Livin U

10/06/2026

Just mentioned this in the Van post. The church I spent a week at when stranded in Oklahoma 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

10/06/2026

VEHICLES OF THE MINISTRY, Part 3: Popeye

Gosh, Popeye! This was the first vehicle when I took Livin U full time on the road. When I got it, I honestly still wanted to be driving Black Lightning. But once I started traveling, I was so grateful for Popeye. Being on the road in 2020 and 2021, I didn't have all the host families I have now, so I didn't have as many places to stay the night. On top of that, I was carrying a lot of my belongings and ministry items with me, so my backseat was packed to the roof. Thankfully the front armrest folded up, so I could sleep across the front seats.

Those first two years of full time ministry were during Covid, and churches weren't doing retreats or talks. But as you know, Livin U isn't just about events. It's about relationships and follow up. I got to spend that time following up with a lot of families and ministry leaders, and every opportunity that came after grew out of those 2020 and 2021 relationships. Going to Dallas for the first time, Ave Maria Retreat Center, St. Margaret's, St. Martha's... if it weren't for the people at those churches and in those cities, I wouldn't have done any of the events since 2022.
Here are my top two Popeye stories.

Story #1: Stuck in Oklahoma

Starting out, donations were bare minimum and no stipends from events were coming in. On one trip from Dallas to the Midwest, I was running low on gas and barely had any money left. My next donation wasn't coming in for another week or two, and I didn't want to end up completely stranded on the highway. So I stopped in a small town in Oklahoma and decided to set up camp there until help came. I even had to sell some of my belongings on Facebook Marketplace just to get by lol.

I spent those days working on Livin U and praying. There was a church in town with stained glass windows showing the lives of the saints, and I prayed a lot lol. I'd go to Panera Bread for a cheap deal and their wifi so I could work on ministry, then go to that church, then sleep in the Walmart parking lot.

One night I just wanted to quit and go back to comfort. Tears were shed. Then one of the missionaries I had led called me, and I shared with him that I felt like giving up on this dream. Talking with him, I knew I couldn't do that. And that same friend ended up sending us a generous donation. Because of his gift, I was able to get back on the road and head to the Midwest sooner instead of waiting on the next monthly donation.

I still love passing through Oklahoma and visiting that Walmart and that church. We have come a long way, and I'm so grateful for every donor who gives monthly or one time, especially those early donors who gave before we were even an official 501(c)(3).

Story #2: Planet Fitness and the Police

This one happened right after I attempted to run 100 miles (I only made it 30 lol). I had just been at a conference in San Antonio and was heading to Dallas, with a stop in Austin for some follow up along the way.

The first night I parked at a Planet Fitness. Perfect spot: big parking lot, trees for shade, nice area. I woke up to police knocking on my window with guns drawn lol. They told me to get my ID and move slowly. I explained I'm a missionary traveling to Dallas, I'm a Planet Fitness member, and I was sleeping before my morning workout. They asked why someone said I didn't belong there, so I showed them my PF Black Card that lets me use any location. His partner said, "We got the wrong guy." They told me I could go park at the McDonald's lol. I just started driving at 4 am and stopped at a Buc-ee's.

When I got to Austin, I spent the day working on ministry at a Starbucks, then went to Confession and Mass, with the extra blessing of Adoration afterward. Usually I stay at the rest area when I pass through Austin, but I decided to try the local Planet Fitness, which wasn't in the best area. I figured, what's the worst that can happen after last night?

At 4:30 am, another knock. The officer asked what I was doing and I explained again: missionary, heading to Dallas, working out and showering in the morning. He asked if I did drugs. I said no. He asked what I did that day, and I told him about working on ministry and going to Mass. He went through a list of drugs and asked if I had any of them or anything to use them. No. Then he asked if he could search my car. I said yes (and felt bad because everything I owned was packed in there tight).

Over the next two hours, six officers and a drug dog showed up. I told every single officer about the ministry. Then the dog "got a hit." I was thinking, there is no way, did someone plant drugs on my car?! The officer came up and said, "Last warning. If we search and find something, you'll be in more trouble than if you just tell us now." I told him I don't have or do drugs. They went through my belongings for the next 45 minutes, then stopped and said, "Well, we didn't find anything." They told me I could stay, but I couldn't live there.

I will never forget Popeye, the vehicle that started this anything-but-normal, anything-but-boring journey.

Now, years later, our current vehicle is nearing the end of its chapter. The miles are adding up, but the mission isn't slowing down.

We are raising money for the Livin U Mission Van, a fully built-out mobile base that will take this ministry further than any car ever has.

Please consider supporting or sharing the link to the Van Fund. Every dollar moves us forward. Every share opens a new door and continues the vision I have carried for 16 years.

👉 https://www.paypal.com/donate/?campaign_id=ST7U522E74EFE

I look forward to sharing about our current vehicle in the last part of the Vehicles of the Ministry series... until we get the van! 🚐

10/04/2026

I was going to post this picture today just because the story of St. Francis and the wolf has been on my heart the past couple of days. Then I found out today is his feast day! God's timing is pretty amazing. This story has always resonated with Livin U, and as y'all know, our mascot is a wolf! 🐺

In the town of Gubbio, a fierce wolf was terrorizing the people. Everyone was afraid to leave the city walls. But St. Francis walked right out to meet it. He made the sign of the cross, called it "Brother Wolf," and spoke peace over it. The wolf laid down at his feet and placed its paw in his hand. From that day on, the town fed the wolf and the wolf lived peacefully among them.

That's what heroic leadership looks like. Francis had the Courage to walk toward what everyone else ran from, the Humility to see the good in something the world had written off, and the Endurance to build real peace that lasted.

At Livin U, we don't run away from hard ministry, and we don't let struggles stop us from serving others. And we especially don't run from the "troublemaker," the "bad kid," or the one who "doesn't wanna be here." Those are often the ones who need to be met with love the most. Just like Francis with the wolf, we walk toward them, call them by name, and remind them who they really are in Christ.

We pray young people become leaders like that. Leaders who don't run from the hard stuff, who see the dignity in everyone, and who bring Christ's peace wherever they go.

St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us! 🙏🏽🫀🧠

10/03/2026

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I started with the senior retreat for a class of 75 at Bishop Dunne in Dallas. It went great. So many powerful moments. The school is incredibly diverse and honestly right in my wheelhouse. The highlight for me was my small group and how authentic the guys were with each other and with me. The schoo...

10/01/2026

No new problems, just new people. No problems….just opportunities.🙏🏽🫀🧠

09/24/2026

Today is the beatification of my spiritual father, Fulton J. Sheen. A guide when I started doing ministry 16 years ago. I started doing Holy Hours because of him. I watched all of his videos. I have shared so many of his quotes.

I am not at the beatification, and that is because of many reasons, but I’m not going to focus on the negative things. Just look up some of his quotes and you will know why I’m not there, ha. Just yeah, haha. I’m striving to be prudent.

Instead, I decided to spend a week in Pierz, MN, and speak to classrooms. I have been coming here since 2022 and come at least twice a year. I know Fulton Sheen would rather me be doing this instead.

I want to share my favorite quote and favorite video that I always revert back to:

“Broken things are precious. We eat broken bread because we share in the depth of our Lord and His broken life. Broken flowers give perfume. Broken incense is used in adoration. A broken ship saved Paul and many other passengers on their way to Rome. Sometimes the only way the good Lord can get into some hearts is to break them.”

That You will not leave me orphan, that You are present in Your Church
Jesus, I trust in You.

https://youtu.be/5e5oPIHnHQs?is=UPEpTkr8O_7a5Exv