Upping Your Date

A few years ago, me and some homies were out getting tacos at Boca Del Rio in La Puente at about two in the morning. Afterwards, we headed home down Hacienda Blvd when we could see smoke coming from behind some trees a good couple of miles away. "There must be a house on fire," I said to my friends.

The next day I found out that the smoke we had seen came from my parish church, St. John Vianney's, which had been burnt down to the ground by an arsonist. We now hold mass under a giant tent, and after much negotiation with the insurance company, a settlement has finally been reached. We still need to raise about another 10 million dollars to rebuild the church, but fortunately the parishoners have been generous and we are getting there.

Things can change in an instant from just a small spark - sometimes for better, sometimes for worse..

As for me I now work a sales job at a plastics company, and I am currently working on a good sized deal. If it closes I will use the commission I make to finally publish the book I wrote. I should know within the next two months give or take. I'm really excited about the possibility. I've been working on this book for a about three years now.

My good friend Donnie B is going to help me build a website for it. And the artist formerly know as Lisa L is helping me with the cover artwork. Today at mass our priest announced that in honor of our parish's 50 year anniversary, they are organizing a pilgrimage to Europe where they will visit Paris, Ars, (where St John Vianney is from) and Italy were they will see Pope Francis. This is set for October. 

I would really love to go. My goal is to get my book published by then, get enough sales to be able to 1) help donate some profits to the rebuilding and 2) to be able to afford to join my parish in the pilgrimage to Europe.

I know that life doesn't always work out as planned. But both myself and my parish church have had our ups and downs these past few years. I think it would be cool to celebrate our victories together in this way. Well any ways that's your update for what's going on with me, my book, and my parish. Thanks for reading.

P.S. If you would like to donate to the rebuilding of my church please visit: http://www.rebuildsjv.com

Any help would be much appreciated.