Have I Done and Good in the World Today?
 

This is the note that has been taped for years underneath Grandma Jo's computer.  It is the mantra she lives by.  She mentioned the other day that when she writes in her journal (everyday!!!!) at night, she always tries to mention something she is thankful for or something she has tried to do for someone else.  Ok, folks, now that is an example!!

  5.  This afternoon we heard a funny noise in the front yard, and Dan Evans who is a neighbor around the corner came by and mowed Grandma Jo's lawn today.  He figured that since the guys were trapped underneath the new house working, that he would come and do the lawn for Mom.  She tried to give him some fudge to say thanks, but he said that would negate his service.  How very sweet of him.  Happy Birthday!

6.  I got my service done for Grandma's birthday!  I went to Kaysville and donated blood with the Red Cross.  My blood type is O positive so they call me often to donate.  Love you, Grandma!  (Diana Ribera)

7.  This afternoon we heard a knock on the door and a neighbor, Linda Christensen, was there with a huge basket of garden produce and homemade salsa.  She thought Mom would like to have some fresh vegetables.  What a sweet kind act.


8.  Mom was pushing a grocery cart through the 104 degree temp. today trying to find a cart corral.  A lady who had already taken her cart back came up to her and said, "Please let me take that for you!"  An anonymous birthday kindness!!

Grandma Jo and Great Grandchildren…Emily, Jacob and Tara

The Plan

     On October 18, 1923, Josephine was born in Canton, Ohio.  This year our sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend turns 91.  She is a delight to know and has a generous and giving heart.  Every day she looks for someone to help, call, talk to, visit, make cookies or fudge for, or simply listens to a lonely voice.  She lives an exemplary life of quiet service.

     In honor of her birthday, we (her family and friends), would like to perform at least 91 acts of service or kindness in her honor.  You can e-mail your story of service (plus a photo if you can) to john.ann.ribera@gmail.com.
Then…we will put all these adventures into a book!

     Happy Birthday Jo!




1.  Sister Marisa Hart who is on a mission in Brazil sent her story:

One of the ladies in the ward asked us missionaries if we could pick up plastic bottle caps and collect them for her (to donate to buy wheelchairs for handicap children) since we walk around so much.  So we started collecting them little by little, and I decided to make it a competition between me and my comp during the day to see who could find more.  I won of course, and she had to buy me a fruit smoothie :)  And then the other set of sisters that live with us wanted to get in on this competition, so we started collected as teams to win a pizza at the end of the day.  The competition almost got a little out of hand haha, and at the end of the day the other team (Sister Morais and Sister Stevens) had 620 bottlecaps, and we had 619.  Im not even kidding - it was that close.  The only problem is that before counting, Sister Morais went and threw some of ours out haha, so in the end everyone got pizza.  

Our ridiculous bottle cap competition: Happy Birthday Great Grandma Jo!

2.  Jonathan and Diana Ribera were sitting in the Texas Roadhouse having lunch when they spotted a couple of young missionaries having lunch.  They arranged with the waitress to pay for their lunch anonymously.  The young men were quite delighted.

3.  Kristina Hart made and sent a special treat to her daughter and her companion in Forteleza, Brazil.  How very sweet!  Happy Birthday, Grandma!

4.  A family in our neighborhood lost everything last week when their home burnt to the ground.  The family is safe, but they lost everything.  Kayla, Tyler and Alayna Hart are helping gather clothing and supplies for them.