Sunday, November 25, 2012

Serving with a Joyful Heart!

November 17-
We volunteered today with our church to help at the Open Door Mission.  It was a great experience.  Addison, Landon and I made the trek to the ODM this morning and waited with about 175 other people to get assigned to help in different areas.  We were given the task of hanging out clothes....Addison surely could use some practice at this but it didn't hold their attention.  Addison was having fun because one of her friends was there.  Landon on the other hand thought it was fun to peek through the clothes knocking down more than I could hang up.  After a little while we switched gears and went to help with beans.  I wasn't sure what that meant but anything was better than hanging clothes up 200 times each!

Outside we found 25lbs sacs of dried beans that were being packaged into ziploc bags and put into a large box.  There was a bit of an assembly line going and the kiddos were the runners.  They would take the bags to the big box.  This was PERFECT!  Landon had so much fun he was full of smiles and giggles.  He was running back and forth to the box and he would get lifted up to put the beans in the box....it was just so much fun for him.  Addison also had fun just helping out.  I was so glad to see my children helping others with such joy.  That is certainly something that I would like to instill in them.  It was fun to see that I didn't have to try too hard!  Landon woke up from his nap talking about what we had done that morning. "Nandan carry beans mommy!"

Addi helping to carry small bags of beans to the larger box!
 Landon getting lifted up by the famous Mr. Chapman(one of Addi's favorite people at church) to put the beans in the box!
 Landon carrying beans!

Today was also the day that they were delivering thanksgiving baskets to those in need.  I thought that would also be fun for us.  So I went through the process and the lady handed me a stack of addresses....that was a little much but we did do one.  Which was good because I got totally lost.  Omaha is easy to get around but the downtown, when you don't know a cross street, is a bit confusing. And I was trying to navigate and drive....when using a cell phone it was a bit tricky! But we finally got to the street and I see this....person....standing in the middle of the street.  Just hanging out with his pants at his ankles.  I am certain this is going to arise a million questions (thankfully I don't think Addi noticed!)  I of course miss the house and have to turn around....ahhh finally I get to the house and it was great to give this woman a gift.  A Jennie-o turkey even! A bunch of her grandkids were there and they all came to see Addi and Landon which was funny.  Landon of course thought he should go in and hang out....and Addi was busy wishing a Happy Thanksgiving and taking it all in!  I love giving people gifts!  It is my favorite!!

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