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What a week (again).

Last weekend was such a gift! Sean and Ashley’s wedding was absolutely beautiful. Each time I’ve reflected upon it this week, I can’t think of an aspect of it that wasn’t perfect. I’m so thankful that it was such a beautiful day for them and our families, and continue prayers for them for a long and wonderful marriage.

I did not anticipate the emotions that would be tied up in 9 days of saying “see you later” to friends with whom I’ve worked over the last 15 years. Each day was a gift, but an exhausting gift. I’m left simply with a profound sense of gratitude for the 15 years at Adobe - friendships, impact, and memories.

Thank you again for all of the support and prayers. This coming Monday I head to Indianapolis for a couple of days in person with my new boss, the CEO of Exodus, getting fully aligned as we get going. Then I get home on Wednesday just in time for us to welcome a NET Ministries team of missionaries to our parish - the 4 men on our team will be staying with us at our house for the week.

One funny thought I’ve had this week is about how we settle into the cultures of the people we’re with and where we’re spending our time. In the tech industry, this often comes as some laughs that you often see members of an executive team all starting to dress very similarly - and before long you also see people just below them in the organization starting to emulate their dress.

As I get ready to join Exodus and spend more time with the team there, not only do I realize that they’re all younger than me, but they’re all very knowledgeable and into all things related to cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the like. I’m absorbing so much new knowledge from them and learning a lot on my own - and it’s exciting to be really diving into a new technology area again for the first time in a long time.

Will crypto help me keep feeling young? Or will getting back into golf with my new boss who’s very much into golf, IndyCar racing, and the Indianapolis Colts?

Back to that observation of settling into the cultures where we’re spending our time… it’s a healthy reminder that if we spend our time in good places with good people, it’ll have a different effect on us than spending our time in not-so-good places.

This article about a man in Ontario seeking assisted suicide as an alternative to homelessness really got to me. When I tweeted about it, a friend replied that she’d like to turn an abandoned local school building into a “full service residence/help center for homeless Vets. First floor you have help with jobs, resume writing, rides to appointments, interviewing skills, barber. Second floor you have accessible apartments. Transportation available.” This is desperately needed in my own community and is the kind of dream I have for the future. I’m surrounded by people with the passion and knowledge, but we need to find the path to the funding to make such a project happen.

This Sunday’s Mass readings remind us that God hears the prayers of the humble heart.

Next Friday is the Feast of Saints Simon & Jude. Learn a bit about them.

And if you live near us and know a high schooler, invite them to join us for a high school overnight NET Retreat at the parish next Saturday into Sunday. More info here.

Okay, we’re a week behind schedule, but Joseph and I have plans to record a couple of episodes this week to be ready to return soon!

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