This was a long, but fantastic week for me. I did 8 presentations in middle schools and high schools in Austin, Bryan, and Waco TX. I went to these schools to talk about how God speaks to us today in the most ordinary way…through our own gifts. It is a powerful message and one which is shaping a great deal of my presentations, as well as my chatting with people when I am NOT presenting.

I won’t remember all the schools names, but I do know I met some enthusiastic students and administrators along the way. I received a warm welcome from Fr. Brian McMaster of the vocations office. He was so thorough and organized in providing me details and even getting me a GPS doo-hickey for my rental car so I wouldn’t get lost. Those things are so cool!

I received awesome hospitality from my colleague Matthew Robaszkiewicz of the youth and young adult ministry office (and if he blames me for spending lots of money at Sports Authority, don’t believe it!) as well as Frs. Peter and David in Waco. I am grateful for them opening their homes to me.

I got to see a long lost ministry colleague in Deacon Jeff Heipel at Reicher Catholic High School in Waco TX. Jeff is a gracious man who I was blessed to go to Sotuta Mexico over 12 years ago.

An added blessing was getting to see Sr. Keri Burke from New Orleans while I spoke at one of the Austin schools. It was awesome to see a familiar face, even though it was due to Katrina’s impact that she was re-located.

Speaking of that, I listened as I heard people preparing to evacuate the Texas coast as Rita was coming. I began to wonder if these storms were following me because of hot air or something!