Green Beans

"Can I have some green beans?" That is what a small boy ask me today.

I know tons of people who don't even like green beans or could just take them or leave them. Most of us, probably, take it for granted that we can go to our pantries and get out a can if we want some or snap some fresh ones, if we so desire.

This little boy, today, had huge, gorgeous brown eyes.  You should have seen how wide they got when I told him he could have as many cans of green beans as he wanted. He actually started tearing up, which of course got me to doing the same.

How blessed are most of us?  We usually have all the food we want. Probably more than we need. We don't even think about this gift from God that we have. This ability to feed ourselves whenever we are hungry.

The mission trip that our youth are on this week has really been an eye opening experience for the adults and even more importantly, our kids.  

Feeding the people was something that was so close to our Savior's heart. He wanted to fill folk's souls as well as their stomach's. Christ showed so much care and love everywhere He went.

At the beginning of this week the Bishop spoke to the youth about this very subject and read to them this scripture.....

Matthew 25:40

The Voice (VOICE)

40 I tell you this: whenever you saw a brother or sister hungry or cold, whatever you did to the least of these, so you did to Me.

As we sat and listened to him speak that night, I know we were inspired by his words. But I don't think we realized just how close they were going to hit home for us, this week. 

It is so amazing how God puts us right where He wants us and then uses us for His purpose. The angels who run this pantry and lunch program have definitely been used by God for their community! And now, even if it has been just been for a little while, we have been lucky enough to get to have a small part of His plan, for this community, too!

That little boy also grabbed some fruit and pasta and even some corn, but he left with a whole bag of green beans and the hugest smile on his face. 

I hope that I never forget this day. I hope I never forget the joy on his face. But I hope, most of all, that this child saw a little bit of Christ's love in the smile on mine. 


Blessings!

Missing Our Routine!

“What can you do to promote world peace? 

Go home and love your family.” 

― Mother Teresa

 I am back home again after visiting our oldest son on the east coast. I loved getting to be with the grand kids and my son and daughter-n-law but I know two guys who are happy,  and once again feel a peace in the house now that I am home. When I woke Riley up for school yesterday morning he hugged my neck and would not let go. I did not get home till after midnight so he did not know I was home till I got him up. Rodney talked for about an hour straight after I walked in the door Thursday night and was so happy to be able to sleep in and not have to be the one to get Riley on the bus before 7 Friday morning.

It is apparent to me that am I needed and appreciated here. Well at least for my ability to get up early. Not really, I know that we all missed being together as a family. I don't know about your family but ours misses the normal of our routines when they are interrupted. 


What routines do you and your family keep? One of ours we did last night. Friday nights are eat out night. Used to be pizza night when Riley was in his "gotta have pizza" mode. I thought since I had been gone I should cook at home but the boys would have nothing to do with this. It was our night to eat out and they wanted to eat out. So we did. Routine continued! It gives my guys comfort and helps keep everything right with their world to resume with the way things always have been.


Ladies, another routine that makes everything right with the world is to spend time with God. When we daily make time to pray and read the Bible as a family and on our own it keeps us in regular, thankful, communication for all that we have from our creator.

Deuteronomy 4:9 says...
⁹ “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—
  
 We need to help our children understand that we have life because of our God. That everything we have is a gift from Him. Thanking God for all of this should be as routine as the air we breath. (Which, by the way is another gift from Him!)

So yes, being home and loving my men is peace on earth but there would be no earth at all if it weren't for the love of our Heavenly Father!!!

Blessings!