Day 14, July 1, 2010

One of the greatest random acts of kindness you can do is to spend time with the elderly and older members of your family. I took the time to talk with members of my mom and dad's church who thought my girls were the prettiest things they had seen in a long time. Spending time with them relaxes you, makes you look at life in a simpler way, and also to stop and be thankful.

Today we spent time visiting relatives. I really needed this. I learned so much about my family I didn't know. I am a 4th generation Shawnee Indian. I have been scanning old pictures so that the relatives have them to keep. I am going to take them and make books for everyone. This will be a huge act of kindness but means a lot to me. I believe we really need to know what we came from. I have one picture made in the 1800s. Secretly the girls and I thought the woman looked like a witch. Maybe there is more I need to investigate.

I am so thankful and miss living close to family. I don't want to leave. Even though I have lived longer in Kentucky than in West Virginia this is still home.

Blessings everyone.

Day 13, June 30, 2010

Wonderful day today! The girls and I traveled to Parkersburg, WV to spend some time with my mom and dad. Along the way we decided to perform our random act of kindness on the road. We stopped at a rest area in Huntington and decided to make someone's day by loading the vending machines with money so that anyone who comes in to make a purchase will be surprised to find money waiting on them. This was so much fun!!! I didn't stick around to see reactions but I bet they were priceless. I really hope a small child discovers the change and thinks that it was sent from heaven.

If feels so good to be with family and back home so I am not going to spend another minute blogging but my mom whats to swing on the porch. Yes, we swing on the porch in the city too.

Blessings.

Day 12, June 29, 2010

Now the whole family is involved. Lonnie won VIP tickets to a Blake Shelton concert at a vineyard outside of Lexington. These tickets included dinner so they were around $100 a piece. Lonnie knows I am not a country girl, I am a city girl. When he told me, I at first was sure, let's do this. I was willing to suffer and figured I can have a good time no matter where I am at. The more he thought about it he knew a young couple who he thought would enjoy the tickets and experience and he really wanted to surprise them. The couple had a super, super time and were so appreciative. Oh young love!! That seems so far away yet so close.

Day 11, June 28, 2010

Day 11.

I had it planned but God layed other people in my path. Oh how I love Jesus!! I had a few errands to run today. First was the post office. There is always a line at the post office. I am now in the habit of just hanging out because I know God is going to bless me or someone else and I am waiting with baited breath. There was an elderly gentleman just sitting, looked like he could be homeless. I watched him as each person entered his path. "Hello" he would say. "And how are you on this beautiful day?" Oh my goodness, I just knew this was a god incidence. As I was waiting in line a father came in to send a package to his son in the military currently in Afghanistan. He started talking about it's contents and that the first week his son was over there his vehicle took on a fire storm but he was brought through. I prayed for his son and parents. He said his wife had quit smoking several years ago but after the firestorm she had begun again. Please Lord watch over this soldier and his family. God is at work in so many people's lives. Pray that He uses your life to be a blessing.

Day 10, June 27, 2010

We began the day rocking it out at church! There is no better way to begin the day than in the presence of so many people who are on fire for the Lord. Amen!!

Today's inspiration came to me at church. The recent series we have been studying is One Another and today was specifically Pray for One Another. We were inspired to envision what the church would look like if we loved and showed love to everyone. The kindness revolution for me is to show that love to others through the acts of kindness in hopes that the recipients will be touched by our Lord. Prayer, as Pastor Daniel said, is the most powerful thing we can do for another person. He also prayed for God to lay someone on each of our hearts that we need to to pray for, forgive, be forgiven, or mentor and love. He also encouraged us to take more time for prayer and to listen as much if not more than when we talk with the Lord. I cleared my mind and heart and believed that the Lord would present to me a name or face of someone I needed to make amends with. I want God to know that I am earnest in my prayer life and I don't want anything blocking my prayers. I just knew I would receive an answer. We preceded on to an eating establishment. That is the protocol. Church and then eat. Ha. Low and behold, in the restaurant walked someone I had not spoken to since we had a difference of opinion over a situation at daycare. This was over 15 years ago. I behaved as a typical jungle animal when she felt her cub had been harmed. I knew as soon as she walked through the door she was there for a reason. We have not spoken, made eye contact, or acknowledged each other let alone crossed path in that many years. This was no coincidence.

Now to the act of kindness, I have written a letter to her, telling her I am sorry for my reaction and I forgive her for the action that prompted my anger. That I want us to be able to greet each other in public and that I no longer harbour ill feelings toward her. She is a child of God the same as I and in this family of God we have no room for enemies or ill feelings.

I am including a link to the sermon in case anyone would like to hear the outstanding sermon that inspired today's act of kindness.
www.crosspointchurch.com

Love to you all and have a blessed day!

Day 9, June 26, 2010

Day 9....what will I do today. Asked my honey bunny for help. My brain just wasn't functioning since I declared this week my "staycation". I bought a little pool, filled it, encouraged hubby to join me and so began our staycation. It was really nice to just have time for the two of us. We talked, laughed, etc.... It was time for dinner. We thought hot dogs on the grill and why don't we take dinner down to Ashley and her co worker. They were so busy and we thought that would be so nice for them not to have to worry about running somewhere very quickly. We called. They were not feeling veggie dogs on the grill (they are both vegetarians). Ok, so what are you feeling. Subway they said. Thus I aim to please so I went to Subway and delivered dinner. As you can tell from the picture they were pretty happy. Until tomorrow.

Day 8, June 25, 2010

This will be a short one since I spent the entire day trying to complete my act of kindness. So often as parents we put everyone and everything ahead of us. We have managed to decorate and fix and refix the other areas of our house but always save the bedroom for last. Last never seems to get here though because something else always breaks down or too much water destroys your dining room. To make a long story short, I thought it would be kind to work on our bedroom and make it a place where we can go to get away from the daily grind of life. I spent many hours today working on this and I am proud to say it is well on it's way. I am going to finish it before the dining room, the bathroom, the garage, the kitchen and yes even the kids rooms. I love you hubby and my random act of kindness was geared to you today.

Good night everyone.

Day 7, June 24, 2010

Do you ever take the time to really look at the people around you? Are they happy? Today I was at the grocery store and really slowed down and made myself be in the moment. Usually I am rushed, focused, and couldn't tell you if there was really anybody in the store besides me. Some would say, that is just life. How much are we really missing?

My quest today was to make eye contact with everyone in the grocery store, smile, and say hello. So simple yet some of the reactions can be unexpected. I had a few scowls, I guess they were having a bad day and nothing was going to change that. Some were surprised. People really don't take the time to spread humanity too often I guess. I am glad to report that I received a whole lot of smiles and many hellos. I wish I would have counted just how many people I smiled at today. After you do this for awhile you get a permament smile instead of a permament frown.

Smile on everyone!!

Day 6, June 23, 2010

Today's random act of kindness didn't cost anything and didn't take up any large amount of time. This has to do with the dreaded sanitation workers. Yes, those of you who live in Morehead will probably relate. Since I work during the day, 10 months out of the year, I am saved from witnessing the collection of trash. I often come home from work to the aftermath. Trash cans flung some where, hopefully my yard, often not. Now I know, it is just trash cans but I have witnessed mine and my neighbors trash cans being hit and run over by automobiles, trucks, and an occassional tractor. Yes, a tractor. So.......today I saved my neighbor's trash cans from certain destruction. I am sure they will be thankful. Trash cans aren't cheap people.

Stay cool everybody.

Day 5, June 22, 2010

This day started as a bummer. Someone I am so fond of received an answer to prayer and it wasn't what we all were praying for. I immediately went to scripture to help her. I had this book recommended to our church by our pastor and it was exactly what I needed to be able to encourage her. I sent her one of the strongest scriptures for dealing with the loss of a dream that I could find. I don't believe this dream is dead I just believe the Lord wants her to realize this in a different season. Thank you Pastor Daniel for recommending it. The book is Praying God's Word by Beth Moore. The subtitle is Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds. It is a gem. Each chapter is dedicated to overcoming a different stronghold you might encounter in your life. Included is scriptures to help you through. Awesome!!

I was needing this random act today to give me a bright spot. I realize not every day can be all sunshine and rainbows but I set out to find some. God just cracks me up. I felt I was lead by Jesus to Taco Bell. Don't laugh. Today everyone in my family was either working or out and about so I was home alone. This can be awesome but with empty nest syndrome just around the corner it was lonely today. Back to Taco Bell. I decided how cool would it be for me to pay for the order from the car behind me. This had to be God, right? No car came behind me. OK maybe right now was not the time. I have to run errands a little later so I will try another food establishment. The time had arrived and I was all ready to brighten someone's day. The restaurant of choice was Dairy Queen. There are always cars at DQ. Guess what? Nobody pulled up behind. Well I just laughed when I was paying. So God, is this not something you want me to do? Laughing hysterically. By now, I am determined to pay for someone's food!! McDonalds? This time I went inside. Low and behold my daughter and several of her friends had stopped there after returning from the lake. I sneeked up on them, said Boo, and how about a round of ice cream cones? They were surprised and loved it but it also gave me a chance to witness and encourage random acts of kindness.

Today was all about not knowing exactly what the day will hold but if you put your life in the Lord's hands you will always end up where He needs and wants you.

Day 4, June 21, 2010

This revolution is only four days old and I have been blessed more than I can ever express. Do you remember when you were young and you couldn't wait for the next day. I have that feeling again. As we get older we lose that anticipation and it feels so good to feel excited for the next day! Who would think that something so simplistic could have such a profound affect. God did. If only we would just listen and follow.

Today's act of kindness has to do with an organization that I too often have to call for one of my students, DOVES. Doves is the domestic violence shelter. Often these families don't have time to pack clothes let alone personal, familiar items. Today, I packed up a box of games, stuffed animals, and items that I hope can make their stay a little less traumatic. Instead of delivering them to the shelter, we are asked to drop them off at the police station so unfortunately I don't have a response to post but I know how appreciative they are for any help and donation.

I pray daily about where God would like me to go next and he always answers. To God be the glory.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

I can't praise the Lord enough for the blessings he has bestowed upon me. A wonderful family and loving husband who has to ask himself what have I got myself into.

Kindness fever is beginning to hit my busy teenagers. Today, my daughters got in on the act. We often make work friends, really good friends who we lose track of when we don't see them every day. I encourage everyone to contact a friend you have lost touch with this week. Even if it is just dropping in the mail a handwritten note. OK, so back to the main event. Pam, 50th Birthday!! Woo Hoo!! sneek attack. For some of you this might not seem like an act of kindness but I believe Pam will get a kick out of it. She has been away today spending the day with her father. While she has been away the girls and I snuck over to her house and randomly placed 100 forks in her yard and a big birthday banner across her front window. Each of those forks represents a hug to the recipient! Who couldn't use 100 hugs?

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY PAM!!

100 hugs

Day 2, June 19, 2010

Day 2-June 19, 201

Today I decided to share something I love with a random person. My husband and I both love gardening and couldn't wait till we had a house and yard to decorate in beauty. For my husband it means a connection to his mother that is deceased. For me, I love the beauty and the happiness it brings to others. Often people stop and tell us how much they enjoy looking at our yard. Once we had a mother and her children stop and ask permission to sit and draw our garden.

Today's act of kindness was a no brainer. At first Ithought I would sit outside and the first person who made a comment on the yard would be the recipient of my next act of kindness. Too hot, so I made a bright yellow sign, big FREE letters and a short explanation of why I was giving this bountiful, beauty away. An hour went by. Lots of looks but no takers. I didn't give up. Lord, please send just the right person who is in need of an act of kindness to wander past. At 9:15, two hours after I put outside it has found a home.

This revolution is already changing the way I look at life and humanity. I feel closer to God and to my family. I can't wait to see what the next day brings.

Act of Kindness #1-June 18, 2010

For the last few years I have integrated Random Acts of Kindness to my curriculum in order to start students thinking about how we communicate and show empathy to others. Recently my good gal pal Lea Ann began the Random Acts of Kindness movement with her children. There is no time like the present to make this revolution a part of my daily life, so here it goes......

Day 1.....as a mother, I know the significance of chocolate chip cookies to ease worry and cure the blues. I have adopted into my heart one of my former students. I am so proud of her accomplishments and support her dreams. She wants to have a baby and has been through a few rounds of invitro. Last Friday was her latest attempt. Of course now she endures nightly injections and worries with every ache and pain until that positive pregnancy test. Besides my daily prayers I baked home made chocolate chip cookies and delivered them to her at work. She said I made her day but really she made my day. I always wish I could take away every problem and make everything better but if that were the case, I would be Jesus Christ. I believe for the time being, I will a pair of loving hands delivering the love of my savior Jesus Christ.