September 30, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for blessing me with such a wonderful weekend.  It was definitely a roller coaster of a ride.  I had lots of fun with all my friends and family.  I love when you surprise me with spontaneous things.  I trust you.  You are guiding me in the right direction, I promise to continue to trust in you and praise you for all that you have and will bless me with.

Please watch over all of my friends as they travel and protect them.  Please watch over Jake, he needs you more than ever right now.

Please give strength to my ankle, it hurts and it has never hurt this bad before.

Please give me strength to be humble and not arrogant.  I want to be someone who can help others and humility will help me do that.  I am learning that truth is the key to being happy.  I know the truth hurts at times, but it will all work in the end as long as we give you our faith and trust.

Love,

Michael

September 28, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for another beautiful day.  I'm pretty sure fall is my favorite season.  You make the scenery so beautiful this time of year with the perfect weather.  Thank you for blessing us with this beauty.

I have been thinking a lot, since I read "Heaven is for Real," about my baby sister, Christine.  I pray that you adopted her and are taking great care of her.  I wonder what she would have been like and if we would have been close?  How my family's life and my life would be different?   Would i be a better or worse person?  You have blessed me with the most wonderful family anyone could ask for, but I have been wondering how it would be different.  I can't wait to meet her and see what she is like.  I bet she is a lot like my mom and Grandma Jo.  It puts a smile on my face when I think about Grandma.  How is she doing?  Her man Phil is really killing it this week.  I can't believe after all these years I'm finally rooted for Phil Mickelson.  Ha!  Please take good care of my family in heaven and please continue to watch over and bless my family who is down here with me.  I am looking forward to have the chance to meet you face-to-face.  Until then please continue to guide me as I walk through this life journey.

Love,

Michael

September 27, 2012

Dear God,

As I sit here in bed nearly in tears I ask that you comfort me and hold me.  That Grey's episode really hit home and took me back to the hospital room when my grandpa died.  I'm really sad and I think it hit my dad too.  Please watch over us as we are sleeping tonight and bless us with good dreams.

I think you were trying to tell me something like life is too short and not to take it for granted.  I know I was a few months ago and you are changing me for the better.  Thank you for guiding me with your light.  I want to be that better man that you want me to be.  I want to make other people happy and better people.  Life is too short not to be that man.  Please continue to bless me and surround me with wonderful people.

Please bless and watch over the most special girl in the world.  I love to see her smile and wish her a lifetime of smiles.  I know our love is strong for each other and I pray that guide us as we try to work things out for the better.

Love,

Michael

September 26, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for a wonderful ride home from work today.  I needed that more than ever.

I need you now, Lord. I feel like I'm starting to panic and I don't know why I am feeling that way.  Everything in my life is going well.  I think I might be doing the things that I love, but I might be going to fast.  Please give me the strength and self-discipline to slow down and relax.  I am looking forward to tomorrow after work to just rest.  My body and my mind need it.  By resting I will be able to process what I have learned from you and really apply everything to my life.

Thank you for loving me and always being by my side.  I can feel my trust and faith in you grow everyday.  I feel like our relationship is better than it has ever been.  I get anxious to see what you have in store for me.

Love,

Mike

September 25, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for a wonderful day today.  It all started with the podcast on my way to work.  The woman definitely called me out on a lot of things and made me realize that I need to work on a few things for the better.  By trusting in you and with your guidance I know I can overcome these flaws and be a better man.

Thank you for giving me the courage and strength to go to my church group this evening.  I was definitely out of my comfort zone, but was able to meet a bunch of new people.  Thank you for giving me the courage to be open with them and express what I think.  I was very comfortable talking with everyone about you and how I feel.  Thank to you I had a lot of fun and can't wait to take this journey with these people and build a better foundation with You.

Please watch over my small group members this next week as they go through and deal with what is going on with their lives.  Please continue to guide me as I walk this journey with You and get to know You.  With your help I know I can be a better person not only for you and myself, but for everyone.

Love,

Michael

September 24, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for putting great memories of Kerstin and I in my thoughts today.  It really made my day much better after a grueling day at work.

Please give me the strength and focus to get back into the groove at work.  It's not easy getting back into.

Love,

Mike

September 23, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for blessing my family with a wonderful breakfast this morning.  I love how easy going we can be with each other and just be ourselves.  Thank you for guiding me to Gesu Church tonight.  The priest gave us all a very good message during the homily.  Please teach me and show me the way to humility and unselfishness.  Please help me be "a slave to others" and live out your word.  It was really cool seeing a priest gives his vow to you.  I have never seen that before. Really cool.

Thank you for the gift of Cassidy and Emily.  They really crack me up and are really good friends.  It's really nice to have friends like that who you can trust and be honest and will push you to do what is right.  I need them in my life and I hope that we continue to grow our relationships.

Thank you for blessing me with the best girl in the world, Kerstin.  She means a lot to me and I want the best for her.  Please watch over her and continue to guide her with your light.  I love her and she deserves the best even if it isn't me.  I will never stop praying for her, so I ask that you keep a close eye on her and protect her while we take our time.

Love,

Michael

September 22, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me the courage to run a great race yesterday. You made it tough, but by doing that you taught me to persevere and grind for whatever is thrown at me.

Thank you for blessing me with my sister. She is so wonderful and cares about me so much as I do for her. Last night was difficult for me in more ways than one. Without her I wouldn't have been able to make it. Please watch over my friends, some of them need your guidance and light.

Please be with me today. I need you. I need your strength and light. I get so far down on myself and I need to learn to pick myself up and move on.

Love,

Michael

September 21, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for blessing me with such a great family.  They really mean a lot to me and its really nice to lean on them.  We have fun being sassy with each other and talking about everything.  I love them so much.  Please watch over us and keep us close through out our lives.

Please bless me with endurance tomorrow as I attempt another 13.1. I think it will be a tough day weather wise, so if you could maybe tone it down while we are running that would be awesome.  If not, we'll be able to handle it.  I look forward to running with all my friends and tailgating after.  Please protect us through out the race.

Love,

Michael

September 20, 2012

Dear God,

I need you now more than ever. I took some hard blows tonight. Please protect me and give me the strength to not bring myself down. I know I've made mistakes and I'm trying to make up for them. Please lead my with your light to strength and confidence.

Love,

Michael

September 20, 2012

Dear God,

I'm sorry for not writing you the last few days, apparently Europe isn't very wifi friendly. Who knew? Anyway, thank you for keeping Bryan and I safe through out our trip and bringing us back home safely. Well, almost home. Please land this plane safely.  Thank you for giving me a new perspective on what your world looks like and how it operates.  Thank you for putting me in the United States because I don't know if I would have made itin any other part of the world.  Thank you for the gift of Sibes.  Even though there were times when we got on eachother's nerves instill had a really good time with him.  Please watch over him and guide him as he decides what to do with his life.  I know he is looking for something and I think he's looking for you.  Please give him a little extra attention.

Please guide me and lead me with your light and let me shine in it.  I continue to follow you and lean on you as my life moves forward.  As I read the stories from theBi lie please give me the power to understand and concentrate on your readings.  I sometimes stumble and get a little lost. Please continue to guide and comfort me.

Love,

Michael

September 18, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for a very fun night last night and bring some friends to us.  I think both Sibes and I needed that.  Please give us the patience to deal with each other for a little longer.  I'm defiantly home sick. I miss my family and I miss Kerstin.  Thank you for giving me the chance to talk to them.  Please watch over Kerstin as she gives her presentation today.  I'm very proud of her and how hard she works.

Please keep us safe on this upcoming train excursion and please give my head some strength to get over this hang over.

Love,

Michael

September 17, 2012

Dear God,

Sibes and I are starting to get real testy with each other.  Please give us the patience to get along and have a good time in these foreign lands.  Please continue to keep us safe.

Love,

Michael

September 17, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me the best day of the trip yesterday.  Even though we were traveling all day you gave me the chance to talk to my girl.  The work to make that phone call was totally worth it.  I love hearing her voice.  It put the biggest smile on my face :) thank you for that gift.  Thank you for getting us through Amsterdam and safely to Munich.  I am anxious about the challenges we'll get thrown at today. I think we're going to visit a few churches today.  Please keep watching g over us and please watch over everyone at home.

Love,

Michael

September 15, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for blessing me with the navigation skills that I have.  You guided us through unknown places where I have no sense of direction.  There are temptations everywhere and trusting in you and believing that I know what is right gives me the courage to take on anything this world throws at me. There are so many nice people here,but I don't understand why they acknowledge each other? Maybe its a European thing?

I'm going to church tomorrow, well, going to try to go. Please guide me to St. Fancis safely and on time.  I am looking forward to spending some alone time and working my way arou d Amsterdam/Europe with nothing but a compass.  Please give me the strength and guidance to get me to church and back to the hotel.

Love,

Mike

September 14, 2013

Dear God,

Thank you for getting us to Amsterdam safely and soundly. Holy smokes what a creative way of living over here. Thank you for all the omens today and guiding sibes and I through this crazy town.

Please give us the strength to be patient with each other and get along as things start to get a little testy. Please relax us and calm us down tomorrow and settle our nerves.

Please continue to watch over my friends and family.

Love,

Michael

September 13, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me the patience that I needed today with Sibes and all my fellow tourists. I'm sorry I didn't have the patience yesterday at Westminster Abbey, but thank you for calming me and giving me the patience to feel your presence and talk to you at the cathedral. I needed that, especially in another country. I feel like I'm in a dream and there is no escape.

I saw a Christian preaching your word and handing out pamphlets. That comforted me bra abuse then I new I was surrounded by fellow Christians. Thank you for guiding us on this trip, and please continue to guide us as we take on this journey.

Please watch over everyone at home I already miss them, especially my girl. I miss her voice and I miss her smile. Please give me an opportunity to call her somewhere along this trip. I love talking with her and being with her.

Please continue to give me the strength and courage to live my life an learn how to be the best person for my family.

Love,

Michael

September 12, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for getting sibes and I here safely. I was nervous, but you made me comfortable by talking to you. You give me strength and courage when I needed it most. I'm sorry I didn't feel your presence as much as I thought I would at Westminster Abbey. I don't know if it was because I felt like it was a tourist attraction more than a place of worship or if I was just in awe of the architecture. I'm sorry if I did not respond when you were calling me. Please help me when I get distracted to pay attention and try to feel for your presence.

Thank you for giving me a great day. I had a lot of fun with one of my best friends, he means a lot to me and understands me.

I thought a lot about Kerstin and how much I want to keep her warm. I would give everything if i could just keep her warm and snuggle with her. I wish she were with me. We would have had fun dancing in your rain tonight.

Love,

Mike

September 11, 2012

Dear God,

Please comfort and protect the families that lost loved ones in the attacks. They need you.

Thank you for a safe and peaceful flight from Boston to Newark. I was nervous and you definitely comforted me. Thank you!

As I sit here on this plane I'm asking for you to comfort me and protect me and everyone else on this plane and give us a safe and smooth flight.

Please watch over my family and friends while I'm gone. Please be with Jake, he is lost and really needs you right now. Watch over the dogs and make sure they come home to my parents safe every night, especially Eddie.

I don't know when I'm going to be able to write to you again, but I'll be talking to you many, many times through out this trip asking for courage, strength, and protection. Please guide Sibes and myself on an unforgettable journey. Please teach us things we don't know about each other. Help me grow towards you.

Love,

Mike

PS please watch over Kerstin and comfort her. She has a lot going on and needs you. She means the world to me and I love her so much and love to see her smile. If you could watch over her and protect her it would mean a lot to me.

September 10, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for everything you gave today. From grandma making me laugh, to the very smooth flight, to calling me out in my book, to seeing sibes and to my happiest moment, a text from Kerstin.

I'm very proud of her. Please guide her and comfort her as she steps into the HR manager role. Please help to calm her and relax her when she has stressful moments.

Please protect sibes and I as we leave for our trip. I got pretty nervous from the time I stepped off the plane, but talking to you asking for a sense of calmness made me feel so much better. Please watch over us and guide us to a wonderful time.

Please guide me to open up to complete strangers from different cultures. I would like to connect with as many people as I can.

Love,

Mike

September 9, 2012

Dear God,

I could really feel your presence today in Madison.  I know you were watching and guiding all those athletes today and helping them accomplish their goals.  I know you were there for me when I was those athletes.  You carried me every step of the way and picked me up when I was weak.  Thank you for being there through the thick and thin of an Ironman.  Thank you for guiding all the athletes today.  You taught the spectators, including me, perseverance and how important it is to persevere through pain and discomfort.

Thank you for blessing me with the running club.  They are so much fun to be with and I learn so much from each one of them.  Please watch over our group and protect us as we do our crazy events so that we don't permanently injure ourselves.

I know there are more athletes out on the run course right now, and I ask that you watch over them because I know what it feels like to be out there at this time.  It's not a great feeling and it gets pretty lonely.  Please comfort them and give them a light to the finish line.

Please watch over me as I fly tomorrow, you know how I get when I fly.  I will be talking to you during the flight asking for comfort, just a heads up!

Thank you for everything in my life.  You have truly blessed me with great people and great opportunities.  I promise to start living the life you have intended for me and not shy away.  Please Lord, continue to guide me on this path you have created for me.

Love,

Mike

September 8, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for this wonderful day. I was so happy to see her beautiful face. Thank you for giving this day to me. She is the most wonderful girl in the world and I want to give her everything and be the best man for her because that's what she deserves.

Please continue to guide me down this path you have created for me. I know it's not going to be the easiest, but I know with you by my side nothing can go wrong. I am enjoying the challenges you bring to me and you are making me a better man for it.

Please watch over Kerstin and I as we go through this journey and eventually gain a happiness we have never experienced.

Love,

Mike

September 7, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for blessing me with the most wonderful father. Without him I don't know where I would be. Please continue to guide him as he goes through life and keep him around for a long time, a lot of us look up to him.

Please comfort me and give me strength and courage tomorrow and I tell Kerstin how I feel and what she means to me.

Love,

Mike

September 6, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for a nice, quiet lunch with you today. I love talking to you day in and day out.

Love,

Mike

September 5, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me strength, courage and comfort when reaching out to the Kleins. That family means a lot to me and I hope to make them happy, especially Kerstin. I love her with all my heart and want to fight for her.

Please give Kerstin and I the strength to fix what we had and work through it to what we had. Please guide us as we go through this.

Love,

Mike

September 5, 2012

Dear God,

Please help me and give me the strength, courage, humility and comfort to get through lunch today.  I need you, Lord.  I'm climbing up this mountain and I need your help to climb up it.

Love,

Mike

September 4, 2012

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me the strength and comfort to call Kerstin's mom. Pleas continue to give me the comfort and strength into tomorrow, I'm going to need it.

Thank you for blessing me with wonderful parents. I love them so much!

Love,

Mike

September 3, 2012

Dear God,

I'm sorry I didn't write to you yesterday again.  I promise this won't be a pattern and I will write everyday.

Thank you for getting me home safe this afternoon and keeping me comfortable on the plane.  I had a great time this weekend with Jess and Erin.  Thank you for blessing me with them in my life.  Please watch over them as they decide what the next direction will be for their lives.

Thank you for that romance chapter in Blue Like Jazz. You have been speaking to me ever since I started reading that book and teaching me lessons that I wish I learned a few years back.  Better late than never I guess?  I feel like you are taking me on the right path to Kerstin, the love of my life.  She means the world to me and I feel like you are bringing us back together again.

Please bless both of us with strength and courage as we both move forward in our lives.  Please watch over me and give me the courage to call Mrs. Klein and apologize this week.  I know this is the right thing to do.

Love,

Mike

September 1, 2012

Dear God,

Im sorry I didn't write yesterday, I was lazy. Please forgive me. Please give me the strength to overcome laziness.

Thank you for Erin and Jess they are being great this weekend and I'm having a lot of fun. Thank you for blessing me with such great people in my life.

Please watch over Kerstin and give her strength. Please give me the strength to get her back. She means the world to me.

Love,

Mike