It was my job to be the runner...

Tonight we had a spontaneous discussion after our family prayer.  Peter and I both mentioned that we wanted the kids to pay particular attention to others this week.  To their siblings, friends, neighbors, and anyone that could use some service or a friend.  Peter mentioned that there might be some families or friends that may not have a lot of money for Christmas.  One of the kids asked what we could do about it.  We explained about our fast offering donation and how it might benefit someone who may need it, but also talked about how a kind word or act toward someone may also be a gift. 

This discussion brought me back to my own childhood.  I remember many years during the holidays of these same type of discussions in my own home.  Having my dad as the bishop or in the bishopric gave him and us an awareness of need in our neighborhood.  I remember planning 12 days of Christmas for families needing physical things and others needing other types of support.  I was often the "runner".  I was old enough to be given this assignment but young and fast enough to be successful at it.  As the runner, it was my job to quietly take the item to the door, ring the bell, and RUN!  I usually got to the next house but often jumped into a bush or behind a tree to wait as the person opened the door, discovered their gift, looked around, and then closed the door again. 

It was a unique perspective that I had.  I watched as kids came piling out of a door with excitement to see what was left on the porch.  I watched adults look down with surprise then delight.  This happened 11 more times per family each year.  After the 1st or 2nd night they would catch on and realize there was more to come.  Sometimes it was so exciting I wanted to jump out of the bush and partake in the joy they felt.  Sometimes I sat silent, as an adult or child would quietly say Thank You to the dark lawn.  Now I realize that being the runner was the opportunity I needed to experience humility, true service, and love.

A year or two ago, our kids were fighting...a lot.  I remember thinking to myself that they needed something to interrupt their habit of quarreling and think about others.  Since it was Christmas time, I wrote each of their names on a paper and asked them to draw a name.  They were then assigned to be a Secret Santa to that person for the entire month.  To my delight they loved this idea and started immediately.  They left notes on pillows expressing their love and complimenting each others talents.  They did random acts of service by making a bed or picking up toys.  They left a treat taped to a door or in a backpack.  And then, they gave them a gift on Christmas and revealed who they were.  Each year they ask with anticipation when we are going to draw names for our sibling secret Santa.    I love that they love to do this. 

Now that they are getting a little older, I think its time to expand outside of our family circle.  Maybe its time to give our kids the opportunity to be a runner.  Maybe there is a better way out there.  I would love to hear others experiences and suggestions on teaching kids to give, serve, and love others.

My single vote

The presidential election is here.  As Americans we have the right to vote our leadership of this country.  There are many around the world who do not.  I have voted in every election since I was old enough to do so.  Why...because I can.  I can have a say on what my future holds. 

I remember when I was in high school.  I ran for Student Body President.  Representatives from each class were sent to the gym to hear our platforms and then vote for those who would go on to the general election.  We had to have a certain amount of votes to continue on. Guess what happened.  A certain group of kids from the school had decided that they would volunteer as class representatives and vote their own friends in as candidates instead of voting for those running for the office on official terms.  They showed up and elected a new set of candidates.  The rest of us were left wondering what happened.  It was effective and strategic planning on their part.  This set of new candidates however, were not wanted by the rest of the student body.  Those of us who did not make the primary, banded together and started a write in campaign.  Our write in candidate won.   I wasn't an SBO, but at a young age I learned a very important lesson about the power of my single vote.  Your single vote.  Others single vote.  They add up and they make change happen.

I have heard many say they are sick of politics, campaign ads, and everything else associated with this election.  Me too. But I will vote.  Its time.  Go vote. 

Debate take away...

I fell asleep during the debate.  Bunch of Malarkey and CNN's undecided voter comment about Biden acting like a Buffoon in General are what linger in my head.  Personally neither did it for me tonight but Biden was really annoying in his behavior.  So I guess I give style points to Ryan. 

Not Enough

The other day I was driving down the road with my two girls in the back.  As we came up on an intersection I noticed a young woman with a sign.  It said something like "help me leave your city".  My 8 yr old read it outloud as we waited for the light to turn green.  I noticed that she had on a very full backpack.  She had on layers of worn clothes. On the ground next to her was another small bag and a violin.  It was the violin that made me read the sign then look at the girl holding it.  So young.  She was so young, maybe 18 or so.  The light turned and we started to drive and then that discontent that makes your heart ache.  I looked for a place to turn around.  I drove around the block.  Not sure what I was going to do.  I had two kids in the car.  She was on an island away from the sidewalk.  I prayed for a stop light.  I got it.  I stopped.  Then started to wave at her to come over...I grabbed my wallet and pulled out a dollar. No.  A five and rolled down the window.  She came over, I told her I noticed her violin.  She said she wished she could play me a song.  I said it was okay, and wished her luck.   She thanked me and I started to drive away as the light had turned and there was a line of cars behind me waiting to move. 

I drove away, and wished I could have asked her name, how and why she was there.  Where she was going, who she was.  Instead I connected because she played the violin.  She was going somewhere and her music was probably her solace.  The one posession she valued most. When I passed back through the intersection awhile later. She was gone.  We did something, but it feels like it was not enough.

Home-Fall

 

Today we took a ride to visit family and passed through a canyon with beautiful Fall leaves. The sun was just setting when we pulled into home. I love seeing the mountain behind our home full of Fall color.

 

One Year Older

I uploaded some pictures from the camera and these 1st day of school pictures were in the mix. This year I look at my kids and just cannot believe how much they have changed over the past year.

 

Boys and Boats

About a year ago Matthew and Peter came home from scouts and told me about a high adventure trip the Teachers group were planning.  I thought it sounded like a lot of fun.  They were building their boats from scratch.  Its a cross between a canoe and a kayak.  Its called a Canack or Kanak or something like that.  They got their instructions and over the past year they worked on their boats.  The cut and sanded the wood, glued and nailed, painted the frame, stretched the canvas, sealed and painted the canvas, installed seats and cup holders, and finally tested them to see if they were float worthy.  In August all of the boys, most of the fathers, leaders, and some adventure seekers, loaded up the boats and headed out.  They ended up floating 30 miles down the river over two days.  The caught raccoons at night and got sunburned during the day.  They ate good food and had a lot of fun.  I was so proud to see the end result.  There were times when we tired of working on boats all the time, but in the end, it was worth it.