Making a Difference

Okay - we all make a difference in someones life each day. Whether it is a smile we give to a stranger, the laundry we do for our family, going to work to pay our bills or calling a friend who you haven't heard from in a long time. It feels good to make someones day. If you've ever read the book FISH! you know all about how making someones day can effect them.

As Aggies we were encouraged to say "HOWDY!" to everyone and anyone we passed on campus. It was such an uplifting experience to walk across campus being greeted by strangers. Yes, it might seem strange at first, but it truly was great. I can recall later in my college career walking across campus on a blah kind of day and no one was in a chipper, "Howdy!" type of mood. I though "Gee, no one is saying Howdy - what's that all about?" Immediately I realized that I could be the one to make a difference and started handing out Howdys.

A similar experience happened when I worked at Oakwood Intermediate School. After our entire staff read the book FISH! my teammates and I decided to give high fives to all of our coworkers when we passed them in the hall. It was so much fun - some of the teachers thought we were Coo Coo, but it put a smile on their faces! :)

Okay, so why am on on this Make a Difference kick? Through my Sunday school class, I have been keeping up with a family for the past couple of years who are making a HUGE difference in strangers' lives.

Tonya and Kevin Stanfield, along with their 9 year old daughter, Chesney, and their 15 month old son, Asher, are mission workers in Masiphumelele, South Africa. Our Sunday school class has been praying for them and sending them donations since they arrived in Masiphumelele. Receiving updates from them has always been exciting, because they are 2 normal people who have a great passion to be missionaries. The exciting part was this past Sunday - they were in town for the holidays and came to share stories with our class. Their love for the Lord is so evident and their faith in Him is even more powerful!

Tonya said that she and Kevin recognize God's continued faithfulness, but the surprise has come in the "over blessing" He gives. By "over blessing" she means when they have prayed for just enough of whatever they are hoping to accomplish, God has continuously blessed them with that and then some.

Tonya and Kevin's visit was inspiring. Please check out their website to learn more about them and donate if you feel inclined to do so.

http://www.kevandton.com/

So now, it is up to us. Go make a difference in other peoples' lives this year! Had out those blessings left and right. And have fun doing it! (Please don't take this to mean that you need to move to Africa... if you're thinking that you need to read this again from the top!)