Compassionate Service

I had an edifying day in church today. Particularly in the 3rd hour. Being that today is the 5th Sunday of the month, the Priesthood and Relief Society joined in that hour. The Relief Society gave the lesson and what a great lesson! I enjoyed Sister C's plea to "anticipate, initiate, and be proactive" when it comes to service because by doing so, one has grasped the essence of compassionate service. I've certainly found myself telling people, "Call me if you need anything.", but instead I should find out what they need and do what I can to help. I'll work on it. Also, I was incredibly moved by Sister P's story of people giving her service. How people from her ward rallied together to help when her entire house was struck by a powerful mudslide through retrieving and cleaning of her belongings, trying to restore her home, and the many fellowshipping. Her description of the intense compassionate aid she received without even asking was inspiring as well as her testimonial that the loss of material possessions was not what was important but the gain of blessings from service. More examples of service came from Brother H's touching stories. Here was when my silent tears just flowed!! He talked about a couple of priesthood blessings he had the opportunity to participate in. That whole concept of priesthood at work is remarkable to me! They truly have the power to bless and do miracles. I'm at utter awe! Then, final thoughts came from Sister N. She shared her difficult experience during pregnancy that left her unable to care for herself and her family. Again, ward members stepped in and provided assistance. She further urged all to serve outside the usual "bring meals, babysitting" box and serve with thought for the receiver.

These service talks were not geared necessarily only to home and visit teach better but to be in tuned to serve all those around us. These include any of the people in our circle of friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, community, etc.

Great job, everyone! Thank you.

Did You Lose Your Grandma?

I was at the right place and the right time ... See, just before 3 o'clock this afternoon I ran up to my mailbox to drop a letter I wanted sent. I waved to an old lady in her Buick thinking she's a neighbor (most of my neighbors are old!) I haven't met. She waved hello back and then she stopped me to ask for directions. She was frazzled but basically coherent. She was able to give me a business card of the place she needed to go. I went back home to get my cell phone and then called the number. I spoke with the receptionist and that's when it came up that Rose (the old lady) had been lost since 10am! Apparently someone else had tried to help her with directions and she never made it there. OK, I thought I need to involve the police because she will just get lost again. So, I called my local police and invited Rose to my home and gave her water and a sandwich. Shortly thereafter, an officer came and interviewed Rose. He decided to take her to the station until they get a hold of a family member. So he and Dave help her out the door and got as far as the porch and sat her on a chair there. By that time, Rose had gotten weak (probably from dehydration) and so the officer called for the paramedics. I was in the house busy with the kids when the paramedics came and gone. Later a lady officer relieved the sergeant. They finally got a hold of Rose's daughter and she was on her way to pick Rose up. By 5pm, the daughter came grateful and took Rose home. A couple of hours later the daughter came back for the Buick and thanked me again. I was just glad that Rose was safe now.

Oh, there's something else too. I think I've talked to Rose on the phone. A while back I received a wrong number call and it was an old lady calling from a nursing home ... confused and wanting desperately to talk to her daughter. I managed to tract the daughter and got her to visit her mother. I tell ya, there's something about the name ... first and last name rang a distant bell! I wanted to ask Rose's daughter when she came back for the car but I thought she'd find me crazy ... heck! I was thinking I was crazy!!! But if something turns up ... you read it here and that eerie feeling was valid. --Happy Halloween to me! Dave now calls her my stalker.

We've Been Spooked and Today's Adventures

Early Tuesday morning Dave discovered a surprise on our porch. "We've Been Spooked". An anonymous person left us Halloween treats (Joe-Joe's creme filled cookies ...yum!) and an invitation to do the same for someone else. I'm game! It certainly made me feel good that someone thought of us and so I wanted to return the favor. This is surely my kind of Halloween. I don't like the monster, scary, ghostly, ... inviting the bad spirit kind of Halloween! I scare easily so you can imagine how this holiday is not my cup of tea. But it all depends on how you celebrate it and how far you take it. I remember enjoying going to the Halloween Singles dances during my single years. I like seeing the interesting costumes people come up with and the happiness people get from being someone else for the night. That I can handle.

Thank you Eerie Dark Phantom.

TODAY'S ADVENTURES:

My sister and her boys came over this afternoon so I thought I'd make halloween cupcakes for the kids. They loved it! The kids had a ball playing together and my sister and I had a good visit. We shared each other's potluck dishes ... mmmmmm!

Later this evening we went to Women of Faith (an interfaith service community hosted by the Redlands Stake Relief Society that meet regularly every 2nd & 4th Thursdays) for a special service project for the victims of the fires. The goal of making 50 large fleece blankets were already completed by the time we got there so I ended up doing other projects, like the pinning part of the making of cloth diapers and quilts. After only 1 1/2hrs, Sophia was difficult to chase around and getting into things so we headed home. Then the kids had their baths, had snacks, and went to bed ... sigh ...