It all started in late May.

The Tenants

For eighteen years we rented our home to a lovely family. In May they informed us that they had purchased a home. We were blessed to have this family living in our home for so long.

Mike made an annual trip to check in on the property, and when all went well they signed another one-year lease.  We knew the home needed updating, but we could not remodel due to the renters’ occupancy. Purchasing a washer and dryer plus kitchen appliances was the best we could do. Much to our surprise, this family purchased a home five doors down the street.

This Old House

Our house was built in 1952, making it 73 years old. We specifically purchased this home because we had a distribution company in Santa Barbara. The purchase price was a little over $200,000 for the property.

Our son Mikos lived in the house while attending college. While he was living there, the house accidentally caught on fire. Three days after the fire, Santa Barbara experienced the worse rain storm in 50 years. With two different insurance claims we replaced most of  the windows and  a new roof. That was over twenty-five years ago. Now this house needs a complete remodel.

The Novice Crew

Together Mike and I had no clue about remodeling a home; however, we love watching DIY (Do It Yourself) home renovation programs and had an idea of what we wanted.

On our first trip to Santa Barbara we had an appointment with a vacation rental group. We thought this remodeling job would be over and done with in a few months. Our idea was to make it a vacation rental, but we quickly found out that the cost to do this would exceed our expenses.  For instance we would have to pay the city a 12% fee, and that did not include the 20% fee from the vacation rental group!

Brother George

My brother George is a contractor in Palm Desert. If he could he would have taken on this project, but logistically this was  impossible. He guided us through all these estimates, and we are so grateful for his input.

Contractor Number One

Later that morning we drove around our neighborhood and stopped to look at a remodel on Shoreline Drive. This street faces the Pacific Ocean. The owner of the home happened to be there and invited us in. This remodel was over a half million; our budget was nothing by comparison. Nevertheless, her contractor was gracious enough to come to our home and give us a preview of what our cost would entail. He walked around and gave us a number that was way out of our budget. The realization of the expense for a remodel in Santa Barbara was kicking in.

We did glean some great advice from this homeowner: we could save money by hiring a draftsperson rather than an architect.

We visited Santa Barbara’s County Clerk Office to look for our property’s original plans., but with over 500 computerized pages it was overwhelming.

Chava

Our guide was Chava, who knows the ins and outs of the city. As owners we had to sign documents for Chava to find the correct information. What a relief! Chava serves as the liaison between us and the city. She knows what permits need to be pulled in order to start the project.

Within a week Chava had the blueprints for the remodel. In the meantime we were still in search of a contractor.

The Contractors

Santa Barbara is a high-end community, so many of these contractors are accustomed to working on major projects. Our project cost pennies compared to a remodel in Montecito or Hope Ranch.

On another visit we met with a new contractor; he was braggadocios, telling us how he was living in Montecito but remodeling his home not far from us. His ideas were as big as his head, so when he left I wanted so badly to say,”Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.”

We had another appointment with a kind young man that we both took a liking to. He seemed to want the job, and he actually took the time to go over a plan. I remember driving home and feeling that finally we found someone we could trust.  We were instructed to purchase our appliances so that the job could start. Phase one was complete!

All was going in the right direction until the quote came in. It was way over our budget! One thing that was non-negotiable was the second bathroom. By the time we received the new estimate, we were told to go to some massive warehouse to pick out kitchen cabinets and windows, and we could forget about the second bathroom! I cried all the way home.

Father and Son

Mike was diligent and continued the hunt for a new contractor. When this father and son came in, I knew unequivocally that this job was too small for them. He immediately explained that we needed to hire a structural engineer. He lost us with those words; besides  every word that came out of his mouth was followed by an awkward laugh. No thank you! Bye, bye! Again I cried on the way home.

Contractor Number Four

It was mid-August and still we did not have a contractor.

It was well into the evening, and as I was sitting in my living room praying, I heard a light knock on the front door. Mike was already in bed. I walked up to the door and asked, “Who is it?”  “It’s your neighbor Chuck. Are you watering?” he asked. It turned out that we forgot to turn off the sprinklers on that side of the house, and it was flooding his yard. With a flashlight in hand, he helped me turn off the faucet.

Chuck looked at the appliances and asked, “What’s going on?” Though he was a stranger, I shared about the contractor dilemma. He quickly referred me to yet another contractor; I’ll call him Jim. Jim was different, he works on these homes, he added a second bathroom to Chuck’s home, and he lives in our neighborhood. Honestly, this man was an answer to our prayers.

Contractor Number Five

The following morning I could not wait to share the wonderful news. I wanted Mike to contact Jim as soon as possible. Mike texted him and he quickly replied. We met, he took our plans and we gave him the key to our house. I was praising God all the way home!  When he ended the text with a praying hands emoji, I was sure that this was a confirmation from God.

Labor Day Weekend

Mikos and Jenny were going to spend the weekend with us in Santa Barbara. I could not stop talking about Jim and could not wait for them to meet him.

When Jim arrived with the world’s smallest note pad, I knew we were in trouble. Why he did not have an estimate we will never know. His suggestions were outrageous! He wanted to remove all the walls to rewire, and he suggested that we needed a new roof. I looked at him and said, “The roof is not leaking.” He added, “Well, eventually it will be.” Under my breath I wanted to tell him that eventually Jesus will return! To say that we were disappointed is an understatement!

The Flooring Company

In the meantime Mike was talking to Kathy, who owns a flooring business, and her husband, who is a contractor. These conversations were taking place between the second and third contractors. Kathy explained to Mike that they never turn away a small remodel, and that we should give her a chance.

By this time I had given up all hope on the second bathroom,  but she captured our attention with her tenacity. She told Mike that the second bathroom was essential. Then she presented us with drawings of a lovely kitchen and main bath remodel plus the second bathroom in the plans. We have met with her over four times, and this last week we introduced her to Chava. Between the two of them the work will start soon.

Southern California Edison

Mike had contacted Edison about a new electrical box in July. After communicating with Edison, he was informed that the earliest they could accommodate our needs would be in late November.

Coastal Property

We are learning something new every step of the way. Coastal properties are in another category, so the permits are different,

The Long Walks

Above all we take long, daily walks, the most rewarding part of this project. We eat one main meal, either lunch or dinner; and on the day of our departure we have breakfast. We try to eat at a different restaurant each time. Bouchon, a French restaurant, has the best onion soup in the world.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, I know Your timing for this project is in Your hands. I continually pray for wisdom to trust in You. Thank You for the patience You have graciously bestowed on Mike and me, bringing us closer together as we go through this trial. Jesus, I trust in You! Amen.

Charlie Kirk

This young man had a calling. On September 10th, 2025, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while engaging in one of his popular open debate events at Utah Valley University. He is survived by his wife, his two young children, and a praiseworthy legacy of communicating the Christian worldview to a secular culture.

Kirk was well known for engaging students and professors in conversations on a wide range of controversial issues. But he wanted to be known above all not as a political organizer or debater, but as a follower of Christ. Boldness is a gift — and it was his greatest asset. Just a few months before he was assassinated, Kirk said that upon his death, he would want to be remembered for his Christian faith.

The first encounter with his posts came in 2019 — alongside Candace Owens, the two of them seemed to take on the world together. When they parted ways, following Charlie Kirk continued. His voice never dimmed.

The Purpose

Writing this blog requires careful words — and honesty about the restraint it takes. So much is held back for fear of backlash. But the goal has always been singular: to win people over to Christ. Followers are the last concern. The Word of God is the first priority. Whether readers agree or disagree changes nothing. The truth will always be the guide — and that is more than enough.

The world is shifting towards God.

The night before Charlie Kirk was assassinated we were in Santa Barbara. We are currently planning a remodel, so we stay in our home; we have wifi but no television. So we go out for early dinners and go to bed. Unlike Mike, I like the quiet of the night and stay up late. I pray and then listen to Christian  podcasts, also I scroll through Instagram or TikTok. On this particular evening I was enjoying listening to Charlie Kirk.

Everything Charlie Kirk spoke carried the ring of truth — words unctioned by the Holy Spirit. There is no better explanation for the force of his language, particularly on abortion and transgender issues. He never held back, because the truth was his guide.

Imagine moving from one college campus to the next, defending the unborn, meeting confused students head-on with Scripture. That kind of boldness can only come from being immersed in the Word of God. He knew exactly what he was up against — and he went anyway. The woke culture of American universities never deterred him. He was going to prove them wrong, and he did.

Gen Z

Who could be better positioned to lead this phone-addicted, searching generation back to solid ground? It is already happening. Gen Z has taken the reins — and they will make the difference. They will not be swept away by “every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14), because they understand what is at stake. Their future depends on it. God is their foundation.

This is the COVID generation — the group that endured the lockdowns, made unreasonable sacrifices, and emerged changed. Many of them grew up in a world of constant noise and shifting truths, and now they are hungry for something that doesn’t get reinvented every few years. There is a deep hunger for rootedness, for a moral framework that doesn’t bend to trends or feelings. The exposure of what that season truly was only sharpened their discernment.

Across campuses, social media, and parish pews, young people are quietly pushing back against the cultural noise and rediscovering what is true, ancient, and enduring. This movement will not announce itself with riots. There are no hired agitators to hijack the message, no mayhem waiting to overtake it — because this generation, too, will be led by Christ.

Come, Holy Spirit

Do you feel it? Something is shifting. An outpouring of the Holy Spirit is coming to this country — and Charlie Kirk’s martyrdom has ignited what will soon become a worldwide movement. The demonic ideologies that have gripped this culture will not go unanswered. The Holy Spirit is already hovering over the land, touching and transforming hardened hearts. Eyes that were closed will soon see the glory of God made manifest, and the truth will lead them — one by one — to the foot of the Cross.

These cries are being answered. This new wave of leading others to Christ is something to be part of, not merely witnessed from a distance. There is genuine excitement in the air. For once, the breath in the lungs feels like the Holy Spirit Himself.

My Commitment

This week marks five years of volunteering at St. Norbert Parish — teaching First Holy Communion and Confirmation classes. Seventy-three years old and still at it. God provides the stamina when the calling is clear, and this calling has never been clearer.

Volunteering gives life a purpose that nothing else quite replicates — especially when the work is shaping the minds and hearts of the young. Preparing these classes requires studying Scripture, sitting with the faith, and understanding it deeply enough to hand it on. That kind of preparation keeps the mind sharp and the heart ready to evangelize wherever the opportunity arises.

Stephen

In many ways, Charlie Kirk stands alongside Stephen from Acts, Chapters Six and Seven. People hated Stephen because he stood for God. His accusers were many — but that never changed his message. It only made him bolder, because he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The parallel is striking:

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and argued with Stephen. But they were unable to cope with his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking. Then they secretly induced men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” — Acts 6:8–11 (NASB)

You cannot win an argument with someone filled with the Holy Spirit. The opposition to Stephen did not defeat him — it revealed him. The same is true of Charlie Kirk. The louder the accusation, the clearer the anointing.