We’re a rag-tag group of people vigilantly pursuing self-sustaining educational & employment opportunities with and for students and their families living in rural communities in developing countries. We believe in asking hard questions like, “What do you need and how can we help?” We believe that communities know their needs better than we do and that it’s our job to listen. We’re big on being kind for the sake of kindness and we believe that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. We believe in keeping vigil over one another and watching for opportunities to help, no matter how far off the beaten path those opportunities take us. We’re vigilant in our belief that God has given each person unique gifts and that one of the highest forms of worship is using those gifts to serve others. We believe God has a purpose for each life and Vigilante Kindness is our purpose. Join us as we live out wild adventures in service of God and others. Join us in committing acts of Vigilante Kindness.
the little girl sitting one row ahead of me on the plane and singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. You made my day, little one. Twinkle on.
sleeping in my own bed
reading in bed
the 90-year-old woman celebrating her birthday at the Kings v. Clippers game. They showed her on the big screen and I was simultaneously filled with joy and pangs of grief for my grandmother.
carefully trying to pour ladybugs into habitats only to have them creep out in a mass invasion. You should’ve heard the squeals and giggles coming from my little ones as ladybugs crawled all over my arms, legs and hair. We eventually got them settled into their habitats on our desks, but we’re still finding rogue ladybugs around the room.
Just who do you think you are showing up as I wiped grains of sleep from my eyes and stared blearily into the bathroom mirror? At first I thought you were an errant head hair that somehow landed underneath my chin in the middle of the night, but no, when I went to brush you away, you stayed there in all your black, curly horror.
How long have you been sneaking along underneath there, coiling underneath my chin until you reached a full centimeter or two in length? Surely you didn’t grow that much overnight. Just how many days have I unknowingly been The Bearded Lady?
Image by Bridgette at brigetteb.blogspot.com
Admittedly, an apology on my part is in order for the profane names I spewed at you as I tried in vain to remove you. In my defense you were a tenacious little sucker, claiming your turf through two tweezing attempts and only finally giving way on my third and final tweezing.
Sadly, Evil Chin Hair, I am well acquainted with unwanted facial hair including an errant head hair that springs out of my right eyebrow. Chin Hair, I am not one to be trifled with. I will bust out the wax and demolish you and any of your unsuspecting cousins who just so happen to be innocently meandering between my chins. So you tell ’em I’m coming and hell’s coming with me!
Sorry, I watched Tombstone the other day and have a tendency to get a little carried away.
The point, Chin Hair, is that I’m standing tiptoe on the edge of 35 and I just can’t be sprouting unwanted patches of hair for at least another ten years. So kindly pack up your follicles and leave at your earliest convenience. Meanwhile, I’ll be stocking up on waxed strips and keeping vigil against your nefarious sneak attacks.
This image really has nothing to do with all the things I’m thankful for, except that it makes me giggle, and I’m thankful for that. Image courtesy of monicawiesblott.blogspot.com.
This week I’m thankful for…
the Portland airport and of all its lovely amenities including local cafes, local bookstores and free Wi-Fi
the friendly Alaskan bush pilot I met at the airport who regaled me with fascinating tales
the Hunger Games series and time this week to finish reading the last book
the feel of my youngest niece slipping her hand into mine
bedtime readings of “Catching Fire” with my middle school niece and nephew
laughing so hard with my oldest niece that I almost peed my pants
exploring a cemetery with my nephews
suggestions from my oldest niece on how to improve my current disaster of a novel
the Columbia River
graceful, white windmills stretching their arms wide over Oregon
the sound of my husband’s voice on the other end of the line
my nephew’s freckled face and the fact that he is enamored with Judy Blume’s Fudge books
wind in my hair
the tingle of joy as I board the plane that will take me back home
Vigilante Kindness 