I am posting this in a random place on my blog because I don't want it to be public for all to see but I just wanted to reflect on how powerful and uplifting service can be. We have had the opportunity to serve so much in our ward here in Midwood. I decided to write down a few experiences that I wanted to share. There is a lady in our ward, Monita, who has terminal cancer. They only give her a few weeks to live. Our ward had really come together in helping her and her 9 month old daughter. She came here a few months ago from Haiti because doctors said it would be best if she got the treatment and care in the United States. So she left her children and husband in Haiti and brought her youngest daughter with her here to New York. I have been able to take food over to her numerous times and visit with her a bit. She is such a strong and courageous woman. She doesn't speak a lot of English so our visits are short, but so powerful to me. The last time I was there, I dropped off the food and she was laying in bed, sweating with the fan on. I asked her how she was and she said, "With my Father, all is well". It instantly brought tears to me eyes. Such a great example that with our Heavenly Father all IS well.
Spencer helps out at the Bishop's Storehouse a lot as well. He goes and picks up peoples food orders and delivers the bags of groceries to their house. He is able to help out a lot and meet some amazing people that way.
There is a girl in our ward who just had a baby and gave it up for adoption. I was able to comfort and console her through this, bring her dinner and invite her to our home for dinner. She is such a talented girl and it has been such a privilege getting to know her.
Just last night, Spencer and I got a babysitter and had a date night. It wasn't our regular date night, but a service date. That day I had made 5 loaves of bread, went to Costco and bought a 4 hams and a few bags of oranges and we made a list of people we wanted to deliver them to. We left around 7pm and got home at 10:30pm from our deliveries. We went to about 10 different homes and just visited with people. It was so refreshing and felt so good to serve. One man that we brought some bread to kept saying, "I'm so glad you came". Another lady who we love said that she had just been at the store with her son and he wanted some oranges. They didn't have a lot of money so she just bought him a couple and then went over to check the prices on a ham. When she got home her other son (who we delivered the ham and oranges to) said that Spencer and Madison had just showed up with the exact two things they were wanting to get at the store! Another lady who we gave money to for a new bike since hers had just broke (and she delivers pizza on her bike for a living) was so appreciative and thankful for the money. We had a really good night full of laughs (Spencer went way too fast over a speed bump and I swear our car got some air) and some good conversation with others.
I love our ward so much and the unique and diverse people it brings. It's so nice to feel needed and that we are making a difference!
