Focus on Service- February

Hi! Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you enjoy your visit. 😃

I've been putting a lot of thought and prayer into ways that I can serve my community. I think this has really weighed on my heart ever since Christmas. The problem is I don't really know how I can help or anything that I can do. So I've just been praying for God to open my eyes to the needs around me. I made a few phone calls over the last week and I found a food pantry that needs volunteers so I signed me and the kids up.

When we first arrived we were later than I wanted to be. I had hoped to get there around 8:45 but it was closer to 9 and there was already people lined up and filling the parking lot. I was a little bit concerned because no one seemed to know that we were coming or what we should do. It took some time and honestly my anxiety and awkwardness was making me regret a little bit that I had even signed up. Add to that the fact that Kyle, Renee and Lily also felt shy and out of place I was tempted to just quietly slip away and never show my face around there again. But I stuck it out and finally someone found jobs for us to do. Renee was assigned to pass out little boxes by the door and Kyle and Lily were given carts to help carry peoples groceries to their cars. I didn't want Lily to go to stranger's cars alone so I worked with her. She didn't really like that I wouldn't let her work alone and I'll admit that the chances of anything happening to her in daylight in a crowded parking lot is pretty slim, but I'm just over protective like that.

The work wasn't hard and it really felt like we were apart of something good. Over 100 people got food that day and that feels important. All the workers were very friendly. I was excited when it was over to sign up for another day. Unfortunately, I found out that Lily and Renee can't volunteer there any more, they have a minimum age limit of 18. And Kyle said that he didn't really want to go back, he found it very awkward trying to make small talk with strangers. I'm hoping that I'll be able to change his mind but even if he can't I'm going to go back! I'd like to volunteer there at least once a month.

I'm looking for ideas and ways for our family to get more involved, if any one has tips, ideas or blogs involving random acts of kindness or service I'd love to hear about it. If you have a blog or blog post about volunteering or ways that you or your family serves the community please leave the link in the comments so I can check them out. Thank you!