Monday, November 15, 2010

Write a Note...Emails Don't Count!

Yesterday, I was involved in a conversation with some 11th-12th grade students. They were asked to reflect on what church was like when they were younger, and one young man said that he remembered a particular volunteer dressing up as a cow. He then muddled under his breath, "I should send her a note". One of the teachers of the class JUMPED on it and said, "YES, YOU SHOULD!" The cow-costumed volunteer doesn't even attend our church anymore, but the young man recognizes the importance of saying "thanks" to someone who has impacted his life...no matter what the significance...and no matter how long ago it was!

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak in chapel for the elementary school that is part of our church ministry. I just opened a Thank-You note from one of the classes - signed by each one of the children in that class.

As a matter of chat...

There is nothing more refreshing and encouraging than a word of encouragement or thanks! I attempt to write a stack of thank-you and encouragement notes every week. There are so many people that help me along life's journey, even in simple ways. I need to constantly open my eyes to the support of others, and to THANK them for it!

Who has blessed you this week?

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

People Watching (Part 1)

I LOVE to people watch. I’m not sure if it is because I’m nosey, or if I’m just interested in God’s most creative creation, but I love it. When I was younger, my sisters and I used to sit on boardwalk benches at the beach and watch all the interesting people go by. We would often make up scenarios and have pretend conversations as if we were the people we were watching. We spent hours laughing.

Airports, I find, are one of the most intriguing places to do this. I’m always curious where people are heading, and why. There are so many stories wrapped up in one place. I see military men heading away from their families for long periods of time, and others who are returning from being away from just as long. I see people headed home for college breaks, off to a romantic honeymoon or on a business trip.

I always wonder if all these people reading books read so much in “the real world”, or just in airports. I think a lot of people try to appear professional, interesting and tech savvy in airports. As if any one of the strangers watching them will ever remember them!

The slightly more creeper-ish activity I enjoy is eves-dropping. But then again, I assume if people are talking loud enough that everyone in the boarding area can hear them, they probably want everyone to know what they’re talking about. Which…

As a matter of chat…

What would I spend $11,000 on? Would a golfing vacation in Ireland be good? If I had to spend it on a vacation, where would I go? What would I do? If I could spend it on anything I wanted to, would it be a vacation? An object? An experience? Or would I give it away? $11,000 feeds a lot of hungry people.