Jackson's Service Project to Libby

This year I was given the opportunity to have Libby as the cousin that I am to serve this year. Now because of my understanding that Libby enjoys her dance classes, I thought that I could incorporate this into my service. I was talking to my young mens quorum and we were planning on what we should to for our ward Christmas party. My young mens leader then jokingly says that we should do a dance number, and I thought that was a great idea, because I was desperate to do something for Libby. Hahaha. Anyways , heres the video and I wanna tell Libby I love her and I love you all, and Merry Christmas!!

We are dancing to the scene in the Polar Express when the waiters of the train come and give the kids hot chocolate. After we danced we all fed people Breakfast-for-Dinner and served Hot Chocolate.

Merry Christmas to Erik from Alex

My mind and my heart went 2 different ways for this one. In thinking of what to do for Erik, I kept thinking it should be something emergency preparedness related, because that is something I know Erik is involved in heavily. However, the more I thought on it, I really felt drawn to do something else instead. So I decided to follow the spirit instead of to my own thoughts.

In an effort to magnify my calling in the Young Mens Presidency in our ward, I decided that I needed to do something to show these boys that I do indeed care about them, and that if they ever needed an adult to talk to, that I was someone they could feel comfortable approaching. What I ended up doing was hosting my local young mens (boys aged from 12-17) to game nights at my house almost once per month. I say almost, because I missed a month in the beginning of the year, and a couple in other times when people all had too busy of schedules.

I talked to my Bishop ahead of time to make sure he was okay with it. He recommended I try to keep it under 2 hours per night, and get the boys home at a reasonable hour. We played many different games over the last year. I introduced them to Dominion, Avalon, Forbidden Island, and many others. They even used the opportunity to introduce games to me, such as Smash Up, or one that one of the boys themselves invented called "The Fight".

It's been tough at times to get them together for game night. Boys this age often have plans, some of which they forget about until at the last minute. However that didn't deter me from inviting them. Whether they be member or non-member, active or not, eventually got to be inviting some kids from outside the ward boundaries even, my aim was to make sure these boys knew there was a place they were invited to attend, to get to know eachother better, and enjoy some wholesome activities.

Erik, I love you, and I love your boys. I wanted to use this as an opportunity to share the love I have for my nephews, with those in my immediate area. I think, for the most part that it has worked. I no longer have to brow beat them into coming for the most part, in fact often they come up to me asking when the next game night is!  I didn't really plan to continue doing it into 2017, but from the way things look, these boys may not let me get away with that! Who knows, maybe I've started something new in our ward!

Merry Christmas Andrew! Love, Alyssa

This year the cousin I got to serve was Andrew. Andrew is such an incredible example to me in so many ways. He's so selfless and is always looking for ways to serve others' needs. I can't imagine Andrew ever saying "no" to someone in need of help. Every time I see Andrew, he's helping someone in some way. I especially admire the older brother he is to his sisters. He has a gift for making them smile and I've NEVER seen him say an unkind word to them, which is actually kind of mind-blowing to me because I get so impatient with my own siblings. :) Basically, Andrew's the kind of older brother I've always wanted, and I admire him more than he knows.

For my service this year in honor of Andrew, I had the opportunity to serve my aunt Gay. She's another super selfless person I admire and she needed some help around her house. Her husband Clark had passed away this year and my family and I were happy to give her a helping hand. When we got there, she first asked us to help her pick peaches off of her tree in places she couldn't reach. We filled bags and bags full!

Next, Lindsay, Tyler, Emma, and my mom went inside the house to help aunt Gay can the peaches. My dad and I worked outside painting the outside of her garage.

We worked hard together for quite a few hours and finished canning her peaches and painting her garage. Aunt Gay was SO thankful for our help and it felt so great to touch her life in such a simple but meaningful way. 

Merry Christmas Andrew! Thanks for being such a great example to me of Christlike service!

Love, Alyssa

P.s. look what Andrew ended up doing for his Thanksgiving! He helped his aunt remodel her house, and the pictures look pretty similar to our pictures of helping aunt Gay! :)

Merry Christmas Cindy, Love Nicki!

Merry Christmas Cindy!  I loved thinking about how to serve you this year.  You are such a kind,  funny, strong, amazing woman and I feel lucky to be your sister!  Honestly, you have so many gifts and talents I could spend many years learning to be more like you.  I love watching you with James.  I know his challenges have been difficult for both you and Alex, but you love that little guy all the more and are so patient and loving to him.  This year, I decided I would volunteer in the special Ed classroom at our elementary school.  Mr. Harris, the Special Ed teacher, won teacher of the year several years back.  My kids who attended Eaglecrest love this guy because he connects with all the students there, not just the kids in his classroom.  His class is specifically children with Autism.  There are a total of 12 kids grades K-3.  These kids live in different areas of our district and are bussed in to Eaglecrest.  On Tuesday afternoons, I joined Mr. Harris' class.  When I'd arrive the kids were usually finishing up music time.  The kids were learning Halloween songs and really seemed to enjoy it, although only a couple of kids joined Mr. Harris and I in the singing.  Next, the kids went to PE while Mr. Harris pulled out two for us to work with.  He'd assign one to me and I'd go through his or her IEP and work on things like letter and word recognition, early reading skills, multiplication and subtraction.  Each kid was unique and on different parts of the spectrum.  Some couldn't talk, others were more verbal.  One cute girl loved it when I'd come in and would like to softly pinch my arm!  I enjoyed working with a second grade boy on reading skills.  He loves science.  He can draw a pretty accurate model of the heart and explain to you how the human heart works.  Amazing!  I loved being there with those kids and really grew an appreciation for what you do for James on a daily basis.  He's a lucky boy to have a mom like you!

Better When I'm Dancing

Here's a fun little video Savannah made for everyone to enjoy. I'm posting it a tad early to get everyone in the service spirit. Thanks to all those who submitted a dance video.

https://youtu.be/CGGDcyP5HRk

Merry Christmas Brian! love, Bruce

My service person is my son-in-law, Brian. I'm sorta behind with my service for him - but that doesn't mean I don't love him! My gift will be directly for him (well, and Liz). I'll be to your home sometime next week - probably Tuesday the 5th - so start making a list of what you'd like done. Love - Bruce

I love you Rick - love, Grandma

My service person was my Ricky-ticky, aka my oldest grandson, aka Rick. I have had a year devoted to serving at the Ensign Ranch in central Washington. During this special year of my growing thru service I can honestly say that my Rick has been in my thoughts and prayers every day.  Early in the year I started thinking about his year of getting older, growing in his own ways and even graduating from high school.  This meant I was engaged in planning, designing and making his traditional T-shirt quilt for about two months. My next sewing project was to make myself aprons to wear as the cooks uniform on my mission from left over scraps of fabric. (Please note how cute they were before I started using them and washing them.) 

Now you may wonder how the subject of my aprons can be meaningful for Rick. Well, for me it is - and that's what matters. Rick ended up graduating and receiving many scholarship offers in his chosen field of theatrical arts. One of his areas of  expertise  is costume design. So, to show my support of him and his talents, I decided to contribute some meaningful items to him starting his own costume collection.  So please see the picture of the aprons now. They have served the purpose of their creation and are being donated to start the collection. These aprons would be "perfect" for the orphans should he be involved in a production of Annie. He sent his letter sweater to be cut up and put in his quilt - but I just couldn't do it. It's being returned for the collection to use in a future production of Bye Bye Birdie.

I love you Rick - Grandma