Service with a Smile

Each year, instead of buying Christmas presents for each other, my family does a service project altogether. Each one of the girls (Jodi, Jill, Jessi, Justi or me) takes their turn, picks out the project and sets everything up. We've done things such as "Sub for Santa" to people in need, gone caroling at local nursing homes, etc. This year, it was Justi's turn to organize the project. She and her husband, Kent, felt strongly about doing something involving missionaries. So, Justi called the mission homes in Utah, Colorado and New Mexico and talked to the "Mission Moms" about how we could help. The sweet sisters were so excited and gave Justi names of missionaries in their area who were not expecting anything for Christmas this year. She relayed the information back to each of us and off we went in search of small gifts, candy and any other surprise we could find to make this Christmas special for "our missionary". My boys had a blast picking out things, writing notes and helping fill the box and take it to the post office. This ended up being such an amazing opportunity for ALL of us. The sweet missionary my family was given was Elder Baten serving in the Colorado, Colorado Springs mission.

Elder Baten is originally from Guatemala but his parents sent him to the US a couple of years ago to make a better life for himself. He was introduced to the missionaries and later baptized. After about a year, he talked to the Bishop of his branch and told him he wanted to serve a mission and share the gospel with others, just as the missionaries did for him. However, he had nothing..... no money, experience and didn't even speak English very well yet. His bishop was so touched by his willingness to serve that he is financially supporting Elder Baten. He hasn't received any packages, and hardly even hears from anyone, let alone his own family. We were so excited to be able to surprise him with a little something for Christmas. My boys each wrote letters introducing themselves and talking about how one day, they too want to serve a mission. They expressed their gratitude for him and the example he shows.

This was a great opportunity to remind us about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. It is about serving one another and remembering the birth of Christ. I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity. Thank you Justi and Kent for setting up the project. We had a great time and feel blessed this time of year to have the gospel in our lives.

Thanks to all of you who are a part of our lives. We love you all and wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year.