Randomly Hodge Podging

Welcome to this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Read my answers, answer the questions on your own blog, then add your link at the end of Joyce's post. Thanks for playing along today.  One quick item of blog business...Joyce is declaring next week winter break in the HP, so no Hodgepodge on February 24th. We'll be back the following Wednesday (March 2nd) with brand new questions and a brand new month.  Okay, back to today...here we go-
1.  February 17th is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. It lands on the calendar one day after National Do Something for a Grouch Day (February 16) which somehow feels related. Perhaps the 16th inspired the 17th? 

Tell about a time you performed a random act of kindness or were the recipient of one. Will you make an effort to perform a random act of kindness on the 17th? Share details if you're so inclined, and if you have something specific in mind.  My missionary daughter was here from Moldova for her father's funeral and on Monday we got together for lunch and some retail therapy.  I knew that she did not have a lot of money....she is a missionary.....but she wanted to go to Kohl's.  One of the girls needed a new coat and Kat wanted a few items.  None of which she kept....she walked around the store with them and then put them back....every time she put them back....I picked them up.   I rang out....her items...and the coat for one of her girls.  She was so overwhelmed with my sweet treats.  THEN...the act of kindness went to the next level.  I was talking about the day with my Bible Study group last night and one of the members pulled out some money and gave it to me....to pay for the coat.  I started to tell him "no" but then remembered....this was a blessing for him.........so my blessing of buying the coat....turned into a blessing for someone else....who also bought the coat!  I love stuff like this!  Pray for my daughter as she flies back to Moldova. 

2. What's the most uplifting or encouraging thing you see happening in the world right now? You may have to dig deep for this one.  I have to agree with Joyce.  The world still rallies around nations stricken with natural disaster or man-made terror. It amazes me at how suddenly it does not matter what color or nationality a person it.

3.  Black olives, black currants, black grapes, black beans, blackberries, Oreos...your favorite food the color of night? Your least favorite on the list?  I love black beans...especially with rice.  I love black currants and blackberries too.  I am not a huge fan of black olives except on pizza and I do not like black grapes.

4.  A while back I read (here) a list of twelve things  you should do before you turn 50. They were-

travel  when I have a chance. take care of your skin, learn a foreign language, make exercise a habit, leave a toxic situation, stop caring what others think about you, stop worrying, volunteer, spend time with your grandparents, pledge to work less, learn to cook an amazing dish, and seize an opportunity as it arises  What do you think of the list? What would you add or remove and why? If you're over 50, have you done all 12? If you're not yet 50, have you done any at all? What's on the list that you haven't done, but would like to do?  I've passed the mile-marker mentioned by ten + years and have done most everything on the list. Traveling is very important.  On the Food Network show, Chopped the other night the judge told a girl to take the money she had won and go to restaurants in other countries and sample the world.  I like that idea.  I have been to 48 of the 50 US states, the UK a few times, Italy, Canada, most of Central America and Mexico.  I have been on cruises....and there is still so much I want to see.  Did you know that the World's largest ball of twine really exists.  This is what I love to go in search of.  I am still planning to do Route 66.  I even have my music for this awesome road trip set. I have to agree with Joyce on adding that you should tell people who've impacted your life in a positive way what it's meant to you. Let them know they played a part in shaping the person you are today. I did this for Lent a few years ago and it felt good.....to both of us.  So often we assume that youth leader, coach, camp counselor, fifth grade teacher, etc. knows they've made a difference, but it's extra special to hear it said aloud or see it in a hand written note.  Don't wait til it is too late to do this one....even if it is not on the list.
 

5. Besides the classic Christmas flicks, what's your favorite film where winter plays a part in the setting? That is a piece of cake....Dr. Zhivago....hands down!

 

 6.  When did you last feel helpless, and what did you do about it?  When my ex husband was dying two weeks ago and my children were hurting, my daughter was in Moldova trying to get home before he passed away....and I could not fix it for them. But....then it became a God thing.  A friend of Kat's set up a Go Fund Me account for her and it raised nearly 3000.00 in less than 2 hours.  She made it home and was able to spend about 12 hours of quality time with him.  The kids and I prayed over their dad and I anointed him right before he died.  

7.  Share a favorite proverb.
Proverbs 31:10-31 - This is what I strive to be:
¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
 8. Insert your own random thought here.  I am tired of winter and being cold...I am longing for the beach, a beach chair, some sand, some surf, and flip flops!