Sunday, December 9, 2012

Intentional

I was talking to my friend Danielle the other day about my 100 acts of kindness project.  She loves what I am doing, but we were talking about what "counts" and what doesn't.  We were trying to figure out what a "random" act of kindness was and couldn't really figure it out.  Does doing something nice for a friend count?  Or would it only count if it's someone I don't know?  What if I planned it out?  There were a lot of unanswered questions.

Please remember that the purpose of this project is for me and for the Lord.  I want to glorify Him by serving others.  Hebrews 13:16 speaks to this.  This project is not to make anyone think I am an awesome person or anything like that.  The reason I am posting it on here is to give others ideas on how to serve in small ways.  I found out about the project through blog posts like this, so I thought it may help someone else in the future.

Upon reflection, I've decided to change my project name.  The acts I am doing are not random at all, they are intentional.  I have created this project to intentionally serve people, not randomly do nice things.  Therefore, I'm changing the name to "100 intentional acts of kindness" to be completed whenever it happens.  No deadlines.  No stress.  Just serving.

Please pray that my intentions stay true to Him through this project and I never boast about what I am doing, but tell people with humility.  Also pray that I can tell others about Him in this process!

Thanks for all of your love and support!


Hot Chocolate

Date: December 7, 2012
Time: 5:15pm
Location: Carrier Library
Number: 6

Danielle and I were working on our Education finals in the library when we decided we needed to take a break and get something from Starbucks.  I didn't know if I actually wanted hot chocolate or not, but ordered it anyway and decided just to give it to someone that was studying.  I saw one of my sorority sisters working on something.  I decided that would be the perfect person to give it to.  I didn't know her very well.  There are 182 of us and getting to know that many people in a short three months is too hard.

I went up to her and let her know that I bought it for her.  She was confused as to why I would buy it for her, but I just explained what I was doing and she was happy to take it and thanked me.  She even posted a picture on Facebook.

Giving coffee has been my favorite act of kindness so far.  Everyone is so surprised when I ask to buy it for them or give it to them.  It is an awesome chance to talk about God, but I haven't taken it so far.  I guess for me it is a scary thing to do.  I'm afraid of rejection, but I need to get over it.  God put this project on my heart, so I need to glorify Him as much as possible through it.  Pray for courage that I can talk about Him when working for Him.

Here are some photos of the hot cocoa!

This is the one Paige took and posted on Facebook!



Housekeeping

Date: December 6, 2012
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: Chappelear Hall
Number: 5

I have always made an effort to say, "Thank you" to the housekeepers at JMU.  They do a lot to keep our campus clean.  The ladies in my dorm are very sweet and always tell us to have a nice day.  I appreciate that!  It is nice knowing that they really do care about us as people as much as we care about them.  Unfortunately, they don't get a lot of credit.  As bad as it sounds, we sort of expect them to keep the bathrooms and hallways clean in the dorm.

I was working on a paper and somehow came up with the idea to write them a note.  You can see the note below, but I wanted to thank them for what they do and make sure they know they're appreciated. It was nice to know that all but one of the kisses I left was still there the next morning.  I love the honesty of JMU.  It may sound crazy, but when getting food most people leave their wallets at the table to save their seats.  That's just how it is here.

Anyway, here are some pictures to show you what I did!



Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Campbell's Soup

Date: December 5, 2012
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Chappelear Hall
Act Number: 4

Today I've been on a roll!  This is my third random act of kindness today.  I feel kind of strange calling them random since I'm actively trying to figure out different things I can do for others.  Regardless I am still working to bless others.

I was at Target getting presents for the Angel Tree (read more here), turned the corner, and saw that canned food was on sale for $0.75.  While I don't have a ton of money, I figured spending a few extra dollars to help out those less fortunate was worth it.  I grabbed four soups and headed for the checkout!

I knew my dorm was having a food drive, but had no idea what it was for.  I asked one of the RAs and she said she was taking it to Kroger to donate to their food drive.  I honestly don't know where the food is going to, but I would imagine it is going to those who need it, so I was happy to help.  Unfortunately there was not much food in the bin, but it was good to see that people were donating clothes as well!



Hebrews 13:16 

Angel Tree

Date: December 5, 2012
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: James Madison University
Act Number: 3

Today one of my sisters in Alpha Delta Pi posted a link to a Google Doc with a few families' needs listed for the Angel Tree project Phi Mu is participating in.  I guess they needed some help taking care of all of the families and asked us to join in on the giving!  I was happy to sign up to purchase toys for two little boys ages three and five.  I love boys this age, so I knew I'd love to help give them a Christmas they may not have otherwise.

The top picture is for the five year old and the one under for the three year old.  I hope they like their gifts!




Hebrews 13:16

Chai Latte

Date: December 5, 2012
Time: 2:15 pm
Location: Carrier Library
Act Number: 2

I knew I wanted to continue my random acts of kindness in the library today because everyone, and I mean everyone, is stressing about finals.  The Starbucks workers are making tons of drinks, the students are studying, and the librarians are working hard to make sure students are using the library to the fullest.

Of all of these people, I feel like the librarians are appreciated least.  I decided to bless her by buying her a drink from Starbucks.  Our conversation went something like this:

Librarian: How can I help you?
Me: Actually, I wanted to do something for you.  Can I buy you something from Starbucks?
Librarian: smiles What? Why?
Me: Well I just wanted to do something nice and let you know that you are appreciated.
Librarian: Okay, well I don't want you to have to wait in that long line.
Me: Oh that's okay, I was going to anyway.

She was shocked that someone was treating her.  She couldn't stop smiling, which meant I couldn't stop smiling.  I was nervous at first.  I didn't know what she would say and I didn't really know how to go about asking her what she wanted.  Luckily, she was very sweet and it all worked out.  She was even concerned for me to spend my time in the line, but I was planning on it before asking her for her order.

She gave me her order of a Chai Latte with nonfat milk and I went to get it for her.  When I dropped it off, I left a note along with it.  She was in the middle of a conversation, so I just handed it to her, smiled, and walked away.

It is such a great feeling knowing that you made someone happy!








Pretzels

Date: December 4, 2012
Time: 10:45 pm
Location: East Campus Library
Act Number: 1

Yesterday I completed my first random act of kindness!  I was in the library for an eternity working on a history paper and went to get a snack.  I had been thinking about what my first pay it forward act would be all day.  I had decided I would leave a note on the vending machine with $1.50, but realized I didn't actually have the cash to do that.  Instead, I bought a bag of pretzels with my dining dollars from the vending machine and left them somewhere for someone to enjoy!

I wrote on an index card and left it by a water fountain in ECL.  It really felt great getting to bless someone.  I have no idea who got the pretzels, but they were gone when I left around 11:45 pm, so I know someone got it.





Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Random Acts of Kindness

Today marks the beginning of my journey to bless 100 people through random acts of kindness and paying it forward.
From Google Images
I've been on Pinterest for the last half hour and am impressed with the work people have been doing to pay it forward in our country during this rough economic time.  I don't have much money as a college student, but there is still plenty I can do to pay it forward.  God has placed this on my heart, so I am going to obey his commands.

I am going to post on here every time I perform a random act of kindness.  These blog posts are NOT meant to be seen as boastful, but are to encourage all of you to join me on this journey.  It might take me a year to complete 100 random acts of kindness, but I am going to do it!


Proverbs 22:9
A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.