A Thousand Acts of Kindness

Here's what the 8th Graders are thinking: "God is a perfect God with everlasting love and kindness. There is no boundary to His kindness, which gives Him full power to love us and help us when we need it." "I know that God will be right beside me wherever and whenever in my life. He will also guide me in the hard choices that I will make. God knows my fears, stresses, and doubts. I know that I can depend on Him when I need his help in life." "He knows right now I am finding who I am and that is comforting... He knows me better than I know myself." It is amazing how God will always be with me... It is just so weird that I don't deserve any of this, yet God will never let me down. There is a love and comfort He gives that nothing in the universe can match. God is my ultimate example, and I want to reflect what He does for me by doing for others...this is not easy, but I will do all I can... "God wants us to reflect His image. I want Go...

Thank you, LORD, for so many opportunities to extend the kindness you give us to those around us! Here is what the 8th graders were up to today: "I helped someone understand something in his band music, and he did the best he had ever done." "My church youth group went shopping for PCYC. It is for people in need to buy Christmas presents and toys for their children." "Our former bus driver is in a quilting group with my mom. My mom made a super cute pillow but didn't know how to finish it, so Marion did it for her." "I filled an Operation Christmas Child box with a lot of stuff for a preschooler in Africa." "Mr. Lamfers has been driving everyone around all week and we REALLY APPRECIATE that!" "My mom and aunt helped by Grandpa clean out his house and decorate it for Christmas. It took them at least a couple of hours." "My dad drove me and a friend to JAM and back even though he had work to do. He took th...

At School: 2 hungry students were fed. One thanks to Mrs. J and some pizza found in the freezer, the other thanks to sweet-hearted girls who shared their lunches 3 more doors were held. This is a popular way to make someone else's life a little bit easier And act of compassion was shared and observed Someone picked up gum. Already been chewed. Really Gross. But now--not stuck on the bottom of someone's shoe! An act of bravery as well as kindness. And on a related note: My piano teacher has a mat outside her door and it was super icy on one side--the side everyone walks on. We flipped it so people wouldn't slip. Stories are also starting to come in from the community! Here are a few: From Jordyn F:      A good friend and boss helped me clean my classroom after the kids left. From Jenna R:        I was working with a 4th grade student this morning who needed to use the restroom, when he was finished and washing his hands he clea...

2 more doors were held by the King of the Door Holders. When one wears SHORTS in DECEMBER, this is a sacrifice! The Kindness Kid and a Sweet Sister also got in on the Door Holding Action. Thanks for adding to our tally and for welcoming others in! Band equipment was set up and gym equipment was chased after. Glad nothing got away! Compliments abound! One for someone who needed it today, one for someone who's artistic efforts needed it, and a bunch from a Very Caring Math Teacher (Miss Johnson--your notes made a difference to us! We love you!). A student observed a Target employee (A former Calvin student!) going out of his way to assist another Target employee who has difficulty walking. AND FINALLY, A commendation from a teacher:      "I noticed last week that Katie in 8th grade bought hot chocolate from Snack Shack for her classmates  instead of using her money to buy something larger just for herself." A story from an Avail parent: It was a ...

From a class discussion today: Right now 1,000 Acts seem very far away. Should we have made our goal 500? NO!! A Thousand is an awesome goal, and WE CAN DO IT!

So many small ways to make an impact! Here's what's happening in the Kindness department: "I was at Old Navy and waiting in line at the register. There was a little girl in her stroller screaming. I learned her name was Nora and she was super cute. I made her smile and that made her mom happy." "I was in the car at the parking lot at Target waiting for my mom. There were carts all over, and I watched a random person gather them all up so the Target employee didn't have to do it and be out in the cold." "I cleaned the kitchen for my mom so she could take a nap. She's going to have a baby soon and she was really tired." "My mom had to work over time--really late, so I did the dishes." "I held the door for a couple of 7th grade girls. I had to stand there a loooong time--they took forever!" "I also did the dishes. The world is now a much cleaner place."

It is Monday, and Katie made Pots de Crème for our class! She is a super good cook and the treat was FABULOUS. Kindness tasted good today!

Hi Mrs. Amen! Today I saw that one of the older ladies at my church was sitting alone and wanted someone to talk to. So I decided that it would be friendly to sit down and talk with her. I ended up talking with her about school and relationships and I had a nice time but she seemed happy with my company which made me feel glad. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to do this!