Pickleball Iowa County Breaks Ground Today

Stardate 07.15.2026

The wait is over.

Today, Pickleball Iowa County celebrates a milestone that once existed only as a conversation around a table. We dreamed big. We met month after month. We organized. We asked questions. We solved problems one at a time.

When the city told us there weren't funds available for outdoor courts, our community didn't give up. We went to work.

Business owners opened their checkbooks. Generous donors stepped forward. Our fearless leaders searched for grant opportunities and found them. Volunteers gave their time, their talents, and their hearts. Every contribution mattered.

Today we celebrate with a groundbreaking ceremony.

As I pause to take it all in, my heart is filled with gratitude. This project has never belonged to one person. It belongs to a community that believed something worthwhile was worth building together.

There is a lesson here that reaches far beyond pickleball.

Many worthwhile dreams take longer than we expect. They ask us to stay faithful through ordinary days filled with meetings, conversations, and small decisions that rarely make headlines. Then one day, almost quietly, all those faithful steps become something you can finally see.

Today holds another special blessing for me.

Helen and I are celebrating our 37th wedding anniversary. This morning we'll leave the state for a few days to spend some time together. In just forty-eight hours, our Men's 55+ team will represent the state of Iowa in regional competition. We'll be there cheering for our teammates and enjoying every moment of the journey.

As I think about these two celebrations, I see a common thread.

Strong teams aren't built in a single day. Strong marriages aren't either.

They grow through daily acts of faithfulness. Through showing up. Through encouraging one another. Through choosing to keep moving forward, especially when the destination still feels far away.

I'm grateful for my teammates at Pickleball Iowa County. I'm grateful for my teammates on our Men's 55+ team. And I'm especially grateful for Helen, who has shared this adventure with me for thirty-seven wonderful years.

Each of these relationships reminds me that the greatest victories are often the result of countless ordinary moments lived with purpose.

One faithful day becomes another.

One encouraging conversation becomes a friendship.

One shared dream becomes a groundbreaking.

One year becomes thirty-seven.

God has a beautiful way of honoring perseverance. Sometimes the blessing arrives all at once. More often, it unfolds one faithful step at a time.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
— Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

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May you live long and prosper.

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, thirty-seven years of marriage and now groundbreaking ceremonies? I'd call that a pretty remarkable mission."

Spock: "Indeed, Captain. Logic suggests that consistent effort, sustained over time, frequently produces extraordinary outcomes."

As I look back on today, I'm reminded that the most meaningful journeys are rarely traveled alone. God places people beside us for the work ahead, and together we accomplish far more than we ever imagined.

Mission Log: Dream boldly. Serve faithfully. Celebrate every milestone. Then begin preparing for the next adventure.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. I hope today reminds you that every small, faithful step matters, and that extraordinary grace is often waiting just beyond the next one.

3 Wishes

Stardate 07.14.2026

Today I'd like to offer something that has helped me keep dreaming, even on the busiest days. It's a practice I return to every morning without fail. When life feels especially full or my thoughts begin to race, this quiet routine helps me find my footing again.

Before I go any further, I want to recognize the person who first pointed me in this direction.

His name is Taj.

We worked together until he moved out of state. Taj carried himself with a quiet peace that caught my attention. Even when everything around him seemed to unravel, he remained calm. He didn't preach. He didn't try to convince anyone. He simply lived differently.

His practice was meditation, rooted in what his teachers in India had shared with him.

When I first tried it, I stumbled more than I succeeded. Sitting still wasn't easy for me. My mind preferred making lists, solving problems, and planning tomorrow before today was finished. Little by little, though, I found my own rhythm. Today, I can honestly say it has become one of the most valuable parts of my morning.

There are many people far more qualified than I am to teach meditation. My goal isn't to explain it. I simply want to share one small part of what my own journey has become.

During the golden hour of my morning, I move through several quiet moments until I eventually arrive at a place I affectionately call Glendalough. It reminds me of the beautiful valley in Ireland that Helen and I visited during our pilgrimage. Whether my mind recreates it perfectly doesn't really matter. It has become my peaceful forest.

As I walk beneath the towering trees, I eventually come upon one unlike all the others. Resting high among its branches is a life-sized acorn.

Inside lives Jeanie.

She resembles the Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie, complete with a warm smile that always makes me laugh. When I call her name, the giant acorn slowly descends through the trees and lands beside me with enough force to leave a small crater in the forest floor.

The door opens.

She steps out.

Then she asks the same simple question every morning.

"What are your three wishes?"

My answer never changes.

Health.

Longevity.

Financial peace.

Jeanie smiles, blinks, and quietly grants my wishes before returning to her magical acorn. I thank her and continue my meditation.

Some may see this as imagination. For me, it's become a daily reminder to focus on what matters most. Beginning each day with gratitude and hope helps shape the hours that follow. It gently points my attention toward the blessings already growing in my life.

Looking back, I realize Taj gave me far more than an introduction to meditation. He showed me what peaceful living could look like. His example spoke long after our conversations ended.

Taj, wherever life has taken you, thank you.

You inspired me through your actions more than your words.

May you live long and prosper.

These days, the fire trucks are parked. The emergencies that once occupied so much of my attention have grown quieter. Dreams that once seemed distant are beginning to take shape. Every morning reminds me that I already have much to be thankful for, and every new day feels like another gift waiting to be opened.

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." — Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, I've spent my career treating people. Turns out a peaceful mind can be pretty good medicine."

Spock: "An expected conclusion, Doctor. A disciplined mind increases the probability of a well-lived life."

I smiled as we continued our journey. Every morning offers another opportunity to choose where our thoughts will dwell. Mine begin with three wishes, a grateful heart, and quiet confidence that God is already at work.

Thank you for spending part of your day with me. I hope you find a moment of peace today, and may each small, faithful step lead you closer to the life God is preparing for you.

The Power of a Dream

Stardate 07.13.2026

My heart is filled with gratitude today. Now that the adoption of Lucy, our dream vacation home on wheels, is complete, I find myself sleeping a little easier. A dream that lived quietly in my heart for a long time has become a reality.

I'm discovering just how powerful a dream can be.

A dream has a way of carrying us through difficult seasons. It gives us something to look toward when today's challenges seem overwhelming. Even when progress feels slow, hope has a remarkable way of keeping us moving one step at a time.

Yesterday I met two remarkable young women who are dreaming big. One is a travel nurse. Her longtime roommate is preparing to become a doctor. When I asked what specialty she had chosen, she smiled and said, "Neurology." She has always been fascinated by the human brain and how it works.

I smiled because I share that fascination.

I don't fully understand how dreams begin. Somehow an idea appears in our minds, quietly grows, and slowly starts shaping the choices we make. Looking back over my own life, I can see how one dream often led to another. Those dreams helped guide me through seasons of uncertainty and opened doors I never expected.

Lucy is one of those dreams.

There were plenty of reasons to believe it might never happen. There were financial questions, timing questions, and moments when the path ahead wasn't clear. Yet each small step made the next one possible. Looking back, I can see God's fingerprints on the journey long before I recognized them.

If I could offer one thought about dreaming, it would be this: don't place unnecessary limits on what God may be preparing in your life.

Dream generously.

Dream with hope.

Allow your imagination to explore possibilities you cannot yet explain. Once you can picture a meaningful future, your mind begins noticing opportunities, solving problems, and taking the next faithful step toward it. You may not know how everything will come together, but today's small decision often becomes tomorrow's answered prayer.

God has a beautiful way of working through willing hearts that continue to trust Him.

As Proverbs 16:3 reminds us:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." — Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Lucy is parked outside today, quietly reminding me that yesterday's dream has become today's blessing.

I can't wait to discover where the next dream leads.

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "You know, Captain, dreams have a habit of getting people into interesting situations."

Spock: "Indeed, Doctor. History also demonstrates they frequently lead to humanity's greatest achievements."

Michael: Lucy reminds me that every meaningful journey begins long before the first mile is traveled. It begins with the courage to believe that God may already be preparing the road ahead.

May you live long and prosper.

Lucy Adopted (Part II of the Search for Lucy)

Stardate 07.12.2026

The search for Lucy is over.

Yesterday, just outside of Chicago, I officially adopted her at Sherman Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM.

I knew I was in the right place at the right time the moment I met Kim. He was standing beside the van when I pulled into the lot after a four-hour drive. Before we talked about vehicles, he walked me to the restroom, offered me a bottle of water and some popcorn, and simply welcomed me. It felt less like arriving at a dealership and more like being greeted by an old friend.

Over the past four years, I've been learning about a remarkable community of people who travel the country in their vans. Some live on the road full time. Others head out whenever life allows. What they all have in common is the freedom that comes from creating a home away from home.

That vision has been growing in my heart for quite some time.

With fewer than four years until retirement, I want to begin building those memories now. My hope is that Helen and I will someday spend months exploring this beautiful country together, taking the scenic route whenever we choose.

My search for Lucy took an unexpected turn when I learned that one of my Costco colleagues, Pik, serves as a concierge for employees looking for their dream vehicle. He searches dealerships across the country, narrows the options, and helps make the entire process far less overwhelming.

I'm deeply grateful for the time and effort he invested on my behalf. He found Lucy long before I ever laid eyes on her.

Kim guided me through the first test drive with patience and genuine enthusiasm. Later, his manager, Mike, joined us for a second drive.

That's when everything came together.

Lucy is a 2023 RAM ProMaster with just over 32,000 miles. One feature immediately stood out to me: rear windows. That single detail changed everything. The open view replaced the closed-in feeling I had experienced in other cargo vans. Within a few minutes, I knew I had found the one.

When it came time to discuss numbers, I felt prepared. Pik had already helped me understand the process, and Mike treated every conversation with honesty and respect. Buying a vehicle can feel intimidating, especially when you arrive on your own. I never felt alone during this experience.

Everyone I met treated me with kindness.

I also learned that Sherman Dodge has a buyer named Simon whose expertise has given customers an impressive selection of vans to choose from. Simon was the second person I met after arriving, and it quickly became clear why they have earned such a strong reputation.

Looking back, I see more than a successful purchase.

I see countless small moments that lined up at exactly the right time. A helpful colleague. A four-hour drive. A welcoming handshake. A patient sales team. A van with windows that felt like freedom.

Sometimes God's guidance doesn't arrive with dramatic fanfare.

Sometimes it looks like open doors, good people, and quiet confidence that you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." — Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Lucy is finally home.

The real adventure is only beginning.

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Congratulations, Captain. You didn't just find a van—you found a crew of good people along the way."

Spock: "Fascinating. Sound preparation, logical counsel, and a measure of faith continue to produce favorable outcomes."

Captain Michael: "Sometimes the destination is waiting for us all along. We simply have to keep driving until the right door opens."

May you live long, prosper in purpose, and always recognize the quiet grace waiting along your journey.

In Search of Lucy

Stardate 07.11.2026

I'm headed out of state early this morning in search of Lucy.

A fellow employee at my day job introduced me to a concierge on the West Coast who has spent more than twenty years working with car dealerships. His experience has been invaluable, helping me better understand the buying process and giving me confidence to ask the right questions.

I'm doing my best not to get too excited.

Today may be the day I officially adopt Lucy.

If the numbers don't make sense or something doesn't feel right, I'm prepared to walk away. Peace often comes from knowing you don't have to force the next chapter.

It's hard to believe it's been six years since my near-fatal accident. My Honda faithfully carried me more than 225,000 miles before it was totaled. During the six weeks I spent recovering, my wife found a Ford Escape that turned out to be exactly what I needed for that season of life.

That Escape has now traveled another 186,000 miles with me.

When I stop to think about it, that's more than 400,000 miles shared between my last two vehicles. Each one carried me through a different chapter, filled with ordinary days, unexpected detours, answered prayers, and countless opportunities to witness God's faithfulness.

If today becomes the day Lucy joins our family, another chapter begins.

She won't simply be another vehicle. My hope is that she'll travel alongside me as I move toward retirement, now less than four years away. Over time, I'll slowly transform her into a vacation home on wheels, one project at a time, one lesson at a time, and one memory at a time.

I've learned that some of life's biggest decisions don't need to be rushed. Preparation creates space for wisdom, and patience often protects us from unnecessary regret. Whatever happens today, I'm grateful for the journey that brought me here and hopeful for whatever lies ahead.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." — Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

If Lucy comes home with me, I'll be looking forward to sharing the adventure as it unfolds.

Join me here:

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, after four hundred thousand miles, I'd say you've earned a smooth ride."

Spock: "An admirable record, Captain. Sound judgment remains the most reliable navigation system."

Every journey begins long before we turn the key. Sometimes the greatest blessing is simply being ready when the next door opens.

May you live long and prosper.

The Moment Everything Changes

Stardate 07.10.2026

Have you ever felt like you didn't belong?

Perhaps you've felt different from everyone around you. Maybe your values didn't line up with the people in your life. You slowly pulled back because nothing seemed to fit. You searched for answers and hoped someone would understand.

I've been there.

My greatest challenge wasn't admitting I needed help. It was searching for it and not finding it right away.

If any of this sounds familiar, stay with me. Not only for today's story, but for the journey ahead. I'm here for the long haul. The reason is simple. It has everything to do with the One I follow.

I didn't really find Him.

He found me.

That was the moment everything changed.

I know some readers may have questions about what I've just said. I understand. Trusting someone you cannot see doesn't come naturally. Even Jesus had people who doubted Him while they watched Him teach, heal, and walk among them.

One story has always stayed close to my heart.

Jesus met a woman at a well who carried the weight of her past everywhere she went. She didn't fit in. Her neighbors looked down on her because of the choices she had made. She came to the well alone, expecting another ordinary day.

Jesus met her there.

He crossed cultural boundaries that most people would never have crossed. He spoke to her with kindness. He told her things about her own life that no stranger could have known. He saw every broken piece and never turned away.

Then something beautiful happened.

She realized she wasn't standing beside an ordinary traveler. She was standing in the presence of the Messiah.

She discovered she was fully known and fully loved.

I know that feeling because I have experienced it myself.

When you discover that Jesus knows your story and still welcomes you, life begins to look different. Old burdens become lighter. Hope begins to grow again. Your future no longer feels chained to your past.

Everything changes.

The invitation remains open to each of us.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." — Jeremiah 29:13

That promise has carried me through many seasons of my life.

Join me here:
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May you discover, day by day, how deeply Jesus loves you.

May you live long and prosper.

---

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, some people spend their whole lives trying to outrun their past."

Spock: "Fortunately, Doctor, truth has an unusual way of meeting us exactly where we are."

Every time I read about the woman at the well, I'm reminded that grace has a remarkable way of finding us before we ever think we've found it. I'm grateful it found me, and I hope today's mission log encourages someone else to keep searching.

Mission Log Complete.

Thank you for spending a few moments of your day with me. I hope you find peace for today and hope for tomorrow. 🖖

Where Do You Rank On the Metabolic Chart?

Stardate 07.09.2026

In baseball, professional hitters work hard to stay above what fans call the Mendoza line. Falling below it usually means it's time to make changes.

I sometimes think about metabolic health the same way.

Research suggests that only about 12% of American adults meet common criteria for optimal metabolic health. That means many of us are living with warning signs we may not even realize are there.

Do you know where you stand?

There are several ways to begin finding out. Measure your waistline. Step on a scale. Schedule a visit with your doctor and ask for routine blood work. Those simple steps can provide a clearer picture of what's happening inside your body.

If your numbers show there is room for improvement, you have a decision to make.

One choice is to continue living as you always have. Many people do. Over time, unhealthy habits can increase the risk of chronic disease. I've watched too many friends and family members struggle with the consequences. Their memories continue to motivate me to take better care of the health God has entrusted to me.

The other choice is to begin making small changes.

That path isn't always easy. Some people won't understand why you pass on dessert, head out for a walk, or spend time learning about nutrition. A few may even question why you're making changes at all. Even so, each healthy decision is an investment in the years ahead. I want to be around as long as I can to love my family, serve others, and be a light in a world that needs hope.

I'll be the first to admit I don't have all the answers when it comes to metabolic health.

That's why I keep experimenting, reading, asking questions, and making small adjustments. Every lesson teaches me something new. Every healthy choice is another opportunity to become one percent better than I was yesterday.

In a few months, I'll be reunited with a remarkable group of people from around the world who are passionate about healthy aging and metabolic wellness. I'm grateful to learn from individuals who have devoted years to studying these subjects. As one of the few Americans in the group, I also feel a responsibility to bring home what I learn and share it with others in a way that's practical and encouraging.

Our nation has an opportunity to improve its health, one person at a time. I hope to be part of that conversation.

This blog is sponsored by a research company that develops products intended to support healthy aging and metabolic wellness. They have provided a discount for my readers who would like to learn more. If you're interested, you'll find the link below. As always, I encourage you to consult your physician before making significant changes to your health routine or beginning any new supplement program.

Click here to visit DoNotAge

As an affiliate, I receive a small stipend that helps support my mission of encouraging others and raising funds for children through my writing.

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." — 3 John 1:2 (NIV)

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Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, I'd still prescribe common sense before chasing every new health trend."

Spock: "A logical approach, Doctor. Consistent habits, supported by sound evidence, produce the highest probability of favorable outcomes."

The older I get, the more I appreciate that good health isn't built in a single day. It's shaped by thousands of quiet decisions that no one else sees. Those small choices give us more opportunities to love, serve, and enjoy the people God has placed in our lives.

Thank you for spending a few moments with me today. May your next small step lead you toward greater health, deeper peace, and the grace to live long and prosper.