With Good Will Doing Service

rice bags and baby quilts with the Sisters

teaching the sister missionaries to sew

Sister Seymour, Sister Hosking, Sister Gutierrez

I was looking for an appropriate scriptural reference for a title from the topical guide and was entertaining myself with phrases taken out of context that have nothing to do with what I wish to share but may make you smile.
"whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service", John 16:2,  "service unto them which by nature are no gods", Galatians 4:8; "with good will doing service", Eph 6:7; "could not make him that did the service perfect", Heb. 9:9;

The following scriptures are more in tune with my feelings of service and have given me more pause for reflection lately. . ."with good will doing service", Eph 6:7; "who then is willing to consecrate his service"? 1 Chr. 29:5; "I know they works, and charity and service", Rev 2:19; "thy days shall be spent in the service of thy God", 2 Nephi 2:3.

The Christmas vacation gave us an opportunity to render some random service.  It always amazes me how the Lord (I was going to say randomly, but I don't think it is very random) puts opportunities in our path to be answers to someone's prayers or needs.

I am so glad that I brought my sewing machines with me.  Hardly a week goes by that I don't have a project for someone.  I may open my own tailoring business when I get home!

Last minute substitute for 11 yr. olds in Primary

I had the chance to help one of the Beehives in the ward make a fleece jacket.  She is already taking sewing lessons, but her teacher thought the jacket may be too hard.  I was really flattered when she suggested to her parents that maybe I would help her.  We spent two afternoons sewing together and she was pretty proud of her efforts.  I see her wearing it all the time.  That is a happy feeling when you can make something others thought you couldn't do. 

Evelyn and her new coat

I have also been making baptism towels for the 8 yr. olds in the ward and also the new converts.  It is always touching to see how something so simple for me means so much to a new member.  

Our newest member at the Institute

Fried Ham, fried ham, cheese and bologna. . .

Birthday traditions are the best!  The title of the blog is a little ditty that my family always sang for birthdays and we have carried on the tradition with our children.  I love to hear my grandchildren sing the birthday song.  Some of them are probably wondering why the rest of the world doesn't know the song?  I can only answer that our family is extra special and it must be a secret code for "extra special".

My breakfast helpers

my little bird

Special time with Gracie at dance class

Thanks to Neil, Maggie and Justin and their family, I had a wonderful birthday celebration.  I was served a wonderful crepes breakfast in bed.  It has been a very long time since I had little children hovering around waiting for little bites of a birthday breakfast.  It brought back lots of happy memories. Gracie (7), confided to me that she mostly made the breakfast with only a little bit of help from Grandpa and her Mom.  I enjoyed their shocked faces when I mentioned that little tidbit.  I felt so spoiled all day long with lots of attention and calls from our kids and their families and my brothers and sisters.  It all made me feel a lot younger than I just turned old.  As one friend described it --$29.95 plus shipping and handling.