Last Friday I seemed to be in a very reflective mood. I had so many lessons taught to me one after another. It makes me wonder if I really stop and be reflective each day how many lessons I am truly learning without realizing it.
Caring extends beyond language barriers
While at Walmart, with the two little girls, we were just finishing up our shopping when Annmarie asked if she could have a free cookie. About half way through the produce section she decided she wanted to get out of the cart seat and ask for the cookie herself. As I helped her down my lanyard key holder ended up scratching her down the whole side of her chest making a slight, but bleeding wound. I felt awful. She cried. We made our way over to the bakery counter since there were two ladies stocking some breaded goods and I asked if by any chance they had some bandaids. The one lady looked at me at first and then she spoke to the other lady in broken English and Spanish trying to explain what a bandaid was. I then thought to show them Annmarie's bleeding scratch and the lady who couldn't speak any English immediately cooed over Annmarie and ran off to find some bandaids. My other sweet helper got down to Annmarie's level and asked if she wanted some cookies and proceeded to get Annmarie two large frosted cookies. They were so caring and thoughtful and it made me truly reflect how in times of need the prompting to drop what we are doing and help is extended throughout the world even if we can't communicate with words, but with helpful hands of love.
Reflecting on that simple act of kindness made me think of two other examples that have benefited our family recently. There has been an increase of awareness of those around the community and throughout the world that are in need. Claire, Stephen Jones's wife, has been overseeing a monumental effort of collecting and sorting and storing and more, clothing for a charity the MBA Spouses Assoc. puts on. It's purpose is to help those brave and faithful graduate families have what they need to clothe their young families while continuing their education while sacrificing not being able to work at the same time. It then extends past that and the free-for-all clothing swap is open to the public to take what is needed for families in the area. Following that this Sunday our ward announced a service needed for the Saints in Zimbabwe. Our ward humanitarian specialist has special connections with the Saints in Zimbabwe and I have been awed and humbled of the list of needs for these faithful people. Paul and I have jumped into action and our family has felt so blessed to be part of the efforts needed there. As I was explaining to Paul when "the moment" finally hit me... I have been saving clothes to pass on down to my sisters-in-laws for awhile. I have felt so blessed and continually am showered with so much from my moms, sister-in-laws, my sister, and super incredible friends! But I am realizing that my sisters are all slowing down or having boys. So Paul made the comment instead of passing them on to my sisters we are passing them on to our "sisters in Zimbabwe." Wow! What a thought! The children have been very excited to help too. At Halloween the BYU basketball team came and educated them about UNICEF and introduced them to "Trick or Treat for UNICEF." We've been able to watch some videos online about Zimbabwe and how the children there were given bubbles for the first time. The kids noticed how incredibly happy they were to have something like bubbles and this prompted them to think of even more things that they thought they could donate. To see the realization of being able to give to those that are in need was an incredible moment. True happiness is found in caring for those around us. Even if we just are kind, think of how much the world can be changed with more kindness, more patience, and more smiles.
Love ya,
Candace
Caring extends beyond language barriers
While at Walmart, with the two little girls, we were just finishing up our shopping when Annmarie asked if she could have a free cookie. About half way through the produce section she decided she wanted to get out of the cart seat and ask for the cookie herself. As I helped her down my lanyard key holder ended up scratching her down the whole side of her chest making a slight, but bleeding wound. I felt awful. She cried. We made our way over to the bakery counter since there were two ladies stocking some breaded goods and I asked if by any chance they had some bandaids. The one lady looked at me at first and then she spoke to the other lady in broken English and Spanish trying to explain what a bandaid was. I then thought to show them Annmarie's bleeding scratch and the lady who couldn't speak any English immediately cooed over Annmarie and ran off to find some bandaids. My other sweet helper got down to Annmarie's level and asked if she wanted some cookies and proceeded to get Annmarie two large frosted cookies. They were so caring and thoughtful and it made me truly reflect how in times of need the prompting to drop what we are doing and help is extended throughout the world even if we can't communicate with words, but with helpful hands of love.
Reflecting on that simple act of kindness made me think of two other examples that have benefited our family recently. There has been an increase of awareness of those around the community and throughout the world that are in need. Claire, Stephen Jones's wife, has been overseeing a monumental effort of collecting and sorting and storing and more, clothing for a charity the MBA Spouses Assoc. puts on. It's purpose is to help those brave and faithful graduate families have what they need to clothe their young families while continuing their education while sacrificing not being able to work at the same time. It then extends past that and the free-for-all clothing swap is open to the public to take what is needed for families in the area. Following that this Sunday our ward announced a service needed for the Saints in Zimbabwe. Our ward humanitarian specialist has special connections with the Saints in Zimbabwe and I have been awed and humbled of the list of needs for these faithful people. Paul and I have jumped into action and our family has felt so blessed to be part of the efforts needed there. As I was explaining to Paul when "the moment" finally hit me... I have been saving clothes to pass on down to my sisters-in-laws for awhile. I have felt so blessed and continually am showered with so much from my moms, sister-in-laws, my sister, and super incredible friends! But I am realizing that my sisters are all slowing down or having boys. So Paul made the comment instead of passing them on to my sisters we are passing them on to our "sisters in Zimbabwe." Wow! What a thought! The children have been very excited to help too. At Halloween the BYU basketball team came and educated them about UNICEF and introduced them to "Trick or Treat for UNICEF." We've been able to watch some videos online about Zimbabwe and how the children there were given bubbles for the first time. The kids noticed how incredibly happy they were to have something like bubbles and this prompted them to think of even more things that they thought they could donate. To see the realization of being able to give to those that are in need was an incredible moment. True happiness is found in caring for those around us. Even if we just are kind, think of how much the world can be changed with more kindness, more patience, and more smiles.
Love ya,
Candace
1 comment:
What a beautiful post!
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