The Gutter Episode

Elise's Story:

So, last night I was driving from my parents' home to ours. As many of you know, the weather here has been quite cold and very snowy. Yesterday was one of those blizzardy days where you hate driving. Well, when I was just a few blocks from our house, I had the unfortunate accident of sliding into the gutter during my attempt to turn right. I was probably 20 feet from the intersection of 7th East and 7th North. I tried to get out of the gutter and continue onward, but my wheels were entrenched in the snow and ice and there was no getting out. All they did was spin and spin while I cursed the ridiculously deep gutters that tunnel around all of Provo.

After a few minutes of failed attempts, Violet was screaming in the back seat. I tried to calm her down with the pacifier, but WOW was she mad. I don't think I'd EVER seen her that mad before. It was like she knew we were stuck and couldn't get home. I tried sticking a phone book under the wheel, but to no avail. Thankfully, a nice man pulled over and tried to help me. He pushed and pushed the end of my car, but nothing was happening. A nice student walking home with his backpack on also came over and helped push, but still nothing. I borrowed a cell phone (a fancy one where I couldn't find the "back" button, and therefore felt like an idiot!) from one of them and called Dan to come pick me up. He was with his mom at our house where they were waiting for me to come home and eat J-Dawgs with them.

Right after I talked to Dan, another guy drove by in a huge truck with a snowplow on the front of it. He had everything we needed to get me unstuck (the horsepower, the chains, the helpful attitude). Right then, Dan drove up with Mom Roberts. Dan got out to take the wheel of the forlorn Pontiac (damsel in distress) whilst we were being pulled by the courageous white truck (the hero). Soon we were up and out of the gutter and on our way home again. I am SO glad that my prayers were answered so quickly through such wonderful, willing, and able people. Hurrah for such kind Provo guys! I love them all!

Just Giving a Ride

Last Monday, I was on my way to Lowe’s to buy a snow shovel. I saw this lady using a crutch hobbling through the snow; that is, 5 inches of show and it was still snowing! I turned around and picked her up. She was traveling about 1 mile to a physical therapy appointment. She was hit by a car 2 years ago and is still feeling the effects from the accident.

Wow! After dropping her off, it made me grateful for what I have. It seemed to reduce the size of my shortcomings and weaknesses and made me grateful for all that I have.

“…[S]ervice helps us generate love and appreciation. We come to know people by serving them—their circumstances, their challenges, their hopes and aspirations.”
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=39812150a447b010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1

It was really easy for me to give her a ride. It was impossible for her to give herself a ride.

Smiling!

Ammon was walking home one day from school and saw a girl. He didn't know her and felt like he wanted to talk to someone. They had small talk and that was that.
1-2 weeks later, Ammon heard a very interesting story. It was about a girl that was having the worst day when this nice kid talked to her and smiled. It changed her whole day around and she ended the day on a good note. She said the kids name was Ammon.

"A smile brings cheer to the weary, comfort to the discouraged, and hope to the despondent. People are more likely to confide in a smiling listener, reach out to a smiling stranger, and help a smiling neighbor."

http://gospelink.com/next/doc?doc_id=292588&highlight_p=1

Why News for the Soul?

After getting upset at all the negative media, I thought, why isn’t there any positive media? Sadly, it’s because negative news is more excited to hear even though we get upset at it. It’s ironic! My idea started 3 years ago to focus on good media. I thought it would be cool to create a newspaper focusing on just good things; unfortunately, not enough people would buy it. The easier way to go about my plan was to create a blog that tells heroic stories of those who sacrificed to help others; or those that just simply went out of their way to make someone smile.