Logistics 101

Logistics 101

Stardate 04.08.2026

Sometimes the best way to handle complicated details is to pretend you’re a fifth grader.

Not to simplify the mission — but to simplify the steps.

Today’s story is inspired by my accountability partner, Miss Joni, who has a heart for serving children. She doesn’t just serve. She teaches. She models. She invites others into the work.

I saw her yesterday when she stopped by my day job to fulfill the kids’ order for items headed to a local food pantry. Those same kids who held a bake sale because they wanted to help children they will likely never meet.

Later today, I’ll see her again. This time, I’ll hand off the first bulk order: 50 coloring books and 50 packs of crayons.

Because of Miss Joni, there is now a clear path for getting these supplies into the hands of patients at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.

And here’s what struck me.

What felt complicated in my head became very simple in her hands.

Order.
Receive.
Deliver.
Document.
Repeat.

That’s it.

A fifth grader could follow that.

And that’s the point.

I now have a working template for logistics — a step-by-step process for handling bulk donations, from ordering to distribution to accounting. Not because I designed it, but because I watched someone who serves with clarity instead of clutter.

It doesn’t get any better than kids helping kids.

An honorable mention goes to Kiwanis International for seeing what these students were doing and multiplying their efforts. What started as a bake sale is turning into a model that can be repeated again and again.

Miss Joni plans to share photos once the books reach the children’s hospital. I’m looking forward to that moment — not for recognition, but for confirmation that simple steps, done faithfully, make a real difference.

“For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” — 1 Corinthians 14:33

Peace often looks like simplicity.

Clarity.

Order.

And sometimes, pretending you’re a fifth grader so you don’t overcomplicate what God is trying to do through willing hands.

Near the end of days like this, I find myself smiling at how something that once felt like a fog of logistics has turned into a clear path forward.

Join me here:
https://substack.com/@michaelmulliganlivelong

Captain’s Addendum

Spock: “Captain, the process appears almost… elementary.”

Bones: “I’ve seen grown men complicate a glass of water. This? This makes sense.”

Michael: “Sometimes the smartest plan is the one a child could follow.”

May you live long and prosper.

Have a great day.