Kindness

       I don't forget kindness.  There are people in my life who have shown much kindness to me and I will NEVER forget that kindness.  Sometimes it's just been simple small gestures.  I can think of lots of people and examples, but one would be the emergency room doctor that I had called me when I was up in the Chicago hospital and asked if he could come visit me as he had a business meeting near by.  He took time out of his day to visit me in my new hospital.....someone he didn't even really know.  And then he followed it up with a handwritten note to me about how I had been an encouragement to HIM.....really?!  He had by far made the greater impact on my life with his kindness towards me through everything and with taking the time to come see me.

      That may be an extreme example of kindness.  But a more simple act of kindness was the other month my refrigerator was about on the fritz...or so I thought.  I was walking out of the gym one day and just quickly told this guy I know about it.  I told him I was leaving to go buy a new fridge (I seriously was).  He took the time to ask me about the symptoms of the fridge and gave me some advice.  Now, I'm a single girl who doesn't know everything about home improvements and am always wanting and needing manly advice.  The fact that he wanted to give me advice was received as pure kindness.  In fact, his advice saved me the cost of a new fridge I didn't really need.
      I'm just a simple girl who values the intentionality that being kind brings.  If there's one lesson people should learn in life, it's to offer kindness to all people.   When given the choice between being right and being kind....choose kindness.  Kindness will always bring with it a lasting impact that last far beyond the initial gesture.   

Taylor University Alumni Gathering

Taylor University Alumni Gathering in Peoria!  Got to see an old friend and say hi to President Habecker and his wife Mary Lou.

Summer Fun

The best way to spend a summer Saturday is near water, with a friend, and a kayak.  Loving summer...

Summers End...

This picture simply makes my heart happy :)

Life is short....Make it beautiful

It’s August…just saying that word makes teachers stress level increase ten times.  But I refuse to let the stress that I try to keep hidden dictate my here and now…

Because it’s a spectacular morning out and my heart is filled with joy.  Pure blue sky, early morning, car windows down with pure sunshine warmth, Jesus worship music blaring, bike on back of car, kayak on top (ok…just a wish on that one, lol), Caribou Coffee destination ahead, Lake Michigan view off to the side, church soon, beach time after, and my mind simply spending time pondering.  I’m pondering the struggles of life, the joys of life, and the uncertainties of life.  This week has been filled with them for me.  I’ve struggled to really believe that I can move life forward in the way that I’ve wanted to.  But sometimes that’s the joy in it all….the beauty that can be found within the struggles of life.  It’s important to take the time to remember, ponder, and delight in it all.

For me these moments bring pure joy.  When I think about my personality and me, this picture comes to mind.  A girl who loves nature, sun, life, Jesus, coffee, fitness, music, car rides, and adventure.  Add a best friend and really this would be close to heaven for me. 

How often do we really take the time to delight in these things and simply ponder them.  Don’t forget to spend too much of life making a living and forget to make a life out of it.  J

Psalm 111:2-4

“Great are the works of the Lord;

They are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds,
And his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered.”