Courage to be Kind

I  had a super random experience the other night, and I've been thinking about it a ton. It was about midnight and I was at my friend's house, sitting outside on the curb just chatting before I got in my car to head home. Then this random guy comes walking up the street. It's dark so we can't see him well at all, but he stops and asks us if we know where LDS Hospital is. Of course he's way off, so we try to explain to him how to get there. However, there really is no easy way because of City Creek Canyon. Trying to just explain it becomes really hard to understand, so he asks if we have a smart phone so he can at least see a map. The whole time I'm wondering why this guy needs to go there so late, as he seems healthy and visiting hours are over. So as I'm getting my phone out of the car I ask him why he needs to go to the hospital so late, and he says, "Oh, I'm just having a baby." So I'm like, "What?! Get in the car, we'll just take you there!" So we drive this random guy to the hospital.

If you read this story and thought, "Lacey, you are crazy for giving this guy a ride, he could have killed you," you would not be alone. In fact, that was running through my mind the entire time. I kept thinking about how he could totally be lying, or high, or wanting money, or a serial killer or a myriad of other issues (I watch a lot of Criminal Minds so my imagination was not lacking here).

But at the same time, I balanced that fear with the idea of him missing the birth of his child because he had to walk 45+ minutes to the hospital. A drive that was less than 10 for us. He was really in a pickle. His wife had taken their only car to the hospital, and he had just finished working a 12 hour shift. Someone had told him incorrect directions to the hospital, and his smart phone had died. It was definitely the perfect storm for him. So I took a chance, did what I felt was right, and showed some compassion.

Given the recent happenings in our country, and around the globe, it is no question that we live in a dangerous world. There are so many things to be fearful of. Sometimes it seems that we can't trust anyone. We have to have courage to be kind. Like, real, true courage, to step outside our comfort zone and take a real risk. It makes me so sad that this is what our world has become. That strangers are immediately enemies before we even know anything about them. Wouldn't it be great if we looked at strangers as friends we haven't met yet? If we took opportunities to connect with strangers? I think these ideas of connection are the purpose of life, and I want to make a better effort to connect, even if only briefly, with the strangers in my life.

The whole ride to the hospital, I hear all about his family. His life is very different than mine. I hear about his three older boys and his excitement to find out the gender of the new baby. He asks our names, and then says, "we have a boy name picked out, but not a girl name, yet. Lacey might be a good choice." He then thanks us for the ride and goes in to be there for his new kid. I'll likely never know how it all turned out, but I was so impacted by this opportunity to lend a hand to a stranger in the middle of the night, and connect with another person just trying to get through life like me.

24. Ride in a hot air balloon

A report on one of my items from my 30-before-30 bucket list.

Where else should one spend their birthday than in a hot air balloon. It took years for my travel schedule, Dad's work schedule, and the weather to cooperate, but it finally happened. and On my birthday nonetheless. Happy 31 to me :)

Home Sweet Home

I'm a month into the biggest commitment I've ever made in my life, and I am loving it! On January 19, 2016, I signed oh so many papers and became the proud owner of a home.

It's a twin home (attached on one side) in an adorable little neighborhood in Taylorsville, Utah. 

Front of the house. Connected neighbors at the downspout on the left.

Back of house. Including the lovely deck and yard.

But really, the outside, while adorable, is not as exciting as the inside. I've waited to post as I've been working on some necessary changes inside (moving and painting). But here are the photos for your enjoyment (with some before and afters as appropriate):

Entryway

Looking down on front door

Tile work by the front door.

From the front door down to the basement and garage

Living Room

BEFORE: Living Room into Dining Room

BEFORE: Fireplace and built-ins in Living Room

Painted the ugly peach color gray all throughout the house and added an accent wall in the living room

AFTER: Fireplace and built-ins in Living Room

AFTER: Living Room toward Entryway

AFTER: Living Room

AFTER: Beams in ceiling

Dining Room/Kitchen

Master Bedroom

Office/Guest Room

BEFORE: ugly curtains included

AFTER: Sofa bed and desk. Roman shade to replace curtains.

AFTER: Built-Ins in the office

Upstairs Bath

Downstairs Bath

Complete with jetted tub.

Downstairs Room

Not updated yet. This is currently an empty room, looking for a future purpose.

Moving and Painting

A HUGE thank you to my family for helping me with this crazy adventure of moving and finishing my house. Lots of painting, taping, packing, and hauling. A few photos from the process.

Rushley and Lance, along with the parentals, helped me load all my stuff into this 10-foot truck.

Only a small empty space on the bottom right, thanks to Russ's Tetris skills.

Dad's creative way to reach the ceiling in the entryway.

Had to leave my mark.

Seriously, I am so blessed to have family members close and not-so-close who are willing to come and help me out. I am so grateful for them in my life. Love you guys!!