A Shepherd In The Field

It was an early morning as I left the house at 2:30 on the way to Philly’s airport for the flight to Guatemala City.  A 3-hour layover in Atlanta and arrived in the afternoon. We were met by Bishop David Alvarado the Primate of Central America, who has served as Bishop of El Salvador since 2015 (one year before my consecration). I have always enjoyed being with him, as he is kind and faithful. We received a quick tour of the Cathedral of St. James.  After the tour, I asked for a favor: Please take me to a food cart or a small restaurant serving authentic Guatemalan food. The food was extraordinary.  Upon the recommendation of our new siblings, I ordered Kak’ik.  It is one of the most popular Mayan dishes in Guatemala and is also recognized as one of the country’s dishes of intangible cultural heritage. It’s a turkey soup cooked in a lightly spiced red broth. The name was derived from a Mayan Q’echi tradition during pre-colonial times. The Guatemalan turkey soup is traditionally prepare

What do you do on a holiday weekend in Albuquerque while preparing for an 11-day, 4-country tour of Central America with the Archbishop of Canterbury?  Help a friend break a lot of concrete, dig trenches, and lay a foundation for a Casita (addition or mother-in-law quarters).  We crammed in two days from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. and had a lot of good food.  Carne Adovada Burritos - ahh.  (Diocese of Pennsylvania, it does not change. I work unceasingly all the time).   I have worked every labor job you can imagine - roofing, construction, tile, paving, landscaping, to name a few.  I started working for a living when I was 7 or 8, and it continues.   I am blessed that our Good Lord has given me excellent health (my doctor recently told me, "You make my job boring.")  I can still put in 12-15 hours of ministry or manual labor and keep up with those much younger.  God also gave me a strong back, a never-quit-till-the-job-is-finished attitude, grit, determination, and the "you drop e

 Suzanne sent some additional pictures. Could not post without posting a picture of my other nephew Blake (holding the skateboard on his 16th birthday).  He is Barrett's younger brother.  They went up to Dallas to visit Jude when Jude was coaching in a tournament this past April. My niece Erin and her better half, Matt.  The young man on the left is Casden.  He is one heck of a roper and one of these days, you will see him at the NFR. 

Another niece graduated from San Jose St. University.  She set records for San Jose State in Beach Volleyball, and I see a career for her in coaching.  We love and miss her and so proud of her.  She has a sister, Jazmyn, who teaches in Japan, and a brother, Josh, who is at Morehouse and will be a Navy pilot.  Jaida is Stephanie's daughter (who traveled from Tracy to see me preach in Sacramento).  Stephanie is the daughter of Suzanne's sister Judy, who was killed in a traffic accident many years back.  Jude is named after Judy.  

Our nephew Barrett graduated from Teague High School in Teague, Texas.   Off of I-45 near Corsicana and Fairfield.  He will be attending Texas State Technical School in Waco to become an electrician.  Barrett's mom is Erin and she is the daughter of Linda (my sister in law who passed three years ago).  Linda is smiling in heaven.  

Between the visitations and Co-Chairing the Social Justice and International Policy Committee for the General Convention (We have had 6 Zoom Meetings), we had family that graduated.  My goddaughter (mi hijada, since she is like the daughter I never had) graduated from the Dental School at the University of Southern California.  She will return to New Mexico as a dentist to work with indigenous communities and communities of color.                                                                         Dr. Alejandra De La Cruz My Best friend for 40 years and triple compadre. NM State Representative Arthur De La Cruz.  (For those who don't know the meaning of compadre, godfather).  Triple?  Art and Annette are Jude's Godparents, they were the Best Man and Woman at our wedding and we are Alejandra's Godparents. Alejandra's fiance Danny Argueta. He is an outstanding MMA fighter with the UFC. Our glamour shot. Guess who will officiate  at their wedding next year? Alejandra&#

 

Pennsylvania congregations celebrate Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe : [Episcopal News Service] When Pennsylvania Bishop Daniel Gutiérrez, was a child growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe every Dec. 12 and Christmas…

 

While in Charlotte, I was closely tracking the Executive Committee of the Compass Rose Society, of which I serve as President. Following the House of Bishops meeting in Charlotte, NC, I immediately boarded a plane and flew to Sacramento, where I was invited to preach at their revival. I had a wonderful time with God's beloved in Northern California. They are resilient, faithful, and filled with love and hope.