Good Neighbors. Good Samaritans.

"National Good Samaritan Day is observed on March 13th. This day is also known as Good Samaritan Involvement Day. This is a day for unselfish actions to help those in need and to celebrate kindness."

John and Julia have been my longtime neighbors. I consider them good samaritans. They live in faith and serve others through their generous hearts loving spirits.

John unexpectantly died on February 24th, which was his 55th birthday.

I am not asking to to give to the gofundme. Instead, I encourage you to look at John and Julia as a couple in the photos. The love they exude warms my heart. Our world needs more love and kindness.

https://www.gofundme.com/support-john039s-surviving-family

Ash Wednesday 2019

I have continued  to walk into the church on Sundays during the past 6-months feeling empty and void of my faith. I have not taken anything away from the services. This does not reflect upon the pastor and the messages shared or any part of the service. I walk into the church because of this nursery rhyme: “Here’s the church and here’s the steeple. Open the door and see all the people.” I go to church because of the people.  I have known many members of the congregation since I moved to Seattle years ago.

I walked into St. James Cathedral one afternoon last week. I lit a candle for my family and friends, one for our world and one for me. I felt nothing. As I exited the  Cathedral and walked through the courtyard to the bookstore, I took pause and listened to the life-giving water,  felt the chill of the air on my face, and heard the seagulls’ squall overhead. I still felt nothing.

I walked into the Cathedral bookstore, and I bought the book: “Small Things with Great Love – A 9-Day Novena to Mother Teresa, Saints of the Gutter” by Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle. She wrote: “We rush from one activity to the next – without too  much  thought about what we might have missed had we paused to take in the moment instead of rushing to the next experience. Could we have missed an important encounter? Could we have lost the opportunity to help someone in a transforming way?”

I sat in the same small pew with the back against the wall last Sunday looming a hat. The pew seat two adults comfortably. A man walked in and sat down next too me with his bags. (Some of us carry past baggage. He carried his belongings.) I smiled and continued looming. I noticed the look on his face. It was intense. He prayed fervently and without ceasing. I focused on him and his hands as he rocked back in forth in prayer. When it was time for communion, he opened his eyes and his face relaxed and emanated peace.

Perhaps, he helped me to transform in a small way. I found him after coffee time and said, “I hope you come back  to Sunday service. I would like if you would sit with me.” He smiled, and I thought on my walk home: “You never know who Jesus will be disguised as.”

Doubt Erased Through Love

Doubt. How many times has doubt filled your mind? In my case, more then I can count on my two hands and my feet. I am in to more double doubt digits then I can count through the years.

I considered closing down my purposeful passion: "Living Stones Ministries Rock On!" I had a moment of doubt enter my mind: "Am I really serving others through the projects?"

I met Berlena, who is now in her 80's, at Seattle's First Christian Church around 19-years ago. By observing and being in conversation with her throughout the years, she inspires others. 

Berlena took care of her husband at home until she realized it was time for more help with his care. Berlena is a retired Activities Director for a continuing care retirement community. I enjoy when she gets up during the worship service and shares a story before offertory. The people listen. 

Helene was a small child at the same church. I remember Helena in Vacation Bible School tie dying a tee shirt. She is now an elementary school teacher. Helene recently helped with gathering donations for Mary Place's at church.  She drives Berlena to church and maybe other places.

After church I had lunch with Helene, Berlena and, our friend, Carol at local pizzeria. It was joyful. I felt the love between Berlena and Helene.

I reflected upon our lunch and my doubt slowly dissipated. Berlena had taught me how it was to appreciate activities and life enrichment as one ages. Helene gave me hope for an up and coming generation, who will take my place some day.

My doubt left me as I made a hat on Sunday late night and one last that will be complete tonight. Living Stones will continue for one more year and a picture is worth a few words that remove doubt and share love.

Sayng Good Bye & Learning A Lesson

This is me with my friend and big brother, David Deyo. He passed away the first week of December. He came out of homelessness to use his intellect and skills to work for Amazon. He recently started working for a start up. 

David was a man of faith and his light will continue to shine upon all who walked with him on this earth.

I have learned a lesson to share. Many of us do not want to consider our deaths. I encourage you to have your Wills and durable power of attorneys for financial and health completed along with preplanning your funeral.

If you have items that you might use someday, donate them to a thrift shop. Let someone else put them to use and proceeds received from your donation help a nonprofit or others in need. Don't leave them for others to sort. Pay it forward while you can.

Congratulations Living Stones Ministries Rock On! Volunteers

Congratulations to Living Stones Ministries Rock On! volunteers for making, distributing and donating more than 1,000 hats to the homeless on the streets of Seattle. They also donated hats and socks to feeding programs and churches. https://lnkd.in/gicSzu5 hashtag#volunteering hashtag#socks hashtag#hats hashtag#churches hashtag#ministries hashtag#seniors hashtag#purpose hashtag#warmth

Give & Receive

I have made a few Christmas posts as of recent due to those who may be feeling blue as a professional or resident. No matter what has been on my mind professionally or personally, I intentionally set aside time to volunteer or pay it forward during the week. Three years ago, I was consulting with a skilled nursing facility (SNF). I was on a care floor. I felt a tug on my suit jacket. It was the sweetest elderly woman in a wheelchair. She shared about not having living family or friends and how she missed having a gingerbread house. I decided to make her one, and the team members liked the idea. I asked the resident what she would like as part of the house. She wanted reindeer poop on the roof and yellow snow in the front lawn. The resident had passed a couple days before. I was not called since I was not family, DPOA or guardian. I understood. Thinking about the resident. I walked out of the SNF with the gingerbread house. I had an idea. My neighbor, who is in his mid-80's always gifts me See's Assorted Peppermints. I make him a gift, including a hat, bath salts and his favorite: "shea butter Christmas yellow snowflake soap." He was naughty that year! He will find joy and cheer with the gingerbread house.

Tis the Season...Merry Christmas!

Tis the season...Seattle’s 106.9 started playing Christmas music 24/7 today. This will last until after New Year’s. I will not say, “Holiday Music.” I plan to greet each of you with a “Merry Christmas!” as I wear my Santa hat!

I will do this because I show respect to people and their beliefs or non belief throughout the year.

The following happened to me last year: “Two young held the door at the QFC. I was delighted. I thanked them and then said, ‘Merry Christmas.’ They were beyond belief that I said, ‘Merry Christmas, not Happy Holidays.’ I took a moment and shared why. It had to do with love, respect, acceptance and  my faith. I smiled and hobbled into the store.

The same two young men approached me a few nights later on the street. They smiled and said in unison, ‘Merry Christmas.’  I smiled back and said, ‘Happy Holidays.’ They wondered why. They had shown me respect. I showed them respect in return. I had two overloaded bags of hats, socks and gloves as I attempted to navigate the streets to handout the goodies as I used my cane and the rain came down and wind blew. These two men carried my bags and talked with the homeless. They also wished them a ‘Merry Christmas.’

Once everything was handed out, we hugged each other. I’ve never seen them, again. Thinking about it...we never asked each other our names. We didn’t need to it was all about the moment.

Merry Christmas!