The past few months have seemed like I have spent more time juggling my calendar and not really providing much kindness to others. This makes me look back with some regret that I have allowed my schedule to be so full I've lost track of what is a key ingredient in my life.
Fortunately, I have a tradition that another friend and I began a few years ago that needed to be completed to continue it as an annual event. I quickly realized this last weekend and contacted my friend that helped last year. I decided that filling glass jars might be a larger task than I felt up to and she has two littles, so we opted for Kindness Cookies!
We each made two types of cookies and came together this past Saturday hoping to bag the cookies, decorate the bags, and be on our way to share some kindness. The November weather was quite cold and the wind was blowing as well, which is normal for Kansas. This changed our plans but don't worry, the bags of cookies will still get dispensed!
We decided to take them to church and not only the ones that we normally deliver to will enjoy them but a few others as well! Making the cookies with my family, coming together with friends to share the work, and watching others enjoy the surprise was well worth the time! This is one item on my calendar that will be there annually for sure!
I hope this post has inspired you to show some kindness in some manner. It not only does wonders for the recipient but the one giving as well!
It's that time of year again when we gather up recipes and jelly jars to make kindness jars! As you can tell from this post and this one, we have created an annual event. Our friends the "M's" have moved to a new destination. But before moving Mrs. M gave us some sweet recipes to use for this year's event! Thank you Mrs. M!
We invited some other friends to join us, "The K's" were a wonderful addition! They did a fabulous job of assembling, driving, and delivering the little jars of kindness with us! We enjoyed having them SO much!
We chose two simpler desserts than in the past. The one on the left is Strawberry Shortcake and the one on the right is Easter Smores. While assembling, PV announced that the Easter Smores were like a chicken sitting on her eggs! :)
The kids really enjoyed putting the Easter Smores together. Even the youngest K joined in on the fun! I encourage you to have your children participate in acts of kindness at any age! They really can benefit and so do the recipients!
Little K and PV Did a great job of explaining to the recipients
what they needed to do with the jars.
It was teamwork at it's best!
We hope the recipients enjoyed the little treats. Our time together creating the
jars of joy is always fun and delivering brings on a whole new adventure each year!
Thank you to the K's for joining us!
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie
Recipes were donated by Mrs. M. They are listed below.
Strawberry Shortcake
1 boxed Yellow Cake Mix baked according to package directions
1 can vanilla frosting
1 (8 oz) whipped topping
1 quart fresh strawberries mixed with 1/4 cup sugar
Crumble the yellow cake mix into large chunks. Press a small amount of the crumbled cake mix into the bottom of the four small canning jars (8 oz) In a small bowl mix together the frosting and whipped topping. Spoon a small amount on top of the cake layer. Spoon a few strawberries on top of the frosting layer, add another layer of cake, frosting and strawberries.
Top each jar with a lid and ring. Store in the fridge up to 12 hours before serving.
Easter Smores
Pour two heaping spoonfuls of graham cracker crumbs into a jar.
Place four Cadbury mini eggs on top of the graham crackers.
Put one Peep Chick on the Chocolate eggs.
Deliver with the directions to heat the jar in the microwave for 30 seconds and then enjoy.
This recipe calls to use 4 ounce jars but we used 8 ounce and did the layers twice. You can also use a large marshmellow in place of the peeps that are sold during Easter time.
I watched this video today. It stirred something in me. At times, you will find me, just like the people in that video. I am trying to be better about putting the electronics and distractions down. I even bought this book a few months ago. I still haven't finished it. My plan was to read through it and then get serious and do it again. Read it and apply at least some of her advice. I enjoy her blog and posts to Facebook. Although lengthy, they usually have a good reminder for me.
Last Sunday, we got to church and I realized I had forgotten my smart phone at home. I didn't have a panic attack, just mentioned it to my husband. He rarely takes his to church you know, he just looked at me and said "you'll be fine". He was right, in fact only one text message was on my screen. The other night I even plugged it in when I got home and totally forgot about it for like 2 hours!
I'm trying. It's a start to rid the distractions from my life or at least keep them at bay!
When I was around 9 years old, I remember writing to a distant relative that lived in Washington. It was around the time that Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. She would explained about how the ash was all over and it sounded so interesting! Sad part is, I can't recall her name. She was an adult at the time, and I felt so important because she took the time to write me periodically. I had another relative that was a pen pal with me. It was my Aunt Hank, we called her that but her real name was Henrietta. She too was kind, taking the time to write a child, when she had a busy life of her own. I already have a plan in place for my youngest daughter to become pen pals with some friends and learn to handwrite letters! (She loves mail by the way!)
Today I sat down and actually wrote a letter. Not a typed one. A HAND WRITTEN letter. On plain ol' notebook paper!
I haven't done that in years I bet! Most of the time it's cards with a little note in it or just a signature, or an email typed out, and if it is a letter, usually that one is typed. All these are great, but there's just something about handwriting a letter.
It felt nice to handwrite today. I forgot how it made me feel. (My wrist hurt because of over usage of a keyboard, go figure, but I still loved it!)
I didn't write a child today, but I did write someone I haven't spoken to, emailed, text, or called in months. We have so much in common, yet our "busy lives" can steal from our relationships so easily can't they?
Staying connected with people, whether it's family or friends or acquaintances, is important. Especially these days, because we are spending so much time looking at display screens, typing with our fingers, swypeing on our smart phones, video chatting, or listening to our Ipods. And although most of those things can aide in connection, I do believe we need a deeper connection with others. One that looks at people, speaks to people, visits with people, and reaches out to people.
Handwriting a letter gives the recipient so much! Just imagine when they open the mailbox and see an envelope that isn't a bill or junk mail. At least for me, when I see handwriting, especially from those precious to me, it makes my heart fill with warmth. I don't know why, perhaps because they took the time to write slowly and neatly just for me!
Do you have recipes that were handwritten by your Grandmother, Aunt, or perhaps your Mother? When you see them, does it bring back a flood of memories, or a peace in your soul that makes you feel loved by them again?
Perhaps a letter could do that for someone you know.
Sit down, relax, write a few words on a plain piece of notebook paper or a beautiful piece of stationary. Either way, come with me on a handwriting journey.
I'd love to hear if you sent a letter or two and how it made you feel! Or perhaps you are the recipient of a handwritten letter this week! Sharing makes life better!
One morning this week, I was getting ready for the day, and began my thought process. This is when I usually make my "lists" , which include anything from groceries, to do's, blog post items, meal planning, etc.
Today I was feeling alittle beside myself and decided, how about I
recall good times to help me get to feeling chipper?
So I did. I started recalling times that brought me joy or happiness.
I'd like to share some with you. I'm sure the reason this one came to mind first, is because some ladies at our church, myself included are hosting a baby shower/fund raiser for the friend.
Here goes.....
I delivered a loaf of bread to her house, and
her husband answered the door. She’d
been away on a Haiti mission. To this point in our relationship we weren't super close, just warming up to the friendship department I'd say.
She
came strolling up to the door, large smile on her face, and arms already extending. She hugged me. It was a good down to your bones, oh how happy I am to see you kinda hug. Although I had brought my friend
her a favorite kind of bread,
I was the one that received so much in less than 5
minutes.
I can feel the hug right now! :)
This is where I think we truly
became connected as friends.
This is a treasure for my "memory feeling box".
Walking
across the stage to get my diploma from High School. It felt like such a huge accomplishment for me, after becoming a Mother at such a young age.
Hugs
from my Dad.
Making my middle daughter's quilt with my Mother.
We tied it in my backyard in the sunshine.
Walking down the aisle to marry Milton.
Having
my 2nd born call for marriage or cooking advice.
Watching
my husband meet his daughter for the first time.
Seeing
a red head on the first day of my freshman year in a new
school that looked
almost as scared as I.
Later to become
my best friend.
Watching my 1st born deliver her 1st born.
My first mission trip with a youth group and great co-leader to Kansas City. It was hard, it was wonderful, it was perfect, yet not so perfect. I can still see the block of houses we worked on and the children playing in the streets with our youth the last day we were there. That was one of THE best choices I ever made, going on that trip.
Hearing my youngest daughter tell me, "GOD/JESUS loves you" each morning on
her way out the car to school.
I could share more, but right now, I'm challenging you to open your memory feeling box. Take out a couple memories that fill your heart with warmth,
bring a smile to your face, and peace in your soul.
Relish them. Just bask in them for awhile. Let the other things go to the side.
How's that feel?
I'm guessing kinda lovely. Let's practice this often shall we?
Giving the 5 year old a list of "to do's" and she didn't bulk (too much).
Listening to her belt out with much dramatic flair the lyrics of "Let It Go" from the movie Frozen while carrying the tablet to each room while cleaning. Then she switches to alittle Jason Aldean music, I have NO clue where she gets her music choices or
how she knows where to to input the correct emotion on each song.
(Ok fine.... I do, yes we are hairbrush microphone singers and we can admit!)
Hence, it's only 9:00 am and I already have had a few laughs and a warmed heart today from this little gal. SO glad God chose ME to be her Mommy! Technology so I can assist my clients even when I'm not in the office.
Cuddles, book reading, and games with little girls.
Daddy's who find lost basketballs, from the Kansas wind and tolerate the dramatic flair
that comes from his daughter when at first unable to find it!
The opportunities given to me through my job, my faith, my family, friends, and
those I don't even know that well.
Thank you's from my oldest child, although her life has taken a hard hit this week.
A fellow church member and school worker telling me how kind my daughter is.
Breakfast food for supper, especially when I didn't have to make it!
Thank you to the LLL (Men of our church) for providing supper tonight!
I truly appreciate each of these gifts and many more!
Today I was fortunate enough to see our community in action
and it brought an overwhelming feeling to my chest!
Let me back up for a moment, I currently serve on my church's Board of Missions.
For the past month, we collected donations for our local food bank.
I must say, I felt very proud this morning when I was loading my car with all the donations!
Way to go Immanuel!
(I'm thinking we need to do this more than once per year!)
If you recall from this my post, Spring Brings Friends, I had the guests bring non-perishable food items to be donated to this food bank as well.
The food we collected, I didn't personally deliver to the food bank, my husband did for me.
So I had no idea what to do or expect when I went today!
Needless to say, when I arrived the parking lot was pretty full of vehicles. There was a group of people standing at the front door, and a HUGE line of children at the other door!
As I waited for them to open, another pickup showed up with the pickup bed full of donations.
(Thanks to these guys for sticking around and helping me unload mine!)
It backed up to the door where the children had went in.
So I made my way over there, as I knew it must be the drop off area!
As I stepped inside I saw shelves of food, a conveyor belt, and people, and alot of CHILDREN!
The children brought donations as well and they began to SING Christmas carols.
It was very moving for me. In those few short moments it made quite the impact on me.
Volunteers smiling.
Sweet souls of young ones singing their hearts out.
Joy upon those spending their free time to help others.
Kindness was all around in that room, it just burst with it!
From those that volunteered, to those who donated food,
to those little children who sang with glee!
I was standing there waiting and I realized I had a smile upon my face.
The sight in those few moments was......
It looked beautiful to me.
It felt beautiful to me.
It was beautiful.
So this holiday season, if you feel inspired, give to your local food bank.
Through food, monetary, or time donation.
I'm sure you will have an impact and receive one as well!
Today marks the 2nd annual Acts of Kindness (in a jar) that PV and I participated in with our dear friends the "M's". If you want to see what we did last year, just click this link!
Honestly, we are alittle behind this year in getting this done!
We definitely want to continue earlier in November!
Today the weather is frigid, and only 28 degrees!
But the girls are troopers and we got the job accomplished!
We chose to make Apple Pie in a Jar to distribute!
I've mentioned it before, and I am going to do it again. I have some pretty awesome friends! God has blessed me in many areas of my life, but this area of my life, it's truly one of my prized possessions.
I have a variety of friends. Some pray for me, some lift me up with kind words or notes, some send text messages to check in on me, and some email me or call to check on me. A few of them haven't known me for very long, but I feel as if we have been close forever.
During this new adventure of mine, that I mentioned here, I have received a "box of love" from one particular friend.
It's funny because in reality, due to changes in both our lives, we don't see one another as much as we used to. She showed up on my door step, with a beautiful box in hand, a warm hug, and positive expressions flowing from her mouth! (the weekend before I left for training I might add!)
It was just what I needed! Oh sure there was laundry to be done, a house to clean, and homework to finish, but I think she had what I needed at the moment. A friend to hug, words of encouragement, and a couple hours sitting on the couch doing nothing, and shutting my "thinking" mind off!
Not only did she give me this beautiful box. As I opened it, I couldn't resist a smile if I wanted to. It warmed my heart to all get out folks! It was packed full of assorted envelopes, small trinkets, and such.
It has 31 items in all. One for each day of the month of August. Something to open each day to encourage me, make me laugh, or to stop worrying about what lies ahead. This is a prize that I will treasure forever. Handwritten notes are the best, and she has supplied me with many! :)
I couldn't let this act of kindness go by without publication because I think it's the perfect addition to any of these posts I have done.
It comes from the heart, a simple act. That is, giving someone (me) the "lifting up" I need in this transition. I hope to pay it forward in some manner soon.
How about you? Has my friend inspired you? Reach out to someone, open a door, drop a note in the mail, call a relative you might have had a riff with years ago, let things be happy in life. Let things flow as they were meant to, have interactions, and show kindness.
Just on a side note, the new adventure is kicking in to gear. Emotions have been up and down, and transitioning for our family is occurring. But I am glad I made this choice. I am glad for this journey that I am upon, I want to help people take care of the things that are most important them in life.
Thank you for all allowing me share our life, and for supporting this new adventure!
Julie
Just a FEW of the motivational, silly, lovely items in my box!
I'm pretty sure I had an impact on my youngest daughter this past weekend.
Oh sure, I probably do every day in some manner. But today, I know I did because when I completed one act, the questions began to flow from her mouth. Questions, as a mother, I had to quickly figure out how to answer. I will be honest here, I didn't "plan" very well ahead! :)
This particular act, was part of my Lent Kindness Plan. I haven't mentioned it much here, because I feel weird about sharing things I have done for others. It feels a little like I am tooting my own horn, when in reality, that's the last thing I want to do.
But I want to also inspire others to
I do not know who originally created it but I love it. I found it on Pinterest. Yellow is my favorite color & the saying is AWESOME! In searching this is where I found it today!
So today I will tell you about this one act.
We were going to town to do some errands. The previous evening I had been surfing the web in search of kindness ideas. I had read this one before, so I thought I'd put it on my list for a later time.
As we prepared to leave that morning, I thought to myself, you know I'd like for us to do this one as a family. It's not often that all 3 of us are in the same town together! So I rushed around my house and gathered various items that I thought the one, less than fortunate person, I see often on the streets of our city could use.
I gathered stickers from my crafts and asked PV to decorate the bag. At this point I did not tell her what the bag was for. She really enjoyed decorating it though, and she did a lovely job I think!
This is our bag filled.
I wish I would have taken a shot of the back, it does have food in it!
We found the person and I quickly jumped from the car, laid it next to her, and said "this is for you, have a good day." She thanked me and I went on down the street. As I got in the car, my husband's eyes, I do believe looked a little different, and my youngest daughter began with the questions.
Explaining about homeless living ( I assume this person was) to a 4 year old didn't entail me getting too deep or explicit. But I knew with this being the first experience of it for her, it needed to be clear, it needed to be honest, and it needed to be an expression of why we show kindness to others.
The 4 year old asked about where the person sleeps and where the person goes when it rains. Through our conversation, she came up with, "well what if someone built her a house." I grinned and stated that it would be kind if someone did, but sometimes, people make the choice to live homeless. (I know most do not, but some do.)
I explained that we have to respect the choices that everyone makes, and that the best thing we can do for them now is to pray.
( Until the next time we cross their path with a ziploc bag of goodies that is!)
I didn't have all the answers, but I did the best I could.
Isn't that what we all are asked , to do the best we can?
I came away from this experience realizing that today I was an example of kindness for her, but what about the other days? The impact I have on my daughter(s) is significant, whether my example is good or bad. And it's a DAILY thing. I think after today I will be more mindful of that. So on those days when I may not speak to her daddy with sweetness ( especially in front of her), or I sit on the computer too long verses playing, perhaps those will be less now.
Since I have found myself being the recipient of an impact too. Thanks for stopping by.
Julie
P.S.
Feel free to share kindness ideas via commenting below or emailing me at betweenthesunsets@gmail.com. I could use some help, I have several days left!
Have you ever received an act of kindness from someone when you were bluer than blue, or deep in a funk, or grasping to hang on? Well I have and it made me feel quite loved and reassured me that this blogging gig, I should continue (at least for now).
A couple months ago, I was stressing out about this very blog. Unsure if I should continue it, unsure if I was writing things that mattered, or that people found interesting, or if I offend anyone with my expression of my faith.
I recall, when I was discussing it with my husband, these words came from my mouth without me even thinking.
"I don't know that I have anything to offer to anyone."
Meaning, am I just rambling to hear (or read) my own words, grasping for attention, or putting my personal life on display as alot of society has come to that?
I want my blog to inspire, help, educate, and connect with people. I've received the connection part with finding new friends that blog and farm, I've been told that a few people are learning from my blog about farming, and now via two very kind people, they shared how I helped and brought joy to them.
One of the acts of kindness was commented on our Facebook page.
Thank you, I enjoy your writings and the other links you you go too. Thank you !!
The other was received via the US Postal Service.
(I absolutely LOVE getting the mail, not kidding!)
I am thankful for these little hugs from friends! They brought a smile to my face (for more than just a second)
Warmness in my heart, and made me want to continue sharing our life,
and to extend KINDNESS to another.
I too shall pass on some kindness this week!
How about you?? Up for the challenge?
Thanks for stopping by!
Julie
PS: I am a guest blogger once again this coming Friday
As I was working on Week 3 memory verse, Hebrews 13:5 , I decided I wanted to dig alittle deeper into the chapter. Get a feel of where the author was coming from. I got about as far as verse 2.... because when I read it, it sparked something in me and I began to get distracted ponder in my thoughts for a moment. My thoughts went from "I really like that to how do Ientertain strangers? Is this a part of my life? The verse goes like this (Hebrews 13:2) "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." Although entertaining friends and family in our home brings me much delight and I am certain there are angels among those individuals, it's the strangers part that I kept coming back to. It hit close to home and I'd like to tell you why. I am not sharing this story to boast of things I've done, but to share my experience in hopes it brings inspiration to you my friends. It brought more to me than I expected it to, which in the beginning wasn't my goal at all. Funny how GOD works that way huh? But I am getting ahead of myself. An elderly gentleman that had a thinning frame, and somewhat of bitter words about life, and a longing in his eyes for someone to visit with crossed my path one day. He came into my workplace and although I was "acquainted" with him, I really didn't know him. He sat at my desk and we took care of business, my workload was large that day, but I didn't rush him off - there was something tugging at my heart to let him stay. In our 45 minute conversation I learned he had lost his loved one in the past year, that he didn't care for the meals being delivered to his home daily, and that he tended to have a negative outlook on most things in life. The last thing could have easily swayed me to disregard him, but like I stated before there was a tugging at my heart. An image came to my mind of a "darker heart" yet in the middle had a "brightness" about it. One had to look to really see the brighter part but it WAS there, I just knew it. As the time passed and I helped him to the door, there was already a seed growing in me to want to aide him. To bring growth to that "brightness" within him. I felt something in me, an excitement I had not felt in a very long time or maybe even ever. I went back to my work, and as the day and evening progressed the seed grew. I prayed on it and thought about it and mentioned the story to my husband. The following weekend I made fried chicken for my family with all the usual fixings. Mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and biscuits. As I prepared this meal that seed grew into what I thought was as large as a watermelon and ready to burst out of my chest!
It was at that moment I decided I would take Mr. K a meal. A glimmer of this thought had been in my mind since our encounter, but like I said I didn't really know him and normally doing new things brings my fear to an all time high! So fear was somewhat winning out until now. A calmness came over me and I knew it was the right thing to do. (Can you guess who sent the calmness..... :) ? I didn't set Mr. K a "dressed up" table, or invite him into our home, or turn him away due to his bitter words. I know the words come from a hurting heart, so I reached out to him in the best way I know how. I made him a meal and presented it on a paper plate wrapped in aluminum foil with a small note attached.
As I drove to work on the day I was going to deliver my little bit of what I hoped to be brightness in his day, I felt calm. As I came upon his home, I saw the front door open, and his car in the driveway, not in the garage. It was like it was saying "hello, come on in." I said a prayer of thanksgiving right then to GOD. I also giggled because as I drove to his home, I realized that prior to moving to our current home, we literally lived right across the alley from Mr. K. If only I had known..... Not until I parked my car, did my stomach start doing flips and I felt a tad bit on the nervous side. "What if he responded to me harshly, or what if he felt I was intruding or what if he didn't like my food." I literally prayed ALL THE WAY up to the porch! He came to the door, opened it, I smiled and (although I didn't plan to go so fast) QUICKLY stated who I was, asked if he remembered our conversation, and offered the food. As I looked up to his eyes, at that moment, I thought my heart was going to burst out of my chest. I saw a man with tears in his eyes and a thankful heart. Words of thanks came from him and I knew I had done the right thing. I saw alittle brightness in the somewhat darker image I had seen previously.
I left and as I walked to my car and even after arriving at work a short while later, I realized there was a smile on my face I could not remove even if I wanted to. The joy was an outstanding feeling my friends. Since that first time, I have "entertained" this one time stranger periodically with a home cooked meal or homemade jam. Usually it is just a quick drop off at his front door, but one time he invited me in and I ended up spending my lunch hour learning of his heritage and his past hobby and that he is basically alone with no family or friends at all. It makes me sad to think of him as alone with no family or friends. His health is not the best either, so I pray for him often. Personally I hope I can continue to grow in the "entertaining" aspect of my life with strangers, family, and friends. I don't do it as much as I should, but I want to make a conscious effort to do more. Entertaining people can be done in the simplest ways, it doesn't have to be a large affair, that is what I have learned from this experience. A smile, a small meal, a note card sent by mail, a text message just saying hi,or just a few minutes of your time, that is all it takes. Mr. K was an angel and stranger in one to me, and I am so very glad I can now call him friend.
Do you have a story to share? Do you feel inspired? Do you have ideas of how to entertain strangers (friends or family)? I would love to hear from you! Julie
