1 00:00:04,160 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: Hello, friends, Welcome to Story Behind podcast. This is the 2 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: show for people who love hearing a good story and 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: who believe the world could use more positivity. We're the 4 00:00:15,720 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 1: team behind God Updates and God Too, and we hope 5 00:00:18,960 --> 00:00:22,480 Speaker 1: these weekly short stories will brighten your day. 6 00:00:27,280 --> 00:00:29,840 Speaker 2: After losing her sister, this teacher found a beautiful way 7 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:33,159 Speaker 2: to inspire kindness in her students. Written by Heather Riggleman 8 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:36,520 Speaker 2: raad by Julie Provost. After losing her sister, this teacher 9 00:00:36,520 --> 00:00:38,919 Speaker 2: found a beautiful way to inspire kindness and her students 10 00:00:39,280 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 2: After an unimaginable loss, Some people retreat inward. Others quietly 11 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:47,600 Speaker 2: choose to let love move outward. Christina Olmer chose a 12 00:00:47,640 --> 00:00:50,640 Speaker 2: second path. In twenty fourteen, Christina lost her sister in 13 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:53,280 Speaker 2: a car accident. In the stun hours that followed, she 14 00:00:53,360 --> 00:00:55,920 Speaker 2: and her parents stood at the scenes, searching for something, anything, 15 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:58,640 Speaker 2: that still felt like her. In her sister's wallet was 16 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:02,560 Speaker 2: a small stack of cash tips from waitressing shifts worked 17 00:01:02,560 --> 00:01:05,559 Speaker 2: faithfully on the side. Christina held onto the money, unsure 18 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:07,520 Speaker 2: what to do with it, tucking it away in a 19 00:01:07,560 --> 00:01:10,360 Speaker 2: drawer where it stayed for four long years. Life goes 20 00:01:10,440 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 2: forward as it does Christina became a ninth grade English 21 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 2: teacher at hatbro Horsom High School. One semester, her students 22 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 2: were reading Fahrenheit four fifty one, a novel meant to 23 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:24,200 Speaker 2: warn about a future stripped of empathy and connection. As 24 00:01:24,200 --> 00:01:26,479 Speaker 2: she taught, Krisina felt the tug of her sister's heart, 25 00:01:26,640 --> 00:01:29,840 Speaker 2: the way she always noticed people always cared. That's when 26 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,679 Speaker 2: the idea came. Christina took the money and turned it 27 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:36,080 Speaker 2: into something living. She called it the twenty Dollars Kindness Challenge. 28 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:39,200 Speaker 2: Each semester, she gave every student twenty dollars with one 29 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 2: instruction used it to do good. What happens next is 30 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 2: never the same. One student, Ellie, spent her money making 31 00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 2: bracelets for elementary school students, carefully grouping them by grade. Another, Victoria, 32 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 2: chose to support a nonprofit helping dogs in need. Peter 33 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:56,920 Speaker 2: noticed how much more powerful generosity felt when students pulled 34 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 2: their money together. Charlie gave his gift towards Parkinson's recent 35 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:03,520 Speaker 2: honoring his father's long fight with the disease. The kindness 36 00:02:03,520 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 2: didn't stop at the act itself. Students created videos reflecting 37 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:11,000 Speaker 2: on what they learned, and something shifted classrooms became warmer, 38 00:02:11,360 --> 00:02:16,200 Speaker 2: students felt seen. Purpose replaced indifference, Words spread, donations poured in. 39 00:02:16,320 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 2: Over the years, hundreds of students have had the chance 40 00:02:18,440 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 2: to practice compassion with their own hands. Teachers from across 41 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:24,440 Speaker 2: the country began reaching out, asking how they could start 42 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:27,800 Speaker 2: something similar. But the quiet miracle kept happening at Christina's 43 00:02:27,800 --> 00:02:31,480 Speaker 2: heart too. Each story shared, each act of generosity softened 44 00:02:31,480 --> 00:02:34,040 Speaker 2: the ache she carried. It felt like her sister's legacy 45 00:02:34,120 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 2: unfolding right in front of her. Love multiplied through young 46 00:02:37,600 --> 00:02:40,520 Speaker 2: people learning that kindness isn't small and that generosity doesn't 47 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 2: require perfection. Christina looks at her students with hope, not 48 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,560 Speaker 2: because they are flawless, but because they are willing, and 49 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 2: she believes deeply that this next generation just might save 50 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 2: the world. Do not grow weary and doing good, for 51 00:02:52,600 --> 00:02:54,640 Speaker 2: at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if 52 00:02:54,680 --> 00:03:13,079 Speaker 2: we do not give up Galatians six'. Nine pastor finds 53 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 2: strength and faith in community while navigating recovering following a 54 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,120 Speaker 2: sudden stroke written By Jully Provos read By Jully. Provos 55 00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 2: life can change in an, instant and that is exactly 56 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,239 Speaker 2: what happened to a pastor From. CALIFORNIA a few weeks, 57 00:03:25,280 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 2: Ago Chris meekins's pastor Of Pacific City church In Santa, Monica, 58 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:32,040 Speaker 2: california was In texas for a business trip when the unexpected. 59 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:34,239 Speaker 2: Happened he suffered a, stroke one that he never saw. 60 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,200 Speaker 2: Coming when a smile on his, Face Chris meekins started 61 00:03:37,200 --> 00:03:39,520 Speaker 2: off his video about what happened on his YouTube channel 62 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,920 Speaker 2: with a. Joke, hello my name Is Chris, meekins and 63 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 2: my favorite band Is The, strokes he said with a. 64 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:46,600 Speaker 2: Laugh about ten days, Earlier christ was on a business 65 00:03:46,600 --> 00:03:49,040 Speaker 2: trip In texas when while in his hotel, room he 66 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 2: started experiencing tightness and pain in the back of his. 67 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:54,040 Speaker 2: Head can you write away that something wasn't. Right he 68 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,560 Speaker 2: wasn't able to walk, correctly and his head started to feel. 69 00:03:56,600 --> 00:03:59,440 Speaker 2: Numb he decided to drink some, water but couldn't swallow. 70 00:03:59,480 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 2: It something was really wrong AND i was really, scared he, 71 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: said anyone would be in a. Situation he called his, 72 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 2: Wife nicole and put his symptoms into CHAT. Gdp it 73 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:10,280 Speaker 2: told him that he could be having a. Stroke she 74 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:12,320 Speaker 2: then called nine one, one but when they got to, 75 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,800 Speaker 2: him they assumed he had to be on. Drugs because 76 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:16,640 Speaker 2: he was too healthy to have had this happened to. 77 00:04:16,720 --> 00:04:18,760 Speaker 2: Him they did take him to the hospital and A 78 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 2: seti scan revealed that he was having a. Stroke his 79 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:24,240 Speaker 2: quick thinking and action saved his. Life they were able 80 00:04:24,279 --> 00:04:27,000 Speaker 2: to give him medicine within two hours that helped stop the. 81 00:04:27,000 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 2: Stroke chris was then transferred to A level one facility 82 00:04:30,279 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 2: where he remained in intensive care for a few, days 83 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 2: then to the hospital floor for a few. Days it 84 00:04:35,400 --> 00:04:37,280 Speaker 2: was there that he became stable and learned what had 85 00:04:37,279 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 2: happened to. Him he had had a. Stroke according to HIS, 86 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:44,760 Speaker 2: GoFundMe chris experienced a left vertebral artery dissension that resulted 87 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:48,039 Speaker 2: in a left medullary. Stroke thanks to rapid medical, care 88 00:04:48,080 --> 00:04:50,920 Speaker 2: he is now stable and has begun intensive and patient. 89 00:04:50,960 --> 00:04:54,920 Speaker 2: Rehabilitation he's already showing meaningful signs of, progress but recovery 90 00:04:54,920 --> 00:04:57,000 Speaker 2: from the type of stroke is measured in, months not, 91 00:04:57,120 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 2: weeks and will require sustain, therapy support and resence and 92 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 2: as far as his post stroke symptoms. Go one thing 93 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 2: he mentions in the video is his. VOICE i don't 94 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 2: normally sound like the, clown he. Jokes he also couldn't see, 95 00:05:07,800 --> 00:05:10,240 Speaker 2: straight had blurred, vision and had trouble, walking as well 96 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:13,359 Speaker 2: as trouble with other normal. Functions the good thing the doctor, 97 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:15,600 Speaker 2: said and my wife has, said is that my brain 98 00:05:15,680 --> 00:05:18,799 Speaker 2: is fully, intact THAT i am fully, Sharp i'm fully, 99 00:05:18,800 --> 00:05:21,160 Speaker 2: There i'm. Ready in, Fact i'm a little anxious to get, 100 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,800 Speaker 2: going he. Shares he goes on to say that doctors 101 00:05:23,880 --> 00:05:25,839 Speaker 2: have told him the big problem would be the mental. 102 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,400 Speaker 2: Game i'm trapped up. Here there's EVERYTHING i want to, 103 00:05:28,440 --> 00:05:30,560 Speaker 2: do BUT i can't do, it and So i'm, trying he. 104 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,440 Speaker 2: Said one can imagine that the recovery after such a 105 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:36,400 Speaker 2: serious medical incident would be a, long emotional, one from 106 00:05:36,480 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 2: learning how to do things differently to being stuck by your. 107 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 2: Limitations chris goes on to thank all those who have, 108 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 2: helped from bringing gifts to praying to making. Playlists he 109 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:47,160 Speaker 2: also thinks friends who came out to see, him including 110 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:49,679 Speaker 2: one who could only stay for an. Hour when someone 111 00:05:49,680 --> 00:05:51,440 Speaker 2: goes through something like, this it is heart rooming to 112 00:05:51,480 --> 00:05:54,520 Speaker 2: see their community set up to. Help having that support 113 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:56,479 Speaker 2: is so. Important The body Of christ is so good 114 00:05:56,520 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 2: at coming to others', needs and this time the pastor's. 115 00:05:59,720 --> 00:06:02,360 Speaker 2: NEEDS a Go fundme has been set up For chris 116 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 2: and his family as well as a caring bridge to 117 00:06:04,120 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 2: keep everyone updated on his healing, journey also to share 118 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:10,160 Speaker 2: ways his community can serve and help, them including his 119 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:12,599 Speaker 2: wife and. Daughter there's going to be a lot of 120 00:06:12,640 --> 00:06:14,760 Speaker 2: need to prepare a lot of friendship over the coming. 121 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:16,480 Speaker 2: WEEKS i want to hang with, YOU i want to 122 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:18,400 Speaker 2: talk to, you hear from. YOU i want to be 123 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 2: encouraged by you and encourage, you the pastor. Shares in 124 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:24,159 Speaker 2: another video From march, Seven chris shares an update about 125 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,640 Speaker 2: his progress after being in the hospital for sixteen or seventeen. 126 00:06:26,720 --> 00:06:29,719 Speaker 2: Days he passed swallow test and the doctors have said 127 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:32,320 Speaker 2: he is. Improving he is slowly getting, better but also 128 00:06:32,320 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 2: still has a long way to. Go he does have 129 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:36,720 Speaker 2: a lesson in all of, this don't let's stroke happen 130 00:06:36,760 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 2: to you before you realize there is so much that's 131 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,559 Speaker 2: outside of our. Control he. SAYS i what a perfect 132 00:06:41,600 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 2: reminder to trust In god, always no matter what situation 133 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: you're going. Through chris goes on to, share my hope 134 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:49,000 Speaker 2: is That god can teach me how to have a 135 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 2: better perspective on these. Things it is such a blessing 136 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 2: to See chris's community serve and love him after his 137 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:56,720 Speaker 2: stroke and to see his sense of humor shine through it. 138 00:06:56,760 --> 00:07:00,280 Speaker 2: All sometimes you just need a little laugh. Gold we 139 00:07:00,320 --> 00:07:03,040 Speaker 2: will have. Hardships there will be, illnesses, accidents and things 140 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 2: we never saw. Coming but we have the love Of 141 00:07:05,200 --> 00:07:07,599 Speaker 2: jesus to walk with us through, them and we Praise 142 00:07:07,640 --> 00:07:09,480 Speaker 2: god that we never have to go through it. Alone 143 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 2: is anyone among you, sick let them call the elders 144 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:14,480 Speaker 2: of the church to pray over them and annoint them 145 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:16,240 Speaker 2: with oil in the name of The. Lord and the 146 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:18,480 Speaker 2: prayer offered in faith will make the sick, person while 147 00:07:18,600 --> 00:07:21,239 Speaker 2: The lord will raise them. Up if they have, sinned 148 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:24,640 Speaker 2: they will be. Forgiven james five fourteen through. 149 00:07:24,680 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 1: Fifteen thank you so much for listening To Story behind. 150 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,960 Speaker 1: Podcast we're really glad you joined us for this week's. 151 00:07:38,960 --> 00:07:42,040 Speaker 1: Story to see photos and videos that may have been 152 00:07:42,080 --> 00:07:45,040 Speaker 1: referenced in this, episode check out the links and the show, 153 00:07:45,080 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 1: notes and if you enjoyed what you heard, today subscribe 154 00:07:48,800 --> 00:07:51,320 Speaker 1: to our podcast and please tell a friend about. Us 155 00:07:52,200 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 1: we'd also love it if you'd rate us and leave 156 00:07:54,400 --> 00:07:57,240 Speaker 1: us a. Review it really does help more people find. 157 00:07:57,320 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 1: Us Story behind is A Salem Web new work. PRODUCTION 158 00:08:06,800 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 1: yahm