029 – Barbara Marsh – A Generous Real Estate Company Story Part 2

She’s a very, very strong woman. Lived through the war, actually, in Europe, you know, during World War 2, immigrated to this country. And so she had a lot of trials growing up. So she was just a tough nut, and, no, she was not going to take anything the doctor was saying.
Introduction
Kim Moeller [00:00:24]:Well, it’s super fun to continue this conversation.I’ve chosen to spotlight AARE, Andrew Arroyo Real Estate, because of how they incorporate generosity into the very fibers of their being as a company, as we heard from Mindi Landry on our last episode. And today, you’re going to meet our fellow agent Barbara Marsh, and I know you’re going to love her story. So thanks for being here.
Welcome back to the Generous Girl Podcast. I am so happy to have Barbara Marsh here. This is our 2nd episode in a 2 part series, and we’re spotlighting Andrew Arroyo Real Estate, AARE. Barbara has been ar ealtor here in the San Diego area since 2005.
Kim Moeller [00:01:22]: She has many professional certifications and is really an amazing person with generosity as a core part of her business, as well as how she spends her time. We often talk about generosity with our time, our talents, and our treasures. And I think when you hear about the different examples of how she has used generosity in her business, and in her life in partnering with groups like Habitat for Humanity or Soul for Souls, and the Alzheimer’s Association, you will be encouraged to take the next step in your own life as a volunteer. You might also be inspired to lead just a more generous life than you’re living today. So thank you, Barbara, for being here. It’s a privilege to have you.
Barbara’s Story
Barbara Marsh [00:02:08]:Oh, thank you, Kim, for inviting me to your Generous Girl podcast and to your audience and just to be part of all the other wonderful, beautiful women that have joined your series.Kim Moeller [00:02:21]:You are so welcome. And I agree. They are beautiful women, the people that I get to interview and you came highly recommended. So I love that we had Mindi Landry, a fellow agent at AARE on the podcast last week, and she emphasized her story and how she ended up at AARE, and why she chose to work there. For those listeners who haven’t heard that episode, she also has a real passion about ethics. Being a person of integrity within the workplace, as well as serving on a board for the state of California and then how her own practice has enabled generosity with her clients. And so today, as we continue a spotlight on your company, AARE. As I also mentioned on the last podcast, I’ve had my license for 10 years and don’t use it very actively because of my full time job with the National Christian Foundation, but I do love to refer people when people need an agent. And that’s how I got associated with AARE because of the reputation of AARE being a company that is committed to generosity. So I would love for you to specifically unpack that for the listener.Kim Moeller
AARE
[00:03:41]:What does that mean? What does it mean when you go on the AARE website and see Generous Giving listed there and you also see Eye of a Needle Foundation?
Barbara Marsh [00:03:50]: Wonderful, Kim. Thank you so much. Generous Giving is very unique concept, and AARE’s primary mission is to do God’s will through a vision of bearing much fruit. And Generous Giving really just falls right into that. And so the real idea, the premise of the initiative is from our real estate transactions in AARE and our leasing and property management services as well. Donations will be given to organizations that have partnered with us from the transaction dollars.So these amounts, these donations, can be
1, 000 of dollars to organizations, more than any individual donor potentially could give to an organization.
Barbara Marsh [00:04:42]:So this initiative began in 2018. Since then, through generous giving, we’ve donated over $165, 000 to 13 organizations here in San Diego and across the country. And there are numerous other organizations who we have partnered with, but 13 of those have been recipients of donation dollars with an average of about $20, 000 per year. So, that’s significant for our churches, for our schools, for veteran organizations. You know, we believe in the community spirit that these organizations have through their own fundraising efforts, but to have these passive donation dollars come to these organizations, We feel it’s just a wonderful gift.
Kim Moeller [00:05:25]:So walk someone through what that means in a typical transaction. Let’s just say that someone is selling a $1, 000, 000 house and you’re the agent and your person that you’re representing is really interested in you donating a piece of your commission towards this program to that individual’s charity of their choice. Tell the listener how that might work.
Generously Giving
Barbara Marsh [00:05:49]:Certainly. So I’ll give an example of my own, experience with a client that we had 2 transactions,a sale of his property and a purchase of a replacement property here in San Diego. And his preferred charity was the Adventist Escondido Adventist Academy. So how it would work is the organization first comes to us and we have an agreement with them that they want to participate in our Generous Giving program, then the transaction will, generate commission from the sale. And a percentage of that commission will then come from our brokerage to, for example, the Adventist Academy. So these two transactions were about $1, 500, 000 each. So that generated between $12, 018, 000 in donation dollars to the academy. So it’s not the funds that come from the from the owner or any extra cost to the owner.Barbara Marsh [00:06:54]:Simply from the commission dollars that are earned by AARE going directly to, in this case, the academy. And what was wonderful, the academy decided to use their funds to promote some of their students with scholarships, tuition scholarships. So I thought that was a great use of funds to be able to share with some of their families and their students the ability to, be part of theirschool.Kim Moeller [00:07:22]:
Yes. It would be neat to have a follow-up meeting, you know, to say here is what these dollars accomplished and then to all the people in the room, hey, you’re thinking of selling or buying, think this brokerage, AARE, because of their generosityBarbara Marsh [00:07:37]:it and it is a word-of-mouth so, you know one family had this wonderful experience and they’ll share it with their family or the school board or whatever community events that are going on with that organization. And it’s contagious. It’s really a great opportunity. We have 1 church here, in Poway that, one of our agents has had four transactions with them. And I think they’re up to $48, 000 in donation dollars. So, it’s just to start and it’s transparent. It’s easy. There’s nothing to be done for, the client or the organization that’s receiving the donation.
Barbara Marsh [00:08:16]:We will take care of that for you and be honored to present you with a big check with those donation dollars.Kim Moeller [00:08:23]:That is so exciting. And tell us about your 501c3 organization, Eye of a Needle within AARE? Because I think it’s just creative ideas, you know, creative ideas that other companies can listen and learn from what AARE has done to and and then incorporate into their own company, even if it’s not a real estate company.
Eye of A Needle Foundation

Barbara Marsh [00:08:47]:Absolutely. So a percentage of AARE’s, commissions that are earned throughout the year also go to dozens of other worldwide organizations through Eye of the Needle. So it’s just another aspect of sharing our resources with other organizations throughout the world, a percentage of those dollars go to help those communities in need. So these two initiatives work independently, but, you know, collectively as a generous donation opportunity when you work with any of the AARE associates on our sales transactions.
Kim Moeller [00:09:26]:That’s that’s wonderful. Well, I work in a similar field of generosity. So the joy of helping the person who has the donor advised fund or the NCF giving fund putting their own money into that donor advised fund and then choosing which of the thousands of organizations they can grant to is so fun. And I’m always like Switzerland. I wear that neutral hat. If someone’s interested in homelessness or anti trafficking. I know of a number of organizations here, for example, in the San Diego area, but maybe they want to do it more broadly or they even want to work with an overseas opportunity. But what’s so fun is just how I think those dollars, like, God multiplies those dollars
Kim Moeller [00:10:12]:So it may be a large amount that’s in someone’s giving fund that then goes to that organization,but it also may be, not that large of amount. And I think it just makes such a difference to these 501c3 organizations to get generous gifts that they can use then to further their mission and then we get to be a part of it as the giver.
Barbara Marsh [00:10:34]:Absolutely. And I just I always call it passive donation dollars. I mean, it’s really unexpected donations that really benefit these organizations. Yes, without the fun runs and the cookie drives, which are important to their communities. But to have a recurring donation, especially if you have a lot of members, you know, either buying or selling homes, But if you can also take it to the property management side, for example. I’m a property manager, and that type of revenue, many of these organizations or individuals hold their investment properties, and if you think about what they pay in property management fees, if we can contribute a percentage of that every month back to these organizations, then, I mean, that can end up to be 1, 000 of dollars a month that can be recurring income and revenue for them. So I think that’s really exciting.
Barbara Marsh [00:11:29]:But again, it multiplies, right? I mean, the more you give, I mean, the everybody is benefits. .And I think that’s just a wonderful, wonderful feeling and I’m so glad to be part of an organization that does that.
Kim Moeller [00:11:44]:Mhmm. And I am connected with the group here in San Diego called the Barnabas Group. We meet quarterly and we’ll spotlight different 501(c)3 organizations, and there’s time for networking. But I’ll always get four minutes on platform because of NCF being a sponsor of the Barnabas Group. So I said at one meeting that the headline in San Diego was that this was declared the most expensive city in the nation. So as a result of that headline, I feel like our goal as community members should be, let’s make it the most generous city in the nation. And what a model that would be across our country to all come together, link arms with our time, our talents, and our treasures and help that be our reputation here in San Diego. And I feel like you all are really doing an amazing job in taking that step within that vision.So thank you.
Barbara Marsh [00:12:37]:And just to to tag on to that, I think that makes a really good point because economic times are difficult now. Everything’s expensive. Maybe individuals don’t have those extra dollars to support their charities or their schools or their churches. Yet, business transactions are still happening. And so, to have that opportunity to give back to their organizations where they might feel like, oh, I wish I could, but I can’t. Sure. Here is an opportunity where they may be selling thei rhome anyway or buying a property or investment or managing properties.
Barbara Marsh [00:13:11]:And their organization of choice can benefit from those donations. SoI think that’s a really wonderful opportunity to, have available.Kim Moeller [00:13:22]:Well, and from the bigger picture from the NCF side of things, I really haven’t spent a lot of time on various podcasts talking about this real estate side. But, you know, you have the side where when someone is selling the property and if there is no debt, that’s the best type of a situation for this real estate model that I’m going to explain to work. For example, let’s say the property is totally paid off, but they bought it for a very low value and now they have a very large capital gain. When they start having conversations with our team at NCF, we have at eam of attorneys and CPAs who will help run the numbers. They can say, you know, I’m going to have this very large tax bill. I really want to give to charities, and they may be doing the program you’re talking about with their agent and have the percentage of the, commission that they’re donating. But there’s also a massive opportunity here where if they look at this and they realize, I’d like to really give $400, 000 to charity.
When they’re gifting that interest in the property or or in a business that, like, the part of the property that they’re saying, I’m giving to NCF before any contract has been signed, before any deal has been finalized, then the majority of all of that money goes to charity. So the combo of that happening, generating charitable dollars, ,because we do have a very generous tax code here in the United States unlike a lot of other countries, you’re able to gift a portion of your real estate to the charity. Or, we have people who gift their entire multi-million dollar property straight into their donor advised fund and have all of that money go to charity. So, you know, one of my strengths on the StrengthsFinder top 5 is being a maximizer, and I just love to help people understand that there are options or possibilities, and there are experts that can come alongside you like yourself and like myself in, you know, the NCF side of things where we’ll pull in additional experts, the team of experts to represent the client to help them accomplish what they’re trying to do and what’s on their heart to do in the name of generosity. So it’s super exciting. And I think when you’re in your world hearing these stories, looking at the academy that received the money and knowing how it was impacted forever, that is so powerful. For me, when I see these stories of people, how they’re generous with what they’re passionate about, it’s sort of like a FOMO. You feel like you want other people to not feel like they have this fear of missing out, but you can also be a part of this. It’s so fun.Barbara Marsh [00:16:02]:Absolutely. And it it’s contagious.Kim Moeller [00:16:04]:You know?Barbara Marsh [00:16:04]:
it’s a feel good. It’s contagious. And you know, you spread the word. You spread the generous wealth.Kim Moeller [00:16:11]:Yes.Barbara Marsh [00:16:11]:And what you do for your clients and your organizations, isn’t exclusive to them., We can be a partner. Absolutely. The same transaction can benefit you from the transaction side and from the capital gains, side as well. So, my goodness, I mean, an organization can really maximize their donation opportunities.Kim Moeller [00:16:36]:Yes.
Barbara Marsh [00:16:36]:And I I do want to mention even though that we are, headquartered out of San Diego, being brokered in 26 states, We have other, you know, agents throughout the country that we can,you know, refer out to those communities. So if we have a client here, but has family in the Midwest or back east, you know, we can refer and partner them with our AARE agents nationwide. So everyone can be benefiting from this, not just locally here in San Diego.
Kim Moeller [00:17:07]:Right. And, I’m hoping, because we are neutral here at NCF. I hope other real estate agencies hear this story and think, gosh, what kind of a generous giving program could we incorporate in our firms as well across the country? So and also I want to also do a shout out because of your section on your website generous giving I often refer to generous giving as a partner organization of ours and that is different than the generous giving on your website. It’s when you hear a journey of generosity or celebration of generosity on the prior podcast that’s what we’ve been referring to with generous giving, but this is like your own slant of generous giving. Okay, so let’s now transition more into Barbara and Barbara’s life being this person who has done many transactions and raised two beautiful daughters who are now independent in the world. And I know you were quite close to your mom when you found out when she was in her 70s and was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. And I thought it would be interesting because we always talk about how our guest has, you know, at some point had some mountain of adversity to climb over and come out on the other side and just kind of how did you feel God walked with you through that journey as you had to balance all of the different things of your daughters’ and your mother and your career and and then your passion as a volunteer today, still being connected with the Alzheimer’s Association?
My Mom Has Alzheimer’s
Barbara Marsh [00:18:50]:Of course. Well, thank you, Kim. So, yes, meeting my husband early in college,, marrying two weeks after graduation, moving to San Diego, raising our daughters, doing all the family, things together. And I was a stay at home mom,which was very important to us. Those were the values that that my husband and I, started our relationship with early on. And it meant a lot to us, to be blessed with the ability to stay at home and be with my daughters. And we were, fortunately, in a community where there were a lot of stay at home moms and playing outside on the street and selling cookies and lemonade out front. And it was nice.
Barbara Marsh [00:19:33]:I’m glad my daughters had that type of upbringing. And my mom lived in Los Angeles. And when my first daughter was born, she retired and she had to move to San Diego. She had to be, so close with us. Yeah. My daughters, and I’m an only child. So it’s all girls here, right? My grandmother, my daughters, and myself, and she moved close by. And, unfortunately, after several years now, my daughters are in high school.
Barbara Marsh [00:20:01]:And, in 2007, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. And the progression started just kind of very slight, forgetfulness. And, she was an independent woman. She had been a widow for herself for 20 years and bought houses, bought cars, managed her finances. So now things were starting to slip. And that was frustrating for her. Again, you know, we are independent adults and all of a sudden we can’t do what we’ve just naturally have been doing. So, being the caregiver now, it was a challenge with my own family, dynamic changing.
Barbara Marsh [00:20:38]:My daughters are now getting alittle bit more independent, going on college trips. Everybody’s now kind of in their 4 corners with me now focusing on my mother. So the emotional toll was taxing. I felt like I was always plugging up leaks. One would sprout here and get that taken care of and then another one would sprout. And as the disease progresses ,because it is a very progressive disease, it’s difficult.
Kim Moeller [00:21:06]: I’m so sorry.
Barbara Marsh [00:21:08]:My mother’s personality changes. There’s anger. There’s fear. And their personality changes. You know, they she wasn’t the grandmother that my daughters remembered. I think that was very difficult to watch my daughters not knowing how to interact with her grandmother. I had just gotten my license maybe 2 years prior and that was, you know, kind of on the back burner for a number of reasons, but just too much kind of going on indifferent directions.
Kim Moeller [00:21:38]:Did your mother believe the doctor when she received the diagnosis, or was it more of a story of it wasn’t something she could really grasp? Because I hear both. I hear some people understand it and recognize it and try to put everything in order knowing it is going progress rapidly versus some that might not really believe what the doctor says about the diagnosis?
Barbara Marsh [00:22:10]:Yeah. I think she’s a very, very strong woman. Lived through the war, actually, in Europe, you know, during World War 2, immigrated to this country. And so she had a lot of kind of trials growing up. Wow. So she was she was just a tough nut. And no, she was not going to take anything the doctor is saying. And so then she starts hearing it from me.
Barbara Marsh [00:22:32]:You know, mom, you can’t drive. Mom, I’m going :to take the keys.Barbara Marsh [00:22:36]:I need to take the car. That’s difficult on so many levels. Your independence to begin with. But there were subtleties when she would say, Barbara, can you write this check? And just leave itat that. Not I don’t remember how to just write this check fo rme. Sure. Sure. So I think that’s the most difficult time during this disease when you know something’s not quite right, but you don’t want to really accept it or you just kind of almost an observer of yourself.
Barbara Marsh [00:23:11]: So that was hard to watch. So I think it took some time. And after about 2 or 3 years into the disease, I do need to make the decision to put her in a care facility. She was beginning towander. I’m getting calls from neighbors for her safety. She didn’t want anybody in her house.So, that was very difficult because now you’re taking the person out of their own home.Barbara Marsh [00:23:37]:Right. And so that’s familiar to them. Mhmm.Barbara Marsh [00:23:40]:And so there’s anger, definitely anger. So I don’t think until the degree maybe the disease progresses even further where you’re not as aware, did she come to a point of maybe acceptance or melancholiness.
But those first couple years are the most difficult where in at least in her case, there was resistance.
Kim Moeller [00:24:04]:Right. Well, you’re losing the person you’ve known and loved before your eyes, versus, like, another form of a disease, a cancer that may be gradual or may be very quick. I’ve heard just the challenge of the grieving that’s going on while they’re still living here on this earth because it’s not the mom you knew and loved. She’ was becoming a different person.
Barbara Marsh [00:24:29]:Exactly. And it was difficult for my daughters to watch her change. I think there’s fear, there’s the unknown, you know, why is grandma this way or why is she angry at me today? And she’s not angry at you. It’s just unfortunately the way the disease is progressing.
And manifesting itself. I saw this one video of this woman who was getting married and her dad had Alzheimer’s. He was a talented painter at one point in his life and She walked out in her bridal gown looked amazing, you know, just kind of an horror so before the wedding. There was the dad and he looked at her and thought she looked pretty. But did not know it was his daughter. And so she had this all planned for him because she knew how his brain worked at that time. And so she then led him over to this table with his brushes and the canvas and paints. And as soon as he started painting, he knew who she was. And he was like, “It’s your wedding!” And it was like the person she knew came back and then was able to be there at the wedding and was just so remarkable, the brain. You know, how much we understand about it and how much we don’t understand. But I just thought it was so beautiful that she was still able to capture her dad in the body with the disease, and he was able to know who his daughter was.
Barbara Marsh [00:26:00]:That’s wonderful. Whenever I visited my mom in the care facility, she’d be in the front row listening to the guitar player or whatever entertainment they had so that made me feel good. I don’t think she was in pain. She was able to participate. And she was always an avid walker, and she’d always be walkingon the grounds. And so, that gave me joy and hope that, okay, you know, she’s interacting in her best ability.Kim Moeller [00:26:28]:Yes. And you’ve put her in a wonderful place for her for this season of her life.Barbara Marsh [00:26:33]:Exactly.
Kim Moeller [00:26:34]: Now that she’s passed, and I’m sorry, but I’m sure you just have many fond memories of this person who was your mother. You talked about her or in our pre-conversation being a real role model for you, as well as her mother. How did their lives inspire you to volunteer and be a part of these other organizations that are a part of your bio? Like, in today’s world, what does Barbara’s time look like today which groups are you passionate about?
Barbara Marsh [00:27:05]:Of course. Well back in 2007, I did not know anything about the Alzheimer’s Association. And it’s a scary time for the patient and the caregiver and the family. And the resources that the Alzheimer’s Association has is amazing. I started to be involved with them maybe 2016 or 2017, which was towards the end of my mother’s disease. She passed away in 2017. And, oh my gosh, the resources they have online, the 24 hour calls that you can make, because usually things happen in the middle of the night or on weekends. And they have call centers.Barbara Marsh [00:27:46]:Again, nationwide, there are local chapters that you can call and say this is happening or my loved one is behaving this way. What do I do? So there’s just the research that has been done continuously and over the last 7 to 10 years with great milestones made that helps the patients lead a more comfortable life during these years.
And the support for the caregiver is just instrumental. And I wish I had had that when I was caring for my mom. But that’s one of the reasons I do support them here locally and just really believe in everything they do is for, again, not only the patient, but their loved ones, their family, the caregivers that all encompasses the care of their loved ones. Mhmm.
Kim Moeller [00:28:35]:Because it does, as you know, and you’ve explained it just impacts everybody, your daughters, your family, the ripples, your neighbors. Mhmm. Yeah. And, you know, just the generous donations that go to furthering research to help us understand more about the whys and the prevalence in today’s world with all the dementia, Alzheimer’s, all the pieces. So much to learn and it is neat, though, to see the progress that is made each year with groups like this in helping families to navigate this and making it not necessarily easier, but a little more knowing they’re not alone.Barbara Marsh [00:29:15]:Exactly. And just having the knowledge and just some information or some resource to turn to instead of feeling like you have to do this all on your own. And what do I do? So I think that’s, really, really, instrumental in what the Alzheimer’s Association strives for to help the community.Kim Moeller [00:29:38]:And any other groups that you’re involved with volunteering here in San Diego that you wantedto highlight?
Barbara Marsh [00:29:44]:
National Brain Tumor Society
I do volunteer with the National Brain Tumor Society as well. That is just, near and dear to my heart. Just having to, share with, again, the research, the survivors. It is a very common disease that, we don’t realize how many people have brain tumors, both malignant and benign. And how you can get through that, have the care that you need, have the amazing physicians and thrive even with, you know, such a scary diagnosis. So, through, you know, often times we have fun, runs or walks that are organized either here in San Diego or Northern California and LosAngeles and nationwide, of course. We’re coming to the end of gray May, which is a month of May where brain tumor awarenessis, really featured. More symposiums and research and articles written about brain tumor care research and support.Kim Moeller [00:30:46]:And so would glioblastoma be 1 of those? Exactly. Okay.
Barbara Marsh [00:30:51]:Yeah. So there’s so many variations. And, we talk about the brain. I mean, it’s so complex,and some tumors can go undiagnosed for years without symptoms. You know, others can be more severe depending on the location in the brain. But the care now, the talent, medical talent behind it is absolutely amazing. And, really support, you know, the hospitals, the physicians’ research behind all of that. Mhmm.Barbara Marsh [00:31:18]:And amazing medical centers hereKim Moeller [00:31:19]:in this area ofBarbara Marsh [00:31:20]:the country as well, which IKim Moeller [00:31:20]:know they’re also in other cities, but Southern California, Los Angeles has some of the top in theworld. I’ve known two people who passed away of glioblastoma. 1, age 10 and the other, 43. So very young. Yeah. Very young.Barbara Marsh [00:31:41]:Yeah. Childhood tumors are very common. That’s difficult. I mean, you know, as a mother, as a parent, I mean, you don’t want your children to be, you know, hurting. And, but to know that there’s just the minds that are out there, the treatments, the care, is very reassuring.
Kim Moeller [00:31:59]:Well, and just thinking of the one that I was thinking of, the young girl, Jessie Reese, their family went ahead to create their own 501c3 from that tragedy. And she would say the phrase, Never Ever Give Up. And so they created the NEGU, NEGU, foundation. And what they do is create joy jars. So they’ll pack this jar that they give to kids all over the world with cancer in hospitals. And so it’s been beautiful to watch the growth of that foundation from when Jessie passed away and, you know, how we take our challenges, our trials, the hard things we’ve been given, and it becomes a blessing for somebody else. So I’m a lot of respect for that family who was able to do that.
Favorite Book, Bible Verse, and Bargain
- So well, anything else before we do our wrap up with our your favorite book you’re reading and Bible verse and bargain, anything else you would like to say about generosity in those areas of time talents treasures with your own life or with the firm you’re with, AARE.
Barbara Marsh [00:33:12]:Well, I think definitely with AARE, when I got the call, a recruiter call, from them back in, 2018, it was just kind of after all of this storm had been passing. And I was actually out on a client appointment and took the call. And I think we spoke for about an hour. And everything AARE as a professional real estate brokerage is wonderful. But when he starts speaking about the generous giving and the generosity aspect, it’s like, oh, my gosh, how can I be incorporating this? Exactly. Well, to be honest, I think I took that call on a Thursday. By the following Thursday, my license was already transferred over to AARE.
Kim Moeller [00:33:53]:That’s great
Barbara Marsh [00:33:54]:and which was so sad for me to tell my previous broker because he was amazing and very supportive and in the start of my career, but who does this? Who has this type of, program that we live and breathe in our organization? So to be able to choose my own charities, like the National Brain Tumor Association and Alzheimer’s Association as my partners. And then, have clients choose, the Escondido Adventist Academy and many others. Just wonderful to be doing a profession that I love. Yes. And it leaves me speechless just to give so much more. Again, from what I’m just doing, there’s no formula.
Barbara Marsh [00:34:43]:You know, generosity comes from the heart. Mhmm. It’s not AAA script. It’s spontaneous. It’s genuine. And to be able to be in an organization that believes in that and having clients working together to support their favorite charities is just the perfect marriage.
Kim Moeller [00:35:04]:Oh, that’s how work should be, where it doesn’t even feel like it’s work. Because it never is. It’s truly a joy. It really is. So I’ve been blessed. I’ve been blessed with, the AARE family, And I know we all feel the same way here. And that’s why, you know, we’re just such a wonderful group. And, just really believe in the generosity and the care and the value, to our clients.Kim Moeller [00:35:34]:
Wow. That’s beautiful, Barbara. And obviously, if anyone’s listening and they want to learn more about AARE, feel free to reach out to Barbara. You’ll find her on the AARE website or feel free to reach out to me at NCF California, and we will be happy to tell you more about how you could be connected.
Okay. So what would be, current book that you’re reading that you would
love to share with others?Barbara Marsh [00:35:57]:Sure. So I I do like to read primarily self improvements, spiritual guiding good thought books. We’re always growing. I mean, especially as women, right? Yes. I mean, we’re so different when we’re 20 and then we’re 30. And, I mean, every stage of our lives is so different. So what I knew back then and, gosh, what I’m still learning now. So I tend to enjoy those types of books.Barbara Marsh [00:36:26]:But one that I have on my shelf and that I just kind of keep going back to, and I think it really fits in with our message here is called Everyday Generosity. And the author is, Brad andDrew Formsma, father and son. Brad has actually come and spoken to us, at AARE a couple of times and and he was introduced to us by Andrew Arroyo.
Kim Moeller [00:36:49]:Yes. I I had dinner with Brad and his wife and with my husband.Barbara Marsh [00:36:52]:Oh, did you? Oh, wonderful. Yeah, I Like Giving. I Like Giving and then his other book is Everyday Generosity. Yes. Okay. That’s great. And what I love about it is just the simplicity of it. And I’m just going to read just one little sentence here is, generosity is not about being generous with your money.
Barbara Marsh [00:37:14]:It’s about being generous with your thoughts, words, time, attention, influence, and possessions. No matter what’s going on in your life, no matter what situation you’re in, and no matter who you are with. And I just love his messages because it’s just what we do. And like I said, it’s spontaneous, it’s genuine, without expectation. And sometimes we might be giving in a situation and we don’t get the response that we thought we would get. Mhmm. You know? And that’s like, oh, well, I thought they would be happier. I thought that we get acknowledged.Barbara Marsh [00:37:55]:But that’s okay. Right. You know? Maybe that wasn’t going to happen right now. Maybe there is a result to your generosity down the road that is going to influence this person. So, I just like coming back to, just those simple reminders that it’s in front of us every day.
Kim Moeller [00:38:16]:Mhmm. With no strings attached, like you said. Exactly. Now that’s a great quote. I’m so glad that you shared that on the the podcast. That’s perfect. And what about then, any life Bible verse you follow or is your favorite?
Barbara Marsh [00:38:34]:I do. And I guess I go back to the simplicity of it. Isaiah 26:3, says, “You will keep in perfect peace those minds that are steadfast because they trust in you.” And I think we live in such a chaotic world. And if we could just center ourselves knowing that the Lord is with us, there’s peace, we have challenges. We all have challenges at different times. But to know that He is with us, He’s guiding us, when we’re still at peace, we can hear His word and really kind of get us back to where we should be.
And so that helps me to move forward.Barbara Marsh [00:39:22]:Not always been peaceful, but when we can find those times, wow, it’s really a nice feeling.Mhmm.
Kim Moeller [00:39:29]:And you know how it is, like, if you’re around someone who feels chaotic, you tend to absorb it. And if you’re around someone who’s peaceful, you tend to walk away going, oh, I sense things. Take that with me. Exactly.
And any recent bargain?Barbara Marsh [00:39:45]:Well, this might sound maybe corny or cliche, but my favorite bargain we get every single day,and that’s the sunset.Kim Moeller [00:39:56]:Oh, cool.Barbara Marsh [00:39:57]:I think, again, what a beautiful experience we all have to see, feel every day. And maybe the I think I thought of this, I was actually, down on the Gulf of Florida in, a couple months ago. And it was nearing sunset and everybody’s like rushing down to the beach. And everybody’s like positioning themselves.Kim Moeller [00:40:26]:Right.Barbara Marsh [00:40:27]:And turning towards the sun. And for those few minutes, everybody’s just still and watching that sun go down, until it just dips into the horizon. And I think that’s wonderful. I mean, we have that every day. And I just think, wow, thank you, Lord, for today, and I have an opportunity fortomorrow. So that’s my bargain.
Kim Moeller [00:40:54]:Well, I love that. And everyone, like you said, can share in the bargain, whether It’s the beautiful spacious texas sky or it’s the gulf of florida or it’s the west coast or it’s the Rockies of Colorado. It
is a gift and and many times I can I’ll confess I’m busy running around missing it and then just like you’re saying the people who are intentionally carving out the time to watch it and be grateful and to say another day that we were kept in perfect peace and able to do whatever it was we were called to do. Just the gift of a gracious god that would give us that kind of beauty at the end of every day. I love that. That’s a really beautiful way to close the show out, and I just thank you for your time, Barbara. Thank you for the life you’ve lived and the ways you’ve poured into all the people that you’ve come across, whether it’s been the nurses, doctors, through your mom’s care, with your own children, your clients, your neighbors, and just all that you have given of yourself and I’m sure you won’t even see all the generosity until you’re up in heaven one day looking back and seeing how your thoughtfulness, and intentionalitygoing forward and with your family, career going forward and your family and all your endeavors. But it’s been a real privilege having you here on the show.
Barbara Marsh [00:42:21]:Well, thank you, Kim. It’s just been a lot of fun and and also just an honor. And and thank you so much for letting me share, with your audience.Kim Moeller [00:42:31]:Oh, you’re so welcome. I know the listeners are encouraged when they hear your story. So thanks again. God bless.
Thanks so much for joining us today on the Generous Girl podcast.We’re so glad that you’re here. And if you know of someone that you think needs to be a guestion this podcast, please reach out to us. New episodes are released every other week, and you can follow us on YouTube and on all platforms[00:42:58]:Thanks for being here, and we’ll see you next time.

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