Hit the Road Jack...

Well, we have not been home for almost two weeks. And so much has happened in that time. So much in fact, Erin and I have taken to writing things down as we go in the car. Here are a few of the highlights with a few visual aides...

- Grandma with a staring problem on I-44 in Oklahoma.

- A fun-filled day at the St. Louis Zoo with Beth and "big screen" baseball with Mark in the evening.

- Father's Day with the Grepkes.

- Dead battery in Ft. Wayne.

- Ride in the tow truck with Travis Jaeger (who shared his views on illegal immigration and his experience in jail after punching out a cop).

- Four days of great fellowship with all the Bickel's.

- Brewer ballgames, golf, and the Martin Luther Class of '97 reunion.

-And much more to come!

The Giant Beetle that Ate St. Louis!

We done good so far!

Great Grandma is so hardcore with her "tat". Go Tigers!

Nora and Uecker were great hosts!

NO-TOWN...

For those of you not in the know, Tuesday night Justin Verlander threw a complete game no-hitter for THE Detroit Tigers! Pretty exciting stuff since the last time it happened I wasn't even in school yet. Curious piece of trivia, the last time a Tiger threw a no-no at home...the year my folks were born. (I will refrain from any sort of joke here. Draw your own conclusions!) The one unfortunate by product of this GLORIOUS event, was that the vanquished happened to be my wife's favorite team. (Again, insert your own comments, jokes, warnings, etc. here.)

I didn't get to see it live, but God bless MLB.com and our gifted subscription to watch the games online.

On the other hand, this is a prime example why it would not be good for my personal life if the Brewers and Tigers ever DID make it to the World Series the same year.

The Vic'try's Won!

I count so many people as dear friends, honorary "family" if you will. So much so, that my wife likes to tease me about it. Still, the relationships I have formed with so many of you go so deep, not even because of anything you or I do or say, but because of the common bond we share in our faith.

Mrs. Voltattorni was one of those people I considered family. Her sons are very dear friends of mine from our days in youth group at St. Matthew's. Brothers of mine, if you will. Naturally, Mrs. V was "Mama V" to me. She always treated me as if I was one of her own, praising me when I did something well, guiding me when my choices were...suspect, and always making sure I knew that I was a dearly loved child of God.

A few years back, Mama V was diagnosed with cancer. After a long, brave battle, God called her home late Sunday night. My heart aches for Mr. V, Anthony, Sarah, Isabella, and Andrew at the loss of this amazing person. My prayer is that all who mourn her passing take courage and confidence in the same thing that kept Mama V going...Jesus lives! The vict'ry's won!...Greater scenes will then commence! This shall be my confidence!