CAKe: Acts 5-8

When you have an employed and extremely social 17-year-old and a very involved 6-year-old, it is often hard to find a moment when everyone is home. Tonight, we found an hour. We decided to maximize that hour and knock out a few more acts of kindness. These acts are super simple. I want my kids to see that service and kindness don't have to be grand gestures or require tons of money. Jonas helped me raid our pantry to find food to drop off at our community's food box. 

We then gathered a few quarters and some travel sized laundry detergent to hide in some machines at the laundromat. 

Next, we grabbed a few dollar bills to tape onto various items at the Dollar Store for some lucky recipient.

Finally, we took gift cards to hand out at Walmart. Each of the boys received a gift card and instructions to simply walk around the store and follow any promptings they received. I am always amazed at how seriously the boys take this task. They don't just walk in and hand it to the first person they see. They will circle the store a few times before finding the person they feel truly needs it. Some years it is a family. Other years it's an individual. This year, I got to walk with Jonas. He found an elderly lady who appeared to be shopping alone. He kept watching her and decided that she was the one. He confidently walked up to her, extended to her the card, and wished her a Merry Christmas. She immediately started to tear up as she informed him that his act of kindness made her day and brought the Spirit of Christmas back to her heart. Jonas just smiled. I felt it and I knew he felt it; we had just experienced what Christmas is all about.