A Coded Message from a Day Job Teammate

A couple of days ago, I received a curious message from a teammate at my day job.

“Make sure you look at the drawing I made,” Helen said.

I didn’t realize Helen had a gift for drawing—until I saw it posted near the exit door. There it was, a bold and heartfelt sketch of a Vulcan flashing the iconic Spock hand gesture.

If you’re wondering what that hand gesture means, it’s more than sci-fi. It’s a blessing, deeply rooted in the Old Testament. And oh, what a blessing this turned out to be.

I asked Helen about her art, and she shared that she’s been drawing since she was a little girl. Her talent, once hidden in plain sight, is now becoming a key part of something bigger. I’m thrilled to announce that Helen will be the illustrator for Where in the World is Wilson?, a coloring book we’re creating for patients at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

I’ve already seen her early sketches. Let’s just say: jaw-dropping.

This is how the magic happens—sometimes, what you’ve been searching for is right under your nose.

Our fundraising kicks off tomorrow, May 1, at my day job. My boss is already taking pre-orders for my two latest books, and every cent—including proceeds from the upcoming coloring book—will support our local children’s hospital.

Thank you, Helen, for sharing your gift and joining the team. I’m so excited for what’s ahead.

Have a great day.

Tuesday Night Date Night

We’ve got a new sheriff in town — and his name is Bishop Dennis.

During a recent visit to our house of worship, Bishop Dennis encouraged all of us to go see the film Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. It’s a moving documentary about a teenager who used his computer skills to inspire Christians in our modern digital world.

Carlo’s final words deeply inspire me. Before he died at the age of 15, he told his mother,
"I am happy to die because I lived my life without even wasting a minute of it doing anything displeasing to God."

Let that sink in.

The film offers a glimpse into how this young man lived such a faithful, intentional life — right up to the very end.

The window to see this movie is short: just five days, and it's only showing in a couple of nearby theaters. I'm choosing to follow Carlo’s example and use my time in a way that pleases God — by encouraging others to support this meaningful documentary.

I hope to see you there.
Have a great day — and may we all live each minute with purpose.

Where is Your Happy Place?

 Where Is Your Happy Place?

Where is your happy place — and how much time do you actually spend there?
If you’re feeling a little unsettled by your answer because you don't visit often enough, maybe today is the perfect day to change that.

The truth is, the way you answer these questions will shape how happy or unhappy your future self will be.

If your happy place feels like it's been pushed to the back burner because you're “too busy,” maybe it's time to re-evaluate your priorities.
I used to think my happy place was reserved only for vacations. But vacations come and go — and that's simply not enough when it comes to long-term health and wellness.

Now, I do my best to find my happy place at least once a day, even on busy workdays.
For me, it’s a quiet setting tucked behind my day job — a large pond nestled among tall trees.
My visits are short, about twenty minutes, but they make all the difference. I take off my shoes and socks, soak up the sun, and imagine I'm on a remote island.
When I leave, it feels like the day is just beginning, even if it’s already halfway over.
That's the magic of a happy place — it’s like hitting the reset button on life.

Decide today that you’re going to visit your happy place at least once a day.
Keep it simple.
The small slivers of time you carve out — especially when life feels overwhelming — will stack up to create a life filled with more peace, joy, and clarity.

You deserve that.

Have a great day, and don’t forget to visit your happy place. 🌿✨

Energy Score Tracking Results Show Positive Feedback after 125 Days

Energy Score Tracking Results Show Positive Feedback after 125 Days

This story is for my loved ones who have expressed concern about my mental well-being.
I want you to know — there is light at the end of the tunnel. 🌄

Rather than focus on why I slipped into negative territory for so long, I’d rather share how I’m coping and what’s been helping me find my way forward.
About 125 days ago — just a couple of days before Christmas — I began tracking my energy using a smart watch and a newly acquired smart ring.

I’m a big believer in biofeedback. I’m an even bigger believer in continuous improvement.
When my first energy score report came in, it was… well, let’s just say it was humbling. The numbers were pretty dismal.
At first, I wasn’t alarmed — my focus was on following the suggestions and raising the score over time.
Sadly, despite my efforts, nothing improved.

Then something more concerning popped up on my radar: I began experiencing persistent headaches at the back of my head.
Now, I’ve had dehydration-related headaches before, and those usually clear up with better hydration.
But this was different.
I kept wondering: What changed? What could be causing this?

I decided to eliminate anything new from my routine to find the culprit.
Eventually, it dawned on me: could the smart ring be affecting my brainwaves somehow?
After all, I was now wearing both a smart watch and a smart ring — even while sleeping.
I’m not claiming that was the cause, but as an experiment, I stopped wearing the smart ring.

Unfortunately, the energy scores went into free fall — and the headaches continued.

That’s when I dug deeper into my own mind, searching for clues.
Some external circumstances (which I’ll keep private) were weighing heavily, too.
It became clear: I needed outside help.
Sadly, finding professional help was almost impossible — most professionals equipped to deal with situations like mine were overwhelmed and unavailable.
I felt trapped for a long time.

But about five weeks ago, everything changed.
A miracle worker — truly a God-send — entered my life.
The timing could not have been better, because circumstances around me were escalating fast, and I was slipping deeper into negativity.

Today, I'm thrilled to share some encouraging news:
Last night’s energy score was 87, which places me firmly in the excellent range! 🌟
My sleep score was a little lower (probably because I slept so long), but the headaches are gone.
One detail that feels especially worth celebrating: my REM sleep came in at one hour and 44 minutes, resulting in a 91% mental recovery score.
That is a major, major win. 🏔️

Before I close, I want to share a dream I had near the end of my sleep:
In the dream, I found myself at the foot of the Himalayas, surrounded by other adventure seekers.
Though I didn’t recognize them, they began to climb ahead of me.
I promised to join them after tending to a few things.
It took a long time, but eventually I caught up.
We journeyed together, and soon, roads and buildings appeared on the other side of the mountains.
We had reached civilization — and together, we rejoiced.

I believe this dream represents where I am today.
I am surrounded by loving, caring friends and family.
I am getting the help I need — help that sometimes only a professional can provide.
And I am slowly, surely making my way back to wholeness.

When my wife saw how long today’s story was, she asked, “Are you writing a book?”
I smiled and said, “Yes, I am.”
But more about that on another day. 📖

For now, I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for climbing the Himalayas with me — even if it was only in my mind.
Thank you for staying on the trail with me.
Thank you for believing there would be light again.

Wishing you a beautiful day ahead. 🌅

A Night to Remember: Thank You, Williamsburg! 💛🍕

 A Night to Remember: Thank You, Williamsburg! 💛🍕

Last night at the Sundown, something extraordinary happened — and my heart is still smiling.
Our little town came together in a big way to support the dream of building four outdoor pickleball courts, and because of your incredible generosity, that dream is getting closer every day.

A few special shout-outs are in order:

🌟 Mary Wetjen, who celebrated her 60th birthday by leading us in a heartfelt song she wrote about bringing pickleball to Williamsburg — what a gift to share your voice and your heart with us all!

🌟 Doug Stahl, whose two custom-made cheesecakes created a record haul at the live auction — they were legendary!

🌟 Jeff Wille, our spirited auctioneer, who entertained the crowd and nudged guests to dig deep with plenty of laughs along the way.

🌟 Local businesses who packed our prize tables with mouth-watering donations, including an autographed football and jersey from our hometown hero, Kaden Wetjen, a party bus trip to Pickle Palace for 16 players, and a landscaping package to turn your backyard into a dream.

The Sundown was packed to capacity — wall to wall with smiles, laughter, generosity, and community spirit.
This wasn’t just a fundraiser.
It was a night to remember — a celebration of what makes Williamsburg so special: hearts willing to come together to build something lasting.

And the excitement isn’t over yet!
Our amazing pickleball co-chair, Jodi Stahl, is still tallying the results and will be sharing the final numbers with us soon. Stay tuned — you’re going to want to hear how BIG of an impact you made!

Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your laughter. Thank you for saying “yes” to the dream.
The best is yet to come! ❤️

Pizzas for Pickleball Bash and Live Auction Tonight at Sundown in Williamsburg

Williamsburg, we need you!

Tonight, something special is happening in our little town—neighbors are gathering, laughter will echo, pizza will be shared, and paddles will one day fly across four brand new pickleball courts… all because we said yes to coming together.

We’re hosting a fundraising party at the Sundown to raise money for four outdoor pickleball courts right here in Williamsburg. There's no set time—just swing by when you can. Grab a slice, enjoy the good company, and stick around for our live auction at 8pm—it’s going to be a fun one!

These courts aren’t just about a game—they’re about community, connection, and creating a space where friendships will form and memories will be made for generations.

Whether you play pickleball or not, your presence tonight helps build a legacy of fun, health, and togetherness. Let’s pack the place with smiles, laughter, and love.

See you at the Sundown!
Let’s build this dream—together. 💛🏓🍕

Stressed but Still Standing

Some seasons are loud—full of laughter, movement, and moments you want to bottle up forever.

And then there are the quiet ones.
The ones that come without warning and weigh heavy on your heart.
Where the smile stays, but it's working overtime.

Lately, I've found myself in one of those quiet seasons.
There’s a kind of stress that doesn’t make it into the group texts or show up in small talk.
It’s the kind that nestles in the corners of your mind and makes peace feel just out of reach.

But here’s what I’m learning:
Even when the weight is personal, peace is still possible.
Not because the situation resolves overnight,
but because God is near—even when the fog hasn’t lifted.

Sometimes, peace looks like a deep breath at the kitchen sink.
Sometimes, it’s a verse whispered in traffic.
Sometimes, it’s simply choosing not to respond right away—
to trust that grace is enough, even when we’re not.

If you’re walking through one of those quiet storms,
I just want to say: you’re not alone.
You’re not weak.
And you are still standing—even if today, all you did was breathe.

God sees it all. He’s not just in the big breakthroughs.
He’s in the small, faithful steps too.

Hold tight to hope.
Better days are ahead.  Have a great day.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

—Psalm 34:18