to watch Reality TV.  We are free to disagree with our elected officials and free to worship as we see fit.

We are not free to forget.  We must remember that today and tomorrow and for many tomorrows to come that some, mother, father, sister, brother, wife, or partner will receive news that a soldier, sailor, or marine will not be coming home.  They gave their life for our Freedom.

The following are the Mottos of our Armed Services:

US Air Force: Intergrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do.
US Coast Guard: Semper Paratus - Always Ready
US Marine Corps: Semper Fidelis - Always Faithful
US Navy: Honor, Courage, Commitment 
US Army: This We Will Defend

High Ideals indeed.  If you see a Vet shake their hand and say thank you.  If you know the family of a Vet let them know that you care about their sacrifice also.

Make sure that we keep our promises to our Veterans and their families.  They kept theirs.

The Laundry Wars

I am not a fan of laundry.  In fact, when in Guatemala I pay the "girls" to do my laundry.  When my parents would come to visit us on the boat, Mom did my laundry.  I am teaching Cynthia to do the laundry.

RV parks like marinas have a season.  So all the sites are being filled and the demand on the laundry room is increasing with each and every motorhome that drives in and stays a week, a month or a season.
During the summer months when it is 120 in the shade most leave and only the full-timers are left.

Washers

Cynthia and I would take a book or my iPad and read or play games and music while waiting for the laundry to finish.  We had the place to ourselves.  We were load and had fun.  We weren't bothering anybody so it wasn't it wasn't a big deal.

One man does laundry

All that has changed.   They are back!  And so begins the Laundry Wars.  We walked into the laundry room and only one machine was open to wash and there were no dryers available.  They look friendly but you can't be sure.  Now I am the type to stay with my laundry.  I admit in Guatemala I would go back to the boat, but I set a timer.  Here I must be vigilant.

Dryers

The first load is in and I am trying to be casual as I scan the amount of time left on the washing machines.  The machine next to my first load is coming up in 3,2,1, MINE.  As two more would be laundresses come in I grab the machine.  I only need one more machine and the lady from British Columbia says mine will be ready in 3 minutes, if you want it.  "Thanks," I say.  Cynthia stands in front of it, marking our ownership.

More people keep coming and I am now watching the dryers.  It will be close.  Timing is everything.  What?  Someone is claiming that my wet towels are on her machine and she can't move to the dryers.  "I believe that they are on my machine," I tell her.  I am correct.  She apologizes.  "Not a problem."

Whose Turn Is It?

A dryer is open but the owner is not there.  (Ah, the age old debate.  Do you move a total strangers clothes?)  The lady from British Columbia offers to fold her friends clothes so I can have the dryer.  I clean out the lint and in go the clothes.

Two more dryers come open and Cynthia and I are ready.  We claim them.  We are in the home stretch.  More people come in.  One lady opens the door views the room, laughs and leaves.  I am unconcerned.  I am folding a load and their squabbles over who's turn it is, not my problem.  It is every person for themselves.

I hate to say it but I am going to have to be an early bird to the laundry room.