Christmas '09

Our previous years' tradition of providing the 12-days of service at Christmas time was changed up a little this year. We had an opportunity to provide one HUGE service instead.

In October we had plans as a family to go bowling with some coupons we had. We got to the bowling alley and the lady at the counter said our coupons couldn't be used on the weekends. We couldn't believe our ears and were getting a little frustrated. Okay, a lot frustrated. I had checked all the fine print on the coupons as well as online and the only stipulation mentioned was they couldn't be used on holidays. This wasn't a holiday, just a Saturday. The lady at the counter said it had been a policy of theirs for a long time and had even been posted on the wall behind her for years. After mulling it over we decided to take the kids to the park instead of pay full-price to bowl.

We met this family while at the park. We felt then and continue to feel that it wasn't an accident that we met them. We could see they were in need of coats and warm clothing but we didn't know how desperate their situation was. It was a brisk October day and the oldest boy had a t-shirt with jeans, shoes and socks. The little girl had a light jacket with a tank-top underneath, pants with no socks and shoes. The youngest boy had on over-alls that were WAY too short, a t-shirt, no socks and shoes that were too big. This little boy had goose bumps and kept trying to snuggle close to his brother while the merry-go-round was spinning around, creating even more cold air. I went to the car to find whatever extra clothing I could. I found an extra coat and some fleece mittens. The little boy wouldn't take coat but he lunged for the mittens. We talked to the kids trying to find out who they were and where they lived, etc. The little girl told me they lived in Parma and went to Parma Elementary.

We couldn't quit thinking of this family and decided it would be our Christmas service to do what we could for them. Within the next few weeks I got a hold of the principal at Parma Elementary school and she gave me further information and the address for the family. She also told me they had a little baby and they currently lived with their grandma. I realized their needs could never be completely filled by just our family and decided to open it up to our ward members. The response was amazing! The photo above is what we were able to gather collectively. We delivered coats, hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, long-sleeved shirts, pants, socks, a gift-card for shoes, baby clothes, blankets for all, reading books, coloring books, crayons, stockings with treats and activities, toys for each child, toilet paper, diapers, wipes, laundry detergent, soap, toothpaste and many, many food items.

We loaded up the whole back of our Suburban with gifts on the Monday before Christmas and made a Family Home Evening out of the experience.

We got to talk to the mother and find out more about them. She is educated as a Certified Nurse's Assistant and used to work/live in Nampa until a little while ago when her husband was put in prison. She became the sole income provider. Their home was foreclosed on and their only car repossessed. She and her children moved in with her mother in Parma and she has struggled to find a job in that small town and didn't have transportation to drive to other towns. Her sole desire is to care for her kids and provide the best for them. She wants to feel like she is a good mom and was humbled but grateful for the gifts that were provided.

The mom asked us what church we attended because they've been looking for one. We actually brought a Book of Mormon with us, intending to leave it with them. We talked about the Book of Mormon; where if comes from and how we know it is true. We told them about missionaries (who they've actually seen riding bikes in their town) and asked if they would like to talk to them. And, yes, they did. We exchanged phone numbers and promised to keep in touch.

On the way home, both Sam and I commented how we felt like we did while on our missions. Sharing our testimony of the Book of Mormon was only part of it - the humble surroundings we found ourselves in was the other. Our kids said, "I thought their house would be small but I didn't expect a trailer house with plastic for windows." And, "Mom, we gave them so much but there is so much more they need." I love that my kids got to see how blessed they are and even more importantly, they got to feel what it is like to truely give of themselves to those that are in need.

Thanks to the generosity and selfless giving of our ward members, this was even possible. We couldn't have done all this on our own. A bunch of small efforts together provided warmth, comfort and Christmas excitement for kids and warmth, comfort and peace of mind for a concerned mom.

This was one of the best Christmas's ever!