I love spending time with my nieces and nephews. While visiting my brother in another state earlier this year, I sat outside with my nephew as he excitedly searched for bugs to show me. While I'm not a fan of spiders I loved watching his excitement as he cupped them in his hand and gentle brought them to show me his treasure. I loved the bubbling energy as I went later that night to catch little frogs with the family and see how proud they were when they accomplished the difficult task and then gently releasing them back into the pond.
I've enjoyed being the "relief society mom" for a new mother, as I cradle her fussy baby and allow the mother to enjoy an hour break to feel of God's spirit.
I've enjoyed taking my kids friends into our home, feeding them dinner, including them in family prayer and scripture study, making them a part of our family by loving them for who they are.
In my small way, I feel that I am trying my best to "Behold" His little ones as He beholds them, to love them in the way He would love them.
I often think of the tender love the Savior has for children. He knows of their importance. He knows them individually and ministers to them individually, just as He does for His adult children. I believe He has an even more tender place in His heart for children, so recently descended from heaven, experiencing so many new things. I hear Him in my mind, cheering them on, encouraging them to find joy in this journey, despite the hard life ahead.
With these thoughts, I get excited about the service theme this month: Serve the Children. I was so blessed to have an amazing childhood, and I know by kids are blessed with even more than I was. But there are many, many children, even in our own neighborhoods, that stand in need of more. More love, more acceptance, more money, more time with caring individuals, more basic needs met. More of more. There are so many "mores" that it was difficult for me to narrow down the services that I want to provide.
Ways that you can help:
~Recently at our family reunion we started the first part of a service for children. There is an organization that makes character wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer or other illnesses. Our family decorated the envelopes that will hold the cards that go along with these wigs as they are given away. We will be doing a second round of this service. www.themagicyarnproject.com
~I wanted to do a drive to collect school item for children in need as they head back to school, and was excited to see that a young man in our ward is doing this for his eagle project. Our family will be contributing to this worthwhile project. Donations are needed by Aug 13. contact me if you want to contribute.
~We have children in our neighborhood taking part in a summer reading bingo where they receive treats for certain bingos, with a party at the end of the summer if they get a blackout.
~I have a special surprise that I am working on as well, that I will reveal at the end of the month. :)
Other Ideas:
~Hold a bike wash for neighborhood kids
~Serve a meal at the Ronald McDonald house
~Children's book collection for library/WIC/classrooms
~Play date with special needs children
~Pack Lunches for homeless children
~Check out the app JustServe. There are many, many ideas of serving children listed there.
