Weekend of Service

Sometimes I feel underused in the kingdom and actively seek for opportunities and people to serve. Other times those opportunities seem to find me. This weekend seems to be one that I really needed but didn't know it. Yesterday I was able to go visit teach a new sister on my list. I was on the ball for the first time in a long time and actually made cookies and cards to bring to all of our sisters on our list (my companion is Tina Harris). We were able to have a nice visit with Donna Evans, a new sister in our ward. It was a lovely visit and would have been even better if I didn't have my 4 kids with me trying to explore her house. She is in her 40's and she is a newlywed to a man that she met 25 years ago but neither of them ever married until last year. So, she has no experience with children and it was interesting to see her react to my children. I don't think I'll be bringing them back to her house (even if she said it was okay... it just distracts from the spirit of what we are trying to do). After visiting her I gave Tina a plate of cookies and then a card to bring to another of our sisters, while the kids and I dropped off another set to our last sister. It feels good to know that we are trying to do things for other people. Carter was whining all the way home and asking, "Mom, why did you give away all of our cookies?" I tried to explain that when we give away the blessings that we are given we feel good inside. I think he would've rather had more cookies, but hopefully he'll remember that example when he is older and will understand it better.

So, after doing my visiting teaching for the month I was feeling really good. It has been a few months since we've been able to meet with a few of our sisters, so to at least do something for each of them was a good improvement. Then last night I got a call from a friend in the ward, Amanda Mallett. She too is new in the ward and reminds me of me a year ago. She has 3 kids and is expecting their 4th any day. Her youngest son broke his arm last weekend and she asked if I could babysit her girls today for his appointment. Kaylie absolutely loves her oldest, Anna, so it was no problem at all to have the girls come and play. They were here for about 4 hours today and had a great time. I will also be babysitting for the Ercanbracks tomorrow night so they can go to the temple. That will be fun and the kids will be happy to get to play with more friends.

I was also able to help my neighbors out tonight when I found out that they are both sick. These are the same neighbors that bailed me back into my house earlier in the week and have done a lot for me. I was more than happy to make them dinner and get their son from the bus stop. I wish I could do more, I just love the way that serving other people makes me feel. I have been reading a lot in the new general conference Ensign and enjoyed President Monson's talk, "What Have You Done for Someone Else?" It has inspired me to be more on the lookout for opportunities to serve others. Although, as I have found this weekend, sometimes I don't have to seek these opportunities, they find me. Either way, I have been feeling a lot better about my life since I have tried doing things for others and not thinking about myself. Why can't I just always remember that lesson and have to be constantly reminded?