Originally posted on Facebook on Friday, May 31, 2019.

I am humbled by the number of extraordinary people I meet on a near daily basis in Starkville -people eager to roll up their sleeves to make the city we love and call home a better place. Tomorrow, a group of these extraordinary people will be spring cleaning the J.L. King Center to prepare it for its new life.

If you're seeking an opportunity to volunteer, or just interested in investing in the community, you are welcome to join. Clean-up of the offices in the J.L. King Community Center will begin at 7:30 AM, Saturday May 31, 2019, 700 N Long St, Starkville, MS 39759.

Please feel free to bring any extra brooms, mops, or gloves you can spare. It's dusty in places, so please prepare accordingly.

Originally posted on Facebook on Monday, May 20, 2019.

I thought nothing about crushing bugs on sight. Now, this woman has our entire family gently ushering them out of our home and stopping to appreciate all manner of wildlife. She accomplished that, not by putting something down (e.g. you're bad and you should feel bad if you don't think the way I do), but by lifting something up and elevating it in our eyes (e.g. nature is beautiful and here is why).

Friday, students of the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District honored Dr. Jessica Witt Tegt, sharing one-by-one how their lives had been impacted by her as the founder of Starkville Science Club, Science Olympiad and the YES! Program. Dr. Tegt taught a lot of great lessons, but her commitment to elevating appreciation of something by elevating people is by far the greatest lesson she's imparted to us all.

Melissa Luckett and I thank you for all you've done for our community and our family through your science programs and your friendship.

Originally posted on Facebook on Wednesday, May 1, 2019.

I've been on an encouraging journey with a group called SOUL (Starkville Oktibbeha Unity League). These are people who want to see Starkville become the best it can be by building on our wonderful diversity rather than being divided by it.

Our most recent get together, organized by Michael Valentine, was to the Islamic mosque here in Starkville. We were graciously hosted and educated about Islam by Dr. Rani Sullivan.

Besides a number of surprising things we share theologically (such as the virgin birth), what struck me most was the common decency of people: kindness, hospitality and a willingness to help. This is the vantage from which I choose to see my Muslim neighbors. This is the commonality from which I hope we all build.