The Tale of the Mean Parking Note (and My Road Rage Redemption)

A few weeks ago, I found a scathing note on my car criticizing my parking skills. I was incredulous. Naturally, I did what any rational adult would do I took pictures of my parking, and I asked friends and coworkers for their professional opinion. Verdict? 10 out of 10 nurses and social workers (my esteemed panel of parking experts) reviewed the photos I took of my parking job and declared it “perfectly fine” with one, “you are close to the right side, but still within the lines.”

But despite my confidence in my parking prowess, that note hit me hard. The day before, I’d had a gut-wrenching experience at work that left me reeling. Plus, I’d just gotten back from New York, where I’d been caring for my mom, and life felt piled high with “too much.” So instead of shrugging it off with a sassy “bless your heart,” I cried. Like, ugly cried. All the way home.

And as the tears fell, one thought kept playing in my head: Even if I had parked badly (which I didn’t), why be mean about it? You just don’t know what’s going on in someone else’s life. Be kind.

Enter the plot twist: That experience didn’t just hurt my feelings—it convicted me.

Because here’s the thing, while I would never leave a rude note on someone’s car, I have been known to throw out some colorful commentary about other drivers in the privacy of my own vehicle. (Let’s just say I have a wide range of “creative” nicknames for people who cut me off.)

So, am I really any better than the note-leaver? Not if I’m harboring those thoughts in my heart.

After a few weeks of reflection (and maybe a little guilt), I decided to flip the script. I grabbed a stack of Post-It notes, and put them in my car along with a marker. Why? Because I can leave notes too…..Positive Parking Notes!!

Instead of tearing people down, I’m building them up:

1. You are capable of amazing things.

2. You are loved.

3. You are stronger than you think.

4. May peace fill your heart and mind.

5. Your potential is limitless.

6. You make a difference in the world.

7. You are worthy of love and respect.

8. Keep going, you are doing great.

9. You have the power to make today great.

 

10. Your parking skills are fine, and so are you.  ✔️ Personal favorite! LOL!

 

It’s silly, it’s fun, and honestly, it’s changing my mindset. Every time I write a note, I’m practicing grace instead of impatience. It’s helping me slow my roll—literally and figuratively—when I feel frustrated during my daily errands.

Want to join me in this mission? Grab a marker, some Post-Its, and let’s spread some joy in the parking lots of the world. Need supplies? I’ll mail you a starter kit. Seriously, I’m all in on this.

Here’s to giving others (and ourselves) a little more grace. Let’s turn our moments of frustration into opportunities for kindness. Because you just never know what someone else is going through—and maybe your kind note is exactly what they need to keep going today!

 

I am going to share this with my team next time I am on the schedule to do our weekly devotions. Here are the verses and parallels I pulled from the experience.

 

Bible Verses and Parallels:

1. Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

• Parallel: Just as the note hurt my feelings, I must remember to be kind and compassionate, understanding that everyone has their own struggles.

2. Luke 6:35 - "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."

• Parallel: Instead of harboring negative thoughts about other drivers, choose to show love and kindness, even to those who may not deserve it.

3. Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

• Parallel: As a child of God, I’m empowered and responsible to reflect Him by embracing these virtues in my daily life, especially when facing with frustrating situations…like parking issues.

4. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

• Parallel: Practice love in all its forms, including patience and kindness, even when dealing with minor or even grand annoyances. (See I said “practice!” Because it’s not like we are gonna be perfect!)

Challenge: Join me in spreading positivity through small acts of kindness, like leaving positive parking notes. Seemingly small actions can have a profound impact on others let’s encourage a culture of compassion and kindness in our community.

Side note – not sure if I should include this but you may be interested in the fact that the next day I was talking through the hoispital and the gift shop was selling car air fresheners on their hallway clearance table…one read PEACE.  I bought this and placed it on the person’s car who left that charming note for me.  I hope it spoke to them.

Beauty in Imperfection

       Finding Beauty in Imperfection

As I was putting up my mom’s Christmas decorations, I came across a star she had made. I loved it so much that I decided to make some to give away. However, what I started out to create did not come together as I had anticipated. The sticks were wet from recent rain, so I had to wait for them to dry. Some were hard to bend and even snapped in half. Others required a bit of glue, while some needed extra wire, and the fabric on some unraveled and frayed. Only a few turned out as I had envisioned. I wasn’t even going to give them out, but then I thought…

This star isn’t perfect, and neither are we. At times, we feel frayed, held together with life’s glue and wire, yet it’s these very imperfections that make us real, strong, and beautiful. Like this star, we shine brightest when we bring our unique parts together—flaws and all.

Life often feels like building these stars—imperfect, sometimes messy, and requiring patience. There are days when the pieces don’t fit as we’d hoped, and the outcomes aren’t what we envisioned. But just like these stars, the care, persistence, and love we pour into our lives create light in the lives of others. In the end, it’s not perfection that makes the difference, but the heart behind it.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

This verse emphasizes that our imperfections and weaknesses can be sources of strength and beauty, much like the stars. This Christmas, may you find joy in the imperfect, light in the fray, and beauty in the small things made with much love.

Merry Christmas, Hannah Wildes-Trumble

2024!

 What a year! As I scrolled through my photos to create a collage for each month, it hit me—no wonder I’m heading into 2025 feeling a little exhausted! 😂 But wow, 2024, you were unforgettable.

This was the year I celebrated a big milestone: 50 trips around the sun! My word for the year was joy, and let me tell you, joy is no passive feeling. It’s an active pursuit—a choice to find light in dark moments, to share smiles when tears feel easier, and to trust God’s faithfulness every step of the way.

2024 wasn’t without its ups and downs, but it taught me how to carry joy through it all. I found joy in new adventures, in old traditions, and in countless moments that reminded me just how good God is—how present He is in the highs and lows and how His love sustains through it all.

Thank you, 2024. I learned, I grew, and I’m grateful.

And thank you to all my friends and family who shared this year with me—your prayers, encouragement, and laughter brought the gifts of peace, comfort, strength, and love! 

Here’s to stepping into 2025 ready to THRIVE—stronger, smarter, healthier, and with JOY!!

I love you, pass it on!

Christmas Klepto

I feel like a sitcom episode: That Time I (Accidentally?) Became a Christmas Crook

Oh my gosh, you guys. Last night, on my way home from the hospital, I decided to stop at Dollar Tree. (Because where else do you turn when life is chaos and you need a little retail therapy on a budget?)

Here’s the thing I’m learning about stores in New York: they don’t give you bags. You have to bring your own, which I completely forgot. No problem, I thought—I’ll figure it out.

So, there I was, unloading all my treasures onto the counter. Meanwhile, Claudia was doing her best to distract me, and Beaver was on the phone asking for updates. Between their shenanigans and my growing exhaustion, I started feeling overwhelmed. I think my brain just short-circuited, because the next thing I knew, I was back in the car with all my stuff.

At first, I thought, “Wow, I only spent $13? I must’ve been extra thrifty today!” But when I got home, I started unpacking and realized there was no way I had paid for all of it. I had at least $30 worth of Dollar Tree gold!

When I woke up in the middle of the night (because apparently guilt doesn’t sleep), I replayed the moment in my head. I remembered the cashier giving me a very confused look. And honestly, she had every reason to. Picture it: me, wearing a ridiculous Santa headband I’d thrown on earlier to entertain CJ, pink rhinestone glasses perched on my nose, a string of pearls, and the frazzled energy of someone barely holding it together.

I must’ve looked like the ghost of Christmas chaos. Between my accessorized hot mess vibe and Claudia’s distractions, that poor cashier probably didn’t know what hit her.

So now, today’s mission is Operation Dollar Tree Redemption. I’m going back to make it right because, let’s be honest, nothing says “holiday spirit” like confessing your accidental kleptomania while dressed like a walking Christmas card.

The Power of Pause

 As we all find ourselves navigating the ups and downs post-election, I feel led to share a devotional I recently presented. I think we could all use a moment to pause and reflect. In a time when emotions and opinions are high, the act of stepping back to regroup, recharge, and then get busy with what needs to be done!

Here’s what I shared with the team, with a prayer for each of you to find a pause that renews and strengthens your heart.

PACC Devotions – 11/12/2024

By: Hannah Wildes-Trumble

The Power of Pause

There has been a lot of talk around here in the past few days about taking a pause…when reflecting on this I thought…I often overlook the significance of a “pause,” but really, it holds immense power. As I thought about it some more, I was reminded of how Jesus himself took time to pause…. regroup, reflect, and rest.

In fact, throughout the Bible, we see numerous instances where pausing is emphasized. Jesus set this example, as he frequently took time away from the crowds to pray and seek solitude. For example, Mark 1:35, it says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” This shows us the importance of taking time to pause and connect with God.

A few more examples of pauses in the Bible that highlight its significance:

• Creation: After each day of creation, God paused to reflect on His work and saw that it was good (Genesis 1). This shows the importance of taking time to appreciate and evaluate our efforts.

• Moses and the Israelites: After crossing the Red Sea, Moses and the Israelites paused to sing a song of praise to God for their deliverance (Exodus 15:1-21).

• Samuel’s Ebenezer Stone: Samuel set up a stone called Ebenezer to commemorate God’s help in defeating the Philistines, encouraging the Israelites to pause and remember God’s faithfulness (1 Samuel 7:12).

• Communion: Jesus instituted the practice of Communion, asking His disciples to pause and remember His sacrifice (Luke 22:19).

• Selah in Psalms: The term “Selah” appears frequently in the Psalms, inviting readers to pause and reflect on the words and meditate on their meaning (e.g., Psalm 46:10).

These examples illustrate how pausing can help us connect with God, reflect on His goodness, and gain strength for our journey.

So, why pause? A pause is powerful because it makes us stronger. It reinvigorates us and gives us time to invest in ourselves so we can more fully invest in others. When we take a moment to pause, we allow ourselves to recharge and gain a fresh perspective.

After I wrote down my thoughts, I got to thinking that the Pause is only half the challenge – the other part - that is crucial, is that we don’t get stuck there. We should use this time to rest and restore, but then we need to get back to our work with renewed vigor. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” This includes both times of rest and times of action.

My challenge to you today is to consider incorporating pauses into your daily routine. Whether it’s a few minutes of quiet reflection in the morning, a short walk during lunch, or wandering into the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights, these pauses can help you stay grounded and focused. So, as we go about our busy lives, let’s remember the power of pause and how by taking the time to rest and reflect, we can draw closer to God and then as we step back into our hustle and bustle, we can have renewed energy and be more effective in our service to others. Selah.

May Jesus, guide us into moments that help us quiet our hearts, renew our minds and our energies and help us to refocus ourselves on the One who deserves all the glory – Selah and Amen.

Cover People

 Cover of the Book Day! 

Yup it’s made up, I made it up just now! Since there are so many made up holidays I am making my own! 

Beaver and I liken our kiddos’ stories and our family journey to a book. Not everyone gets to read it. In fact, most only get to see the cover! Some actually care enough they get to read the back and learn a little more. Some get to see the summary or intro page. While others are afforded peeks at certain chapter we reveal and those closest, most trusted, see the whole story. 

As we look back at our story we see our Village throughout the pages! The times when the ink runs dry or the words are hard to find you’ve helped write our story with infusions of love, prayers, safe spaces, brave spaces, spaghetti casseroles, a load of laundry, a hand to hold or to pass a tissue, or to laugh with us at absurdities that others can’t even fathom nor would they even find it the slightest bit funny! 

Soo..Cover Day inception….

Here we are in a new chapter of…. adult….ish! It’s a different, interesting and often a fun and difficult one to navigate for all of us.

And today (yesterday now) I was in a place where the ink was dry….as in the past months people, who don’t deserve to even read the cover, have been cruel and others have taken advantage. 

So, here’s to you Cover People who, at a glance, think you understand what is inside and judge and act without even caring to read the back cover to gain a tiny bit more insight and perspective, it’s okay though you don’t deserve to read it, we understand it’s not for everyone! Bless your hearts 💕 (I can say that with intention now since I’m kind of a southerner 😂)!

For those who’ve made it this far, welcome to the ever evolving summary! 

This is my boy, our boy!! Such a great kid…most of the time…(🤣IYKYK🥰) and we love him, ALL of the time! 

He is a full-time college student and a Veterinary Assistant a local Animal Clinic. He is tender hearted, kind and  therefore often loves pets more than people as the level of acceptance and understanding from the former is greater! He is active in church,  striving for acceptance and also wanting to learn more about Jesus and how to serve Him. 

Austin Jonathan, we pray for you to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and discernment. We pray you continue grow to love all of God’s creation (even humans in all of their…human-ness) And again, discernment…of those who get to be close enough to understand certain chapters and those who need to be kept as Cover People!

Don’t pass the Mayo!

 Thank you all for your prayers. Our Mayo visit yesterday went extremely well. Everyone was exceptionally knowledgeable, organized, and kind. 

Probably the most comforting aspect of our visit was the validation. It felt good to know the trajectory we’ve been on, since connecting with our local endocrinologist, is spot on; and now the folks at Mayo will help take it to the next level to determine treatment and advocate for further exploration. 

More testing over the next few weeks and then we hope to have a more definitive diagnosis and plan. 

So, in true Trumble-fashion…on the way there I rolled down the back window instead of the front, no biggie, but it wouldn’t roll up!!! Why?!! 

Hmmm…okay, we have all our stuff in the car we can hardly just leave it in the parking garage with the window down…

We phone a friend for any tips…nothing…Beaver is googling tips…

We pull into a parking lot and open and SLAM door several times in case it helps….(hey, ya never know). I thought people would think we were nuts so then I got laughing…lending more credence to their potential thoughts of my instability… added to this is that Beaver is outside pulling up on the window and saying “you aren’t slamming it hard enough” and “well don’t slam it 50 times in a row, you look crazy!” 

Hahahaaha!!! 

Omgosh! By then I was biting my cheek so I don’t bust up laughing. Suddenly, something worked….likely just the grace of God saving us from ourselves…and the window sailed up!! Whoot Whoot!!! 

All in all it was a reminder that despite ourselves He is ever present in our times of need. We felt your prayers and now you know that your intercession for us included a rebellious window!