Unexpected Legacy

 He died. 75 years old. His funeral was filled with many people but what caught the funeral director by surprise was that the majority was young people. Not many young people attened funerals and all of them certainly couldn't be grandchildren. Curiosity got the best of him and finally pulled one of the young men aside as the man was leaving. 

 "Sir I couldn't help but notice all you young people who came out today to show their respect, how was it that you knew this fellow?"

 The young man looked up and smiled, "He was my neighbor." 

 "And for the rest of these young people?"

 "Yup neighbor as well. We all grew up in the same neighborhood but everyone knew who Mr.Pete was! He would walk down to the park and just sit on the bench and watch us play. Often times we would gather around him while he told stories and showed us pictures from his life. We learned so much from listening to Mr.Pete! He was the only one who had time for us. Everyone eles was too busy."

 As the young man left the funeral director was left standing pondering what he had just heard. 

 Through his career he had helped with many people including for those who were known for there great humanitarian and community work but never had it struck him like it did now. 

 A man who many never guessed would do much for his community changed it just through the friendship of so many children. 

 That's the type of legacy I want he thought as he turned around went back to his duties. Tommrow was Saturday and he knew exactly what he was going to do.

  ~landen m.

My Personal Mentor

Five years ago an insecure 8th grader found his way onto a farm to begin his first job. 

 It's hard to imagine that only 5 years ago around this time I began my first job, working for only 5 dollars a day. It wasn't even minimum wage but I didn't care!

 I started working there and soon became good friends with my boss who at that time, was my teacher in 8th grade. It was probably a year or two into working for him that we became really close friends. 

 As years passed he became a fatherly mentor to me, instructing me in different areas of my life. 

 Though unfamiliar as he may be to mentoring, he knew how to give time. 

 Because of the time he took to invest in my life and his willingness to let God use him, my life has changed in so many ways. 

  In the recent years God has opened my eyes to the need for mentors in the church today. 

 If you find yourself in need of a mentor don't be afraid to seek one out! 

 Don't limit your self to one resource, your church for example. I found mine in a way more consirvative church, a resource hard to believe knowing the church. 

 If you find yourself wishing to make a difference in the life of anther person, be a mentor! 

 Sometimes the best way to show someone you want to mentor them is by spending time with them. Invite them over to help with a small project or go out for coffee with the person. 

 As you spend time together God will open up oppritunites to give advice and show godly wisdom to your mentoree.

 Mentoring is a serious responsibility and not to be taken lightly. But if you don't feel qualified remember, God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called! 

 Are you ready to help change someone's life?

Thanks so much to Daniel Shaum for his impact on my life! I will never be the same!

 Below: My mentor Daniel kayaking with me this past summer.

A Lesson In Receiving

 Recently I was in a Goodwill resale shop searching for stuffed animals to make into puppets to take with me to Kenya, Africa to entertain children at a mission I was going to visit. While searching through a large bin to find the perfect ones anther costumer asked if I was looking for anything particular and I told her what I was looking for. 

 She began to help me look and suggested a few as well. I was about done shopping when she approached me again and ask, "Do you get any discounts?", I replied "Yea a student discount which is 10 percent." 

 She left but return again to me and this time said, "Today I get 50 percent discount and if you take your things up there with me I'll get you the 50 percent as well."

  I thought, this was great as we headed up there. Turned out she had to pay for my things for that good discount. I just had my debit along so I had no cash to pay her back if she did pay for the items. 

 Once she reliesed this she informed me that she was just going pay for my stuff animals and the other few things I had found. 

 "Some of these things are going for a good cause anyways so I'll just pay for them." 

 After the purchase I asked for her email address and promised pictures! Today after sending her pictures of the children with the puppets she replied with this,     

  "Dear Landen,  I can see on the children's faces how happy they were with the puppets, that was a great idea to make them from stuffed toys. I am so grateful to get the pictures and glad you had a wonderful time. Thank you again for remembering me. Blessings to you,☺Jill." 

 This taught me a good lesson. It is wonderful to let others, even complete strangers, help you even in small things! This allowed this lady to do something which helped her feel she was helping children in Africa, which she was doing. You never know when others may just need to help you in order to feel better in life! Give and be willing to receive!