"5th Grade Party Fun"-To Lulu from Xoe

Can you see my circled in the back?

My mom volunteered to be the Room Mom for Spencer's school holiday party.  I told her I would love to help because I love Spencer and I love helping kids have fun. I knew Lulu (being Spencer's same age) would have loved if I helped with her school party.

For the party, we split the kids up into 4 groups with different games. I helped Mom set up, Xanthe and I helped her decorate (check out Xanthe's amazing snowflakes she made last minute because we hadn't brought any decorations) and then I ran the Candy Cane Relay Race Game.  It was so fun helping Spencer's friends and helping my mom and Spencer's teacher do some fun activities for his class. Also, see if you can spy the dad that dressed up as Buddy, the Elf.

Build the tallest Christmas tree with 100 green Solo cups

Spencer's group. His best friend is the one in green, Aidan.

ACTIVITY 2-Build the tallest Christmas tree with only straws and Play-Doh

See me in the back circled.  The woman to the right of me in the burgundy is Spencer's teacher, Ms. Zey.

ACTIVITY 3- Make a Jingle Bell Cup Toss/Snack Time (they had to tie a bell to the end of the yarn and then try to get the bell into the cup.  This was a fast activity so by the time they finished they could sit and eat their snack and also take their paper plates and draw a snowman with the plate on their head. I didn't get pictures of that.

ACTIVITY 4-Candy Cane Relay Races

HERE IS THE GAME I WAS DOING. Candy Cane Relay Races. They had to link the candy canes and go back and forth until all had gone... other ways were they had to carry them on their faces, and they had to put them between their knees.  It was a lot of fun. You can see my hand in the video timing them.

Merry Christmas Lulu! I know you would have had so much fun during this party! Maybe someday I can volunteer at your school.
Love, Xoe

"Lots of Hands Can Serve Many"-To Ainsley from Aunt Christy

My family changed the person our services were for.  I did my service for Ainsley.  

A few weeks ago, our stake did a Day of Service on a Saturday. Normally, I don't really go to things like this because I don't really always know how I'm going to feel.  This time, though, I thought about how many people would be touched by these services, including children, teenagers, mothers, fathers and so many other individuals. 

Here is a big group picture from that day, but it doesn't include all of those who went to the offsite locations. (I had other pictures but I don’t know what happened to them! It really was an amazing day!

The Stake put together about 10 things for us to do as service and we signed up for one or more of the ones we wanted to do. Because we had so many hands helping, things went fast and we were all able to do multiple services.  It really was humbling to see all these women working together and how many lives were affected. Here are a few of the services we did that day.

-Tied fleece blankets for children at the Homeless Shelter

-Made 220 sack lunches to hand out to the homeless.

-Wrote letters to about 40 missionaries (they had all the stationery laid out and addressed.  I wrote to about 10 of them).

-Cleaned and scrubbed the Women's Abuse Center (I didn't participate in this one because it was offsite).

-Entertained children for two hours at the Children's Hospital.

-Cleaned and scoured the kitchen at the church building

(There were other services, I just don't remember them because i wasn't involved).

It felt really good to be involved in this and really made me happy and humbled how many lives we were helping. I also know that Ainsley is someone who has a huge heart and would do all sorts of things for others to make them happy! Merry Christmas Ainsley. I love you!

Love, Aunt Christy

"Sometimes You Just Need a Friend"- To Spencer From Rocky 2018

"Sometimes You Just Need a Friend"- 

To Spencer From Rocky  2018

Towards the end of November, I noticed an elderly man sitting alone in the last pew in church. I had seen him before, but never had any thoughts about it. My mom also noticed the same thing. I had the thought to go and sit by him, but I was kind of nervous to. I thought "Whats the worst that could happen" as I walked over in the middle of church and sat right next to him.
I introduced myself, he did the same. I found out that his name was "Gerry" and that he was one of the most friendliest people I have ever met, and he is also a veteran. Every Sunday since Gerry has sat by me and my family. I came to find out that his kids have moved away, and his wife is not a member. I think that would be super hard to be in that same situation, and I am so glad we became friends.
On Christmas Eve, our family also made my dad's famous lasagna, and delivered some to Gerry. He was so stoked!
Spencer... I know that moving around the world makes it really difficult to find friends. But I hope that everybody knows that you are the sweetest, most welcoming, and happiest kid I have ever met. I am so glad you were able to find awesome friends in Omaha, and never be afraid to be yourself around other people, because the right ones will love you no matter what. I love you, Rocky

"Everyone Deserves a Christmas Gift": To Uncle Ben, From Harper 2018

"Everyone Deserves a Christmas Gift"

To Ben, From Harper

For my Service to Ben I wanted to do something nice for A homeless man we see when we get off the freeway to our house. It makes me sad that he will spend Christmas not in a home and won't be getting anything.

• I started by having a lemonade stand to earn money. This took me all Saturday. I made the lemonade myself. I took three dollars and made a card and attached a candy cane and a little Christmas tree. I wrote in the card, Everyone deserves a Christmas gift. It made feel good inside to help someone in need. I know Uncle ben helps people in need by donating left over food to the homeless.                       

"Wrapping": To Heather, From Ollie 2018

To Heather, From Ollie 

For my service I had Heather. Me and my friend from school spent all day Saturday at his church to help wrap and then hand out presents to families who couldn't afford to buy them. I did this because I knew heather would love it if other families also had a Christmas.  From, Ollie

"Brenda & Eva": to Ruth, From Heather 2018

"Brenda and Eva"

to Ruth, from Heather

This year I had Ruth. When I was thinking about Ruth and thinking what kind of things she is into many things came to my mind. Wife, Mom life, Sister, Music, special needs etc. But I feel like the one that stood out in my brain the most was Fashion. Even more simple then fashion just clothes in general. We defiantly share the love for clothes. SO… thats when I got the Idea to give away clothes to some women in need. As I was searching and trying to figure out who would benefit from this, some lady posted on our neighbor page about this girl named “Brenda” after learning about her and googling her I saw how much she endured and I wanted to donate clothes to help her. I also had met this lady on the train last time I was in California coming back from Camarillo. (Thats another story for another time) but she kept Popping into my head as well. I knew she could benefit from new clothes. She was a single Mom and homeless. We have become friends and connected. I knew how stoked Ruth would be knowing I helped women in need feel the joy of getting new clothes!

“From sea to surf” by Ruby to Myles

When I got my service assignment for Myles, I did not know what to do or how to start.  Then my mom suggested we could serve him by cleaning up the ocean, since uncle Myles is an awesome-sauce surfer.  I thought that was a good idea, so we packed some bags and started cleaning Huntington Beach.  After I was done (this might sound cheesy) I got a good feeling and was glad that not only was the ocean cleaner, but that I made my uncle happy!

By Ruby

When I got my service assignment to miles, I did not know what to do or how to start. Then my mom suggested that we could Serve him by cleaning up the ocean since uncle miles is an awesome sause surfer! I thought that was a good idea, so we packed some bags and started cleaning Huntington Beach. After I was done, (this might sound cheesy) I got a good feeling, and glad that not only was the ocean cleaned, but that I made my uncle happy! 

And ACTION! To Harrison from Lulu

It’s all in the movie

"Hanging with the Williams Kids": To Katie, From Ruth 2018

Hanging with the Williams kids

To Katie from Ruth

Every time I go to Katie's house, there is always a grip load of kids there and that's on top of the grip load that are hers. I know she is always offering to take peoples kids and I know she appreciates when someone takes hers. So over the past couple of months I decided to call up Ryan and Heather and ask them if their kids could come and play. I also knew this would be helping out Ryan and Heather because they both work full time. A couple of times they had asked for my help, but I wanted to make sure this came from me, so it was guilt free for them. I usually would pick them up at Bobbys after school and keep them over for dinner when I could. It's been a lot of fun for my kids to have cousins to play with. I think i'd like to continue doing this next year but also have our schultz cousins come over too. 

The Circle of Life... ( or Catering): To Nanette From Benji

Months ago two young teenagers came to Bashful Butler to inquire about jobs. They gave their first names (Zoe and Silver) and that they were from Azusa but that was it.  I ignored it for months cause I didn’t really want to hire young teenagers with little to no experience. Then I thought about Nanette’s service Christmas gift and all she does for young women and the youth of the church so I decided to meet them and perhaps help them get a job. It took weeks to teach them how to fill out an application with us and payroll information and a school work permit but finally got them hired and they worked their first job last week. They were texting me the day before and the day of the event to make sure their shoes and pants were ok to use. I’m glad I helped out two friends with their first jobs ever. And when we finally connected to get started to my surprise, I found out that Zoe was Zoe Brady, Helga Brady’s granddaughter.

"Davy's Big Heart": To Amber, From Davy 2018

Helping Christian

To Amber, From Davy

Anyone who knows Amber, knows she has a big heart. Especially when it comes to her friends. 
So this year at Davys Jogathon, Davy chose to run beside her new friend Christian. He is nonverbal and uses a wheel chair. Davy stood by his side and held his hand for 10 laps. She brought him his water and made sure to tell him(over and over) what a good job he did. Thank you amber for always setting an example of what it means, to be a good friend.
                       

“Home Home on the Trombone” To Piper From Katie

Piper has so many interests and talents. She is easy to talk to and so friendly. Piper loves Slime and making videos of slime and selling slime. Piper is musical and plays the same instrument I played in Jr High, the trombone.

Ruby started going to advance band practice which meets before school on Wednesdays and during school on Fridays. I reached out to my friend, Courtney, and asked her if her son Malcolm, who plays the trombone, would be going to before school practices. She said she wasn’t sure because she had to leave early for work and Malcolm’s ride doesn’t get him and his sister until later.

I offered to pick him up on Wednesday’s to take him to band. They were both very grateful. We remembered to get him 9 out of 10 times. It was a blessing for us in return because getting out of the house and getting to school early is not an easy task, but this service made it not about getting just Ruby to school but Malcolm as well and serving them in Piper’s honor.  Merry Christmas Piper!

"Food Bank": To Matt, From Brian 2018

To Matt From Brian

For my service, I volunteered at a local Food Bank (of the Heartland). There was a company get-together and dinner planned in early December, and we all decided that we wanted to do some volunteer work together.  A few suggestions were made, but we landed on the idea of doing some work in this very large Food Bank here in Omaha.  We spent about 4 hours packing up vegetables that are distributed out to various shelters around the mid-west.  They told us that over 4 million hours this past year came from volunteers and that the food helps so many homeless and less-privileged people.  We all had a great time, and we all decided that we're going to continue to do this every time we get together (usually about every 3-4 months).  There were 10 of us, so that was at least 40 hours worth of work that morning, and we packed about 15,000 lbs of carrots and frozen stew vegetables!

          

"Great Advice from a Professional Animator": To Ollie, from Grandpa 2018

"Great Advice from a Professional Animator"

To Ollie, from Grandpa  2018

     This past week on Dec. 22, Grandma and I decided to visit Arizona to see my old friend Don Bluth, who owns a small theater in Scottsdale. Don is a very famous animator who has made many films and is known for them all. He started at Disney at age 18 animating films such as Sleeping Beauty, Pete's Dragon, and many others. He left Disney to form his own company and made films like Land Before Time, Secret of Nimh, An American Tail, All Dogs Go to Heaven, Titan AE, and Anastasia.  He has worked with very famous film directors like Steven Spielberg. But more than these accomplishments, Don is my friend, who taught me the gospel, and baptized me when I was 19 in West L.A. Over the years we have lost touch and haven't seen each other for 30 years! While in Arizona, I explained to him that my grandson Ollie wanted to be an animator. He was very positive and said to tell him that he can make a good living nowadays in films. Animated films are so popular again. Then he walked over to a drawer and pulled out one of the art scenes he drew for "All Dogs....." and said he would love to give that to him, as an encouragement to not give up on his dream. I'm so grateful that I could rekindle my friendship with Don and bring this back to Ollie as an incentive. 

"Lyme Disease": To Christy, From Mom 2018

"Lyme Disease"

To Christy, From Mom

     

      I decided to learn more about Lyme Disease in honor of Christy and what she is going through. It is partially for me too, since I have suffered with it also for the past 31 years. I have never really understood this new but strange disease, so I googled it and researched it. I found many websites and started reading about it; its history, how it has become an epidemic among millions of Americans,  and the variety of treatments available. I was so surprised at how serious of a disease it is. I decided to see if I could help those in my ward who also have it, and how I could help them. I met with Nancy Reed who has had it also for over 30 years and suffers with the achy joints and muscles. She helped me understand the medications she takes for pain, etc. Then I met with Suzanne Larcabal (now goes by Erd) who was diagnosed a year ago and is basically in bed all day, and doesn't go out of the house much. And she is depressed and discouraged. I haven't seen her at church for months. I asked if I could help wrap gifts, or shop, or anything. She said, "I ordered all gifts online and my daughters wrapped them all, but I really would just like to talk with you." So I went over with a plate of homemade cookies, and for two hours I listened to her story, and how she is suffering with all the same symptoms. She broke down crying a couple of times, and feels so helpless! She is seeing a rheumatology doctor who is helping with symptoms, but she realizes there is no cure.  So the last thing I told her after listening was that I too had Lyme, and that she will be okay, and she is not dying, and that she will learn to live with it, and what her limitations are, etc. She told me that she felt a huge burden lifted after talking with me, so I think I helped her.

"Kindness Begins with Me": To Ruby, From Uncle Matt 2018

Kindness begins with me 

To Ruby, From Uncle Matt 

When I think of Ruby I think of sweetness and kindness. I’ve never seen her be mean or unkind to anyone. She is such an artistic person that I believe she sees the beauty in the world and chooses to focus on that! We as a family decided to find the beauty in others and write to someone a heartfelt note telling them what we saw! Each of us chose a different person for different reasons but we know that kindness and compliments go along way and make people feel special and loved! 

Some of us had a hard time thinking of who to write to, but it made us all feel good that we had done it. Merry Christmas Ruby

"Warm hearts, toast toes": To Harper, from Eliza and Ivy 2018

Warm hearts, toast toes. To Harper from Eliza and Ivy

Harper, For our service for you, we decided to collect socks for a company

that gives warm socks to the homeless and the women and childrensshelter. They collect the donations and give them out so that thepeople have warm socks for the cold months here in Idaho. Then wevolunteered at the place, and helped tag and sort the socks. Wedecided to do socks, because socks are warm and they make peoplehappy, just like you. You are soft and sensitive to others and theirfeelings, and you try to make people happy when they are feeling sad.We love you so much and hope you have a wonderful christmas!Love,

Eliza and Ivy

"Remembering and honoring our ancestors": To Grandpa from Porter 2018

Remembering and honoring our ancestors. 

To Grandpa from Porter. 

For your service, Grandpa I created a family tree login account and learned how to index and put in information to prepare names to do temple work for. We had a family history consultant come over 2 times to teach my mom and I how and what to do. We looked through the big binder we got delm Grandma and entered dates and stories from your family line. I loved reading and learning about your family and how we are all connected. Reminds me of the movie CoCo and if we don’t remember them, who will?! 

It was so special being in the temple with you in Nauvoo for my first time doing baptisms. Being able to have you baptized me for your family members you knew personally was so neat. I remember the spirit being so strong and you being so emotional. Thank you for being a great example to me. Merry Christmas! Love Porter 

"Missionary Service": To Sam & Katy, From Lily 2018

Missionary work is the best kind of work! 

To Sam (and Katy) from Lily. 

I am so happy to see what being a. missionary can do for someone. I loved being able to meet Katy when she came to my house and spend time with Sam and Seattle. I hope I can be a better missionary now and also go on a mission someday! 

For your service we as a family did 2 things about missionary work. The first one we did was for a new convert in our ward. Her name is Ashley Stoddard. When she joined the church her family disowned her. She was adopted and felt all her life that something was missing. As much as she loved her family she could not deny the feelings she felt when she joined the church. She moved in with another family from the ward and is going to BYU-I in January. We heard that she doesn’t have enough money for even the bare essentials it takes to go to college. So we got her things like “hairbrush and hair products, cleaning supplies, school supplies like paper and pens, laundry detergent, toilet paper, pillows, sheets, and more”. We then wrapped it as the 12 days of Christmas and attached a Christmas story to each gift. We put them all in a laundry basket and set it on her porch 12 days before Christmas and left it anonymously. It felt so good to do something for her and made us all realize how blessed we are even with the simple necessities! 

The second part to our missionary service for you was we made packages for the missionaries in our ward that are serving far away and also our 2 nephews serving missions. We knew it would be a fun surprise to get some love from members in their home ward they weren’t expecting!