Truly Appreciative 10/25

Dear My Stupid Mouth,

This letter is part of a series of letters I’m writing to individuals, groups, and organizations that have had a positive effect on the person I am today. I’m writing one letter each day for 25 days and each note will be posted to my blog at http://bmoles.blogspot.com.

It might not seem like a message board could have an effect on someone’s life, but this message board has had a significant impact on mine.

I don’t remember exactly how I first found My Stupid Mouth, but it was shortly before my first John Mayer concert. For some reason, I wanted to know more about the man whose music I had become very in to. From learning about the very early years of his music to the new songs, there are very few things that I have missed in my 9 years of being a fan. Thank you for that.

Aside from the music, this board has helped change the way I think. I came to the board a young, conservative, and closed-minded teenager. Through countless discussions about politics, religion, music, and probably any other topic one can imagine, I learned to expand the way I see the world. I learned that my viewpoint isn’t right for everyone, even if it is right for me. And most importantly I learned how to respect those different viewpoints. Thank you for that.

I’m sure I’ll receive at least a small amount of flack for writing and posting this, but that’s part of posting on a message board. All of the teasing is worth it when I think about the friends I have made through this board. Even though I have never met any of you, I feel like I know several of you. I communicate with many people who I “met” through this board on a daily basis. Thank you for that friendship.

I hope this message finds all who read it well. Thank you, again, for opening my eyes to new music and a world around me that I did not want to see.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

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My Stupid Mouth is a message board that was started more than ten years ago to discuss the music of John Mayer. My love for this music brought me to this message board and has now brought me many people that I consider friends. Without music and friends, life would be very sad.

Truly Appreciative 9/25

Dear President Obama,

A quote from one of my favorite television shows, The West Wing: “We don't know what the next President's going to face. If we choose someone to inspire us then we'll be able to face what comes our way.”

You inspire me, Mr. President. Through your words, your actions, your family, and your Presidency, you inspire me.

As recently as 2007, I was a self-proclaimed conservative Republican. I lived in my mid-sized hometown in Indiana, where I had lived my whole life and gone to college, and had seen very little of the world around me. But then, in the summer of 2007, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee, began attending a very liberal Presbyterian church, and had my eyes opened by a Illinois Senator named Barack Obama.

Through your many campaign speeches, I learned that politicians do care, that they can do more than raise and lower taxes. I learned that we can always have hope, even when we have nothing else. And most importantly, I was inspired to do more, to hope for change, and to hope for hope itself. I am forever grateful for the hope you instilled within me.

Thank you for all you have done for not only me, but this country. We are a country that has a large load on our shoulders, yet we too often let that burden fall on our neighbors when we could easily help them. Through your inspiration, I feel a spark was ignited to help one another carry that load, through service work, charitable giving, and kind words. Thank you for that.

I pray for you, your family, and your Presidency. I pray that I will continually do my best to serve this country and the men and women who occupy it. And most importantly, I pray that we always have hope.

Thank you, many, many times over for inspiring me.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

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This is not the letter I had in my head at all. In my mind, I had crafted the perfect letter, the letter that would get me an invite to The White House (yeah, those are the things I dream about), but this is the letter I wrote. I am not disappointed in the words I found to write at all. With time, I might have been able to find more profound words, but this project is making me realize that what matters most, both on my end and the recipients end, is the thought to send a letter and say thank you. Driving myself to say things I might not have ever said otherwise is thrilling and terrifying at the same time. I can only dream that President Obama reads my letter and is somehow grateful.

Truly Appreciative 8/25

Letter number eight is being kept private out of respect to the recipient. It is to a good friend who asked for my help and prayers in a time of great need.

Truly Appreciative 7/25

Dear Mr. McLaren,

You might not remember or know this story, but I certainly do. At some point in our high school or college years, the gang of me, Michael, Jeff, and Cathy were together doing whatever it was that we did. Cathy mentioned that you had been talking about me over dinner the night before. At first, this struck me as odd that someone was talking about me, but then I realized that is probably part of the normal routine for a family around the dinner table, especially since my own family did it as well. It wasn’t the fact that you were talking about me that stayed with me, it’s what you said.

You said how capable I was, how I could do anything because I’m so capable. I can’t thank you enough for how much those words have meant to me over the years, even though you probably never knew they reached my ears.

There is something truly amazing about someone you have known and respected your entire life speaking of you in such a high regard, especially considering how young I was at the time. Your words have helped me in everything I’ve done since I’ve heard them. They helped me get through my struggles as a salesman during my first year in Nashville and they have certainly helped me in my current position, especially when I’m swimming in never-ending spreadsheets.

The times they serve me best, though, are when I’m working with the youth at church. There are times when I don’t think I’ll be able to handle the situation, during a friend’s death or a parent’s sickness, but, somehow, I always find my way through. Thank you for giving me a true sense of confidence in my own abilities; I would be no where without that confidence.

I hope this letter finds you and everyone in your growing family well. Thank you again for all the help you have provided me throughout my entire life. I only hope I am able to show my church family a portion of the compassion, kindness, faith, and respect I have been shown by my church family. Thank you and God bless.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

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I don't remember a time when I did not know Mr. McLaren. He attended my home church and I have known him and his family my whole life. He was also my professor in college, so our relationship has many dimensions. He has always supported me and my family, so I am forever thankful for his guidance and friendship.

Truly Appreciative 6/25

Dear Mr. Dorsey,

There are few things that I am certain I will have with me for the entirety of my life: my faith, friends and family, and an absolute love of the Chicago Cubs and all things baseball. Thank you for sharing that passion with me many years ago.

I couldn’t have been more than five or six years old, but I still remember the day I became a Chicago Cubs fan. It was one of the many days that Jeff and I went to your house after school to stay until Mom or Dad got off work. It was a dark and stormy day and since I was afraid of storms, you had me sit on the couch with you to watch the game. Even being so young, I can still recall thinking how white the player’s uniforms were and how green the grass was compared to the dark skies out the large front window at your house. From that moment, I was hooked.

I have now spent at least 20 years of my life living and dying with the team I love. Being a Cubs fan has taught me how to be loyal and certainly how to deal with losing. It might be painful to root for this team more years than most, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

That day also turned me into a genuine baseball fan. I have spent countless hours of time watching games, reading books and articles, talking with friends and sometimes strangers, watching TV shows and movies, and who-knows-what-else baseball related over the span of my life. My favorite movie is Field of Dreams and I’m convinced that wars could be ended over a game of catch.

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I have spent the last three and a half years living with Jeff in Nashville, Tennessee. I am a Business and Marketing Manager at The United Methodist Publishing House (Cokesbury) and spend the majority of my time out of the office volunteering as a youth advisor at church, but I find some time to play softball, ultimate Frisbee, and attend Vanderbilt basketball games.

Your gesture that day was one made out of kindness and comfort, but it has changed my life forever. Thank you, many, many times over. Go Cubs!

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

"Baseball will take our people out-of-doors, fill them with oxygen,
give them a larger physical stoicism. Tend to relieve us from being a nervous, dyspeptic set.
Repair these losses, and be a blessing to us."
–Walt Whitman

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Mr. Dorsey is a Presbyterian pastor who I have known my whole life. We spent many, many days at his house playing with his two daughters when we were children. Needless to say, him and his family had a huge effect on my childhood.

Truly Appreciative 5/25

Dear Mrs. Robinson,

One of my favorite days of the year is Jackie Robinson day. Needless to say, I think your husband would be honored to see the appreciation shown by the fans, players, executives, and everyone on that day, and every day. I am too young to have seen Mr. Robinson play, but the sight of every team, lined up each base line, in their crisp uniforms with a 42 on the back gives me chills each and every year.

One of my favorite moments of that day is being able to hear you share stories from your life. Baseball is forever grateful for the strength you provided Jackie with during the hardest of years. The way you carried yourself then and the way you do now, with grace, beauty, and humbleness, is striking.

I admire Jackie more than almost any man or woman that I have ever known of. My heroes are the people that inspire me and show me, through their words and actions, that I can make a difference. Jackie Robinson, along with John Wooden, President Barack Obama, my father, and my grandfather, are my heroes. Each of these men walked a different path through their lives on this earth, but they all did it with the compassion and strength that I only hope to achieve.

At first glance, I don’t think many would think that Mr. Robinson and I would have much in common, but I think we do. I see my passion to make the world a better place in him, I see my quiet strength in him, and most certainly I see my passion for the game of baseball in him. Jackie is one of my true heroes and I am ever grateful for all he has done for the game of baseball, this country, this world, and me. Thank you, both for that.

I am a baseball fan at heart. My passion for the game and my Chicago Cubs runs deep within me. I have many people to thank for teaching me about the game, but none have done more for the game itself than Jackie. I wish I could thank him personally, but I know my message will be appreciated by none other more than you. My many, many thanks.

Truly appreciative,



Brian J. Moles

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Rachel Robinson is the widow of Jackie Robinson. As I said in my letter, Jackie is one of my heros. I wear number 42 in my slow-pitch softball league to somehow honor Jackie Robinson. I feel an overwhelming sense of pride when someone asks me why I have number 42 and I get to explain why.

Truly Appreciative 4/25

Dear Dr. Campolo,

This past summer, I was fortunate enough to lead a group of youth to the 2010 Presbyterian Youth Triennium. I attended Triennium as a high school student and also took a group in 2007, so I thought I was fully aware of the tremendous power and spirit that runs through such an event. I was wrong.

The sermon you gave during closing worship at Triennium in July was the greatest sermon I have ever heard. Your words filled the room with the Holy Spirit. Through the stories you told and the bible references you provided with the stories, you showed everyone in attendance how amazing a Christ-centered life can be.

I watch the video of that sermon often to better remember something you said, but more so to re-motivate myself to never stop pursuing a better world for all. Your words inspire me and I thank you for that.

I am a Business & Marketing Manager at the United Methodist Publishing House and a volunteer youth advisor at Second Presbyterian Church here in Nashville. Your words help me strive for higher heights in these endeavors daily.

Thank you for all you have done for me and my faith. I hope this letter finds you well. Thank you, again, and God bless you.

Truly appreciative,


Brian J. Moles

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Tony Campolo gave the sermon at the closing worship of the 2010 Presbyterian Youth Triennium. As I stated in his letter, it is the best sermon I have ever heard. Here is a link to the video of the sermon: http://vimeo.com/14489484

Truly Appreciative - 3/25

Dear Leslie,

This letter is part of a series of letters I’m writing to individuals, groups, and organizations that have had a positive effect on the person I am today. I’m writing one letter each day for 25 days and each note will be posted to my blog at http://bmoles.blogspot.com.

Of the thousands of days we live on this Earth, there are a very few that we truly remember and appreciate. I spent three of those days with you and I am forever thankful for them. You helped show me what true friendship is. Thank you for that.

I will forever remember the Thursday afternoon when my phone rang. I was off work and had just been to the library. You called to ask me to do something for you that no one had ever asked me before; you asked if I could pick you up and take you to the doctor. I wasn’t sure what was going on, and honestly, I was hesitant to say yes, but I couldn’t say no.

That first Thursday turned into the next and then the next. We only spent three days together, but they meant the world. I will always respect your ability to ask for help in a time of need and I am forever honored that it was me you reached to. That is friendship.

I wish your couple months in Nashville had gone differently, but I’m glad you did what was best for you. If you ever need anything, you know who you can call. Thank you, many times over, for your display of friendship towards me; I am forever grateful.

I hope this finds you well. I look forward to many more Thursdays.

Truly appreciative,

Brian J. Moles

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Leslie lived in Nashville for one year during 2007 and 2008. During her time here, she was part of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Young Adult Volunteer program. She lived in a very small house, with one other volunteer, and worked for a non-profit agency helping to better the lives of Hispanic immigrants. She is now in graduate school at Duke University.

Truly Appreciative - 2/25

Dear Synod of Lincoln Trails Staff,

This letter is part of a series of letters I’m writing to individuals, groups, and organizations that have had a positive effect on the person I am today. I’m writing one letter each day for 25 days and each note will be posted to my blog at http://bmoles.blogspot.com.

For 12 years of my life, from ages 11 to 22, I was fortunate enough to attend the Synod of Lincoln Trails annual Synod School at Hanover College. Each year, my family would make the three hour journey to Synod School with excitement racing through each of us. Even as a young adult, driving through the main gates into the campus of Hanover was thrilling.

Going into our first Synod School, I can remember my mom having to pressure us into going. Having trouble remembering the name, I even called it “Suicide Camp,” because I did not want to spend a week of the summer both without air conditioning and my friends. But once those first days of Synod School started, I never wanted to be anywhere else.

One of the most impactful moments of my life occurred at Synod School. I had reacted poorly to a prank that the girls had pulled on the boys (typical Synod School occurrence…) and my reaction had ruined the mood of what should have been a fun evening of games. At some point in the evening, my younger sister, of all people, took me aside and explained to me that my actions had rubbed off on the entire group, that I was looked up to as a leader in this group and could not react in the manner that I had. I will never forget that conversation and I will certainly never forget the lesson learned that evening.

Synod School taught me to be a leader and, most importantly, it taught me how to be a friend. Synod School brought me closer to God; it helped me learn how to better communicate my beliefs and opinions to a world that might not always agree. Words can not express how thankful I am to have experienced those twelve amazing weeks. They might only be a fraction of a percent of the weeks I spend on this earth, but they are the weeks that mattered. Thank you, and thank God, for giving me the opportunity to experience Synod School.

For the past five years, I have served as a volunteer youth advisor at the churches I have attended (Central Pres., Terre Haute, IN & Second Pres., Nashville, TN). I have led and planned weekly youth fellowship, taken groups on mission trips, and to Montreat Youth Conference and Presbyterian Youth Trienniums. Without my Synod School experience, I’m not sure I would be capable of performing the work I do with these youth, and certainly not as well as I do. Thank you for helping me find something I am truly passionate about.

I communicate with several Synod School alumni on a regular basis. I can not speak for them all, but I see the extraordinary work they are doing in this world and cannot help but know Synod School has played a role in each of their lives like it has in mine. Thank you, many times over, to the Synod, the Synod staff, and the Synod School planning team did over many years to not only help me in my life, but to help the lives of countless others around this planet.

Truly appreciative,

Brian J. Moles

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The Synod of Lincoln Trails (a Presbyterian Church (USA) regional body covering Illinois, Indiana, and a small part of Kentucky) Synod School was an annual family church camp that me and my family attended for twelve years. The event was discontinued in 2006 because of financial reasons. I'm not sure I have ever fought for something harder than I did when me and my friends attempted to save Synod School in 2006.

Truly Appreciative - 1/25

Dear Mr. Mann,

You have always been my favorite teacher. I've had teachers in both high school and college that taught subjects I was more interested in, but none have ever challenged and pushed me to do more the way you did. Thank you for that.

I remember you teaching the class how to shake hands properly, having a spirited debate on the flight home from New York City and Washington D.C. about which Rocky movie was best, “building” a factory to produce peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in class, and the way you taught us to organize and write essays, which I used in college and still use to this day.

From time to time through the course of Spectra, you would ask who in the class affiliated themselves with the Democratic Party or the Republican Party. Then, you would ask who did so because that was the way our parents leaned. Throughout my junior year and early in my senior year, I can remember raising my hand that I agreed with my parents. But finally during my senior year, I had learned to analyze the political spectrum in this country and form my own opinions. I will always remember the first time I didn’t raise my hand when you asked who sided

with their parents. To this day, that is one my proudest moments and I have always hoped you noticed me not raising my hand.

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I have spent the last three years in Nashville, TN, living with Jeff, and working as a Business & Marketing Manager for the United Methodist Publishing House. I am a volunteer youth advisor at my church, attend Vanderbilt basketball games, enjoy playing softball and ultimate Frisbee, and root as hard as ever for my Cubbies.

Thank you for all you did to help me grow during my two years in Spectra and in the years that have followed, I appreciate it more than you know. I was glad to find you on Facebook recently; I look forward to keeping in touch with you.

The usual motive to do well in school is to earn good grades, to prove our own success and to share that success with our parents, and also to compete with our fellow classmates. But in your class, the motives were to show you that we were learning what you were teaching and to not let you down by performing poorly. The world could use more teachers like that.

Truly appreciative,

Brian J. Moles

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Mr. Mann was one of my teachers in high school. He teaches America Spectra, a two-year course that integrates United States History, Government, and Economics. He also taught my brother and sister and they hold him in a similar regard.