Finding a service for Heather has really been something I’ve had on my mind all year. When she got pregnant, I thought about doing something revolving around that. But it seemed a bit creepy if I just showed up to a pregnant mom’s home and offered to help. I thought about doing something with hair, but it seemed a bit cliché and didn’t really feel like something she’d appreciate. Towards the end of the year I was a little bummed that I couldn’t think of something for a person who is so service-oriented. Then I thought, she can appreciate working with hoodlums because she is married to one. So my service was given to a rebel kid in our ward.
Mitchell was born to a drug addicted single mom in Ventura. His little brother and older sister were born to the same mom. But they each had different dads. His sister was adopted by her dad’s mom (her grandma) when she was about 6. But Mitchell and his brother were left raising themselves. He was raised in and out of government funded orphanage homes, his mom’s apartment, and fending for himself on the streets with his brother. He saw things that most adults don’t even think could happen before he was even 9. That was when his current step mom came into his life and fought for about 5 years to adopt him and his younger brother. Needless to say, his “trama egg” was a big one. When he was about 15, his adopted mom joined the church. Mitchell was baptized at the same time. With hopes that the church would help, Mitchell was brought every week. But church alone could not repair him and relieve his adopted mom of the challenges he had at home. So for the next 2 years he was sent to Westridge boys academy in Utah where he could receive some more professional help. He came home every so often to try living a normal life with his mom. I always loved it when he did because it was one more young man to add to the quorum at church. But challenges at home with his mom always resulted in him having to return to Utah. So about 6 months ago when he came back, I asked if I could work with him. Realizing I couldn’t give professional counseling and just going to church alone couldn’t fix everything, I figured the only help I could give would be to continually reinforce the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a male role figure in his life. So for the last 6 months I’ve texted him either a scripture, called him, or just hung out 2-3 times per week. Of course, I can’t say that he is totally rehabilitated, and certainly not all of his transformation has been a result of me alone. But I’ve seen some pretty cool miracles happen in his life. One of which is that he is preparing to serve a mission in the next 6-8 months. Another is that there is enough peace in his home that he hasn’t had to return to Utah. And I can attest to the fact that it has to do with the principles of the Gospel being inserted into his life by those around him.
Last week the icing on the cake was that I invited him over make lasagna’s for people he was grateful for, which is one of my families Christmas traditions. It was cool to see him embrace the excitement of service into his own life as he labored in the kitchen and then delivered the gift to those he loved.
I actually wrote this story because of the big hearts that both James and Heather have for those who have struggled through life. I’m excited for them to pursue their dreams of helping others in need through rehabilitation. And when they open their center in San Luis Obispo, I can’t wait to be there for the ribbon cutting ceremony. I love you guys.
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