Opportunities for Service

The past week has brought about a few opportunities of service that have been wonderful. On the 8th we headed to the hospital to share get well cards we had made with patients in the long term care unit. While there, we also had the opportunity to visit with 2 therapy dogs that frequently visit these patients as well. We enjoyed petting and learning about the training required for dogs to become therapy dogs.
May 14th, Ryan, Barry and I woke early...very early (3:15am) to travel to the Washington DC temple. There, along with Granny Hale we were able to do baptristy work for 20+ of Barry's ancestors. Although it was a very long day it was wonderful, especially because Ryan was with us. On the way home we stopped at Cracker Barrel for a late lunch, mmmm I love their potatoe casserole. Very Yummy. Barry enjoyed a wonderful steak and Ryan ate french toast. Beulah ate chicken dumplings, but I'd have to say hers are better. A day later, after we'd been home for a while, I asked Ryan if he had a good day. He said that he felt the spirit, that his chest was about to busrt within him while he was there. Ahh, that made me so happy to hear. A huge thanks to Jen and Chris Mattson, they gave up a good nights sleep (and the next day) so the other kids wouldn't have to wake up early to travel to their home for the day. Apparently Liam wasn't very happy to not be able to find me in the middle of the night and woke up the whole household for a hour or so. Chris was the lucky one and walked the floors--and even outside until he finally fell back to sleep. The lack of sleep apparently didn't affect the kids too terribly, as they were all up by 6 am, with their school work done by 8:30 am. During "normal school hours" they created nature books and discovered the wonders of trees, weeds and other plants. Connor especially liked this as he's interested in studying botany.

The latest big act of service was Connor making dinner for us tonight. It wasn't a ramean noodle or mac and cheese dinner, he made instant mashed potatoes with gravy (cooked and served in my tea kettle ;), stuffing, skillet fried chicken, green beans and milk. It tasted very good. I think I have a blooming chef on my hands. (yesterday he made a cake from a mix with scratch made cream cheese frosting.) And at this moment, as I write this entry, the kids are all working well together hand washing the dishes--we're out of dish washer detergent. I love these times when they all work and play so well together. I'll just have to remember this feeling when the fight breaks out later. :)

At the hospital delivering the hand made cards.
They each created 2 cards each. There was one gentleman who was very touched by the visit, I wish we could visit him more, he seemed so lonely.

Here the kids are introdued to the therapy dogs. They are Newfoundland dogs, and they were great.

Both Cailin and Delaney loved and hugged the dogs often.