Community Mattering

Through the lens of my phone, I see a house filled with well-loved books—some mine, some donated, all awaiting new hands. It’s the physical manifestation of an idea that grew from MAPP: that gratitude, when practiced, becomes generative. The Phoenix Used Bookshop is my ripple—where stories are given second lives. For the past year, I’ve invested in belonging, in community, and in the quiet faith that small acts of trust and care can compound into something enduring. I know that books build community. The legacy I hope to leave isn’t in what I’ve built, but in what keeps circulating—hope, curiosity, and the reminder that a new story is always possible. Here’s to finding a location for all these books in my house, an amazing grand opening to the store, and huge thank you to MAPP!