Myrna Peterson is a quadriplegic living in rural Northern Minnesota who is a proactive advocate for differently abled persons. She has done a TEDx Talk, broke a Guinness World Record and is a recipient of the very prestigious Andrus Award for Community Service. She says that she only has one thumb that moved but she has a mouth that doesn’t stop. And she uses her voice to do all the good that she can. PEBBLE OF THE WEEK: Do your best to really see people and understand their story. This can be as simple as looking the store clerk in the eye while (sincerely) telling them thank you and to have a wonderful day. Or it could be taking time to talk to someone while in line at the store or even reaching out on social media to an acquaintance and learning more about their story. Brené Brown has said that “people are hard to hate close up.” Do your best to get know someone and understand their perspective – especially if it is different from yours.

Tessa and Jamis Buck share their story of doing their best to follow an inspired path even when it took them in an unexpected direction. PEBBLE FOR THIS WEEK: Be a first responder sometime this week. When you feel inspired to do something – whether for yourself or for someone else, just do it.

Emily Jones shares how the program that she developed with her husband David has blessed their lives through the development of an internal filter for their family’s use of technology. We also discuss this amazing generation of kids and the importance of inspiration in knowing how to parent and guide them. 2 PEBBLES OF THE WEEK: Take some time to assess your personal use of technology. Maybe try that activity we mentioned of going to a park and watching the role technology plays in others. If you are a parent, I have an additional pebble for you. Take some time this week to think about what you are grateful for in your kids. Is it the way they make you laugh? Their determination that sometimes manifests itself as stubbornness? Is it their kindness, their go-getter attitude? Is it the way they give you a sweet hug each morning? For me, focusing on gratitude in regards to parenting has helped me to feel inspired as to how to help and support that particular child.

As a licensed clinical social worker, Kristen Coltrin had experiences working with and learning from the LGBTQ community. This helped to prepare her for when her professional life and her personal life would intersect. Check the full show notes for references, resources and ways to support the podcast. PEBBLE OF THE WEEK: Check out that list of Kristen’s favorite resources, pick one and learn more. Seek to listen and learn to understand a perspective that may be different from yours.

SHOWNOTES Kelly McMurry, founder of the nonprofit The Closet in Meridian Idaho, shares Pebbles of Light with countless youth by not only providing clothes for them but also helping them recognize their own light. See full show notes for links to references and ways to support Pebbles of Light. PEBBLE OF THE WEEK: Help someone to recognize the love that God has for them - whether that is asking them something specific you can include in your prayers, dropping by to visit, or just sending them a text. When I was growing up, my friends and I would say, "God loves you and so do I." We even would make it an acronym - GLY&SDI. Maybe just text that to a friend and see their response.

Melinda Clayville documents her family adventures in American Samoa under the handle AmSamFam on Social Media and YouTube. In this interview, she shares a few of the things they learned as they moved their family of 5 across the ocean. PEBBLE OF THE WEEK: In one of my favorite talks, “Choose Ye This Day to Serve the Lord” by Julie B. Beck, she states, “I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight. Years ago I began using a system that works for me, and maybe it will work for you. There was a time when I needed to prioritize, and in one of those sacred meetings between me and the Lord, He gave me three categories that I have worked from, and they have been a guide in my life. The categories are the essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things. I started writing those things down.” Take some time to think about your schedule pre-pandemic vs mid-pandemic. Are there things that you are comfortable not adding back into your schedule as we re-enter normalcy? In what ways can you make your life a bit more simple?

Melinda Wheelwright Brown, author of "Eve and Adam: Discovering the Beautiful Balance," shares some wonderful insights about partnership. Be sure to see the full shownotes for references and resources. PEBBLE OF THE WEEK: Identify something in your life that you've been thinking of as a "sacrifice" that you can change to think of as an "investment." This can be related to a relationship with a partner, with a child, with a friend. I'd love to hear your insights on this - feel free to reach out via Instagram or email me at [email protected].

A wonderful interview with Kay West of A Worldwide Sisterhood and Becky Squire of Latter-day Woman Magazine about finding ways to amplify the light of others. See full show notes for links to references and ways to support Pebbles of Light. PEBBLE OF THE WEEK: Share some light - whether your own or that of a friend, whether on social media or just sending a thought to a friend through text, email, Marco Polo, or a good old-fashioned letter.

In another mother-daughter interview, Janet Rowley and Liz Jorgensen share messages of tragedy, hope, faith, and angels. PEBBLE OF THE WEEK: Take 10 minutes to ponder on the angels that have supported and uplifted you in your life. Share this episode with a friend who has been an angel to you. See full show notes for definitions, quotes, and resources.

If you were here last week, you heard a great interview with Trina Browning about her experience as a missionary mom. This week, we will be talking with Trina and her daughter Neicia about Neicia’s experience serving in the Zambia Lusaka Africa Mission. Neicia had wanted to go to a Third World country and she got her wish. While there, Neicia experienced some health problems and returned home early from her mission. Please check the full show notes to links for resources about missionary work as well as products and businesses mentioned in the episode.