The Branches

If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25) 

July 28, 2026

Hello Everyone —  

As a child I grew up with my paternal grandmother, Anna, subscribing to Reader’s Digest. Its arrival in the mail was often the highlight of any week. After finishing chores in the evening, she would love to sit at the kitchen table in the farmhouse and read the magazine from cover to cover. She’d even take a shot at the various word games sprinkled throughout the book.

However, if asked what was her most favorite part of the magazine, she wouldn’t hesitate to highlight the sections that contained humorous quips and stories, especially the section entitled: Laughter, the Best Medicine.

You see, my grandmother loved to laugh. By nature, she was a joy-filled person who despite her challenges – at times overwhelming – chose to see the positive. For her, the glass was always half-full.

But she also was a woman of simple faith who lived her life quietly and devoutly trusting that God would assist her in her every need – and He did! Her joy sprang from the depths of her faith. She was a Spirit-filled woman and it shown in everything she did. She was, for me, a living example of what it means to be Spirit-led. And in the simplicity of her life, she modeled well what we read in Galatians: “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (5:22-23)

So, in her honor, here’s a bit of humor. I hope it brings a smile to your face.

A lesson to be learned from typing the wrong email address!!   

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedule, so the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day.

The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address and, without realizing his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband’s funeral. He was a minister who was called home to glory following a heart attack.

The widow decided to check her email, expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow’s son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen, which read:

To: My Loving Wife
Subject: I’ve Arrived
Date: March 3, 2015 

I know you’re surprised to hear from me.
They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your
loved ones.
I’ve just arrived and have been checked in. Everything is set for your
arrival tomorrow.
Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as
mine was. 

P.S. Sure is hot down here! 

To my grandmother, Anna, and her ability to laugh in the face of whatever life presented. May we come to know the same joy that rests in the heart of God.

As I do for you, please pray for me,

Most Reverend Jeffrey S. Grob
Archbishop of Milwaukee