1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,550 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,571 --> 00:01:14,170 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,471 --> 00:01:19,501 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. Life Audio. 13 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:29,200 Speaker 2: Welcome back to another episode of Story Behind Podcast. Encouraging stories, 14 00:01:29,461 --> 00:01:33,341 Speaker 2: positive headlines brought to you from GodTube.com where you can 15 00:01:33,401 --> 00:01:38,921 Speaker 2: watch without delay. worry and life audio.com i'm sean mcavoy 16 00:01:39,041 --> 00:01:42,601 Speaker 2: i'm the executive director of content here at the salem 17 00:01:42,641 --> 00:01:45,681 Speaker 2: web network and if you're new to us story behind 18 00:01:45,741 --> 00:01:48,341 Speaker 2: podcast is a chance for us to explore some of 19 00:01:48,381 --> 00:01:52,111 Speaker 2: the stories you may have missed behind what your algorithm 20 00:01:52,331 --> 00:01:55,451 Speaker 2: or your news feed or the tv decides to show 21 00:01:55,511 --> 00:01:58,911 Speaker 2: you in this crazy day and age we're all living 22 00:01:59,011 --> 00:02:02,011 Speaker 2: in what a time to be alive huh So what 23 00:02:02,071 --> 00:02:05,231 Speaker 2: I've picked for you today are a couple of stories 24 00:02:05,271 --> 00:02:10,191 Speaker 2: that our crack team has found about what young people 25 00:02:10,351 --> 00:02:14,611 Speaker 2: can do. And I'm talking young. When you think of, oh, 26 00:02:14,711 --> 00:02:17,381 Speaker 2: is it too late or too early in life to 27 00:02:17,581 --> 00:02:20,981 Speaker 2: make a difference in my community? These stories are going 28 00:02:21,021 --> 00:02:24,531 Speaker 2: to challenge you with sometimes how simple it can be, 29 00:02:24,611 --> 00:02:27,091 Speaker 2: how much a smile and a wave can do and 30 00:02:27,151 --> 00:02:31,231 Speaker 2: how movements can start. So think about that. And I'll 31 00:02:31,251 --> 00:02:34,631 Speaker 2: be back with a couple of really encouraging stories about 32 00:02:34,691 --> 00:02:37,691 Speaker 2: how little ones have changed lives in just a minute. 33 00:02:45,701 --> 00:02:49,041 Speaker 2: Can you even remember what you were doing at four 34 00:02:49,221 --> 00:02:53,531 Speaker 2: years old? I, um, Maybe I have a few memories, 35 00:02:53,631 --> 00:02:58,050 Speaker 2: but it certainly wasn't anything like the young man in 36 00:02:58,831 --> 00:03:02,131 Speaker 2: today's story brought to us by Heather Riggleman about a 37 00:03:02,191 --> 00:03:06,750 Speaker 2: four-year-old boy who planted seeds of kindness and brought his 38 00:03:06,831 --> 00:03:11,150 Speaker 2: whole neighborhood together. I really recommend you check out the 39 00:03:11,191 --> 00:03:13,050 Speaker 2: link in our show notes for this one. You're going 40 00:03:13,071 --> 00:03:16,190 Speaker 2: to love the picture of the little guy with all 41 00:03:16,231 --> 00:03:19,231 Speaker 2: the folks in his neighborhood at the top of the story. 42 00:03:21,421 --> 00:03:24,840 Speaker 2: Heather writes, a four-year-old boy planted seeds of kindness and 43 00:03:24,921 --> 00:03:29,300 Speaker 2: brought his neighborhood together. Who knew the power of a 44 00:03:29,361 --> 00:03:33,701 Speaker 2: smile and a wave could create a family from among 45 00:03:33,740 --> 00:03:38,021 Speaker 2: total strangers? Grab a tissue and be prepared to pass 46 00:03:38,061 --> 00:03:41,341 Speaker 2: this story on because deep down, we all need a 47 00:03:41,381 --> 00:03:46,641 Speaker 2: little of Roman Butzlaff in our lives. Every one of 48 00:03:46,701 --> 00:03:49,621 Speaker 2: us knows what it's like to long for connection. to 49 00:03:49,721 --> 00:03:54,061 Speaker 2: hope someone notices us or simply smiles and says hey. 50 00:03:55,141 --> 00:03:58,701 Speaker 2: And according to Roman's mom, that's what he does. And 51 00:03:58,741 --> 00:04:02,081 Speaker 2: it dazzles everyone he meets in his town of Concord, 52 00:04:02,161 --> 00:04:06,581 Speaker 2: North Carolina. He wakes up every day excited to say 53 00:04:06,681 --> 00:04:10,861 Speaker 2: hi to somebody, his mom Anna Butzlaff said. That's the 54 00:04:10,921 --> 00:04:15,220 Speaker 2: first thing he wants to do. But behind Roman's cheerful 55 00:04:15,281 --> 00:04:20,131 Speaker 2: wave was a lonely little heart. After his parents separated, 56 00:04:20,671 --> 00:04:24,171 Speaker 2: his father moved to Florida, and his grandparents lived out 57 00:04:24,191 --> 00:04:28,331 Speaker 2: of state. So Roman didn't have anyone besides his mom 58 00:04:28,371 --> 00:04:31,951 Speaker 2: to say hello to. But that didn't stop Roman from 59 00:04:32,010 --> 00:04:35,950 Speaker 2: trying to make friends. But then one neighbor decided to 60 00:04:35,991 --> 00:04:41,271 Speaker 2: wave back. Wade Fulgham, who lives across the street, introduced 61 00:04:41,311 --> 00:04:44,350 Speaker 2: himself to the little boy who was always saying hello. 62 00:04:45,911 --> 00:04:50,231 Speaker 2: Before long, they were spending time together. Soon, other neighbors 63 00:04:50,311 --> 00:04:54,471 Speaker 2: joined in, showing up for Roman's soccer games, swimming lessons, 64 00:04:55,171 --> 00:04:58,471 Speaker 2: preschool open house, and even racing him down the street. 65 00:04:59,630 --> 00:05:02,070 Speaker 2: Who knew a race between a scooter and a bike 66 00:05:02,811 --> 00:05:06,530 Speaker 2: could be so fun? When it came time for Roman's 67 00:05:06,571 --> 00:05:09,971 Speaker 2: birthday party, his guest list looked a little different than 68 00:05:10,011 --> 00:05:15,511 Speaker 2: most four-year-olds. Instead of classmates, he invited many of his 69 00:05:15,751 --> 00:05:20,460 Speaker 2: senior citizen neighbors. The people who had quietly become the grandparents, 70 00:05:20,931 --> 00:05:24,661 Speaker 2: his heart had been missing. They've made such an impact 71 00:05:24,761 --> 00:05:28,241 Speaker 2: on him, Anna said. They are really special people to him. 72 00:05:30,001 --> 00:05:33,471 Speaker 2: This is the part that gets me. Roman thought he 73 00:05:33,491 --> 00:05:38,971 Speaker 2: was looking for friends, but instead he built a village. Today, 74 00:05:39,130 --> 00:05:43,231 Speaker 2: Anna's refrigerator is covered with photos of the neighbors who 75 00:05:43,281 --> 00:05:47,551 Speaker 2: now love her son like family. Even more beautiful, those 76 00:05:47,630 --> 00:05:50,751 Speaker 2: neighbors say they probably never would have known one another 77 00:05:51,611 --> 00:05:55,351 Speaker 2: if it weren't for one little boy who never stopped waving. 78 00:05:57,081 --> 00:05:59,621 Speaker 2: One neighbor said, look at what this little kid has built. 79 00:06:01,380 --> 00:06:04,900 Speaker 2: Maybe that's what the world has been missing all along. 80 00:06:05,761 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 2: Not bigger houses or busier lives, but people willing to 81 00:06:10,361 --> 00:06:13,461 Speaker 2: look up, wave first, and make room for someone else. 82 00:06:15,231 --> 00:06:18,130 Speaker 2: Roman didn't just find the village his little heart needed. 83 00:06:18,851 --> 00:06:23,671 Speaker 2: He reminded an entire neighborhood they were all longing to belong. 84 00:06:25,151 --> 00:06:27,531 Speaker 2: One little boy with an open heart did what so 85 00:06:27,551 --> 00:06:31,991 Speaker 2: many adults struggle to do. He turned neighbors into family, 86 00:06:32,991 --> 00:06:38,041 Speaker 2: proving that love often begins with the smallest hello. Maybe 87 00:06:38,141 --> 00:06:41,321 Speaker 2: we could all be a little more like Roman, who 88 00:06:41,361 --> 00:06:43,681 Speaker 2: believes every stranger is just a friend he hasn't met yet. 89 00:06:44,891 --> 00:06:47,931 Speaker 2: a little hand raised in greeting, and one simple word. 90 00:06:49,031 --> 00:06:49,371 Speaker 1: Hey! 91 00:06:51,351 --> 00:06:56,721 Speaker 2: I'm reminded of Mark 12, 31. Simple. Love your neighbor 92 00:06:57,541 --> 00:07:01,601 Speaker 2: as yourself. I'll be back in just a minute with 93 00:07:01,641 --> 00:07:06,041 Speaker 2: our second story of what even the most young among 94 00:07:06,101 --> 00:07:18,881 Speaker 2: us can start and create. Thanks for coming back. I 95 00:07:19,101 --> 00:07:23,821 Speaker 2: have refilled my coffee and I must say I'm having 96 00:07:23,861 --> 00:07:26,621 Speaker 2: a little bit of a sense of deja vu. If 97 00:07:26,661 --> 00:07:33,281 Speaker 2: you thought four-year-old Roman's story was inspiring or heartwarming, well, 98 00:07:33,341 --> 00:07:36,061 Speaker 2: I've got another one about a five-year-old boy this time 99 00:07:36,481 --> 00:07:40,381 Speaker 2: who brings smiles and joy on his daily walks around town. 100 00:07:40,641 --> 00:07:47,471 Speaker 2: Also written by Heather Riggleman. Five-year-old boy is bringing smiles 101 00:07:47,531 --> 00:07:50,851 Speaker 2: and joy on his daily walks around town. And if 102 00:07:51,311 --> 00:07:54,991 Speaker 2: you happen to live within three blocks of Harvey Wetterland 103 00:07:55,161 --> 00:07:58,741 Speaker 2: in Hastings, Minnesota, there is a good chance you're getting 104 00:07:58,761 --> 00:08:02,941 Speaker 2: a hug, a cookie, or an enthusiastic I love you, 105 00:08:03,821 --> 00:08:07,951 Speaker 2: whether you were prepared for it or not. Harvey is 106 00:08:07,991 --> 00:08:12,101 Speaker 2: a little guy with strawberry blonde curly hair, and apparently 107 00:08:12,121 --> 00:08:14,271 Speaker 2: had a one-boy mission to make his corner of the 108 00:08:14,311 --> 00:08:18,631 Speaker 2: world happier. When Harvey moved with his parents, Joy and 109 00:08:18,751 --> 00:08:22,811 Speaker 2: Ryan Wetterland, from Washington State to Hastings two years ago, 110 00:08:22,871 --> 00:08:25,931 Speaker 2: he was the new kid in town. So he did 111 00:08:25,971 --> 00:08:30,711 Speaker 2: what any wildly outgoing five-year-old might do. He started making 112 00:08:30,731 --> 00:08:34,951 Speaker 2: the town his own. Morning walk, Harvey announces before taking 113 00:08:35,071 --> 00:08:39,471 Speaker 2: off down the sidewalk with his mom. Their route is 114 00:08:39,571 --> 00:08:43,310 Speaker 2: only about three square blocks. but distance isn't really the point. 115 00:08:43,651 --> 00:08:50,551 Speaker 2: The people are. At the Hastings fire station, Harvey rushes inside, yelling, Hi, Mrs. Panay, 116 00:08:51,251 --> 00:08:54,061 Speaker 2: before handing out chocolate chip cookies he helped bake and 117 00:08:54,121 --> 00:08:57,961 Speaker 2: dispensing hugs to firefighters. I love you, he tells them. 118 00:08:59,060 --> 00:09:02,780 Speaker 2: Then it's on to Froth and Cork, where 79-year-old Bob 119 00:09:02,841 --> 00:09:07,311 Speaker 2: Rudy is one of Harvey's buddies. One day he came 120 00:09:07,371 --> 00:09:10,591 Speaker 2: in here and he had two dandelions, Bob said, and 121 00:09:10,611 --> 00:09:13,551 Speaker 2: he gave me one And he said, take your wife 122 00:09:13,691 --> 00:09:18,791 Speaker 2: one home too. And that's because dandelions aren't weeds to 123 00:09:18,851 --> 00:09:22,170 Speaker 2: this kid. They're still full of magic and wonder. And 124 00:09:22,211 --> 00:09:25,181 Speaker 2: they become a bountiful bouquet when they're given with love. 125 00:09:26,881 --> 00:09:31,961 Speaker 2: Harvey's route includes police officers, mechanics, and just about anyone 126 00:09:32,081 --> 00:09:36,321 Speaker 2: else willing to receive some joy. He holds doors open 127 00:09:36,361 --> 00:09:40,021 Speaker 2: for strangers. He pumps his arms at passing truckers until 128 00:09:40,061 --> 00:09:44,231 Speaker 2: they answer with booming air horns. During a snowstorm, he 129 00:09:44,331 --> 00:09:47,731 Speaker 2: even helped clear the steps at the coffee shop with 130 00:09:47,771 --> 00:09:52,111 Speaker 2: his Tonka trucks. But there is a tender story beneath 131 00:09:52,151 --> 00:09:57,050 Speaker 2: Harvey's enormous capacity for compassion. When Harvey was about two 132 00:09:57,071 --> 00:10:03,241 Speaker 2: and a half, his father Ryan's Hodgkin lymphoma returned. It 133 00:10:03,280 --> 00:10:05,721 Speaker 2: just taught him compassion at a young age, Joyce said. 134 00:10:06,961 --> 00:10:09,501 Speaker 2: He doesn't do it just 10%. He does it 100% 135 00:10:09,501 --> 00:10:16,491 Speaker 2: and over. Today, Ryan is cancer-free, and a smiley face 136 00:10:16,530 --> 00:10:21,651 Speaker 2: hangs in Harvey's bedroom window. Maybe Harvey learned something through 137 00:10:21,691 --> 00:10:25,430 Speaker 2: those difficult years that some of us spend a lifetime learning. 138 00:10:26,491 --> 00:10:31,321 Speaker 2: Joy is something worth sprouting and then giving away. He 139 00:10:31,361 --> 00:10:36,701 Speaker 2: makes everybody smile, mechanic Scott Corwin said. Jesus told us 140 00:10:36,741 --> 00:10:41,711 Speaker 2: to love our neighbors. Sometimes we make that calling complicated, 141 00:10:42,551 --> 00:10:46,781 Speaker 2: while Harvey makes it look beautifully simple. He simply does it. 142 00:10:47,551 --> 00:10:53,571 Speaker 2: Walk outside, notice people, bring the cookies, give away the dandelion, 143 00:10:53,591 --> 00:10:57,431 Speaker 2: hold the door, hug your friends, and tell people you 144 00:10:57,451 --> 00:11:02,861 Speaker 2: love them. Harvey's world is only three blocks wide right now. 145 00:11:03,361 --> 00:11:07,851 Speaker 2: But goodness, look how much light one little boy can 146 00:11:07,931 --> 00:11:14,051 Speaker 2: fit inside it. I'm reminded of Romans 12, verses 9 147 00:11:14,051 --> 00:11:19,181 Speaker 2: through 13. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, 148 00:11:19,321 --> 00:11:22,721 Speaker 2: cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another 149 00:11:22,780 --> 00:11:27,351 Speaker 2: in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking 150 00:11:27,381 --> 00:11:30,611 Speaker 2: in zeal. but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord. 151 00:11:31,771 --> 00:11:37,201 Speaker 2: Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 152 00:11:38,121 --> 00:11:45,161 Speaker 2: Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Well, 153 00:11:45,521 --> 00:11:49,501 Speaker 2: I'll be if Harvey and Roman aren't living that out 154 00:11:49,741 --> 00:11:52,981 Speaker 2: much better than I have in recent years, if I 155 00:11:53,021 --> 00:11:55,241 Speaker 2: want to be honest about it. And I'm going to 156 00:11:55,261 --> 00:11:58,271 Speaker 2: do something about that today, and I encourage you, to 157 00:11:58,311 --> 00:12:04,091 Speaker 2: do the same. Thanks for listening to this episode of 158 00:12:04,171 --> 00:12:09,131 Speaker 2: Story Behind Podcast. I hope today's stories about little guys 159 00:12:09,191 --> 00:12:12,690 Speaker 2: encouraged you and gave you hope about what is still 160 00:12:13,131 --> 00:12:16,011 Speaker 2: possible in your village, in your corner of the world. 161 00:12:16,771 --> 00:12:19,391 Speaker 2: Reminds you of the ways God is still moving in 162 00:12:19,441 --> 00:12:21,541 Speaker 2: the world around us, even in the hearts of the 163 00:12:21,601 --> 00:12:25,711 Speaker 2: littlest ones. Visit the links in our show notes to 164 00:12:25,751 --> 00:12:29,651 Speaker 2: find the original articles, photos, videos, and any resources mentioned 165 00:12:30,331 --> 00:12:34,131 Speaker 2: in today's episode on the God Updates blog at GodTube.com. 166 00:12:35,441 --> 00:12:37,581 Speaker 2: If you enjoyed these stories, be sure to follow Story 167 00:12:37,621 --> 00:12:41,200 Speaker 2: Behind wherever you listen to podcasts and share with someone 168 00:12:41,241 --> 00:12:45,081 Speaker 2: who could use a little encouragement. Story Behind is a 169 00:12:45,121 --> 00:12:51,541 Speaker 2: Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, visit LifeAudio.com. I'm 170 00:12:51,561 --> 00:12:54,841 Speaker 2: Sean McAvoy. Thanks again for joining me And we'll see 171 00:12:54,881 --> 00:12:57,391 Speaker 2: you next time on Story Behind.