Service

Today I taught the lesson in Relief Society.  It is true that the teacher learns the most out of lesson because she's had the time to read, ponder and pray about the message.  The lesson in the manual was excellent and I hope I conveyed at least part of what was intended.  While planning the lesson I was reminded that I can do more.  I had two women in our ward share what the service they do has done for them.   One of the women has a day each month where she opens her home for "Days for Girls" where women come together to make feminine hygiene kits for girls around the world where these items are not readily available.  They have to be washable so they can be reused.  We take so much for granted here.  She spoke on how she schedules her service so that it is something she can do without thinking about it.  The other sister has a calling.  She's the ward "Refugee specialist."  She spoke about how she was inspired at conference (the one where the General Relief Society Presidency spoke on helping the refugees), to get involved.  She has worked for a year with a refugee family that has six children.  She said it has been really hard, and there were times where she thought she couldn't do it anymore, but she said, she has seen blessings, one of which is that she now knows she has the ability to love all of Heavenly Father's children.  I emphasized that there is a time and a season for everything, that not everyone is in a position to take on that kind of service responsibility, but if we are listening we can feel the promptings that the Lord gives to us for acts of service, however small. 

I always admire women like these two sisters who make such an effort to make service a part of their lives.  I am always glad that the church has service built into it--you serve in your calling, you fulfill assignments, you reach out to your neighbor, etc. 

Family also gives us lots of natural opportunities to serve.  I was able to serve a little myself this past week as I helped out with Adrienne's boys while she was in Europe (I didn't help nearly as much as the Green grandparents, but, nevertheless, I helped out quite a bit).   I think that the boys were totally spoiled by us-(and even more-so by the Greens)

Making playdough

Singing with grandma

mom and dad are nearly home

Gunnar got all the way to the top

I also had opportunity to spend a short while on Saturday morning enjoying Nick's girls while he and Sara and Roy went on a bike ride.  I told Nick that Ori is no ordinary little girl.  She used the word, "hilarious," to describe Jennie, and she asked me "Can I play with the 'kinetic sand' grandma?  She has an amazing vocabulary for a 3 year old.  

Effie's crawling.  Her glasses have helped her
in her progression.  She's such a sweetheart.

Whether it's service to family or to those around us, we usually find that through our service, we are the ones that are blessed.