Monthly Archives: February 2010

February 28th: Growing up

February 28, 2010 in Missions by michael
Watching someone grow up is a happy thing, particularly when it’s someone you care about.  I had a terrific conversation with a young friend of mine today and noticed something different about her.  In fact, I asked her what it was that seemed changed about her.  She said, “I think I’m just starting to grow [...]

February 27th: Rugby

February 28, 2010 in Missions by michael
I would have never predicted it because  I had NO idea I’d find so much joy in watching a six nations rugby match on BBC America with my son-in-law Alex.  A huge part of the happiness was seeing the match through his eyes.  You see he played rugby at Reed College in Portland and continued [...]

February 26th: Best laid plans

February 27, 2010 in Missions by michael
After my “nap” from about 2  til 5:45 am I was in the shower singing songs from THE ARK.  I was pumped!  In a couple of hours I’d be on a plane to Long Island to experience one of the GREAT joys of being a songwriter: seeing and hearing what happens when others own the [...]

February 25th: First Draft

February 26, 2010 in Missions by michael
There’s nothing quite like the happiness that comes from finishing a first draft. In this case, a book due out this Christmas.  Although it’s usually a short lived happiness because the feedback hasn’t come in yet, and the rewrites and the edits haven’t begun, and I’m not yet asking myself: “Why did I ever think [...]

February 24th: Dinner and an invitation

February 25, 2010 in Missions by michael
The publisher of MISSION TO BE HAPPY has a wonderful yearly tradition of thanking the authors and artists who’s works were published the previous year.  It’s Dinner and a Show, and it’s a fun and tender evening.  Fun because the executive team puts together an hilarious video presentation honoring all the creators of the books, [...]

February 23rd: Peace & Pizza

February 24, 2010 in Missions by michael
Driving back home from California was gloriously uneventful.  No flat tires in the middle of the night.  No cussing at the tire jack.  No scavenging for tires.  Just the road, a diet soda and talking about the eternal verities. I really love those chats. Particularly when I’m exploring thoughts and ideas I’d never considered before. Wondering [...]

February 22nd: Surfers and dolphins

February 23, 2010 in Missions by michael
Today Lynne and I slept in.  Our trip to see Esme had taken it’s toll and we were tired.  But the gift of Southern California sun shine, 68 degrees, a cloudless blue sky and a beach begging to be walked on got us out of bed and off to Zuma. It was a long walk on [...]

February 21st: Angels Watching Over Me

February 23, 2010 in Missions by michael
When Lynne and I lived in Malibu, CA we fell in love with our landlord’s daughters.  All gorgeous girls in the blonde scandinavian tradition.   We spent a lot of time with these girls over the nearly six years we lived there, and when we moved back home last May we missed them big time.   The [...]

February 20th: The Star Award

February 22, 2010 in Missions by michael
From the moment I got up this morning I anticipated that the M2B:) highlight of the day would obviously be receiving the 2010 Star Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Utah.  I tried to remind myself that the spirit of my M2B:) required I stay focused on each moment of the day as [...]

February 19th: Finding the perfect gift

February 19, 2010 in Missions by michael
There’s a special kind of joy I didn’t really address in the M2B:) book.  I’m glad I have this opportunity to suggest to all my fellow missionaries the happiness that awaits you when you search for and find the perfect gift. Most of us can remember as very young people how excited we were to give [...]