I don’t typically get into politics or things that can bring a person down. It’s not my thing. My things are bringing you good recipes, heartfelt stories, the love of Jesus, funny family shares, holiday greetings, and giving people a reason to smile.

I love to share joy because this world we live in can be so darn depressing if you really sit and think about it or watch the news. If I can bring five minutes of happiness to someone each week, this makes me so happy. For those five minutes of reading, you aren’t thinking about anything else. I hope it takes you to a safe place and brings you warmth as you read it. You never know each week what this crazy girl is going to write about! (Always have to keep you folks on your toes, haha!)

But guys, today my heart hurts. Not only is today 9/11, but yesterday, as the whole world knows, Charlie Kirk was killed. A few days before this, a Ukrainian woman was killed on a train. Both of these people died a meaningless death. They had families. They had a life worth living.

I woke up feeling like the world was so heavy. It made my heart sad to think about what these people’s families were going through.

Now, I did not know who Charlie was or what he stood for. None of that matters. No one should ever be killed for their beliefs. No one should ever be killed for the color of their skin or anything else, for that matter. It makes me sick.

Why is our world filled with so much hate and evil? How can someone just take a person’s life, and it just seems so normal to hear it on the news anymore?

You can be scrolling through Facebook, looking at a cute puppy or a baby getting a hearing aid, and hearing his mother’s voice for the first time. Next, you watch a cooking video, and then some lady falls off a dock into a lake, and you start cracking up because it reminds you of yourself. Then suddenly, BAM, there’s a video of someone being stabbed or shot!? How can this be? Why is this becoming so normal to us? It’s not right. None of this is right. People’s deaths are not entertainment. The world we live in feels so twisted and dark.

How quickly things can be recorded and posted to the internet in the blink of an eye. We have to worry about our children’s safety at school. Being in a dark parking lot at night and leaving the keys in our cars. Worry about saying something wrong to anyone on account of them killing you because they are just plain crazy. I mean, that Ukrainian girl didn’t even say or do anything!? My mind is spinning. My heart is hurting (more than normal). This just isn’t right. Why do we have to live in such a cruel world where we are feeling so divided? Afraid to say what our religion is. Afraid to talk about politics. Afraid to say something because everyone is so damn sensitive anymore!

Can’t we please be kinder? Can we spread love instead of hate?

I had a woman a few days ago, now I don’t remember where I was, but I was walking into a store, and we both smiled at each other. As I smiled at her, her smile got even bigger. You would have thought we knew each other. But because she smiled bigger, it made me smile again. We didn’t know each other, but just a simple smile and a kind face made my day a little brighter. We never know what someone is going through. How a simple act like a smile can lift someone.

A smile is free. What if one smile or a simple “Good Morning” or “How are you” could change a whole person’s day?

We all have to stand together to try to make this world a better place.

It starts with you and me. Little by little, we can make a difference. Please, for the love of God, something has to change. Why can’t we help make that change? We have to stick together!

Share joy. Pray often. Smile big. Spread hope.

Crockpot Chicken Corn Chowder with Bacon
Ingredients:
• 4 large boneless chicken breasts, generously seasoned with chicken seasoning
• 1 small onion, chopped

Directions:

Place the chicken in a crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours, depending on the size of your chicken.

Once the chicken is cooked, shred it up with a fork or mixer. If you need to add more broth, now is the time to do so.
Additional Ingredients:
• 2 cups chicken broth (you’ll most likely need more broth!)
• 2 cups corn
• 1 tablespoon flour (optional)
• 4 slices of thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1/2 bag of Ore-Ida potatoes with peppers and onions
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 2 cups of extra sharp Cabot cheese, shredded
• Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:

Add corn and potatoes. Let it cook for an additional hour on high.

Then add heavy cream, sour cream, cheese, bacon, and seasonings.

Let everything melt and heat for about fifteen minutes, and the soup is ready.

Note: If you want a thicker-based soup, make a roux with the flour.