Christmas Service

I have read some really great blog posts from friends of mine who had similar experiences helping others this season. I would love to just copy and paste so many of the things they wrote—such beautiful, sincere words and thoughts. I will try my best to share my own story, even if they align quite easily. I have learned, again, that serving others is quite simply an honor and a privilege and the blessings, selfishly, seem to be so much more mine than anyone else's.

My ambitious and vibrant neighbor has been organizing huge service projects for a school just outside Logan for a few years now. It is a head-start program made up entirely of the children of migrant farm workers in the local area. I have some old friends who live in the same city but didn't know much about it. Truth is that across the main highway a ways live many transient, hard-working but very needy families. Kristin, said neighbor and friend, sent out a Facebook plea for help for some 25 families in the area. As soon as I read her post I signed us up—I was thrilled with the opportunity to help. I have wanted to do a Sub 4 Santa project every year of my married life. Ever since our days in Phoenix (when we had some actual income) Joseph and I have found ways to serve others at Christmas time—sometimes for our own families, many times for those in our own wards (through anonymous donations to the bishop or anonymous deliveries) and often times through Joseph's work service project. This finally seemed like the perfect year for Sub 4 Santa. And it felt like Kristin just placed it in my lap so easily and with great organization on both her end and the school's.

We were assigned the Cruz family in mid November. Papa Cruz, as we called him throughout our preparations, works on a dairy farm for very little pay in every weather condition, and Mama Cruz takes care of her family of 4 kids (ages 4, 7, 10 and 13—3 boys and 1 girl). They simply stated on their form that they would like warm winter clothes for all the kids and a bunk bed if possible. That's all they had on there! Seemed like such a humble, honest wishlist and Joseph and I were determined to make those needs a reality and add whatever else we could. I immediately pulled out the bins of Bentley's old clothes and found everything I needed to donate to their 4 year old boy. Then a generous neighbor (via Kristin) gave us her daughter's old size 8 snow clothes and fleece jacket, all in mint condition. I also dug through our family stash of winter gear and found great things for the parents and young kids. Many of my family members were wanting to help out and sent us cash, so I went to work shopping deals all over the place: boots, down coats, fleece pants, gloves, hats, fleece pullovers and thick socks—all purchased with donated money (Old Navy Stuff'N'Save + clearance rack became my new best friends!)

Then it was time to rally my kids and ask for their help in sorting through their own things to help the little Cruz family. They did so happily. We found tons of books, many puzzles, a big Ziplock full of Hot Wheels (this was very hard for Bentley—he hates to give up any of his many, many cars but he did), a few games, a doll and 2 outfits for her, some play jewelry and other cute girlie things. I also made a dollar store run for some fresh, new gifts and prizes like coloring books, crayons, Nerf-like guns, silly putty, candy, hair stuff, and more. I spent $25 and felt like we came away with a lot of great treasures.

I also roped my kiddos into tying fleece blankets with me for each of the four kids. They loved this project and were very excited to have such a hands on task. Olivia tried some knots and couldn't quite figure it out, but Caroline and Bentley tied at least one whole side of each blanket. I have to remember this simple little service idea in the future.

3 of the 4 finished blankets

Joseph took on the job of the bunk bed. We were prepared to buy this ourselves if we needed to—just seemed like such a necessity for a big family and really the one thing they had hoped for. Our friends the Williamsons were quick to reply to Joseph's Facebook inquiry letting us know they had a bunk bed to donate and they wouldn't let us pay them anything. Marianne even delivered it to us since we a) forgot to grab it the weekend we said we would (oops!) 2) didn't have a big car to grab it in. It was a huge success. Joseph then went to work on mattresses. He has trade at several stores so we were willing to use that to help our family out if we needed to. He ended up calling Beds and More just off Bangerter and I-15 since we have shopped with them before (this was after a long list of calls to other places for prices and asking about donation options). The amazing owner told Joseph he wanted to donate 2 mattresses for such a good cause, and then told him he actually had an extra bunk bed he wanted us to take too. No charge. He said they'd had a successful year, that the good people of Herriman had used his store often and he wanted to help how he could. Awesome. Joseph came home from work quite giddy that day. Since we didn't need two bunk beds we were able to give one to friends of ours who were helping a different Sub 4 Santa family. Still can't believe we found two complete bunk beds to be put to great use—and for free. I love the giving spirit of Christmas!

The last step was just organizing, boxing and labeling all the items we had gathered up. It was a big task but fun to do with Joseph once our kids were in bed. He graciously donated his unique typeface skills in labeling each box (if you don't know my hubby he was obviously making fun of himself over this :)

Our delivery was scheduled for Friday evening, December 7th. We borrowed my parents' flat bed trailer, loaded it and our car, and we were off with all four kids. The drive was easy and much faster than we had thought. We arrived about 20 minutes before our appointment and we met with Maria right away—our contact at the school who knew the Cruz family well and would be taking us to their little apartment. Maria was lovely. I could tell she had the kindest heart and she was very helpful as our translator that night. We arrived at the tiny 2 bedroom apartment and met our family and enlisted their help in unloading. As Joseph took mattresses back to the kids' bedroom with the older boys he noticed that there was one double-bed in that room. ONE bed for 4 kids. It made us so grateful that finding a bunk bed had worked out so beautifully. After we unloaded, mother Cruz tried to share her gratitude with us. She was in tears and thanking us so tenderly. I couldn't help but reach out and hug her and she gave me a warm hug in return. It was truly my pleasure to be helpful in any way but I don't think I conveyed my feelings very well. We gathered for a quick picture and Bentley was feeling right at home there, hanging his coat on their dingy couch and very curious about everything. Caroline and Olivia stayed very close to me but were sweet and smiling a lot. I knew they felt awkward and unsure but I was so proud of them for being involved and coming inside with us.

And then we drove home, trailer empty but our hearts full. Our kids accidentally spilled BBQ sauce (for chicken nuggets) all over the backseat after I had told them no sauce in the car at least 3 times. They were in some trouble before we even got back to the main highway (life with kids!) The hubs and I tried not to let it spoil the good mood of the night though and in the front seats we commented again and again on how happy we were to have done some good for a family a lot like ours but in such rough circumstances. During this whole process actually I have felt overwhelming gratitude for the easy, happy life I lead. For the stability of my husband's job, for the beautiful city I live in and the gracious, helpful people all around me, for my health, my comfort, my home, my family. And so much for my Savior. I truly hope to see all others around me as my brothers and sisters the way He does—to love them and want joy for them no matter their circumstance or situation. I am learning, slowly. This Christmas will always remind me of that life long goal and I'm thankful for the blessing it was to help the sweet Cruz family. I hope to have many more experiences like this with my own little family. Blessings abound and I am indebted to my Father in Heaven for all.