Simple Generosity

I am simply amazed and humbled by the sweet generosity of people. A few weeks ago a gentleman from the ward approached me and asked if I would have my children write a Christmas wish list. He said that he liked to do "something special" for the primary children at the ward Christmas party. I was curious and stunned. What could he possible do with a wish list from all the primary families in the ward. He couldn't possible intend to fill ALL those wishes ... could he? Well, the ward Christmas party came and went. It was a wonderful event, but nothing "special." The brother was not even in attendance.

But tonight the doorbell rang. Two boxes of packages were sitting all forlorn out in the darkness. Some of these packages looked suspiciously like the items on the list. Accompanying the packages were gift receipts, and two gift cards, one for Safeway and another for Walmart with a note that said "for stocking stuffers."

What a wonderful blessing! Money is so tight this year with the move and still trying to find a renter for the Lakeside house. We would have been OK. But this is definitely going to help.
I am not nearly so kind or generous. Even if I had the money, would it even occur to me to obtain a list, do the shopping, wrapping, and delivering? Would I even think of passing out $20 bills? This would be great too and a lot less stress on me, but to go to these lengths? I do not have the means of doing something like this for others, but I can be a lot more generous with what I do have. I have been humbled.

A House United

Nicholeen Peck's new and long awaited book arrived today in my mail. The Title is A House United: Changing Children's Hearts and Behaviors by Teaching Self-Government. It doesn't exactly roll of the tongue, but it is accurate. I get a whole entire two weeks off of school and have way too much planned for my "free time." I'm going to try and get through as much of this book as I can. In just skimming it, I am excited to get into it.

A Little Announcement

Well, I am not quite ready to announce this yet, but as it is starting to leak, I probably should. It appears that we will be having a new baby sometime mid May (I am hoping for the 12th-my sister's birthday). I honestly did not expect this one to last, which is one reason we haven't said anything for so long. After miscarrying twice as many children as we have kept the odds were not in our favor to begin with. Last time I lost the baby at 16 weeks, but there had been signs that something was not quite right all along. I have reached the 17 week mark with this one, and all seems to be going well.



With my, and my children's education as such a big focus right now, I really did not think that this would be asked of me until I finished my degree. Maybe I am a stronger person than I thought I was. But I do know that a way will be provided and that I will receive the help I need. The knowledge that I desperately need that help, and the assurance that it will be provided, has humbled me more than I care to admit. I am awed that the Lord trusts me this much to give me so many responsibilities.