One Foundation

I just have a 'thing' for churches! I like visiting them, exploring them and taking pictures of them. I hope to feature some of those we visit during our weekly wanderings.

South Lake Johanna Lutheran Church

This quaint wooden structure and its surrounding cemetery are nestled peacefully in an oak woods along County Road 37 in Pope County. Although there was still snow all around the day we visited, it was a beautiful day for a walk. So after we finished a wonderful turkey dinner (and Paul continued visiting, of course), my camera and I took a little walk into the sanctuary, around the grounds and down the lane and I chatted with some of the members as I toured.

Words came to mind during my 'walk about'... natural splendor, simple truth and humble beauty.

On my tour, I learned that the congregation was formed 150 years ago and the first structure lasted 56 years before a fire destroyed it. But the faithful folks of the area found the funds to replace it in 1942. And so it stands today as a sign of the faith, determination and priorities of the people who knew the importance of coming together for regular worship experiences.

As I walked up the hill away from the church, I spied this little 'watch duck,' sitting atop a large wooden fence post, keeping a broken eye on the church in the valley.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth where rust and moth corrupt or where thieves break in and steal but lay up treasures in heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:19-21

A Tasty Cup of Kindness

Last week as I was exploring downtown St. Paul, I found the most unique little restaurant called the "Q Kindness Cafe."

It was 2 in the afternoon. I was weary and tired so I wondered into the cheerful little place and was greeted by a man standing behind the counter who explained that they were closing but that I could have something simple like a pastry or something. I ordered a coffee and a homemade oatmeal raisen cookie to go. After I got my treats, he said, "You know, we'll be around here cleaning up for a while if you'd like to sit down." My feet were hurting from all the walking so I accepted his offer and took a seat on a stool at the bar. They offered me a newspaper...it's free with every purchase.


As I sat there, I asked a couple questions about the name of the cafe and it's origin. The waitress, who turned out to be Lisa the owner, began to tell the story which she had undoubtedly told a million times. As she spoke she wiped counters, swept the floor and absolutely glowed with such an infectious smile and zest for life that I couldn't help but want to know more. It seems that she and her husband started this cafe to serve good food and lots of kindness.

At the Q, they believe in handing out random acts of kindness ....and they do it all the time. Somehow, it always seems to come back to them in some way, shape or form. As we visited, a teenage girl ran in and asked Lisa a question. "We'd love it," Lisa said. And just like that, the girl began to sing...and wow, could she sing!

There's a hero, if you look inside your heart,

You don't have to be afraid of what you are,

There's an answer, If you reach into your soul,

And the sorrow that you know will melt away...

The sound of two people clapping brought a smile to the young girl's face and she sang another song before she went running out the door to get back to class. Lisa explained that there's a charter school for the arts that is housed upstairs from the Q and kids from there drop by all the time to share their talents...and a little kindness.

Up near the counter, there's a large roulette wheel of kindness. All around the wheel, there are names of things you can buy at the cafe. . . a muffin, a cookie, a cup of coffee, etc. and some spaces have things to do written on them --acts of kindness. You spin the wheel and pay for or do whatever it lands on. The agreement is that if you pay for something, the next person to come in and order that item will get it free and you will have performed a random act of kindness. You will probably never know whose day you brightened or how they felt but Lisa assures me that there's a special joy that goes with having given unselfishly of yourself to someone else. "I've seen grown men moved to tears when some kind person pays for their cup of coffee," said Lisa. "It's just heartwarming."

Lisa's a big fan of paying it forward. You know, it's true...when I return a favor, only two people are involved but when I turn around and do something for another person, that's how this whole kindness thing spreads!

Check out their Website: http://www.qkindness.com/
or become a 'fan' on Facebook: The Q Kindness Cafe.
Lisa is always posting new ways to spread a little joy.

I enjoyed my visit to the little cafe, tucked into the center of the big city. As I left, I saw the little bowl of kindness quotes by the door. I picked one up and it said, "Kindness is infectious...pass it on. And I will!

At the Q Kindness Cafe, the 'Q' stands for 'Quality' ...and 'Kindness' is always on the menu.

It's RAK Week!

February 14 - 20 is Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) Week. Did you know that?

I've always liked the spirit of giving without expecting anything in return...no praise...no refund....no acknowledgement...so I decided to see if I could find ways to celebrate RAK Week this year.

Of course there's a Random Acts of Kindness Website (actsofkindness.org). As I read different ways to observe this RAK Week, I decided that, at least in the small town I'm from, there's a lot of RAKing going on day-to-day --it's really not such a rare thing. And of course we claim 'Minnesota Nice' as a virtue.

So, my immediate mission will be to spread some kindness and take note of others doing the same. So, here are a few RAKs I've spotted so far:

*****
I walked from the dentist's office to the coffee shop and saw an older woman doing the "Minnesota shuffle" across a huge patch of ice, guiding herself with a cane. A young person came up from behind and offered her arm in assistance. I could tell that they didn't know each other, yet the two of them continued across the slippery spot, arm-in-arm. A few words were shared and they parted.

*****
I spotted a 'chunk-kicker.' A young man was trying in vain to remove a huge chunk of ice/snow that had built up in the wheel well of his small vehicle. A big, rather burly guy made a bee-line across the sidewalk, gave it one crack with his steel-toed work boots and the chunk fell like a rock to the pavement. They exchanged a laugh, a handshake and each went on his way.

*****
Visiting the local grocery story after work, I stood in the checkout line behind a child who was purchasing a gallon of milk...and a candy bar. When the cashier said the total amount due, the child was a few coins short, probably because of tax on the candy bar. The cashier looked at the wide-eyed child, reached in his own pocket and made up the difference. The boy thanked the cashier who then said, "You're welcome...now enjoy that candy bar, ya hear?"

*****
It took me a while to get into the mode of actually finding ways to spread a little kindness but watching others has given me some new ideas. The acts of kindness I noticed were simple. It's about making a difference, one kind act at a time!

Okay...your turn. Start noticing random acts of kindness in your workplace, community or home. I know you'll be moved to share a little more kindness of your own. Let me know how it goes.

Sometimes You Gotta Prime the Pump!

Okay...I'm back! I haven't been gone, sick or in any way incapacitated...I just couldn't get myself going this year to get some blogging done.

I'll blame it on the Blogger's Law: The more one forces one's self to write a blog, the more one's mind becomes a total blank.

Speaking of laws, here are a few more you may not have heard of before. I didn't write them, but I do abide by many of them.

Law of the Bath - When the body is fully immersed in water, the telephone will ring.

Variation Law - If you change lines (or traffic lanes), the one you were in will always move faster than the one you are in now (works every time).

Law of the Result - When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Law of Biomechanics - The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.

Law of the Theater/Arena - At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle, always arrive last.

The Coffee Law - As soon as you sit down to a cup of hot coffee, someone will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.

Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.

Brown's Law of Physical Appearance - If the clothes fit, they're ugly.

Oliver's Law of Public Speaking - A closed mouth gathers no feet.

Wilson's Law of Commercial Marketing Strategy - As soon as you find a product that you really like, they will stop making it.

Doctors' Law - If you don't feel well, make an appointment to go to the doctor, by the time you get there you'll feel better. But if you don't make an appointment, and you'll stay sick...for sure!

Oh Holy Night!

We visited a live nativity in a neighboring town over the weekend. The display was set up by a group of people in front of their church. Many visitors stood around. Somebody read the Christmas story. And the snowflakes fell softly. It was a scene from a snow globe.

When we walked up to the stable, we passed the corral, built with logs and tied together with old rope. The smell of fresh straw was everywhere. And there were other smells.

A donkey stood with it's owner and figeted in the fresh snow. In the corral was a sheep with a thick and matted coat. Three precious little boys stood as proud as could be beside the lone sheep. They were dressed in plaid robes and were well padded ...almost fluffy. Their mittened hands held curved sticks. One of the little guys had very thick glasses on that kept slipping down his little nose. No doubt his hands were so cold and numb that he forgot that he was holding a stick because he moved to push up his glasses and struck himself in the face with his shepherd's staff. He looked like he wanted to cry...but he remembered that he had a job to do. He was to keep watch over his flock of one...like a good shepherd would. So he stood tall and stared straight ahead, holding back the tears.

Seated on a straw bale on the other side of the stable were two little angels. They, too were well padded and fluffy. Their faces glowed with the cold of the evening and their little pink boots stuck straight out as they sat tall on that straw bale. When I moved closer to take their picture, they both smiled the most angelic smiles I had seen in a long while.

As a little choir of church people began to sing a carol, the donkey chimed in with his awkward off-key bray.

I felt calm and at peace. And I walked away feeling warm and happy....and ready!

Mission Accomplished...I'm on a roll!

Remember the baby cardigan project? (Number 2 of 9 incomplete needlework projects) I'm happy to say, I finished it up just in time for grandbaby's first birthday....and it fit!

Poor little guy was feeling a bit under the weather and was running a temp when I grabbed him and started shoving his chubby little arms into the sleeves...I just wanted to see it on him once before he outgrew it. (Yeah, it won't be long.) He even sort of gave me a smile...we snapped a photo and then he wanted it off....right now!

If that's the first and last time he wears it, I'm okay with that.

Time to dig out the next incomplete project.

Yup, Winter's Here!

Without any warning and without my permission

Winter swept in, looking for submission.

I won’t surrender…I won’t be cold,

But I shiver so easily...I must be getting old!



I’ll not grab my sweater I’ll not wrap it tight

To swaddle myself...it just ain’t right.

I pledge to stand firm...to get up on my feet,

And march right over......and turn up the heat!