He Never Misses

Month: February 2019

  • Mad for…Jackie

    Great is a teacher’s influence on his pupils if they love him. -St. John Bosco

    • SLDM teacher, Jackie Adams, with student, Nina Welsh

    Today, I’d like to introduce you to another bright light. Her name is Jackie Adams. Phenomenally adept as a teacher, and an even finer human being, Jackie is a 5th grade teacher at St. Louis de Montfort Catholic School in Fishers.

    As my youngest son prepares to exit grade school and heads on to Guerin Catholic High School next fall, I find myself incredibly grateful for the gift that so many amazing educators have been for my three sons over the years. This particular gal is simply an amazing soul. People who take the time to notice what is special about ALL THE CHILDREN in their classroom are a rare breed. I have a mother who taught grade school for over three decades. I know from evenings filled with stories about school experiences that it’s easy to notice the squeaky wheels and it’s impossible to miss the truly brilliant. It’s so easy to overlook “the regular guy”. This teacher never does that. Jackie taught my “regular guy” youngest son math for 2 years, and it quickly became his favorite subject. Folks, math is hard. There’s lots of homework. This is no small feat!

    With Jackie at the helm, the learning atmosphere has been described to me as “kind of serious, but also laid back.” My son said, “Ask anyone, Mom, because EVERYONE likes Mrs. Adams! She really knows how to teach hard stuff and make us understand.”

    Jackie has a great smile and a very funny and sarcastic sense of humor that plays well to the middle school audience, as well as their parents. Yes, she’s creative in her use of fun games to keep the children engaged, and she’s truly gifted with her unique ability to teach new and difficult material. Children leave her classroom ahead of their peers in other nearby schools, because she’s experienced and talented, yes, but I think it’s more than that. You see, the students also know she truly cares about them.

    Jackie does things like drive 40 minutes (one way) to see her students play in a CYO game, because she understands that her presence speaks to them loudly about how much they matter. She organized routine trips to the adoration chapel for the students in her class who wanted the opportunity for extra prayer time– an effort which required her to seek parent support. It would be so easy to just “skip it.” She instinctively knew the extra prayer time was incredibly valuable. She shares with her students about her love for them and for her own beautiful (and very blessed) daughter. In short, she is a compassionate, caring woman.

    Her smile reaches her eyes and her words are spoken from her heart. This kind of light fills a room, and it inspires in her students a deep desire to work hard and succeed! If your child is lucky enough to spend the day in her care, they will inevitably experience the light of God’s love for them in the person of Mrs. Adams.

    THANK YOU, JACKIE ADAMS, for being the light of Christ to SO MANY young people everyday. What you do everyday matters so very much. Your witness of love is a great inspiration to me personally and it reminds me that I should always make an effort to let God’s love shine through me too! The Thieme family LOVES YOU, Jackie, and we are grateful!

    “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

  • Mad for…Cole

    Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in hardships, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10)

    • Cole Hepp, left, with his Dad (Gerry), Mom (Ann) and brother Clay.

    Today, I want you all to meet an outstanding young man named Cole Hepp. Cole is a junior at the University of Dayton and the oldest son of a couple of my most dear friends. However, before I tell you more about this ace of a kid, I’d like to share why I chose him today.

    It’s been an overwhelming few weeks for me personally. That probably explains why the childish noise coming from the bully pulpit of leadership from one side of the political aisle along with the deafening cheers from the other side of the aisle over their right to kill full term babies…well it just has made me insanely sad. What kind of future can a nation have when almost all the adults in charge are acting like moronic fools? We’ve all gone and lost our minds and forgotten how to love!

    In the midst of those interior thoughts, what’s really important suddently cleared my head. Few things help bring into crystal clear focus what’s really important in this life like, “You have cancer.”

    • Chapel at St. Meinrad

    The morning after news began to circulate about my diagnosis, I received this photo from Cole Hepp. His text note read, “Hi, Mrs. Thieme! I am praying for you from St. Meinrad. The whole Hepp family is so thankful for you and we love you.”

    Cole was the face of Christ to me that morning. I suspect he’s been that same light for many during his time as a retreat leader at St. Meinrad and as he lends his guidance and shares his faithful witness to the young people entering the church who are going through the RCIA program at the University of Dayton this year. That includes his completely fantastic brother, Clay, who he is guiding through the process as a sponsor.

    I’ve known Cole for several years. He went through high school with my son. They were basketball and baseball teammates, and they celebrated their graduation together at a big joint party. He’s got a wide and dimple-filled smile for everyone. His eyes are of the twinkly and compassionate variety. He’s so bright, articulate and full of the love and joy and hope of the Lord that he can’t hold it in. He’s just got to share it…with a great big grin! ALL the moms want their son to have this kid for a friend. He shouts out the greatness of God by the way he lives his life and the choices he makes. He’s on fire for the Lord, and the news is too wonderful to keep it to himself! He’s a grace-filled human.

    I received a letter from Cole today. He opened with a funny memory about my youngest son describing us to him once saying, “We’re a good family!” It’s Zach’s famous line and it really made me giggle. He then shared with me the scripture quote I opened with above and how it represents the beauty of our shared faith. What a lovely and kind gesture for a 21-year old kid to make. He mailed an ACTUAL LETTER you guys. There was a stamp on it and everything. Did I mention he’s a college kid?

    Cole Hepp. In offering me your prayers for strength, peace and love, you were an enormous reminder to me that we crazy old people needn’t worry too much. There’s a generation of faith-filled, courageous, compassionate lovers of Christ all around us. Young man, God loves to watch you climb…and so do I. Some days might be itty-bitty painful steps of blind trust and other days you’ll be an unstoppable mountain climber….but keep going onward and upward. I believe God will continue to use you for great things!

    As I’ve watched you grow from a boy to a man, and the last couple of years as a Catholic Christian, you’ve been a witness to me and many of what joy comes from leading a life of integrity and faith. Thank you for reminding me that the lunatics will not prevail in the end and our collective future is in excellent hands! I LOVE YOU, KID! THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME THE WORLD IS FULL TO THE BRIM WITH GOODNESS!

    P.S.– This article about him from UD is pretty impressive. Take a peek!

    https://udayton.edu/advancement/impact/report-2018/donor/faith.php

  • Mad for…Sam

    She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. –Proverbs 31:25

    Day 36 of 365. Meet Samantha Langdon. Sam is my 24 year old cousin. Actually, she’s 24 TODAY. If anyone has earned the right to have her life celebrated to the full on her big day, it’s Sam. Girl….I hope there’s a festival going on for you this week up in Muncie!

    I’m the oldest grandchild on my mom’s side of the family, and Sam is (almost) the youngest. Her brother is the same age as my oldest son, Nick. I am pretty sure I am within a year or two in age to her mother. Also, she grew up two hours away from my hometown, so for those reasons, we’ve never made the kind of connection that contemporaries might make. However, I’ve been watching her from a distance over the years and this is one young lady who has been a warrior since she was very small.

    Around the age of 3 or so if my memory serves, Sam was diagnosed with cancer. It’s a battle she fought bravely, with the help of some fine folks at Riley Hospital. She was one sick little girl, and she smiled throughout the fight. Except for the parting “gift” of Diabetes, Sam took the beast down! From my perch here an hour south, I’d say Sam has managed to move forward in her life, without fear of the future as the scripture quote above states, primarily because of her strong faith in Christ. At times, her cross has been very heavy, and she’s always carried it anyway. She’s a courageous human.

    I chose this photo of Sam because she looks so joyous when she’s hanging with the youngest among us. She’s a Ball State grad who excels at art and has an old soul. She paints, she runs, she takes stunning photographs in natural settings, and she reminds others about the importance of faith. At our family Thanksgiving events over many years, she was the mayor of the craft table…and we didn’t believe in term limits! Her patience and fondness for all the children was remarkable and ever present.

    Sam, I admire you for your faithfulness, creativity, and patience. Your love of the Lord always shines through in all you say and do. I hope your Reds have a great season!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

  • Mad for…Lisa

    Most of the time, holiness is just about doing the ordinary things of everyday life really well. -Matthew Kelly

    • My friends, Lisa Oberndorfer (left) with Jill Folstrom

    Day 35 of 365.

    I’m not going to lie. It appears I can be bought for the price of one very oversized piece of “celebration” cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. The big hug and the front door dessert delivery this afternoon might be the reason I chose TODAY to write about Lisa Oberndorfer, but let’s be clear….she was going to appear in this column during 2019…that’s a fact!

    Lisa is a mom to three BEAUTIFUL young adults (Jordan, Kelsey and Will) and the wife of a pretty fantastic Boilermaker fan named Jeff. There are so many examples of her goodness that I could share, and I have only known Lisa more intimately for what I consider to be a fairly short span of time. Here’s the thing about Lisa. She’s an utterly compassionate and very funny woman who has the courage and humility to present herself to the world full of hurting people. Probably, she isn’t even aware that she’s an exceptional example of what Pope John Paul II called true holiness.

    “True holiness”, he said, “does not mean a flight from the world, rather, it lies in the effort to incarnate the Gospel in everyday life, in the family, at school, at work, and in ones social environment.” Lisa shows up with her big heart and her gift for knowing when to offer a listening ear. She instinctively grasps that it’s about attention over giftedness, its about setting aside oneself and choosing the needs of the other. She realizes life may not be perfect, but she sees the blessings and she IS DYING to pass some light along to the next person. She’s a pay it forward kind of gal.

    When my oldest son was an angst-ridden freshman at Xavier University, she offered up her experienced Muskie, Kelsey, to encourage him. When I was getting a little too testy at the high school basketball games, she winked at me and handed me a sucker…which she called a “husher”…to make me laugh and quiet myself. Let’s be clear, she needed to do this repeatedly, for an extended number of weeks. Ha? We all behave better while we are laughing at ourselves with a fist full of sugar? She showed up at the house with delicious muffins when she heard I’d had a recent cancer diagnosis and lent an ear and some sage and prayerful wisdom. Also, she showed up with CELEBRATION CHEESECAKE when the diagnosis take a turn for the better. She’s been present for so many people at a time in their lives that it required great humility to show up and offer her care and concern, not sure of the response she might receive, but wanting to do the work of the Lord. THAT is everyday holiness.

    I’d be utterly remiss if I didn’t mention the amazing work Lisa and her son, Will, have done with a charity they founded called “Diabetes Will’s Way” shortly after Will was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes as a 6th grader. Will’s Way serves underinsured young people who need assistance with supplies. They provide grants for durable medical equipment like insulin pumps and glucose monitors, and emergency grants too for families needing help with daily diabetic supplies. Lisa told me it was out of selfishness– intense love for her own son– that she began that great work. That made me laugh aloud. The poor woman has been “duped” by our good and gracious God!! I mean….this would NOT be the first time the Lord used the love of a mother to shower His grace on others…am I right? Hahaha!!! You’re in excellent company on that one, my friend.

    Thank you, Lisa, for being a wonderful witness to me of what it means to minister to others in so many important ways, but especially the gift of physical presence. Showing up is everything, and even better if you can pair it with a side order of quiet attentiveness. I so appreciate the reminder! You, my fellow Boilermaker, are a rare and beautiful gem! Your faithfulness, love and sense of humor must certainly be causing a big smile in heaven as your mom watches down over you. In your grief, you still showed up to minister to me. I noticed, and I’m taking notes. I LOVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP!

    Incidentally, if any of you would like more information or to make a donation to Will’s Way, visit www.diabeteswillsway.com!

  • Mad for…Vincent

    What a great favor God does to those he places in the company of good people. –St. Teresa of Avila

    Super bowl Sunday seems like an appropriate day to toss the “Mad for” love out to New England! See this handsome young man in the yellow tie? He’s a junior at Boston College studying accounting. I’ve known this sports crazed, incredibly intelligent kid with the insane work ethic since he was a little guy, and he’s always been a clear reason I believe in the goodness of people. Meet Vincent Ferrucci. He’s a manager for the BC football team, a former Guerin Catholic Golden Eagle, and also a St. Louis de Montfort Cardinal for life!

    A lifelong New England Patriots fan who grew up in Fishers, Indiana, Vinny was never afraid to swim against the current. He was the kid bowing his head in prayer when the others dug into their meal, forgetting themselves. He was the only young boy who ever spent the night who NEVER failed to clear his plate and take it to the sink. Wow, he took some ribbing over the years. Vin’s as loyal as the day is long, though, and that goes for his Pats and Red Sox just the same as it goes for his buddies. Vin truly has no idea how much of a blessing he is to those around him, or how genuinely thrilled I have always been that my oldest son calls this kid one of his very closest friends. This is true despite that year he was like 1 for 33 from the free throw line, by the way…ha? I think my Dad even sent him an article that season about learning to shoot the underhanded shot, but I digress. Vin took the teasing in stride, always wearing that grin on his face and owning a self-depracating sense of humor. He was a beast around the boards on the basketball court, and the best darn left-handed catcher around.

    They say no beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart, and that makes Vincent Ferrucci a truly beautiful human being. There were times along the journey when I noticed folks around him simply didn’t appreciate the treasure they had in Vin. The thing is, good people don’t have to say they are good people…it’s just on display and easy to spot. Light attracts light. If you tell me you don’t care for Vin, I’m going to tell you to look in the mirror because the problem is you. He’s honest, he’s articulate, and he’s friendly. If I’m honest? Mostly, I think this young man glorifies God by the way he walks through life. I’m thankful to the Lord that my three boys have had the chance to walk beside him and learn a little from his faithfulness, kindness and amazing work ethic.

    Vin’s a passionate guy– he’s got a little Italian in the secret sauce. You can’t coach that and I for one always have LOVED IT! He’s also a guy who would never take advantage of another person, and he’s going to make you laugh as he helps you in your moment of need. If he passes through your life, you’ll want to hang on tight– he’s a keeper! Vin? Linemen win games. I still stand with Lombardi on that. You always blocked your heart out. I love you kid. I really do. Thank you for being a witness of what it means to be a man of integrity. Boy, does this world need you! As much as it hurts me, look what I’m about to do for you…

    GO PATS!!

  • Mad for…Renee

    Good sense of humor, potty mouth, and a beautiful heart. Add in a little country music and a few hundred pairs of shoes and what that adds up to is a magical combination. Meet my dear friend, Renee Schwegman. People with a sense of humor are so much easier to talk to, and when you add to that the fact that Renee has literally never met a stranger she cannot subdue, we were simply destined to be friends.

    • Renee Schwegman. How gorgeous is she?

    Renee is the mom of two pretty great kids and the wife of the only grown man I know who has managed to successfully avoid the “Dad jeans” trap. That’s a compliment, Jeff. She’s also proudly “Aunt Nay” to Max and Lilah, the children of her pretty cool sister, Kathy. Renee is simply too big of a personality to capture in a few paragraphs, but I’d like to tell you about some of my favorite qualities that make Renee one of the finest humans I’ve ever had the pleasure to call friend.

    I like authentic people, and Renee is as genuine as they come. Don’t be a pretender, because I will find you out. I like people with whom I can occasionally have meaningful, deep conversations and at the same time will understand that in my head I still say “Wed-nes-day”. We both sometimes enjoy employing the F-bomb. It’s a nuanced and magical word that can really be any part of speech you want. Make no mistake, though, my friend Renee has one of the most generous hearts around. She loves fiercely. For these two reasons alone, her authenticity and generosity, I credit the undeniable fact that she has more friends from more varied backgrounds than anyone I know. Well, there’s also the fact that she doesn’t even know how to SPELL introvert.

    If you’re ill, she’ll show up with dinner. When your kids need a place to be for a few days, she’ll set up “Camp Schwegman”. She’s compassionate, kind and gifted. She’s driven out of her way to help out nearly everyone she knows so many times that we all need to shower her with gas cards…but she’d definitely prefer if you just took her out for a beer. Even better if they are playing live music there. She knows how to laugh at herself, and with her in my life, its a much sunnier, more adventurous journey. Also, it’s tastier. The girl can cook. I love people who make me laugh. Honestly, it might be the thing I like the most, because it’s definitely NOT her taste in Big Ten teams.

    I read this quote today which is why I chose to write about Renee. “Where joylessness reigns, where humor dies, the spirit of Jesus Christ is assuredly absent.” Pope Benedict wrote that and it made me think…well I have a close friend who is the exact opposite of that…so HOW BLESSED AM I? Renee? You are a boot-wearing badass, and a treasure in my life with a heart of pure gold. THANK YOU for all the times you’ve sent me an inappropriate text that made me laugh and remember not to take myself or life too seriously. I LOVE YOU. SO MUCH.

  • Mad for…Katie

    Those whose hearts are pure are the temples of the Holy Spirit. –St. Lucy

    It’s day 32 of 365 in my silly, sunny little “Mad for” series. Everyday, I want to introduce you to someone amazing who I really believe makes a positive difference in the world. Today, I’ll submit to you one Katie Carter. She’s posing her around Christmas with her two darling kiddos in this mildly fuzzy photo. She sent me this joyful image a few weeks ago to wish me a Merry Christmas, and it made my day. Katie is a teacher, and I’m confident she’s a darn good one. She’s kind, bright, and articulate.

    Meeting Katie was a blessing and a surprise at the time it happened a few years ago. I was asked to walk beside her as she converted to the faith. It was my honor to be her sponsor and it forced me to attend my first ever Easter Vigil mass at OLMC. That was an experience I will never forget. Talk about beautiful liturgy. Whew! We keep in touch through occasional texts, and frankly our busy lives have prohibited much more in the most recent years. As life has brought Katie a few lemons, she’s asked for prayers and encouragement, which I’m truly glad to offer. She’s a fantastic human so that makes it easy.

    Today, however, I got a different kind of text from Katie. She wanted to know how I was, she inquired if I was doing alright. Since we do not travel in the same circles and truly we know zero folks in common, she had NO WAY of knowing that I was literally sitting in a waiting room getting ready to undergo some testing that had me a little anxious. Therefore, her reaching out was certainly a gift to me from the Lord. It was instantly clear to me that the Holy Spirit chose Katie today to make that unusual inquiry. She was the tool Christ sent to make certain I knew that He is right beside me, with me always.

    Also, I had my friend Karen with me. I’ve already told you about her (see day 26). Forget it. What is there to fear?

    God is good. All the time. Thanks, Katie, for listening to that little voice. I know sometimes you feel like a mess, sister, but God doesn’t mind. He’s totally fine using you anyway. It’s a solid reminder for all of us who wonder about our own worthiness, who doubt our own goodness. The Lord loves you SO MUCH that He wants to use you as His vessel. Yes, that means you!! GOD BLESS KATIE!!