Big Hearts

This past summer, 13-year-old Zac Waters of Lehi, Utah, was excited to have more time to design and make things on his 3D printer. After watching several videos, Zac decided he wanted to make something that would be helpful for someone. He connected with MakeGood, an organization that makes devices for people with disabilities. After meeting, Zac decided to make a wheelchair for a 21-month-old little girl he had never met. It took more than 300 hours to design, print, test, take apart, and rebuild his project. Much of the wheelchair was pink, since that was the little girl’s favorite color. Zac also made a removable tray and a footrest and headrest that are adjustable. When asked why he made the wheelchair, Zac responded, “It combines my two favorite things in life, 3D printing and helping people.” His grandmother, Charlotte Waters, watched and commented, “His age does not define his ability to make a difference. His character does.”

It didn’t take long for Tanner Wilson to realize that it was becoming more difficult for his friend Brandon Qualls to get to class in his manual wheelchair at Caddo Hills High School. By the time he wheeled himself down the long hallways, Brandon’s arms were exhausted. Tanner knew he needed to do something to help. He began saving as much of the money he earned at his part-time job at the mechanic shop in town. After two years, there was finally enough money saved to purchase the electric wheelchair. Tanner surprised Brandon at school with his new mode of transportation. The teachers had his name and flames printed in orange, his favorite color, on the chair. Brandon burst into tears when he realized what his friend had done to make his life easier.

 

Simon Starnes, a 14-year-old from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, volunteers at Sister BJ’s Pantry which serves the homeless. He noticed the tables were old, splintered, and warped. Even though he had very little carpentry experience at first, Simon decided he wanted to make new tables as his Eagle Scout project. With the help of his dad, Scouts in Troop 21, and other volunteers, Simon was able to present four new tables to Sister Barbara Joseph Foley. For Sister BJ the new tables “created a cleaner, safer and more welcoming place where guests and volunteers could sit, eat, talk and connect with one another.”

 

May we, too, have big hearts when it comes to helping people.

 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

John 13:34

 

Thoughts That Inspire Action

 

"Tip your server.

Return your shopping cart.

Pick up a piece of trash.

Hold the door for the person behind you.

Let someone into your lane.

Small acts have a ripple effect.

That’s how we change the world.”

~ Mindful Christianity

 

 

“It doesn’t matter

how old you are

or where you come from…

manners, kindness,

respect and compassion

will always be the

signs of a descent

human being.”

~ Xiaoyu Sultan

 

 

“Chase What Matters!”

~ Bruce Hayes

 

 

“My concern is not whether God

is on our side; my greatest

concern is to be on God’s side,

for God is always right.”

~ Abraham Lincoln

 

 

“WHAT YOU GET BY

ACHIEVING YOUR GOALS

IS NOT AS IMPORTANT

AS WHAT YOU BECOME

BY ACHIEVING

YOUR GOALS.”

~ Zig Ziglar

 

 

“We can know for certain at

least three things that are

God’s will for every Christian:

to rejoice always,

to be persistent in prayer,

and to live with an attitude

of gratitude in all things.”

~ Dr. David Jeremiah

 

 

“One of the most underrated qualities

a person can have is consideration,

the ability to pause and think about

how your words, actions, and choices

affect someone else.”

~ Ruth Schwerk

 

 

“The world will always

have a lot to say.

I pray God’s voice

is always louder.”

~ Toby Mac

 

 

“Small steps every day

lead to big changes

over time.”

~ Unknown

 

 

“You become what you

repeat…your habits

become your identity.”

~ Jim Rinella

 

 

May our thoughts lead to worthy words, deeds, and actions.

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

 

Intentional Blessings

 

Nehemiah Turner, an 11-year-old from Jacksonville, Florida, is the first child to log in 100 hours for the Humane Society’s Pawsitive Reading Program. For two years, Nehemiah has volunteered his time to go to the shelter and read to the homeless dogs.

Garbage day is a favorite for 3-year-old Davi, who lives in Goias, Brazil. He eagerly awaits the arrival of his friends. When his mother, Rafaela Miranda, asked what kind of birthday party he would like, he chose breakfast with the “garbage guys.” On July 7, as the truck rounded the corner, the men saw a table set with a birthday cake, decorated with garbage trucks, juices, coffee, fruit, and bread. The men hugged Davi and said, “It’s his birthday, but the gift is ours.”

 

Kayzen Hunter, from Arkansas, overheard that his favorite waiter at Waffle House, Devonte Gardner, was having trouble paying his rent and he needed more reliable transportation so he could get to work. Kayzen told his parents about the conversation and said he wanted to help Devonte. His family started a fundraiser, in hopes of raising enough to purchase a car. As the story spread, $100,000 was raised. Devonte was able to get a car and move his family to another apartment.

 

After visiting his sister in Boston, Tim Cook was flying home to Portland. Since Tim is blind and deaf, he was guided to his seat on the plane. Unable to communicate with their passenger, the flight attendants asked the other people on the flight if anyone knew American Sign Language. Clara Daly, 15, had studied ASL for a year and volunteered to help. Water was Tim’s first request. When Clara checked on Tim later, he was ready to “talk.” Clara spent the rest of the flight spelling words into Cook’s hand and he then spelled words and messages to her. She later said, “I believe I was meant to be on that flight. Most people never find out why they were somewhere until years later, if they ever do.”

 

Whether it is one on one or joining in with others, may we, too, have tender and generous hearts that lead us to intentionally bless others.

 

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

1 Timothy 6:18