A teenager with Down Syndrome in Mississippi is proving she’s got what it takes to be on her junior high’s cheerleading squad and inspiring her community in the process.

At first, I thought it was an aberration, just a good friend trying to make life easier for me after a festive birthday dinner. Her tone was firm, leaving no room for even a mouse-squeak of a protest.

    “Don’t write me a thank you note; it’s not necessary.”

    Do what? (This is a column by Celia Rivenbark from her website)

The road to establishing John Rose’s (Class of 1986 – JMU) career as a cartoonist was paved with a lunchtime meal of Cocoa Puffs—which he’d one day choke on following a phone call from Fred Lasswell, the cartoonist behind the renowned Barney Google and Snuffy Smith comics. From James Madison University News

Ryan Giancola and his friends were enjoying a beach vacation in Duck, North Carolina, last week when an elderly woman approached them with a unique request. From Southern Living

Here is a great 1 minute pep talk between a father and his child in the morning before school. We all a Dad like this… From Southern Living

There are some people that resonate beauty and grace with a simple, “hello”.  Pam Tebow, the mother of Tim Tebow, is one of those people. It is clear in Pam’s tone and manner that she loves both Jesus and her family.  From Christian Headlines

Recording artist Lauren Daigle has received six nominations from the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards. From Christian Headlines

Bringing Together Young And Old To Ease The Isolation Of Rural Life – A great story from NPR (Both audio and written)

Want To Feel Happier Today? Try Talking To A Stranger – The doors open wide, you enter, and they close behind you. As the elevator begins its ascent, you realize it’s just you and one other person taking this ride. The silence soon grows uncomfortable. (From WFDD – Public Radio)

Christian US Swimmer Breaks Michael Phelps World Record in 100-Meter Butterfly – Twenty-two-year-old Caeleb Dressel broke retired Olympic champion Michael Phelps’ world record in the 100-meter butterfly last week.  (from Christian Headlines)