2018

It's the eve of 2019 and I have 1/2 way to go before my 42nd year is over. 42. So funny how that crazy book/movie used that number as the 'answer' to everything. So, in my 42nd year, I'm going to record my thoughts and hopefully share some insights and wisdoms. 2018. what year. It started out with me knowing that the office that I helped create would leave San Diego forever. I didn't know if I would have a job or not. I wanted to stay with that company forever and the odd thing is that many of my coworkers saw my value, but the company let me go anyway. I loved that job. I loved that company. I was so very sad. Fast forward to tonight. I work for a new company, exactly what I prayed for: "Dear God, help me to find something like what I have but better". Inside I couldn't imagine what would be better, but sure enough, God provided. I wanted to work with and for people that were smart and interesting, supportive and challenging, I wanted to learn and be able to respect my coworkers and be respected by them. What I got, I could never have dreamed up. My priest gave a sermon about how God can make good out of anything for those of good will. I feel like this year was a whole year of that. Thanks to me getting let go, I was able to take my severance, make a nest egg and today I bought a nest. Yes. I got the keys to my very own home. I was always so worried that I would never be able to own a home, it was a big fear of mine. Although it's late in my life to finally own a home, I thought I could never do it. Hopefully I can share a post one day about what I learned through the process. Another major theme to 2018 besides where will I work and where will I live was, how can I save the North Naval Chapel at Liberty Station NTC? You see, we rent a historic chapel and have done so for the last 6 years. The chapel means a lot to me because, yes it's where we hold the Tridentine Latin Mass each week, but it's also where my dad's funeral was and where he went when he was in bootcamp. That is a WHOLE other blog post to talk about how this David went after and is still going after the Goliath that seeks to destroy a historic and sacred place... what a year indeed. This was a fight that ran all year long and I actually can't wait to tell you about it. I'll probably also reflect on my new job... a job that took me to Kosice, Seregno, Milano, Lugano, Novazzano and well even NYC (kind of) - blessed out of my mind :) One of the most challenging jobs that I've ever had. It takes the accumulation of every job and work experience I've ever had and has me mustering ever resource and wisdom I've ever gained to perform and rises to each challenge and task. It's hard work, but good work and I really do enjoy it. I feel like God has blessed me and let me know, love and serve Him more this year. Everything was difficult, but truly, His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Ironically, Romans 8:28 can sum up my year (and I hope to share the irony in another post): And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints.