The hardest thing about living in Utah is dealing with the climate, especially the snow. We've learned that good coats, gloves and hats make all the difference. So it made sense that when we asked the boys to pray about what we should donate to the Christmas Box House (a charitable safe house for displaced children), they both felt impressed t say, "Coats."
We had some "groupons" for Nordstrom's Rack, so Miles, Owen and Harper each picked out a coat that would fit himself and we took them to the Christmas Box House. The receptionist took the coats and gave each boy a candy cane.
On the way home we talked about how we did this service for the sake of the kids who needed the coats and not for the candy canes. We also talked about why it's nice to do service anonymously.
MTN
Included is the following letter. I've tried to keep the integrity of the writing/punctuation/spelling intact.
Dear Grandma & Grandpa,
For our service project this year, we bought coats for the c.b.h. (christmas box house.) It was fun and exiting! But it all started with the praying. Our mom sent us in diffrent sections of the house. She told us that we would get a warm feeling of what we S (the "s" was scribbled out and (Sorry, lol) was written in parenthesis) should do. We had a warm filling we should do coats. Instantly I knew it was the holy ghost.
Miles
On the bottom of the page he wrote, "Flip it over!" and there was a wonderful drawing of a dragon.
From Amy I received the following.
Dear Mom and Dad,
What an amazing year we have had as a family. We're blessed to have a home, our jobs and each other. We have all six of our children in school...with Alex in his senior year and Joey in preschool...we are as busy as ever. But we wanted to continue our special gift to you, our gift of service.
This year we had hoped to do a sub for Santa for someone outside of our group. Unfortunately, we had a friend that found herself a single mom, after twenty plus years of marriage, at the end of November. So we scrambled to assist Santa once again for our friend that we truly love. We went about it the same way; emails, texting and of course, Facebook. We each parceled out bits and pieces of the wish lists and managed to fit in a wrapping party to finish it off. I don't know where I would be without this amazing group of women.
As a family we made two fleece blankets. Nothing fancy, nothing to show off...but warm. Our plan is to drive around and let the Holy Ghost tell us who need to be warm...and see what happens. We can't wait to see the expression of the recipient.
We continue to serve our community throughout the year. Soccer is done for the winter and will begin again in March. This will be my last season as president. It's bitter sweet. But I've already started working on a special needs soccer program in our area for players of every age and all abilities. I can't wait to start.
Honor Guard continued its tradition of honoring our Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in November with our annual Veterans Day program. This year's theme was WITH HONOR. We are already in planning mode for next year, with the idea of honoring the families left behind while their loved ones serve our country.
Our Sea Cadets received a service ribbon for volunteering throughout the community. Most recently Andrew and the other cadets laid over a hundred and fifty wreaths on the service men and women's' headstones at the cemetery near Ft Douglas. Each cadet was asked to spend a moment and reflect on the life of person they were honoring...I know it meant a lot to Drew.
The kids have participated in school food drives for the Magna Community, helped with sub for Santa at the school, performed song/dance recitals all over the place and all continue to serve in various Church callings.
Service throughout the year...I love it.
We have truly blessed with wonderful SERVICE role models
Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!
Love always,
Amy
There was a reoccurring theme for these two families and I'm pleased that they got it right. Christmas IS about love and service. I'm especially proud that they found ways to instill in their children, that when given the chance, the Holy Ghost does indeed guide. The. Best. Gift. EVER!
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