The Gift of Service

It’s the most wonderful time of the year….. What a true and wonderful song/ saying! I have been trying to think of things that will make me happier in my life. I read in this crazy old book multiple times that service is the key to happiness. Which by any means I have been trying, but it seems like nothing is happening. Then again I have been blessed for so much, and I feel like for the first time I live at a place where I actually enjoy going home!

My latest adventure has helped me really try harder to think others and those that may be not blessed with as much and who are struggling. My amazing roommate came at me on Saturday morning and asked if I would go with her to the food co-op. I had no idea what was going on. On the drive over she shared with me a story about this lady named Karen. I guess she babysits for the neighbors every now and then and when she was called on Wednesday night she said “oh good now I have money for food”. This broke my roommate’s heart when she herd about this (and mine too!), so she decided to ‘adopt’ her and bring her food and what not.

We went and got her tons of amazing food, meat, produce, breads and grains, and food storage stuff. We had an entire blue Ikea bag filled to the top! There was also a Christmas present in there for her (a nice thermal jacket, purple her favorite color). Since she has seen my roommate play with the girls, and I had never met her, I had the joys of hiking the heavy heavy bag of goodies up 3 flights of stairs! When she answered the door, she was overcome with joy and I had a hard time trying not to cry myself! She grabbed me and made me come inside. She was so welcoming and wonderful!

She wanted to show me her little mini Christmas tree and everything about her. She loves animals and there is not an inch on the walls that is not covered by a cut out picture of a dog or any type of animal! She also loved anything church related and troll dolls. I felt like I was back in the early 90’s with how many troll dolls there where. I visited with her for over a half hour, mind you my roommate sat patiently in the car this whole time!

I guess last year she did not have any money to pay for her gas bill, so she went the entire, horrible stormy winter without any heat. This year her Bishop is forcing her to keep it on. My roommate is going to try to figure something out so we can secretly help as well.

There is too much that I take for granite. I have food in my closet, clothes on back and thankfully since the gas prices are low, fuel in my car. I just have to keep thinking that the Lord has plan and that He is watching out for me. It will all work out in due time.