When I asked a friend to go bike riding with me back in November, I never dreamed it was the beginning of an activity group at my church, later named, Shepherd of the Hills In Motion. There are going to be 13 of us from the group doing a triathlon in October! Just two of us have done triathlons before, everyone else is new. We bike, run or walk, and swim. Not everyone does everything, but some do. I feel God's hand on this group. What a blessing to have had a part in forming this group. God is very good.

Growing up in Texas, I was exposed to a lot of prejudice. At home, my parents told me not to judge a person by the color of his skin. But, unfortunately, sometimes prejudice rears it's ugly head. I was around 20 years old, working and went to the grocery store during my lunch hour. I didn't have much time, so I was in a hurry. I got in the checkout line behind a black woman who was purchasing a lot of items. I had only one item. I remember thinking to myself, "Black people are so self-centered, she would never even think of letting me go in front of her." No sooner than that thought finished, this sweet woman turned to me with a smile on her face and said, "Honey, is that all you're buying, why don't you go in front of me."

My daughter's first day of high school, freshman year, while she was eating lunch with her friends, she noticed a girl eating alone. She approached her and asked her to join them. She did. Turns out she had just moved in to the area and didn't know anyone yet. That simple act, made a huge difference in that young girl's first day in a new school. The following Christmas, my daughter received a very sweet card from her telling my daughter how much her kindness that first day meant to her. Simple acts can change lives. I'm very proud of my daughter's sweet spirit.