Making Our World a Better Place.

Over the past decade, my personal focus has shifted from trying to make my world better, to doing my part to make the world better. My definition of "success" has been redefined and I have really made some significant changes in my outlook on certain topics. When I am confronted with an issue or dilemma, I truly try my best to identify the real issue, identify my role, if any, in the issue and come up with a tangible way to actually solve the problem. It's one thing to report on issues, or even complain about what is wrong or what could be better, but I would suggest that there is something missing for most people, as there was for me. Perhaps we forget to consider that it maybe more fruitful to ask ourselves the question in the midst of all of this, "What am I doing to fix these problems?"

Over the next few weeks I will be sharing with you my thoughts on certain topics and how we can, perhaps, address them. Some of them are pretty heavy topics, but if we sweep them under the rug or do not deal with them, then we really have very little right to complain about these issues when we are presented with them. And, more importantly, what does that say about the future of the world.

Any comments or feedback is most certainly appreciated.

Dad

7:25 AM, December 23, 2010 is a date and time that I will never forget. That is the moment when my Dad passed away.

Marco John Kreklo or Mike, was born April 25, 1932. No matter how detailed of a description that I could try to give, nothing would come close to identifying him. I truly believe that he was a great man in every sense of the word. He was a man that exuded strength and character. He did his best to provide for his family and for others. His sense of justice for others is just one of the things that stands out when I think of him.

Mike lived an amazing, somewhat unbelievable life. If chronicled, his life story would certainly produce many best-selling books and movies. I am not certain that there is an actor that is diverse enough to portray him though. Police Officer, Outdoorsman, Businessman, Laborer, Songwriter...but most importantly, just Dad. Obviously, this sounds like the braggadocios rant of an overly proud son, but I can assure you that this is not a made up story in any respect.

My Dad taught me how to love others and to put the needs of others before my own. Not that he was always perfect, but he demonstrated this trait countless times, sometimes even to his own detriment. In the hospital, I thanked him for the role that he played in raising me up to be the husband and father that I am. He helped to equip me to love my wife and daughter as I do, to stand up for them, to protect them and to do what is right by them and by others, to not sit back and let unrighteousness flourish. In short, to truly care for others.

He only told a few people that he gave his life to Jesus in a highway drainage culvert in 1946 on Thanksgiving Day. He was not a "religious" man per say, but that is how we can be certain that he is in heaven. The Bible says, that whoever hears the word of Jesus and believes in God, has everlasting life. It also says that no one comes to the Father except through Jesus. For those of you that do not know this, it is my prayer that you may make it a priority to learn and understand this now, today. My wife and I were present the moment my Dad left. As unusual as this might sound, it was a glorious experience. He confirmed that he knew that the Lord was calling him. My Dad went the second we released him, but only when he knew that we would be OK. I can’t adequately explain this experience to you. I wish it was on video so that you could all see it because there would be no doubt that God had his hand on this whole situation.

It is with these thoughts in mind, and a plan and a purpose that we believe that God Himself has placed in our hearts, that we will be embarking on a mission in 2011. A mission to bring food, clothing and love to those who need it. Our first cause will be one to give some relief to 50-plus children in Romania, my wife's home country. So for those of you who feel compelled to help, I would ask that you forgo cards and flowers and donate to this cause. More information will be posted here or you can contact me directly at johnkreklo@gmail.com

It is my hope that this story has touched you, and that you may consider helping us to continue to develop the plan that I believe God wants us to partake in. It is not just financial support that is required here, so I would encourage you to contact me.

I will forever miss my Dad, but I know in the right time, the Lord's time, that we will be reunited. I consider it an honor and a blessing to have be called his son.