A Day of Honoring Service

During this season, we have tried to help our two little Muggles see that it is about giving and service more than it is about getting and taking. Every year we try to find people that we can give to that are in need. Over the years we have given to orphans, "adopted a family" that are in need, and thought about ways we can serve those around us. 

This year, we have a friend in our congregation who works at the Bishop's Storehouse. The Storehouse is a location where people in need can get the food required to feed their families. We decided to join our friend and do some service. 

We had a busy day ahead so I told the kids we were only going to do service for an hour. However, these two had such a great time that they did not want to stop. Every time that I asked if they were ready to go, they protested! I figured that of all the places for my children to beg to stay longer it is while giving service. 

Lady Hiva met another Polynesian sister who was doing service that day too! It made us so happy to see Polynesians in the area. 

We stocked shelves, filled refrigerators and freezers, and helped patrons who came in. They would come in with a list of items that their family needed. One of us would walk with them and help them collect the items and package them up to go home. 

The warehouse in the back is loaded with pallets that are sent to different NGOs who provide assistance to those who are in need or have survived a natural disaster. 

We worked fast in the freezers. A few times we would have to come out to warm up before we went back in and started again! But these two did not stop. They had fun waving to the families who were opening freezers to get items from the other side. 

They became professionals at looking for items that had shelves empty. They would locate the item in the warehouse then bring it out to stock the shelves. They had a chance to empty boxes and to weigh and bag fruit and vegetables. 

 Our 'hour of service' turned into about four hours! And they would have stayed longer if we didn't have other meetings we needed to make it to. I was so proud of their hard work and willingness to help others. The directors of the Center made a point to tell that that it was a "Christmas Miracle" that we came. Apparently, the other people who had signed up to volunteer did not show up, so we filled the need. This was truly a special experience for our holiday. I am so thankful that we went. 

Our next way to honor service was at the Navy Band Holiday Concert. We had been told about the concert from the music teacher who invited the Muggles to play in the city Christmas event. We were so glad that we went. The Navy Band is exceptional. We have heard them play before, but this was the first time we have been to their Holiday Concert. It was amazing. 

They had all kinds of music--rock, jazz, country, classical...it was amazing. We all left with our favorite songs and swapped stories of what we saw and appreciated. 

My favorite part was in between songs they had short videos with Navy Sailors in action share their thoughts on the holidays. They asked funny questions, talked about their traditions, and being away from family during this season. I admit that I shed a few tears as they recounted their sacrifices but their pride in serving their country. 

We were all so glad that we went. Each song had so much power. The last song they sang was "Oh Holy Night" with three tenors taking the lead. It was so powerful and very emotional. I could have been at the concert all night. We were so glad that we were able to go. It is something we would add to our list of "things we should do every year."  

This year Lady Hiva decided to join this Elf revolution. We have never done it before. Partially because we have not really ever done the "Santa" thing. (We don't discourage it, but we also don't encourage it). But the two Muggles loved to sit on Facebook and scroll through all the ways elves show up each morning. 

Our two elves are named, Branch and Frau Jill. Below are just some of the mischief the two of them got into over the last month. (we forgot to take photos of all of them)