"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!