So, I pretty much have the coolest husband in the world. I have a strong desire to give and to serve, but there's also this stingy thorn in me that makes me think, "Okay, what is the cheapest way I can help this person out?"
On our honeymoon, we had stopped in Brigham City to eat some food and put gas in our car. On the way to the freeway, we saw this guy holding up a cardboard sign that said, "BOISE" and just as we were passing him, I thought, "Oh, we're driving to Boise right now! We could totally pick him up!" Apparently, Mark had the same thought, because instead of getting on the freeway, he made a U-turn and asked if I would be okay with picking the stranger up. Of course it was contingent on how comfortable we felt with him once he got in the car ...
Turns out he was on his way to Boise to see his girlfriend (or fiancee, I can't remember). He didn't have a car and she was up there and they'd just had a fight or something and that morning they had been talking on the phone and he told her he was going to find a way to go see her. I don't exactly remember the whole story (it was 5 years ago!) but he thought he was being terribly romantic and was really excited that someone had stopped to give him a ride. It was an enjoyable trip.
A few years later, on our way back from one of our annual trips to the Oregon Coast with Mark's family, we saw another guy on the side of the road. He had a big suitcase tied to a board with wheels and a dog. Don't ask me how we managed to fit him into our 2-door Honda Civic ... but somehow we managed it. I remember cutting my hand on a nail that was sticking out of the board (glad I was up-to-date on my tetanus shots! ha ha ha!) and he was kind of a crazy conspiracy theorist. He was a car repairman who had lived all over the country and had just finished living in Hawaii. "It was time for a change of pace, something new. So I want to go to Idaho Falls." Really? After Hawaii, Idaho Falls is where it's at? O.o;
So we dropped him and his dog off at some gas station in Idaho Falls and he merrily went on his way. After that, we kind of agreed we weren't going to pick up hitchhikers again. I was pregnant.
Last month, we went house-hunting in Austin. A girl at one of the apartment complexes recommended we eat dinner at a place called Chuy's, where they have great Tex-Mex food. I'm not exactly sure what "Tex-Mex" is, because it seems to me like it's more like real Mexican food than the "Mexican" food found in other places in the US ... Wikipedia doesn't help me too much. Apparently the other Mexican food is "New Mexican" food, which explains why the Mexican food I grew up with ion Arizona seemed different from what I found in Matamoros/Cabo/Puerto Vallarta/Mazatlan, and why "Tex-Mex" felt more like Mexican food than what I thought was Mexican food ... for some reason, I grew up thinking "Tex-Mex" was Taco Bell compared to real Mexican food.
I still can't figure out whether Tex-Mex or New-Mex is more Mexican. I LIKE BOTH.
Anywho. Chuy's was really tasty and I was super-excited that we had a bunch of leftovers to take home. On our way back to the freeway, we passed a hungry homeless guy with a sign. I don't make a habit of carrying cash on me because credit cards are more secure and do a better job at recording my spending habits. Anyway. I happened to have a $5 and Mark suggested we give the guy our leftovers, too. I knew he was right, but in the back of my mind, I was thinking, "siiiiigh! I was so looking forward to eating my leftovers, too! Why can't we give him something off the dollar menu at Wendy's or something?!" The guy's eyes lit up and he blessed us when we gave him the money and the food.
We are so fortunate.
And, finally, last week we went to Disneyland for my birthday (still promise a post full of drama, intrigue, and car trouble! or at least one of the three!) On Saturday morning, we went to Subway to buy some sandwiches to eat for lunch. Disneyland is awesome in the fact that they let you bring in food and don't force you to buy theirs. :) Anyway. I met a nice skinny homeless black guy while crossing the street who asked where I was from. "Does it snow in Utah? They say if you can't handle the cold you shouldn't move up north. I wouldn't be able to handle it, considering what I've got." and he smiled and waved towards the scraggly sweatshirt he was wearing. He wished me a nice day and we parted ways.
Inside Subway, I looked at the menu, thinking, "I know I like both turkey and ham sandwiches, and the ham sandwich is one of their $5 footlongs, so I'll save a buck and get a ham sandwich." Mark and Carolyn were a little behind me and when Mark walked in, he said, "Let's get a turkey sub for the guy I saw you talking to at the light. He just started talking to me and said he'd really like a turkey sandwich." I kind of tried to get Mark to give him the ham sandwich instead (because I wanted a turkey sandwich, too, and had already ordered the ham sandwich!) and realized it was a really silly argument ... so we got the guy a footlong turkey sub and went on our way.
Anywho. I'm thankful to have such a generous husband who makes me laugh at myself when I have petty thoughts like, "Aw, but ... leftovers!!!" and "but I want the turkey sub!" Really, it means so much more to them than it does to me. There is so much we can do to bless the lives of others. Sometimes it's something personal like service, and other times it's something material like food. We have much to spare.
Showing posts with label service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label service. Show all posts
Monday, June 13, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Service
So we had a really cool Relief Society lesson in church yesterday. On the second Sundays of the month, we're studying the Gospel Principles manual (the same one Mark and I were using in our Sunday School class when we were ward missionaries) and our lesson was #28: Service.
http://lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-28-service?lang=eng
It was so fitting considering everything going on with Japan right now. When big disasters happen, the whole world (religious or not) kind of gets that charity chord struck in them. I'll just italicize random things from the lesson manual that might have something loosely to do with my train of thought. I love our church lesson manuals. *is a dork @_@; *
Service is helping others who need assistance. Christlike service grows out of genuine love for the Savior and of love and concern for those whom He gives us opportunities and direction to help. Love is more than a feeling; when we love others, we want to help them.
Our lesson opened with people sharing experiences in which they've received service from someone. Sister Kitchen, our Relief Society President (not to be confused with her sister-in-law, Sister Kitchen the wife of the bishop, who is Primary President ... AS IF THAT'S NOT CONFUSING) told us a story about a time shortly after she'd had her third child, and some new neighbors moved in across the street, and she got a knock on her door and some little boys came by and said, "Our mother told us to come over here and say we are going to take your laundry and do it and bring it back and we are not to take no for an answer." She was very thankful for this direct act of service. There followed a brief discussion on how sometimes we have to offer a specific service to someone instead of giving them an open-ended, "Let me know how I can help!"
Another woman in the class raised her hand and said something like, "Well, there are some things that I'm really particular about how things are done, like laundry. So if someone came over to my house and said they were going to do my laundry, I would be very uncomfortable and not want them to do it because it has to be done my way. Is there a polite way to say no when they don't want to take no for an answer?"
Two suggestions were: saying, "Thanks, I don't need someone to do my laundry, but you could {fill in the blank} if you want to." and saying, "Really, thanks for the thought, it means a lot to me, but please don't do it. It feels very good to know that someone cares about me and is thinking about me."
There are many ways to serve. We can help others economically, socially, physically, and spiritually. For example, we can share food or other articles with those who need them. We can help those in need by giving a generous fast offering. We can be a friend to a newcomer... Through the service of men and women and boys and girls, God’s work is done.
Then Sister Rea (from Brazil, I love her to death, and she was a ward missionary when we were, and when I first started coming back to Relief Society she was like, "Oh, where have you been? I haven't seen you in forever! And your little girl is ... almost two now?! WHAAAAT?!" and it was so cute.) spoke up and talked a bit about depression and service and Japan and stuff about overcoming depression. Joana (another woman Mark and I became acquainted with through our callings as ward missionaries ... and now I get to visit teach her!) then joined in and talked a little bit about depression versus clinical depression and how service can help alleviate both but sometimes depression is as incurable as cancer without medication.
Phewwww that was a tangent. But I know Joana feels very strongly about chemical depression (as do I, for obvious reasons) and raising everyone's awareness that, yes, sometimes people can feel despondent despite not having something bad happening in their lives. We have all had trying experiences where we feel sad and want to try to be empathetic towards those who are struggling. At the same time, if we ARE experiencing chemical depression and there isn't really a "source" we can address, it's good to seek out help! And you know what? Simply reaching out and being friends with people helps with depression! (Dang, you know how much I wish I had a friend I could call while I was so depressed in 2009? No WAY am I going to bring that up in Relief Society, though. Keep things positive!!! Anywho.)
There were some things I really wanted to add to the discussion and had the ability to bring up.
Throughout our lives all of us depend on others for help. When we were infants, our parents fed, clothed, and cared for us. Without this care we would have died. When we grew up, other people taught us skills and attitudes. Many of us have needed nursing care during illness or money in a financial crisis. Some of us ask God to bless suffering people and then do nothing for them. We must remember that God works through us.
First, I wanted to talk a little bit about meaningful service. It's very good and necessary to offer service when it's needed, and other times it's good to know that you need to hang back and all you can do is offer prayers for the safety and well-being of others. If someone is sick, you can bring them chicken soup. If they have a sickness they just need to endure through and they already have someone bringing them chicken soup, then pray for them. If they are trying to make a major life decision, pray for them to receive the inspiration they need and pray for those they need to work with to make things turn out in the best way. Pray for the Lord's blessings and good luck.
When we help one another, we serve God. King Benjamin, a great king in Book of Mormon times, taught his people this principle by the way he lived. He served them all his life, earning his own living instead of being supported by the people. In an inspired sermon he explained why he loved service, saying:
“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. …
“And if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?” (Mosiah 2:17–18)...
When we serve others we gain important blessings. Through service we increase our ability to love. We become less selfish. As we think of the problems of others, our own problems seem less serious. We must serve others to gain eternal life. God has said that those who live with Him must love and serve His children (see Matthew 25:34–40).
Someone also brought up the opportunities we have to serve in our own homes - when we do things for our spouses and our children, that's exactly what we're doing: service.
We can serve members of our families. Husbands and wives should be aware of each other’s needs. Parents should serve their children not only by feeding and clothing them but also by teaching and by playing and working with them. Children can serve by helping with household chores and by helping brothers and sisters.
Husbands and wives serve and help each other. They can help each other take care of the children, and they can support one another in their individual interests and pursuits. A mother and father may sacrifice to send a child on a mission. An older boy may comfort a little sister who is afraid of the dark or help her learn to read. Our prophets have told us that a family is the most important unit in society. We must serve our families well (see Mosiah 4:14–15).
A woman brought up that there is a time and a season for everything ... we shouldn't feel guilty if we are the mother of a young child and we are very busy in our home taking care of them and can't "go out and serve" like someone who has more time and hands. I really appreciated her comment because I was about to say something similar. :) Often times we make ourselves feel guilty for no reason because we think we can or should be doing more or better when we're really doing just fine. We're doing all we can, and that's good enough!!
At the end of the class, I raised my hand because I wanted to share my gratitude for friendship, which I think is a great kind of service. We naturally serve our friends. I talked about the Hurds, who have a 2-week-old baby. We want to be together and help each other and serve each other, but the first few weeks of a baby's life are hard for everyone. Sometimes the Hurds can come over, sometimes Katie doesn't feel up to it, but I hope that at least she feels like we care about her and she knows we're here for emotional support if she ever needs it. If she's not feeling up for visiting, that's totally fine with us, but if she is up for visiting, then we are here for her. And that's what matters most to me - knowing that someone cares and would be there for me if I want it.
Um ... so that's my thought for today. Amen.
http://lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-28-service?lang=eng
It was so fitting considering everything going on with Japan right now. When big disasters happen, the whole world (religious or not) kind of gets that charity chord struck in them. I'll just italicize random things from the lesson manual that might have something loosely to do with my train of thought. I love our church lesson manuals. *is a dork @_@; *
Service is helping others who need assistance. Christlike service grows out of genuine love for the Savior and of love and concern for those whom He gives us opportunities and direction to help. Love is more than a feeling; when we love others, we want to help them.
Our lesson opened with people sharing experiences in which they've received service from someone. Sister Kitchen, our Relief Society President (not to be confused with her sister-in-law, Sister Kitchen the wife of the bishop, who is Primary President ... AS IF THAT'S NOT CONFUSING) told us a story about a time shortly after she'd had her third child, and some new neighbors moved in across the street, and she got a knock on her door and some little boys came by and said, "Our mother told us to come over here and say we are going to take your laundry and do it and bring it back and we are not to take no for an answer." She was very thankful for this direct act of service. There followed a brief discussion on how sometimes we have to offer a specific service to someone instead of giving them an open-ended, "Let me know how I can help!"
Another woman in the class raised her hand and said something like, "Well, there are some things that I'm really particular about how things are done, like laundry. So if someone came over to my house and said they were going to do my laundry, I would be very uncomfortable and not want them to do it because it has to be done my way. Is there a polite way to say no when they don't want to take no for an answer?"
Two suggestions were: saying, "Thanks, I don't need someone to do my laundry, but you could {fill in the blank} if you want to." and saying, "Really, thanks for the thought, it means a lot to me, but please don't do it. It feels very good to know that someone cares about me and is thinking about me."
There are many ways to serve. We can help others economically, socially, physically, and spiritually. For example, we can share food or other articles with those who need them. We can help those in need by giving a generous fast offering. We can be a friend to a newcomer... Through the service of men and women and boys and girls, God’s work is done.
Then Sister Rea (from Brazil, I love her to death, and she was a ward missionary when we were, and when I first started coming back to Relief Society she was like, "Oh, where have you been? I haven't seen you in forever! And your little girl is ... almost two now?! WHAAAAT?!" and it was so cute.) spoke up and talked a bit about depression and service and Japan and stuff about overcoming depression. Joana (another woman Mark and I became acquainted with through our callings as ward missionaries ... and now I get to visit teach her!) then joined in and talked a little bit about depression versus clinical depression and how service can help alleviate both but sometimes depression is as incurable as cancer without medication.
Phewwww that was a tangent. But I know Joana feels very strongly about chemical depression (as do I, for obvious reasons) and raising everyone's awareness that, yes, sometimes people can feel despondent despite not having something bad happening in their lives. We have all had trying experiences where we feel sad and want to try to be empathetic towards those who are struggling. At the same time, if we ARE experiencing chemical depression and there isn't really a "source" we can address, it's good to seek out help! And you know what? Simply reaching out and being friends with people helps with depression! (Dang, you know how much I wish I had a friend I could call while I was so depressed in 2009? No WAY am I going to bring that up in Relief Society, though. Keep things positive!!! Anywho.)
There were some things I really wanted to add to the discussion and had the ability to bring up.
Throughout our lives all of us depend on others for help. When we were infants, our parents fed, clothed, and cared for us. Without this care we would have died. When we grew up, other people taught us skills and attitudes. Many of us have needed nursing care during illness or money in a financial crisis. Some of us ask God to bless suffering people and then do nothing for them. We must remember that God works through us.
First, I wanted to talk a little bit about meaningful service. It's very good and necessary to offer service when it's needed, and other times it's good to know that you need to hang back and all you can do is offer prayers for the safety and well-being of others. If someone is sick, you can bring them chicken soup. If they have a sickness they just need to endure through and they already have someone bringing them chicken soup, then pray for them. If they are trying to make a major life decision, pray for them to receive the inspiration they need and pray for those they need to work with to make things turn out in the best way. Pray for the Lord's blessings and good luck.
When we help one another, we serve God. King Benjamin, a great king in Book of Mormon times, taught his people this principle by the way he lived. He served them all his life, earning his own living instead of being supported by the people. In an inspired sermon he explained why he loved service, saying:
“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. …
“And if I, whom ye call your king, do labor to serve you, then ought not ye to labor to serve one another?” (Mosiah 2:17–18)...
When we serve others we gain important blessings. Through service we increase our ability to love. We become less selfish. As we think of the problems of others, our own problems seem less serious. We must serve others to gain eternal life. God has said that those who live with Him must love and serve His children (see Matthew 25:34–40).
Someone also brought up the opportunities we have to serve in our own homes - when we do things for our spouses and our children, that's exactly what we're doing: service.
We can serve members of our families. Husbands and wives should be aware of each other’s needs. Parents should serve their children not only by feeding and clothing them but also by teaching and by playing and working with them. Children can serve by helping with household chores and by helping brothers and sisters.
Husbands and wives serve and help each other. They can help each other take care of the children, and they can support one another in their individual interests and pursuits. A mother and father may sacrifice to send a child on a mission. An older boy may comfort a little sister who is afraid of the dark or help her learn to read. Our prophets have told us that a family is the most important unit in society. We must serve our families well (see Mosiah 4:14–15).
A woman brought up that there is a time and a season for everything ... we shouldn't feel guilty if we are the mother of a young child and we are very busy in our home taking care of them and can't "go out and serve" like someone who has more time and hands. I really appreciated her comment because I was about to say something similar. :) Often times we make ourselves feel guilty for no reason because we think we can or should be doing more or better when we're really doing just fine. We're doing all we can, and that's good enough!!
At the end of the class, I raised my hand because I wanted to share my gratitude for friendship, which I think is a great kind of service. We naturally serve our friends. I talked about the Hurds, who have a 2-week-old baby. We want to be together and help each other and serve each other, but the first few weeks of a baby's life are hard for everyone. Sometimes the Hurds can come over, sometimes Katie doesn't feel up to it, but I hope that at least she feels like we care about her and she knows we're here for emotional support if she ever needs it. If she's not feeling up for visiting, that's totally fine with us, but if she is up for visiting, then we are here for her. And that's what matters most to me - knowing that someone cares and would be there for me if I want it.
Um ... so that's my thought for today. Amen.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts
"When baked potatoes and pudding and milk are needed, prayer will not supply their place."
—Brigham Young
Please donate what you can to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts in Japan.
American Red Cross donation page
(Sorry I don't have a fancy-pants image to display.)
I took a personal finance class at BYU from Brother Bryan Sudweeks, and I can't remember his exact words but in his class he emphasized the importance of giving, even when we feel we don't have much to give. If we don't give now when we have little (as students) it won't really be much easier to give when we have more money. As you earn more money, your lifestyle tends to change to match your affluence level. We can always find room to give; there are always those out there who are less fortunate than we are.
As an added bonus, charitable donations are tax-deductible. It's supposedly the government's way of trying to encourage us to help others out more without directly giving the population a "charity tax".
(Wouldn't it be cool if instead of medicare, medicaid, and social security, that money went to local charities that would then provide the medicare, medicaid, and social security benefits to the people? I wonder if that would be more efficient than the government's current system ... then instead of taxing us and giving the money to charity, they could lower our taxes, offer generous charitable donation tax deductions, and then we wouldn't all feel compelled and Robin Hooded into giving money to the poor via taxes. I wonder if it would work? And if it doesn't, we should be allowed to scrap that idea and vote it out and vote in a new system. WHAT IS DEMOCRACY FOR WITH THIS CRAZY HUGE BLOATED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF OURS.)
Uhm, anyway, guess what's been on my mind lately! Darn this finance brain that loves analyzing economics and the government tax system!!!
Again. Please donate. (it's our duty to provide relief to those in need - not the government's! DO IT.)
Because I have been given much, I too must give
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from Thee with every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me
Because I have been blessed by Thy great love, dear Lord,
I'll share Thy love again according to thy word
I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word AND DEED
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.-Grace Noll Crowell
And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
-Mosiah 4:16
—Brigham Young
Please donate what you can to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts in Japan.
American Red Cross donation page
(Sorry I don't have a fancy-pants image to display.)
I took a personal finance class at BYU from Brother Bryan Sudweeks, and I can't remember his exact words but in his class he emphasized the importance of giving, even when we feel we don't have much to give. If we don't give now when we have little (as students) it won't really be much easier to give when we have more money. As you earn more money, your lifestyle tends to change to match your affluence level. We can always find room to give; there are always those out there who are less fortunate than we are.
As an added bonus, charitable donations are tax-deductible. It's supposedly the government's way of trying to encourage us to help others out more without directly giving the population a "charity tax".
(Wouldn't it be cool if instead of medicare, medicaid, and social security, that money went to local charities that would then provide the medicare, medicaid, and social security benefits to the people? I wonder if that would be more efficient than the government's current system ... then instead of taxing us and giving the money to charity, they could lower our taxes, offer generous charitable donation tax deductions, and then we wouldn't all feel compelled and Robin Hooded into giving money to the poor via taxes. I wonder if it would work? And if it doesn't, we should be allowed to scrap that idea and vote it out and vote in a new system. WHAT IS DEMOCRACY FOR WITH THIS CRAZY HUGE BLOATED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF OURS.)
Uhm, anyway, guess what's been on my mind lately! Darn this finance brain that loves analyzing economics and the government tax system!!!
Again. Please donate. (it's our duty to provide relief to those in need - not the government's! DO IT.)
Because I have been given much, I too must give
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts from Thee with every brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me
Because I have been blessed by Thy great love, dear Lord,
I'll share Thy love again according to thy word
I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word AND DEED
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.-Grace Noll Crowell
And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
-Mosiah 4:16
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Sickness and Service
Last night, I heard Carmen crying around 5:30 am. Usually she sleeps really well through the night and only wakes up if something is wrong. The problem is, if *I* get up out of bed, I'm never going to fall back asleep. After several minutes, I poked Mark and asked if he'd go check in on her in case she had a poopy diaper or something. By the time he got up, Carmen had quieted. He stood out in the hall for a couple minutes, listening, and came back to bed.
This morning, I went into her room to get her and the room was really stinky. She was sleeping in one corner of her crib and the other corner -ew- had a pile of half-digested food. Poor girl! I pulled off her sheets and started a load of laundry, and Mark rinsed her off in the shower. She was running a slight fever and I've been feeling sick to my stomach for the past few days, so I decided I'd stay home from church with her and so we could both rest and feel better. I didn't want to risk her getting anyone at church sick, especially since we work in the Nursery. Mark wanted to stay home with both of us, because if I was knocked out in bed and Carmen woke up and needed something, I probably wouldn't be too thrilled to have to take care of her.
This wouldn't be such a big deal for me if it weren't for one thing - we're the Nursery leaders in our ward. I won't miss Nursery unless I need to, because we're kind of short on people in there as it is (about 15-18 kids show up every week and there are 4 of us who are assigned to take care of everyone. It's kind of organized chaos.) Luckily, a few of the parents in our ward stay in with their kids and help out. I hope that some day we can get more people called to Nursery so these parents can go enjoy Sunday School! If we had more people we could more easily handle the kids who are having a hard time adjusting to Nursery.
Anywho. So we needed to find substitutes. I called up my best friend in the ward to ask if she and/or her husband could possibly step in for us today. She graciously accepted. After I hung up, I felt kind of bad (don't we all feel guilty sometimes for the silliest things?) because I'm sure she doesn't wake up in the morning thinking, "Hey, what I'd *really* like to do today is spend 2 hours in a room full of 18- to 36-month-olds." But you know what? Her sacrifice means a lot to me and a lot to a dozen couples in the ward who finally have a chance to attend their Church meetings without a little one running around disturbing the peace.
:)
So, substitutes, thank you so much for stepping in and helping out. We really need and appreciate your service! It's amazing how much more smoothly things run when we have the manpower to accomplish that which needs to be done!
This morning, I went into her room to get her and the room was really stinky. She was sleeping in one corner of her crib and the other corner -ew- had a pile of half-digested food. Poor girl! I pulled off her sheets and started a load of laundry, and Mark rinsed her off in the shower. She was running a slight fever and I've been feeling sick to my stomach for the past few days, so I decided I'd stay home from church with her and so we could both rest and feel better. I didn't want to risk her getting anyone at church sick, especially since we work in the Nursery. Mark wanted to stay home with both of us, because if I was knocked out in bed and Carmen woke up and needed something, I probably wouldn't be too thrilled to have to take care of her.
This wouldn't be such a big deal for me if it weren't for one thing - we're the Nursery leaders in our ward. I won't miss Nursery unless I need to, because we're kind of short on people in there as it is (about 15-18 kids show up every week and there are 4 of us who are assigned to take care of everyone. It's kind of organized chaos.) Luckily, a few of the parents in our ward stay in with their kids and help out. I hope that some day we can get more people called to Nursery so these parents can go enjoy Sunday School! If we had more people we could more easily handle the kids who are having a hard time adjusting to Nursery.
Anywho. So we needed to find substitutes. I called up my best friend in the ward to ask if she and/or her husband could possibly step in for us today. She graciously accepted. After I hung up, I felt kind of bad (don't we all feel guilty sometimes for the silliest things?) because I'm sure she doesn't wake up in the morning thinking, "Hey, what I'd *really* like to do today is spend 2 hours in a room full of 18- to 36-month-olds." But you know what? Her sacrifice means a lot to me and a lot to a dozen couples in the ward who finally have a chance to attend their Church meetings without a little one running around disturbing the peace.
:)
So, substitutes, thank you so much for stepping in and helping out. We really need and appreciate your service! It's amazing how much more smoothly things run when we have the manpower to accomplish that which needs to be done!
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