The Wondering Sheep: Episode 1 – Living the Christian Life
It Feels Great To Be Home Again!
December 2, 2025
“Mighty forces will come to your aid.” That’s what the fortune cookie said that I opened last night (I ate my cookie and my wife’s too— they tested good ). We had gotten back an hour before from a road trip over Thanksgiving to visit relatives in Milwaukee. Since my eyes don’t allow me to drive, that means the wife is stuck doing all the driving. That means more stops and taking 2 days each direction (only 600 miles one way).
We had planned to leave Shiloh, our 3 year old yellow lab, off at the kennel on Tuesday night so we could be on the road by 8 on Wednesday. Well, you remember the ice/snow we got on Tuesday. They closed I-94 which meant we couldn’t get there. No problem, we just drop him off Wednesday Morning and get a later start, right? So, on the morn, after a stop at the new Kwik Star for coffee and a breakfast sandwich, off we went down I-94 to the Mapleton exit. Roads were adequate, but not good. A little nerve testing as we passed 5-6 cars in the ditch each direction. We had no problem other than taking our time. Shiloh knew the drill and , as he really likes being there with his ‘buddies’, was more interested in getting into his temporary home than saying goodbye to his loving dog mother.
Back to Fargo, passed 5-6 different cars in the ditch along I-94, loaded up, and headed out. Iffy roads until we passed Alexandria. - more cars/trucks in the ditch, and slow travel... but we made it. After suitable stops along the way, we arrived at our Hampton Inn in Maple Grove around 4 and checked in. After a good supper, nearby, we spent a quiet night.
Starting 5 or 6 years ago, my oldest son, Rev. Luke Italiano and his wife and my four grandkids started spending Thanksgiving with my brother, Rev. Frank Italiano at his church in Crete, Ill. Luke gave a break to Frank and did the sermon those days. The two families get along famously (four kids in each) and a good time was had by all. Of course, Franks church was surprised the first time when Luke walked out and introduced himself as Rev. Italiano—the two look like brothers and are both very good at what they have been called to do. Recently, Frank took a call to St. Pauls in Muskego (a suburb of Milwaukee. ) where he is part of a ministerial staff of 4 in a congregation of 2200. By someones hand, it is also where my mother in law and The wife’s sister and brother in law are members.
We joined the two families at St. Pauls, MKE - one of our former churches in Milwaukee that closed for lack of members. They are using it as a second site for their contemporary services and outreach. As Frank’s new home is relatively small and close (around the block away), the families had gathered there to play games and eat an evening meal. The kids are getting way too big (I sound like every grandparent alive)..
Note: I will talk about all the churches named here in the future.
We gathered together the next morning for an early lunch of pizza as Luke had to get the oldest back to work on Saturday. We picked up my mother-in-law and the wife’s brother, one of his sons and his first grandchild (who was quite cranky). We had a great time talking, listening, and solving the worlds problems.
After Frank’s and Luke’s families left, we took mom to her room at The Regency retirement facility. While Karen and Bernie brought the Christmas stuff to decorate the apartment with, we spent a short time taking down the fall decorations. Mom was fried from all the great grandkids and needed to rest. The rest of her left her to it and Carolyn and I returned to the Embassy Suites to settle in for the evening.
On Saturday the fun began. The winter storm warning started at 6 am and was to run until 6 am Sunday. As you would expect from our forecasts, nothing happened till past 9 when a light snowfall began. We arranged to meet at mom’s apartment around 11:00. The roads started getting slippery, but no real problem. We had planned on taking mom to church for the Sat. Night service at St. Pauls, but …. As the afternoon got started, so did the half-inch to an inch per hour and things started getting crazy!
Around two, we said our goodbyes and returned to our motel to settle in. We stopped at a Kwik Trip for ‘supper’ and snacks as the motel did not have a food source other than a great breakfast. Morning, the snow had stopped, after depositing 9-11 inches. It took me a good 20 minutes to get the snow off. We loaded the car and headed home. After 20 miles the road conditions were good for winter driving. We got to Maple Grove and the same Hampton Inn for the night, ordered in pizza and watched a little football. Monday we finished the drive and got home around 4 in the afternoon.
Now - remember the fortune cookie? Mighty forces coming to my aid? Getting Shiloh to a the kennel while cars had found the ditch along I-94. .. The drive till road conditions improved... Finding a nice place to stay and eat... The longer trip on Turkey Day... The food, fellowship, and family at St.Paul’s MKLE... Seeing mom and Carolyns other relatives... Being able to decorate mom’s rooms... Not getting stuck in the snow along with a nice warm room to stay in... The trip back in safety... And finally arriving home in safety. God’s hand was present at all times.
Carolyn’s fortune cookie? “Your sense of humor will shine later today.” Not after we got back, but the entire trip? Yup!