Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

 

During lunch on Easter Sunday, a delivery truck driver dropped off a package at the Bonow house. The family quickly put together a plate of food and their oldest son, Elijah, ran it out to the man to let him know he was thought of and appreciated.

Mr. Wade had finished a long day at work and headed home. As he pulled up into the driveway, he noticed the young boy, that lived across the street, was playing with his red firetruck. Mr. Wade walked across the street, greeted Roman, and sat down on the sidewalk to play and visit for a few minutes. Roman’s mom watched from the front yard and commented, “My boy doesn’t need a lot. Then there are moments like this when someone chooses to stop, to sit, to stay. And somehow, Mr. Wade always does.”

 

In a conversation, Lou Holtz once told Kristin West, “When I would recruit, I’d go into the player’s house and see how he treated his mother.”  

 

Arun Pandit tells the story about Jim, a retired football player. He had come to a point where it was time to move out of his house and into an assisted living place. He chose to stay in the same city, even though none of his children lived close by. After moving in, Jim’s ritual became to walk across the street to Starbucks, at 3:00 every afternoon, and purchase a coffee and blueberry muffin. The baristas loved him. They would write notes, jokes, and encouraging messages on his cups and bags. One day Jim missed coming in so one of the young men made his order and walked it across the street to where he lived. With tears in her eyes, the receptionist let him know Jim had passed away the night before. The Starbucks team was saddened with the news. The next day, Jim’s daughter came in and thanked the baristas for being family to him and invited them to his funeral. The afternoon manager made arrangements so they could all go. When the Starbucks employees arrived at the service, they were surprised to see three tables displaying the cups, notes, and bags they had written messages on for Jim. They truly were like family to him.

 

May we, too, show up and make an impact on those around us.

 

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Artemis II

 

"We need

Jesus,

whether on Earth

or circling the

moon.”

Victor Glover

 

Observations about Artemis II:

April 1-10, 2026 – 1st crewed mission to the moon’s vicinity in over 50 years

Commander: Reid Wiseman, 2nd spaceflight

Pilot: Victor Glover, 2nd spaceflight

Mission Specialist 1: Christina Koch, 2nd spaceflight

Mission Specialist 2: Jeremy Hansen, 1st spaceflight

 

Trip around the moon broke record for farthest human spaceflight in history: 252,756 miles

 

Flying behind moon astronauts lost radio contact for 40 minutes

 

First humans to see entire far side of moon which faces away from Earth

 

Named a lunar crater “Carroll,” after Commander Wiseman’s late wife

 

Trained for years to perform mission with excellence

 

Hundreds, if not thousands of people back on earth, had to perform their specific job accurately to ensure a successful mission.

 

Families make great sacrifices for their loved one to train and go into space.

 

Jim Lovell spent 715 hours in space, during 4 missions. Months before his death, on August7, 2025, at age 97, Lovell recorded a message for the four astronauts on Artemis II to hear right before they broke his record of distance traveled. NASA held on to it, without others knowing. On April 6, day 6 of the mission, a few hours before reaching the furthest humans have flown, Jim Lovell’s voice was played, “Hello, Artemis II. This is Apollo astronaut Jim Lovell. Welcome to my old neighborhood.” After talking about Apollo 8, orbiting the moon with Frank Borman and Bill Anders, watching the sunrise, and the lunar horizon, he called each astronaut by name and said, “I’m proud to pass that torch on to you. Don’t forget to take it all in…the beauty, the perspective…the meaning of what you’re doing. Good luck and Godspeed from all of us here on the good Earth.”

 

Glover emphasized, “The mission was an opportunity to appreciate the shared, fragile nature of life.” He urged people to “love God” and “love your neighbor.”

 

Orion splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego.

 

Lucas Ye, a second grader, designed the Artemis II mascot, Rise, that rode in the capsule. Reid Wiseman brought Rise with him when he excited Orion, to make sure he stayed safe.

 

Nikola Sagan stated, “Their mission reminds us that even at the edge of deep space, human connection remains our greatest strength.”

 

I will treasure seeing the anticipation and excitement of 3 generations of our family watching and celebrating the successful reentry and landing of Orion and the four astronauts.

 

What an amazing 10 days of so many people coming together to marvel at space exploration and wish the best for the astronauts and their mission.

 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

 

 

Kindness Blessings

A man came by Helen Bell’s house and offered to mow her lawn. She explained that she didn’t have the money to pay him that day, but invited him to come back later in the week. Soon she heard a loud noise in the yard. Upon opening the door, she saw the man already mowing. When she tried to stop him, he explained that he had seen her children playing in the yard and he didn’t want the tall grass to hide snakes or other things that could hurt them. He hoped that someone might do the same to keep his grandchildren safe, if needed. Helen commented, “Today Johnny showed me what true kindness looks like. I am so thankful to have met him.”

Laura Sheffield works at the Bluebird Tearoom. On Saturday, two twelve-year-old boys came in and ordered a green tea and iced latte. They asked Laura what she would recommend on the menu. In the course of conversation, she found out that the boys save up their money and every three weeks go to a different place to eat, looking for the best in town. When the young men left, Laura found a tip and note: “Thank you so much. Service was great. Food was great.”

 

To offer a creative extra for the high school students, at the school where she teaches in Ohio, Anne Erickson started The Crochet Club. The girls come every week and often bring friends. Conversation and laughter fill the room as they work. The club outgrew Erickson’s classroom and had to move to a larger space. The girls get help learning different stitches. They share yarn, ideas, and even plan holiday service projects. Anne enjoys teaching the teenagers the same stitches her grandmother taught her and delights as the students finish a scarf or learn new stitches. The girls started selling some of their patterns, in order to buy more supplies. They are in the process of making items for their families and charity.

 

May we, too, be willing to do the extra, so that our words and actions bless others with kindness.

 

He (Jesus) replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Luke 11:28