March - Serve the Family #davidsmission

Two months into our mission.  What have these first few months shown us? First, there are so many service opportunities out there that we never really thought of before.  A bit of searching can bring more opportunities that  you could ever fulfill. That's okay.  We don't need to do it all.  Even small things, even done once, can make a big difference.  Second, we see that there are some things that are great fits for our family that we could do again and again, and there are some things that were great to do once but probably won't be revisited.  Again, that's okay.  The service was still given and the audience was still blessed.  Third, I had to think through my reasons behind posted the activities on social media.  Am I advertising our 'great deeds' for all the world to see? I really struggled with this. I struggle to post service activities because I don't want it to take away from the spirit of what was actually done. What I learned about this thought exercise was this:  As I mentioned earlier, there are many opportunities of service that I never thought about before.  I want to show others what is available to them. Then, if something pricks their heart, they too can now reach out in a way they never thought about before.  I want to show others the joy of the receivers.

With that, I want to introduce you to this next theme: Serve the family.  What does that mean to you?  Don't we already do that each and every day, especially as parents?  I am reminded of a talk given in general conference recently were a dear sister did great service by helping those around the world.  As she was driving home from her latest service opportunity the spirit spoke to her and said "Now go and serve your neighbor."  In essence, the Lord was guiding her to those closest to her and letting here know we don't have to reach far beyond our scope of influence to make our service meaningful.  So this month we are pulling it in, we are focusing on the core unit in our lives.

Family means something different to each of us.  You may be single, you may be a young married couple or empty nesters, or you may have 10 children and lots of cousins. Family may mean those 'extra' children that come into your home, those friends who eat dinner at your table numerous times a week.  Family is really those people who are in your sphere of love on a consistent basis.

This months invitation is two fold.  Let me give one bit of background before I explain. 

Five years ago, at the end of February, I lost a cousin to a tragic adventure activity.  She had only been married two weeks and her life was cut short.  As I attended her funeral I was reminded of two things about her. First, that she had a great love of doing humanitarian work.  Her life, outside of living adventurously, was filled with giving of herself.  Second, there were many people at her funeral from a variety of walks of life.  She made everyone 'family'.  This month as we serve the family, we are striving to emulate and honor her through serving and loving as she did.

The invitations: 1. Find a way to honor a family member that has past, by doing an act of service in their name. 2. Find ways to serve your earthly family in different ways than  you usually do.

Some ideas for you to ponder on this month:

• Plan an event that brings your family together. (We are throwing our Dad/Grandpa a 90th bday party!)
• Do a surprise house cleaning for a sibling
• Mend a relationship
• Invite a family to dinner and game night
• Send snail mail letters to family that lives far away
• Complete a project for a family member that you have been putting off (We will be painting our youngest sons room)
• On March 17th, let someone know that you are "Lucky to have them" in your life
• Leave treats on doorsteps for your neighborhood family (Something my cousin Amber loved to do)
• Be a peacemaker in your home this month.  Seek to show more love.

I am excited about this month, to find ways each day to serve those I love most in the way that Christ would want me to serve them.

February - Serve the Elderly #davidsmission

Aging is a reality for every person on earth. From the moment we are born, we began to "grow old." Different cultures have varying attitudes and perspectives on the elderly in their countries. In China there is an actual law that allows elderly parents to sue their children if they feel they are not getting the emotional and financial respect due to them. Employees are also required to give time off to their workers, allowing them time to visit their parents.

In Japan, appreciation for elderly in ingrained into the family, making this one of the kindest places for seniors.  Many families often have multiple generations living under one roof, attributing much to the happiness and longevity of the elderly that blossoms from these strong bonds. 

Unfortunately in America seniors are often the subject of prejudice, stereotyping, and the subject of jokes, with many elderly feeling a great lack of respect from the young people.  More often than not our elderly are placed in assisted living homes, a practice that is not common in other cultures.  (please to take this as judgement on my part for I know that everyone's situation is unique and, I'm sure, is prayerfully considered).

As we have had some recent happenings in our family with an aging parent I have had cause to pause and reflect on my own views of aging in our society. The older I personally become the greater love I have for those who have forged the path ahead of me.  I see the wisdom gained from their life experiences and seek to learn from what they can impart.  I see what  a great blessing it is to have my father-in-law in our home, to have our children help with his care and see that we make sacrifices for those we love because they deserve it.  What I sense the elderly would like us to know is that they want to be included, but don't want to feel like a burden; they know when you are doing it out of obligation and not love.  They want to feel valued and useful. They want to spend time with us and for us to not put a time limit and rush out of there. They value youthful interactions, along with time with their 'old pals.' 

In light of all that I've been pondering, we are choosing the theme of 'Serve the Elderly' for the month of February.  We are still scheduling the events that we will sponsor this month, so look for details to come.  We are looking at planning an afternoon of game playing, with youth visiting a retirement home.  We are also wanting to hold a night of musical entertainment at the same location. (Music friends, start preparing some old time favorites 😊).  A few other events will include some junior high students making birthday cards to be given to the elderly, along with elementary students making spring-time pictures to decorate the doors of the elderly. 

 I would love to hear other ideas that you might have for this month.  This is a service that spans the distance and is available to all ages.  Here are some ideas for you to ponder:

• Help give caregivers a break by staying with their elderly parents to they can go out
• Volunteer to deliver meals with meals on wheels
• Go have lunch with an elderly neighbor
• Listen to their stories, write them down, input them on FamilySearch
• Paint their nails for them
• Send them a card in the mail
• Take flowers to the seniors in your community and sit down for a visit
• Read to them
• Find a housekeeping project you can help them with

I hope this month stretches us all to be more respectful, more full of love, and united in created strong bonds with those in their twilight years.