Would you be willing to buy Mike a cup of coffee?

Would you be willing to buy Mike a cup of coffee?

My husband Mike is going to be volunteering on the Emmaus Medical Mission this fall. The mission will take a group of doctors, nurses and other volunteers to Mindo, Ecuador . Please follow this link and learn a little bit more about a previous trip made by the Emmaus Medical Mission Team:
http://www6.miami.edu/communications/homepage/mission/

I am so very proud of my husband and my hope is that he will return with a very clear understanding and appreciation of the gift with which he has been blessed. He has the gift of helping others through the combination of the compassion modeled for him by his beneficent Grandmother and his years of experience as a registered nurse. When I watch him lifting his elderly patients with quiet tenderness and firm resolve to do all he can to relieve their pain, my heart wants to burst with love and admiration for the wonderful man I am blessed to call my husband.

I have said this to ask, would you consider contributing to Mike’s mission trip? For the $3-$5 dollars that you would normally spend on your daily cup of coffee, you too can impact the lives of the many people they will serve in Ecuador. Of course, if you would like to donate more, we certainly welcome the contribution!

Today, our friend Rachel Crawford bought Mike his “first cup of coffee”!!! Her contribution was accompanied by a very precious note filled with words of encouragement as he prepares for this journey. Thank you, Rachel for believing whole heartedly that great things are going to happen!

If you would like to “Buy Mike a Cup of Coffee” in support of his participation for this mission trip, please contact me at olive13paloma@yahoo.com

Regardless of whether or not you “Buy Mike a Cup of Coffee”, we humbly ask for your prayers of protection over the entire team as they prepare to travel to Ecuador and touch the lives of others in the very sweet name of our Lord and Savior. May His good name and message be shared not only through words but through actions.

Our God is GOOD -- ALL THE TIME!

Day 2 of RAK Week-

The second Challenge of RAK Week: Smile at 10 strangers today! A sincere smile can make a difference in someone’s day. Without saying a word you are letting that person know that you see them and that they matter. People appreciate being noticed and acknowledged! As Plato said, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” Encourage ten strangers today by smiling:)

Third Kindness Challenge

The third Kindness Challenge of RAK Week: Hold the door open for someone every chance you get today! Holding the door open for someone isn’t just something people do in old movies, it is a great way to be polite and thoughtful. You can easily do this for your family, friends and strangers. Hold the door open every chance you get today—whether you’re at school, the grocery story, work, or at home, those around you will certainly appreciate your good manners. This is such an easy way to share Kindness.

Words for Friends: To Amber from Jenny

There are no words to describe someone like Amber. She is a one of a kind, so I will do my best to introduce you to my lovely friend. I met Amber long ago when we were in charge of a very important part of our lives, "BUSINESS "! We grew up in different places, with different cultures and backgrounds. Although this is true, we managed very quickly to respect each other, enjoy each other’s company and encourage each other’s natural talents. We were very good at what we did and we always had a good time doing it. (We have collected many stories over time that continues to bring us laughter and joy. It was true team work and the beginning of a lifetime friendship. I can happily say until this day that we never fail to amuse ourselves--always bringing a smile or two to each other’s faces.

We have had the blessing of plenty of memories together, from our trips, parties, functions, conferences; meetings and family. Family is where our hearts are right now. This is no doubt the most important thing for us. Our hearts are set on creating a beautiful world for our kids, raising them together as if they were family. We have grown closer day after day. Each day we celebrate the blessing of being in each other’s life.

There is so much to say about this girl, let me just add that there is always grace, class, thoughtfulness and details in everything that she does. I love that about her. For her there are never problems, only solutions and with her soft ways, good manners, common sense and determination. She always gets the job done.

In the most difficult times, when I have been brought to my knees, she has lifted me up with love, kindness, care, confidence, trust, conviction and loyalty-- going against the natural forces in life. She has held my hand, listened to my heart and walked my path by my side.... waiting patiently for that single moment when I may need her again. Her love and confidence in me have kept me going. Because of her, I believe there is nothing that I can't do.

I simply adore her classic style and grace and appreciate all that she is to all of us that are part of her world. I look forward to our Lady's Time, movie night; play dates, coffee breaks or whatever excuses that may allow us to spend time together. May your heart be filled with love and joy today. I am proud to see the beautiful woman that you have become.


On Valentine's Week I just have to say that true friends and true love celebrate together all year long.

I love you my Amber friend.

Day 1 of RAK Week-Note of Appreciation

The first Kindness Challenge of RAK Week: Send a note of appreciation to someone you love today! You can send it to your spouse, significant other, sibling, parent, child, best friend, coach, teacher—anyone who you feel needs a bit of a pick me up. You can even make a list for your loved one highlighting all of the different reasons you appreciate him or her. Once you’ve brainstormed your thoughts, write them neatly in card you’ve chosen, or just send an email. No matter how you decide to share a note of appreciation, be sure to do it today!

Random Act of Kindness (RAK) Week

Random Acts of Kindness Week is Feb 14th to the 20th and for 7 days you are invited to take Extreme Kindness Challenges. A new Act of Kindness will be introduced each day. The mission is to inspire you to act and share. Your act of Kindness is the Ticket to a Kinder World!

Words for Friends: To My Friend Pat

Pat and I met when we were in junior high school. Pat always had the coolest haircuts and best handwriting. Pat and I are now in our forties, and we remain friends to this day. Our lives have taken us in very different directions and we have lived through our separate shares of heartbreaks and joys. Pat married young and had a very difficult marriage, later divorced and lost one of her brothers at an early age. I admire Pat because of her resiliency and ability to remain the same beautiful person I have always known her to be.

As young teens, we were inseparable. We went everywhere together, we laughed together, we cried together. The thing I remember the most about Pat is her absolute loyalty to me. She never judged me for the impoverished lifestyle I lived. She helped me with all my chores including caring for my siblings. I was often left to care for my younger siblings for long periods of time and she helped me prepare meals, do laundry and clean house without ever complaining or appearing bored.

I even remember going over to stay with her at her grandmother’s house where she lived and it being extremely warm because the gas heaters were always on. I remember Pat’s little room with her tiny little clothes rack hanging over the corner of her bed. We had so many fun, giggly times at her grandmother’s house. I loved being there with Pat and her grandmother because it always felt safe.

One particular day, we were at my house when another friend came over to work on a science project with us. Our friend was rarely allowed to be out of her house as her mother was extremely protective and had somewhat of a history for being a little overly dramatic. As we worked away, our friend’s mother can over and started yelling at me, calling me and my family derogatory names, and since there was no adult at home she felt comfortable to come at me and attempt to slap me -- then out of nowhere Pat came running out of the house and shoved her plum off the porch

The three of us just stood in shock, but the mean mother left. I remember thinking that I had never had someone stand up for me that way. And that incident was just one of many times that she proved to be a true friend. When other girls at school were being mean- girls she always took my side—even when I was wrong!

Thank you Pati for teaching me what true friendship means. Thank you for believing in me and standing by my side knowing that I all I had to offer you was my very humble but sincere friendship! I am so blessed to have a friend in you. May God bless you and yours always!