Been Spending Money

[CatherineM]

Been very busy with the renovations to our condo. We bought the unit next door and combined both units converting the second kitchen into a laundry room. Lots of drywall dust. I got 95% finished this week, but started school. So I've been too busy to be around much.

I thought I'd update people on our flock. Had to kick one boy out. He had told us he needed a place to stay because he was homeless and had no money. Turns out that was because his parents had tough loved him out of their house because he wouldn't work. He was out about 12 hours when we got a new one.

This kid's mom died of an overdose when he was a kid, and when he was 13 his dad was injured on the job. He lost a hunk of brain and is in a wheelchair. This kid left school to support his dad and sister. He's 18 now. His sister is out of the home, and his dad is going to a nursing home.

He applied for twenty jobs yesterday and got one starting tomorrow as a grunt on a framing crew. I bought him some steel-toed boots, work socks and gloves. I told him he could pay me back by working hard, staying safe, and watching and learning all he can. I never get tired of buying work boots.

I'm taking another two required classes in scripture and theology this semester. I'm hoping by this time next year I'll be starting my thesis.

[AugustineA]

You are awesome. 

[Luigi]

I propose a couple of thesis topic for you - feel free to tweak & refocus as the Spirit leads you. 

 

"The Theology of Rehabbing (Places and People)"

 

"The Theology of Buying Work Boots"

[CatherineM]

Rehabbing kids is a bit like baseball. You can fail 70% of the time and still be an allstar. If I was afraid of failure with these kids, I'd already have burned out. Even the ones who completely fall on their faces, that I have to give up on, I know that some message will have gotten through. Ten years from now they will hear my voice in their heads. If they learn even one life lesson, that's a success. If nothing else they will understand that I cared about them when no one else did, and I cared enough about them to tell them no, or your messing up your life. Also that its never too late to change.

[Lil Red]

:) i love your update threads. 

[Maggyie]

You do good work CatherineM.

[tinytherese]

My mom who represents kids in child welfare cases, foster care, and adoption cases as a lawyer would love you CatherineM.

[CatherineM]

We had our house warming today. 25 people. A weird mix of schizophrenics, teenagers, social workers, and nuns. Lots of interesting conversation. I made a spread of Spanish tapas. Husband, son, and basset hound are all already in bed. Tuckered out and full.

[TheresaThoma]

That sounds like fun. Get some rest now though!

[AnneLine]

Enjoy the leftovers and THEN get some rest!!!! PRIORITIES!!!!  ;)

[CatherineM]

No rest today. I've got a paper on Balthasar's explorations in theology volume one due tomorrow.

[AnneLine]

Euck!   Better you than me, CatherineM!   I hope one of the guys fixes you something nice for dinner... or that you take a break to do that.....   will pray for you!

[CatherineM]

Balthasar handled. I'm actually taking two intro classes this semester that the former registrar said were silly to make me take. The current registrar is incapable of flexibility or a spark of intelligence. I got so mad last year about her screwing up my program that I quit. Dean of students talked me into coming back to finish. So I have two freshman undergrad classes to take again, and two intro grad classes. It is silly that I can't take four upper level grad classes instead. I did include a few paragraphs on the importance of flexibility in my new book on conflict proofing your parish.

[Seven77]

God bless you CatherineM.