Friday, August 27, 2010

Milo Visits The Pastor ~or~ A Changed Bug

I had decided that Mr. Milo M. Bug really needed a little face time with someone that had better parenting skills that myself and might be able to coax him into behaving a bit more....ummmmmm.....predictably. I did not want to have to worry about leaving the computer on or having to lock the parakeets somewhere, and frankly, I think the little guy was just worn out, wound up and needed some settling down.


I got him up and told him, "Milo, this is a big day because you're going someplace special." He wasn't moving too fast; you know, kids always know when something is up.
"We get to ride in the car today--a pretty long ride, so hurry and get ready."


All the way up there was little chatter....he had brought his afghan along, for whatever reason and mostly he worked it in knots in his little bug hands.  Hmmmmm.......




Pastor Steve welcomed us and I thought I was going to lose Milo.
"Oh he's so tall! He could squish me!" And he promptly hid behind a pillow and his afghan; just antennae, hat and eyes peeking out.


(We had planned something more formal in the sanctuary, but there was no moving the bug.)
"Milo," Pastor Steve said, "Anne has told me about your adventures. You know, for a nice bug your age, you should be behaving a little better and not getting into mischief that adults do, and shouldn't."


Milo peered out. "I know. I just don't really know what is right and what is wrong until it happens. I don't mean to get into trouble, but it does seem to find me sometimes." He thought a moment and added, "Well, a lot of times, I guess."


"Milo," I said, "You tell the Pastor what you've been up to. Just whisper, I won't listen. You get that off your chest, say you're sorry, and mean it too." So the two leaned close and there were a lot of interesting expressions....... (especially from the Pastor)


Pastor Steve looked at him quite seriously and asked, "Do you want to continue like this or would you like to make some changes to help in making your life better?"
Milo looked at me and I nodded *yes* and then he nodded *yes* too. "What do I have to do?"
"Well, Anne told me your mom goes to church, and eventhough it is a different one than here, I am sure she would not mind if you were brought into *the church*---the One Church. Are you willing to be serious about this and start living a good life and doing good things and helping others?" the Pastor asked.


"Yes, yes!" Milo answered. "I want to be a new bug when I go home to Mom! I want Mom to be proud of what I have learned while I was on my trip!" He paused, then asked, "So, can you help me do that?"
Pastor Steve nodded.
"Yes Milo. We will do a Provisional Ceremony for you, to bring you into the fold, and make you a new bug--at least from the aspect of your soul. Do you understand?"
Milo seemed pretty excited and nodded *yes* quite vigorously.
"I'm ready!" he said with a surprising vigor.




So the two began the Provisional Ceremony to bring little Millenium Bugs into a new life. There were questions and answers and some prayers, and finally, the presentation of a beautiful white bible.



"This is so you don't forget today," Pastor Steve said as he inscribed the inside cover. "You can always look at this and read, and you will find the answers you need in the tough spots in life."
Then he blessed Milo, and I think there was a little tear in Milo's eye, and I know there were a few in mine. (I was so proud of the little bug!)


"Now go in peace Milo. Do no harm. And always remember there is Someone much greater than any of us who loves you unconditionally."
Milo sniffed, smiled brightly and said, "Thank you!!! You've been so nice to me!" And he hung onto his bible tightly as we got ready to leave.
Pastor Steve said one last thing as we were leaving, and it sounded pretty much like, "Stay OFF the internet."
And I had one happy, tired bugboy when I got home, who was just not letting go of his book, even in bed.
Ah, tomorrow, he shall begin packing to go home to Deb and the blue pool and a different life.....I wonder if he will remember all that has happened today?
Will he remember???
I hope so........

28 comments:

Ces Adorio said...

OMG! You are the best. How did you even get Pastor Steve to pose for this photo shoot! OMG Anne! Hooray for Pastor Steve for being such a good sport. This is incredible. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

I doubt Milo will change. AHAHAHAHAA!

Anonymous said...

OMGoodness Anne!! What a cute little tale & Pastor Steve is the best!!
Love it......
Have a Great Weekend!
Love,
Marilyn

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Oh I don't know Ces; Pastor Steve can be quite persuasive and Milo was pretty concerned with a human taller than me..... ;)
At least Milo is on the right path---we all slip off occasionally....eh?
LOL!
Fun shoot!

TSUP!!♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Thanks Marilyn,

Today is Milo's last day here; I have to get him ready to head back to Deb's and I think I will miss that little bug...
Pastor Steve was quite generous with his time---or he was sick of listening to me, which is a possibility! (I can carp a LOT...)Ya think??? ;D

XXOOO~~♥
Anne

Elena said...

OH NO! Milo can't go home!!! Oh and what a cool Pastor. I've been looking for a Pastor to talk to and atleast now I know they exist!

Georgina said...

This one is just too adorable!!! Love it and your pastor is a good egg!!! Wish I knew what Milo told him during his confession...oh my!!

Love ya,
G

Janet Ghio said...

Hooray for Pastor Steve for visiting with Milo. He must have a great sense of humor!!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Yes Elena, like the elusive Santa Claus, good Pastors DO exist, though you must perservere to find the right one! (and I can say from experience in my 50 years, there are sub-par ones out there, so don't give up)
There will be one last Milo post---he's had a long tour around the world and I think he misses Deb.....
But who knows? He might make a guest appearance on her blog sometime!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Georgina,

Now, you know that whatever is said in confession does not go beyond the moment.....but Milo HAD been into a lot of stuff....sooooooooo....I'm sure it was, ummmm, entertaining? ;)
LOL!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Linda and Michelle said...

Just too precious! I am not fond of clergymen in general (and priests specifically...) so hooray for Pastor Steve! The pic of Milo with the rosary is priceless...I am thinking some of these pics would work in your Zazzle store, and then a lot of us could have a "piece" of Milo.....

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Janet,

Yes, Steve does have a good sense of humor, but of course there is that duty to make sure all creatures are onthe right path, even this little guy! (who has worn me to a nub.....)
Tomorrow is his last day with me, then home to Deb!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Linda....

I had not thought of putting Milo on a mug!
"Start your day with Milo, and smile no matter what!"
That was my first communion rosary, although I had to replace the crucifix---I have no idea what happened to the original---probably pulled it off to sew onto something else, knowing me! LOL!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Bunny said...

This has been quite an adventure love your stories. Just makes me smile. You are a great writer. Hugs

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Bunny,

I question the quality of writing; I jsut have an over-active imagination and need to do something to stay out of trouble! LOL!!!
Milo has been an adventure..... ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh My Gosh Anne Sweetie...
I so adore this post. Milo has found God in his life, and has a little bible and crucifix to travel on with. I know you had a restful night last night. He has to be good now.

This is so darn cute and thanks to Pastor Steve for playing along. He is a real trooper. My heart is so HAPPY and smiling this morning.

Oh Anne sweetie. Thanks for taking me along. I have enjoyed myself so much. Have a beautiful Friday and a gorgeous weekend.

Many hugs and much love, Sherry

audrey said...

Well, bless his little heart for "wanting" to be a good Bug. But you know we all go astray from time to time so I wouldn't expect Milo to be a little angel now. And bless Pastor Steve for taking part in the photo shoot. It was great!!
♥ audrey

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Your pastor is one in a million! I don't know how one little bug can go from being a complete imp to the sweet little angel in the last picture! Somehow though, I'd be watching out for the other shoe to drop!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Sherry,

Yes, I am helping Milo pack today; he'll say his goodbyes on here tomorrow.
*Bug-Mom* is a little tired but I am going to miss his mischief.....but really, he IS a good little guy! :)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Audrey,

Milo has his heart in the right place---I am sure he will have ups and downs like we all do but he seemed to hit it off with Pastor Steve pretty good and I think he'll remember his visit!
Tomorrow is his last day here.....
*sniff!*

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey M.A.

You hit the nail on the head; I am fortunate to have a good pastor for sure. (he's still trying to get ME straightened out...LOL!!)
Milo is just like all little ones---it's the effort to get going right and keep being reminded.
I think he will be fine! ;) He seemed pretty happy.....!

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Jan said...

Pastor Steve is definitely a good sport. I'm sure Milo will toe the line from here on out. Or at least until tomorrow. I think Anne needs a good rest now, soon as her little buggy friend moves on.

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Jan,

Milo has been very good today...he's packing right now (I probably need to check on him) and I'll fix us some iced tea afterwards.
I think he's a little sad, but then I am too.
What a bug! ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

yoborobo said...

Anne - Pastor Steve is such a good sport, talking to bugs and all. I love a pastor that reaches out to ALL parts of the community. ;) Gosh, seeing Milo with his bible reminded me of when I got mine. I had to memorize all the books of the bible (old AND new testaments). It's all I said for months! lol!! Happy trails, Milo! xox Pam

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Pam,

Yes, total outreach is rare to find. I'll share a story of the ONE SUMMER I helped with (read: got sucked into) VBS...it was memorizing the books of the bible, and I thought I would lose my mind with the kids before it was over!
I think I have a mental block on where things are now due to that traumatic experience......LOL!!!!

XXOO~~♥
Anne.....who hears you laughing!!!

*Ulrike* said...

Awwwww, hopefully Milo will remember everything!

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Ulrike,

I think he remembers most....but when he was packing up, there was still a little glint of mischief in his bug-eyes! ;)

XXOO~~♥
Anne

Deborah said...

OMGosh, Pastor Steve deserves a medal!!! What a good sport he is!!! Love the shots of Milo whispering his confession in Pastor Steve's ear. OMGoodness, Anne, what a fantastical job you did with Milo. A righteous bug. Who would have thought. What do you have to make for the church now that Pastor Steve did your photo shoot??? Just too darn cute-cute!
**kisskiss** Deb

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Hey Deb,

I would say Steve and Milo competed for who got the most comments on this post! LOL!!!
I think I will be making a large pot of GUMBO, just for the Pastor and family..... ;)
Milo behaved so good...

XXOO~~♥
Anne

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