Here’s a snapshot of my life as of today.
Outside my window…
Irving, Texas. 72 degrees. Joy wanted to drink morning coffee (green tea for me) on the patio, but my fierce Fall allergies had me second guessing this!
The other day, our kids dressed up as Super Heroes for Faustina Academy‘s homecoming week celebration (the whole school did this – the Marshall’s aren’t that weird):
Spider Man, Hawkeye, Batgirl, Captain America, Wonderwoman, and Ironman (?)
Today so far…
Morning mental prayer (interrupted – I’ll get back to it later today). Greek yogurt and green tea. I’m guest hosting Drew Mariani’s 3 hour Catholic radio show on Relevant Radio today. I’ve been his guest, but never the host!
Today is also our Parish’s patronal feast day “Mary Mother of God” (in the Extraordinary Form calendar – our parish is FSSP).
One word to describe this past week…
Blessed! On Sunday night before the launch of the New Saint Thomas Institute, I was so nervous. On Monday morning, Joy and I sat at the computer and Adam Anderly opened the registration. The screen read 11 Members! “Joy there are 11! It’s working.”
I refreshed the screen and 3 seconds later: “109 Members already!”
I refreshed the screen. I look at Joy “We already have 211 Members, people actually do want this.”
Both of our eyes teared up. It was an emotional time. I prayed a Glory Be, and I’ll be honest. I cried a little.
So much planning, work, and gut-fear gone into this project.
We filled the 500 Charter Member spots on Monday’s opening day. It was crazy.
The feedback has been 100% positive. I have literally had no negative feedback. Everyone loves it so far. The Member Forum is alive and growing.
Just this week our Members have watched 480.3 hours of video courses! In a physical classroom, it was impossible to accomplish something like this! Pope Benedict was right, we can use technology for the Kingdom of God!
We have reopened enrollment if you’d like to join. The 20% initial discount given to the group on Monday is not available, but we kept the tuition at $25 per month. We will be gradually raising this to $40 per month, so if you want to join, this is the time to do it.
If you want to enroll in the New Saint Thomas Institute or just watch our “About” video, please click here.
I am thankful…
For all the new Members of the New Saint Thomas Institute. You guys are great. You’re already asking great questions, leaving good comments, and helping each others with theology questions. It already feels like a theological community!
I’m especially grateful to Adam Anderly who is creating an awesome website for the New Saint Thomas Institute. I’m also grateful to Michael Brown, Ben Durham, and Rick Anderson for the amazing video editing and film production for this courses.
I am thinking about…
Way too much. I’ve had trouble sleeping. I’m thinking of new courses on Latin, new courses on Logic (we recorded 2 yesterday), and a new course on Thomas Aquinas on the 7 Deadly Sins.
On the blog…
I owe an apology. I did not get out my 5 blog posts this week. It’s the first time in months. Don’t worry. I’ll be back in the saddle on Monday. The New Saint Thomas Institute will not effect this blog. It will still be the same with regular quality posts 5 days per week – Monday through Friday.
I am creating…
an intro course to Latin for the New Saint Thomas Institute. Yesterday we began a series that will be an introduction to Logic.
I am reading…
just Psalms and Proverbs right now.
I am praying…
for peace and rest. A slower pace. A friend who just lost his job. A friend in the hospital. Our friends who are with child.
Praying for my wife and children.
I am listening to…
I’m still listening to Si Robertson’s (Duck Dynasty fame) book on audible: Si-Cology. It’s okay. I’m bummed that Silas only narrates parts of it and not all of it.
Clicking around…
and spending hours in the NSTI Member Forum.
Around the house…
I fixed the Suburban’s flat tire! This weekend I’m going to trim the trees and bushes in the front yard.
One of my favorite things…
Little children between the age of 2 and 3. They begin to talk and say the cutest things. Today, Blaise said, “This is a remote. It has batteries.” Kinda profound for a little mind. He then said, “I want to watch Wild Kratts.” And whenever I tell him not to do something, his reply is “stop talking.”
A few plans for this weekend…
Tonight will be a slow relaxed night with the family.
Tomorrow on Saturday, I’ll be speaking at a men’s retreat in Carrolton, Texas. If you’re in the DFW area, please join us. Here’s the time and venue. Here are the topics:
- “Saint Joseph: Pattern for Leaders, Husbands, and Fathers”
- “The Catholic Man: Why We Lost Catholic Masculinity and How We Can Restore It”
- “Liturgy of Life: 9 Practical Ways to Take Your Spiritual Walk to the Next Level”
On Sunday, I’m celebrating my brother’s birthday with our family!
Life is good because God is good!
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