Warm Hearts

 

An early snow was expected. Amanda’s son had outgrown his coat, even though he wore it that week. Tuesday would be his first time to wear his new jacket. When Amanda picked up her children, her older daughter, Jozlynn, mentioned that another boy was wearing Adam’s coat. She assumed it was one that looked like her son’s coat. Later that evening, her daughter commented again about the coat. Jozlynn said Adam had given it away. When questioned, Adam stated, “My friend did not have a warm enough coat to play outside.” Since he still had his old coat in his locker, and it fit his friend, he told him to keep it so he wouldn’t be cold while he waited for the bus. Amanda said, “This story is not about judging anyone. It is about celebrating how our children care for each other.”

Marshall is 70 years old and for the past 13 years he has delivered propane for Mountain Gas Company. Customers call in, order, pay, and then Marshall delivers. As he drove by, he realized that the older couple that lived in the farmhouse on Miller Road had not made a recent order. Marshall stopped, checked the tank, and it showed zero. With the snow and freezing temperatures, he knocked on the door. The older lady came to the door shivering, with blue lips. She explained that their check didn’t come for three more days. It would cost $640 to fill the 20- gallon tank. That’s when Marshall announced that, “The system shows you prepaid. Must’ve been last month’s payment. Computer glitches happen.” The lady cried as he began to fill the tank. That’s when Marshall began checking the tanks for the family with a sick child and the disabled veteran. His savings account was taking a hit as he would “Prepay” their accounts. It wasn’t long before the dispatcher noticed, “Marshall, six deliveries show prepaid but no payments received.” He thought he was going to lose his job, even though he had made the payments. The dispatcher handed Marshall an envelope. “Drivers took a collection. My grandmother froze to death in her home. Couldn’t afford fuel. Keep people warm.” The company started a fund, “Marshall’s Warmth,” to help when needed. The community also contributes. Last week the elderly couple called. “Marshall, we saved up.” They handed him $640 “For your next family facing the cold.”

 

Whatever the season, may we have warm hearts that look for and find ways to help others.

 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

 

Thanks Giving and Living

 

"It's not what we say

about our blessings,

but how we use them,

that is the true measure

of our thanksgiving.”

~ W.T. Purkiser

 

 

“Give thanks not just on

Thanksgiving Day, but every day

of your life. Appreciate and

never take for granted all

that you have.”

~ Catherine Pulsifer

 

 

“BE KIND,

BE THOUGHTFUL,

BE GENUINE,

BUT MOST OF ALL,

BE THANKFUL.”

~ Toby Mac

 

 

“Gratitude is awesome to carry

but can really be contagious

when it’s communicated.

Let’s not just savor our thanks…

let’s also express it.”

~ Unknown

 

 

“The more

thankful we are,

the more

blessings we see.”

~ Mary Davis

 

 

“Thanksgiving is a

spiritual exercise

necessary to the building

of a healthy soul.”

~ Elisabeth Elliot

 

 

“When we realize we aren’t

entitled to anything, we become

grateful for everything.”

~ John Cena

 

 

“May our lives and the words we speak

and the work we do for him [G0d]

be a living expression of our gratitude

for all he has done for us.

Let’s say our thanks in prayer

and live our thankfulness in practice.”

~ Kirk Lewis

 

 

Especially during these days, may our gratitude be expressed in words and deeds.

 

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

Colossians 3:17

 

More Than Just a Game

On Saturday, November 8, 2025, #8 ranked Brigham Young Cougars and #9 Texas Tech Red Raiders competed in a football game in Lubbock, Texas.  The matchup was chosen to be featured on College GameDay. Although the hype was big for the game, there were two other events that highlighted fans at their best.

In 2019, BYU started “Cougs Care.” For every away football game, they support a non-profit in the city hosting the game. Last week, both BYU and Texas Tech joined together to support Literacy Lubbock, which teaches people to read and offers classes and tutoring. Andy Reid played football for Brigham Young University and Patrick Mahomes was quarterback for Texas Tech. Before the rival game, they made a commercial to encourage fans to join with Texas Tech fans in bringing new or gently used books to the game to donate to Literacy Lubbock. More than 6,350 books have been donated.

 

Although it is usually considered “hate the other school week,” something happened to change the focus of the rivalry. Ivan Ortiz is the team barber for the Red Raiders. A few weeks ago, his wife, Maddie, was critically injured in a drunk driver accident.  She has serious injuries and a long road to recovery. Being with his wife in ICU and taking care of their three-year-old son, Ivan was not able to work for a few weeks. To help with mounting bills, a GoFundMe page, “Help Support Maddie’s Road to Recovery,” was set up to raise $25,000. On Tuesday of game week, Devin Payne, a BYU fan, shared about the fundraiser with Cougar Nation and asked the Brigham Young fans to participate. After his invitation, the fund jumped significantly overnight! ESPN analyst, Kirk Herbstreit, who was in Lubbock to call the game, gave $5,000. An anonymous donor matched the $5,ooo. In honor of BYU’s 1984 national championship team, Travis Kimball, co-founder of Quick Quack Car Wash donated $1984. As of Friday, with both teams’ fans contributing, $192,431 has been raised! Ivan has been overwhelmed with the response. He commented, “God is good. I’m lost for words, seeing how far our story has touched others during this difficult time. We’re not prepared for trauma, nor do we know how to handle the situation. I appreciate everyone for the continued prayers and helping us during this time.” Joey McGuire, Texas Tech head coach, along with other Tech fans, have also expressed thanks to the generosity, compassion, and thoughtfulness of the Brigham Young and Texas Tech fans.

 

One fan summed it up, “We talk a lot in sports about rivalries, competition, and passion. But every now and then, a moment like this reminds us that the heart of sports isn’t just about who wins or loses on Saturday. It’s about community. It’s about showing up for each other, even – and especially – when the jersey colors don’t match. BYU fans didn’t just support a family in need. They reminded us all what the spirit of college football can be at its best.”

 

Whatever sport, event, or activity, may we also find ways to help, encourage, and bless others.                  

 

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

1 Thessalonians 5:11