Day #9

First - congrats to Tyler and Heather (my bro and sister-in-law) on their wedding today!! Woohoo!! They've waited and searched for a long time to find each other and today was just a perfect day! (not to mention we were able to sit at the feet of an apostle as he sealed them-woot! ... AND eat lots of cake and good food... )

So service today was another simple act - I'm learning a lot about service as I do this. I'll share those thoughts afterwards, though. This morning as I was on my way to work Blake, my awesome step-dad, asked me to proof read a church document that he had put together on how to use the ward website, from his duty as ward clerk. I agreed and thought that he probably meant at a later time since I was leaving for the day. But something urged me to do it then, nothing more than a quick thought. I'm grateful for the urge and to have followed it. It took nothing more than 45 seconds, tops. Why did I hesitate? Why did I put my own needs first when I was asked to help? I then thought, "Oh I won't count that as my service. I'm sure other opportunities will come up later in the day." Really - no other opportunities really came up. With work and then an afternoon and night of wedding fiesta I didn't look for other opportunities. Boy am I glad I took the one 45 second opportunity to serve this morning.

So what am I really learning from all of this? TAKE THE SERVICE MOMENTS THAT COME! You never know how many more will be presented to you during the day. And as I type this I had the thought - besides, how much more will the Lord feel that He can trust us if He sees us taking WHATEVER opportunities may come to reach out, give of ourselves (time, means, etc.), and serve? We will be more trusted servants. We will be more filled with love. We will be more aware of our brothers and sisters. So take each chance. Even though it's small. Even though you're on your way to work.

I'm loving this and learning so much! I hope you're learning and enjoying the journey with me.

9 days down, 356 to go!!

Day #8

Hello friends!

Sometimes I like to start these as if we're all the closest of friends, which is true for those who take time to read this. Because of the blogging world, and life connections, we're bonded. We share details of our lives, feelings, thoughts, and experiences, and though it's all through the superficial wiring of technology, it has a close feeling to it. So thanks for taking time to read this and share in some of my life experiences. I look forward to reading yours.

Yesterday my planned service changed. I ended up doing something for a different friend. I didn't think of it as a service until she thanked me after. I spent some time listening to and chatting with a friend, celebrating with her because of some great experiences she's having. Now, "why would that be a service, Kristi?!" Maybe you asked yourself that question. Let's just say that the area of life that she's celebrating right now is an area in my life that took an unexpected turn (which is actually quite for the best! :) ). But that didn't stop me from celebrating with my friend, though I'm sure it would have been easier to withdraw into myself and my own thoughts. It was wonderful to celebrate with her. I loved it. She thanked me for spending time listening and sharing my thoughts even though my situation was different than what I thought. That's when it hit me - it's so much more fulfilling to look outside of ourselves and into the life and joys of others, even though our own thoughts seem to be more consuming.

Today I sent some scriptures to a friend in the cast of Christmas Carol that I've come to know and love as I've performed with her. Tomorrow the missionary that she's written for two years comes home. She's terrified, of course, as any girl would be at this homecoming, as she considers all of the possible outcomes. His family wants her to be at the airport so she thought she'd bring a little something for him. She wanted to do something that wouldn't be too big or overwhelming for him so she thought of his favorite candy and a poster. She came to me for help, wondering what a returned missionary would like to come home to, and I suggested that she add some comfort scriptures on the note she writes him. Returning home from a mission is, in my opinion, dreadful! And nothing comforted me more than spiritual reminders, things that reminded me of the Savior, of missionary work, of service, the gospel, etc. So I found a couple of scriptures that will hopefully bring comfort to her missionary as he embraces "normal" life again. If anyone is interested I suggested Philippians 4:13 (a personal favorite of mine), or 2 Tim 4:5-7.

Goodnight, my friends! Until tomorrow...

Day #6... and #7 since that's today. :) A little is better than nothing, right?

Okay so yesterday was a small work of service that I'm hoping helps in some way. I have a good friend who taught me the importance of picking up trash that I see as I go from place to place. She taught me this while we were up at school together and I've carried it with me ever since. Yes, it's gross and some items just go untouched for the sake of sanitation purposes... however, there are many instances that it's just a wrapper, or piece of paper... and that's what hand sanitizer is for, right? Perhaps all of you who are extra germ conscious are dying inside right now. I promise to sanitize before I come around you. No worries.

Well yesterday I was walking out of again, Albertson's/Fresh Market and I almost stepped on a large receipt that was somewhat wet, due to the recent snow fall and large amounts of slush. I picked it up and thought, "I hope this isn't my service for the day." Well, it certainly turned out to be. So does one less piece of trash on the ground count as an act of service?

For 365 days some of these "acts" will certainly be small. :) But that's where Alma 37:6-7 comes in, right?

And so to today, I already have my act of service determined...

Day #4 and #5 :)

Hello friends!

Clearly I am not as dedicated as the character Julie was on "Julie and Julia" because she was up at 5:30 every morning updating her daily blog for all of her readers... weekends are obviously a road block for me as I don't frequent the computer that often.

Anyway, without further ado let's see what I was able to do to serve over the weekend! I DID get my letter written to my missionary friend on Friday! Woohoo! Then Saturday was quite a full day and I realized that the day was drawing to a close and I hadn't served someone yet. Saturday night I was filling in for the other girl who plays my same character, Isabelle, in Christmas Carol (since I'm double cast and only perform every other night). I took the opportunity to run around and see how I could help other people in the cast. I filled some time zipping dresses, tying bows, etc. Small things, but I hoped they made life in the dressing room a bit easier for other cast members.
Sunday I helped my dear step-dad shovel. Talk about a LOT of WET snow! He is a dear and dutifully does most of the shoveling. And yesterday he was out shoveling multiple times! I wasn't able to help much, but I was glad to help a little bit for the time I had and hope it helped lighten the load at least a little bit. Besides, I enjoyed the bit of "holy" exercise it was yesterday. ;)

We'll see what comes my way to do to serve today. Time is running short already!!

Happy Monday!!

Day #3 - when it rains it pours

Just for fun I thought I'd start out with this little goodie. This is my car... the image that I woke up to. At least I don't have to pay for it! :) And I get a new bumper out of it...

Day 2 threw me for a loop. Let me lay it out for you - I worked for 8 hours and then went home to writing essays, and working through some other stuff, up until 11 p.m. That left me little time to write a missionary letter. Truth be told, I forgot about writing the letter until I was neck deep into my essays... SO, that will be done today. YES TODAY! Even if I have to write it while I'm off stage at the theater tonight in between scenes.
But did you do the act of service yesterday?! You may be wondering. And thankfully yes, I was given two opportunities. Let me share the story. I was heading to work late... for some reason lately I don't get to work before 9... sometimes 9:30... anyway. As I was putting my lunch together I noticed that the dishes were clean in the dishwasher and usually I just leave them because I'm in a hurry to leave and I feel perfectly justified. :) However, yesterday there was the thought that kept coming back to just give a few minutes and empty it. I tried to ignore it a few times before I gave in. I'm so glad I did. Because that ended up being my service for the day - and a good one for my parents who were gone all day, also, who didn't have that to worry about when they got home.
I'm grateful for inspiration and ideas that certainly aren't my own!
What's the second opportunity, you may be asking? At about 10 p.m. my mom called and asked that I put together a salad that she was taking for a work party today. I was, as I said earlier, using every spare second to tear through a couple of essays and time was precious. But service is more important (other people are more important)... that's what I'm trying to engrain in my mind through all of this.
"He who loses his life for my sake shall find it."

Day #2

So far so good! Woohoo!
I'm a big people watcher, and yesterday as I was in Albertson's (soon to be "Fresh Market") buying ice melt for my car (both to weigh it down and help me should I get stuck somewhere) I was watching different people and looking around the store. I looked up and saw long strands of paper Christmas ornaments strung from the ceiling. In that moment inspiration struck! Many grocery stores do things from time to time to help a certain organization that benefits the needy and those who are going without. Most often you pay one dollar as you go through the register, write your name or something anonymous, on whatever piece of paper/cardboard cutout the organization is using and they hang it up in the front of the store to advertise the organization they're trying to help. In this case, Albertson's/Fresh Market/Why is that really going to be the title of their store?... anyway... they were collecting money for the Children's Food Bank. Truth be told I was just so excited to be able to help out that I didn't really pay attention to the organization they were collecting for. I'm not sure, had I not had this daily goal in mind, that I would have immediately thought "Service!" when I saw those paper ornaments. But I'm grateful the inspiration came.
With a smiley face drawn on "my" ornament I cheerfully handed it back to the cashier and she added it to the growing stack... which represents growing amounts of money to help children who live lives much less fortunate than ours.
May God bless those dear children and families who are going without, especially at this time.

For my Day 2 service, I already know what bit of service I'll be rendering. I'm actually going to write a letter to my dear friend who's serving on a mission. Maybe some of you are thinking, "Wow, Kristi. That's not really service..." Clearly those with that thought running through their minds haven't served a mission, or haven't taken the opportunity to really hear about a mission from those who have served. Letters are everything. And you're grateful for however much time the person took to sit down and write a letter to you. "Dry Box" as I used to call it on the mish, aka NOT receiving ANY mail some days, is something akin to having a root canal. It's just better not to have it. Besides, I usually just write emails to her, my friend, since that guarantees she'll at least hear from me. But there's something different, something more exciting about a letter. It guarantees something being in the mailbox. And it guarantees greater excitement as its something you can hold, something you can open and anticipate.

Thank you, to those of you who have joined me on this journey already! I'm excited to see your comments and I hope they keep coming!!

365 Days of Service

Hearken and hear all ye citizens of my kingdom. I will be taking this blog in another direction. Due to the inspiration of the movie "Julie and Julia," I have set a daily goal for myself for the next 365 days. In the movie, Julie decides to cook her way through Julia Child's cookbook in one year, cooking slightly over 500 recipes. This gives her substance, and greater meaning to her life.
My inspiration comes from realizing that I tend to focus so inward when life becomes extra busy or when things don't go as I think they should. So in my attempt to keep my focus outward, and thus having a more fulfilling life and helping others do the same, I will be looking to do one act of service every single day for the next 365 days. I will blog my experiences, NOT IN ANY WAY to have a "Let's celebrate Kristi" blog. No. But to have something that keeps me focused. I also hope to share what I learn along the way that those few of you who may stumble across this blog can learn with me and we can all joy in helping others.
So, here we go!
Day #1
It's 11:03 a.m. The day is already half gone. We'll see what opportunities come! With the Lord's help, I know this can happen. It is kind of scary to think of this commitment for the next year. But here we go!
I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I will.