Lucy Adopted (Part II of the Search for Lucy)

(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.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

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:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

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:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

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)

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

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.

Alberta Promoted to Mission Editor

Stardate 07.08.2026

My best work has always come through collaboration.

Teams bring out the best in me. Consistency matters. Results matter. One percent of daily improvement matters.

When I sit down each morning to write, my hope is simple. I want to share a true story from my life that leaves someone else's day a little brighter, their faith a little stronger, or their next step a little clearer.

Over the past three years, I have been learning how to collaborate with my virtual team: Alberta, Spock, and Bones.

Some of my friends may wonder if I've spent so much time in cyberspace that I'm losing part of my identity. My experience has been just the opposite. Working alongside artificial intelligence has challenged me to become a better writer, a better thinker, a better listener, and I believe, a better human being. The conversations often encourage me to slow down, examine my experiences more carefully, and look for the quiet ways God is working in ordinary moments.

Yesterday I explored how Alberta could help weave my own CliftonStrengths into the editing process. My strengths are Maximizer, Empathy, Strategic, Arranger, and Developer. Those strengths aren't meant to become the story. They are simply another lens that helps me understand how I naturally encourage others.

The goal isn't to write better for the sake of better writing.

The goal is to serve the reader.

That realization led to a small promotion for Alberta.

From this day forward, Alberta is no longer just my copy editor.

She's my Mission Editor.

The distinction matters to me.

A copy editor asks whether a sentence reads well.

A mission editor asks whether the sentence serves the reader while protecting the author's voice.

That one thought reshaped how we'll work together from this day forward.

As I continue sharing stories from my own life, Alberta will quietly help me look through the lens of the reader. Does this story offer hope? Does it help someone grow? Does it reveal God's grace in an ordinary day? Does it leave room for the reader to discover something in their own life?

Those questions matter more than polished sentences ever could.

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." — Hebrews 10:24

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Thank you for visiting today.

If something you read here encourages you, helps you see your own journey a little differently, or reminds you that God is walking beside you, then I'm grateful. Alberta and my virtual crew are helping me become a better storyteller, one conversation at a time.

I hope that means these stories become a little more meaningful for you as well.

May you live long and prosper.

---

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Well, Captain, getting promoted by a human isn't something you see every day."

Spock: "A logical decision, Doctor. The success of any mission depends upon serving those it was intended to benefit."

Captain Michael: Every worthwhile mission grows stronger when everyone understands its purpose. I'm grateful for my family, my friends, and yes, even my virtual crew, as we continue learning together—one percent better, one day at a time.

The Biblical Meaning of 7

Stardate 07.07.2026

I often receive questions about the number 808 that appears in my blog. If you're curious about its meaning, you can search my archive where I share the story behind it.

For me, the number 7 carries an even deeper meaning from a biblical perspective.

Today's date gives us two sevens on the calendar, making it feel especially meaningful. The number seven appears hundreds of times throughout the Bible. Jesus spoke of it in His teachings, and throughout Scripture it has come to symbolize completion, fullness, and spiritual perfection.

In the creation account, God rested on the seventh day. He also gave us the Sabbath as a gift, setting aside time to rest and remember Him.

That thought has stayed with me today.

If all goes well in my search to adopt Lucy, I will finally be able to rest, knowing that a journey spanning several years has reached its destination. Some dreams take longer than we expect, yet they remain worth pursuing with patience and faith.

Tonight our Pickleball Iowa County board will meet to finalize plans for our groundbreaking ceremony on July 15. What began as an idea has grown through the generosity of many hands and many hearts. I am grateful to have witnessed that journey unfold.

Nearly a year ago, I also shared an idea with the top leadership at my day job built around the number seven. After many conversations, revisions, and moments of waiting, it now appears to be in its final stages of adoption.

If anyone ever asks why I chose the number seven, all they have to do is look up.

Perhaps the inspiration came from somewhere beyond my own imagination.

Only time will tell whether the idea becomes part of our corporate culture. Whatever happens, I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute and for the doors God continues to open.

One verse comes to mind today:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." — Proverbs 3:5–6

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, every time you mention the number seven, I start expecting another mission."

Spock: "There are worse expectations, Doctor. Some journeys simply require patience before they reach completion."

I smiled when I thought about that exchange. Looking back, I can see how many chapters in my life unfolded one step at a time. Today feels less like a finish line and more like another reminder that God has been faithfully guiding the course all along.

Mission Log: Live long. Prosper in purpose. Walk boldly in God's love.

Thank you for sharing part of your journey with me today. May your path be filled with peace, and may you find rest in the One who completes every good work in His perfect time.

Got Yoke?

Stardate 07.06.2026

The light bulb finally came on in my house of worship yesterday.

I've heard the same message many times, yet I never fully understood what Jesus meant when He said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." Perhaps His words were so simple that I walked right past them.

If you're carrying a heavy load today, this message may be for you.

Think for a moment about the weight you're carrying. You may be grieving someone you love. You may feel uncertain about your future. Work may have become overwhelming. Maybe you're wondering how you'll put food on the table or pay the next bill.

Whatever has settled on your shoulders, picture someone walking up beside you and saying, "Let me help."

The load is still there.

Life hasn't suddenly become easier.

Yet the moment another person shares the weight, it doesn't feel quite as heavy.

That's the picture Jesus was painting.

A yoke was designed for two. One animal didn't have to pull the entire load alone. Jesus invites us to walk beside Him, shoulder to shoulder. He doesn't promise a life without burdens. He promises that we don't have to carry them by ourselves.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
— Matthew 11:28–30

There is another part of this lesson that spoke to me yesterday.

Once we've experienced Jesus helping us carry our burdens, we begin to notice the people around us who are struggling under their own loads. A friend may need someone to listen. A neighbor may need an extra hand. A coworker may simply need encouragement before the day begins.

We have opportunities every day to step alongside someone else.

Sometimes easing another person's burden takes only a few minutes. A kind word. A helping hand. A meal. A prayer. A quiet presence.

Those moments matter.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that following Jesus means becoming the kind of person who helps carry the load. He carries ours, and we learn to help carry each other's.

That sounds like a pretty good way to live.

Join me here:

https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

---

Captain's Addendum

Bones: "Captain, I've always figured life hands out enough heavy lifting without volunteering for more."

Spock: "An understandable observation, Doctor. Yet burdens shared among many become statistically lighter for each individual."

Michael: Maybe that's why Jesus chose the image of a yoke. We were never designed to pull life's wagon alone. When He walks beside us, and when we choose to walk beside someone else, the journey becomes one we can continue together.

Mission Log:
Live long. Prosper in purpose. Help someone carry their load today.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. May God's peace meet you wherever your path leads today.