Feeding The Hungry

This past week, we were fortunate to be able to attend Stake Conference. The leadership session started at 3:30 and ended at 5:30. As we finished our meetings, dinner was all ready for us. The time was very short before the next session began at 6:30 and this made it so much easier for us to eat and then attend the next meeting. As a stake leader, I truly appreciated the hard work that went in to feeding all of us so that we did not have to leave or bring dinner with us. I had arrived at the church around 1:00 to set up and get things ready for our meeting, so I never got to eat lunch. The Brad and Ralph Miller families from Warren made all of the food. It was delicious and there was plenty of it. I caught them in the kitchen after the meal cleaning up, too. (They even sent me home with some of the coleslaw) It takes many hands to pull this off. From making the food, to serving it and then cleaning up. I am not sure who all of the helpers were, but I just want them to know I really appreciated all that they did for us. I also caught Carrol Shephard in the kitchen, too. She is one of those sisters that every time she is asked to help, she always says yes. My husband is another one of those who is always in the kitchen when it comes time to clean.I truly appreciate those of you who when you see a need, fill it, whether you are asked to or see it for yourself. Either way, we are the ones who benefit. Thank you again for feeding the hungry.

Georgia Ognibene, Jamestown Ward

My Children's Missionary Service

On October 10, 2008, our 3rd missionary, Andrew returned home from Mexico. What a joy it was to see him and how sad it was to know that time for him was over. Having a missionary come home is always a bittersweet experience for them as well as myself.

The blessings that have come to me because of my children's missionary service has been so appreciated.

When our 1st son, Nathan left on his mission to Peru, I remember wanting to do all that I could to be a missionary as well. For the first time in a long time I was able to talk more freely about the Gospel to my friends. None of them ever joined the church, but I felt the spirit in what I needed to do and I know that it was because of Nathan's service.

I know that when Nathan left on his mission, I completely turned him over to the Lord. I never worried about him, because I knew that he would be taken care of. That was a tremendous blessing to me.

In the past 6 months we have had two missionaries return home. Our daughter, Kallie who served in California, and our son, Andrew who served in Mexico. What a blessing to have 2 missionaries serving at the same time. Our youngest son, Adam is serving in the Denver, CO mission and I am so grateful that we still have a missionary serving.

I feel that because of my kids serving missions I have wanted to be better at studying the Gospel and reading my scriptures. I have really tried to do that. I felt that if they were studying hard and increasing their knowledge of the Gospel, then I needed to do my part as well. It has been a joy having our children serve their missions. The Lord truly blesses families when their children are willing to spend their time serving him.

Kena Lee Hollingshead, Jamestown Ward

From the Desert to Penn's Woods

All of the leaves from these 9 maple trees in the back yard in addition to the 3 maple trees, 3 oak trees, and 1 apple tree in the front yard plus some from the woods behind my property must come down, and they do come down—every year!

When I moved from Utah back to Pennsylvania 3 years ago, I arrived in time to see the beautiful fall colors. As I watched the leaves change from green to yellows, oranges, and reds and then begin to fall from the many trees surrounding me, I suddenly became overwhelmed with the thought of having to rake, bag, and dispose of all those leaves. This was a job we had done as a family (with significantly fewer leaves) and here I was alone.

It was probably the first or second time at church after moving here, I was talking to some of the sisters in the ward and jokingly said, “I think we should have a leaf-raking party at my house.” A few days later, I received a phone call from one of the sisters who said she had already contacted some others and had commitments from them to come on a certain day to rake leaves. For fear of leaving someone out, I won’t mention names, but there were 8 or 10 sisters here raking and bagging leaves. The rain finally forced us to quit before the job was completely done. We came in the house and ate chili and hot dogs that my sister and I had made and talked and laughed as we sat surrounded by unpacked boxes, but a huge dent had been made in the leaf job, and I was ever so grateful!

The next day some of us went on a ward or stake temple trip to Palmyra. When I got home that evening, the leaf job had been completed. A family of 6 from the ward (relatives of mine), who had not participated the day before, had come and completed the job as well as some extra things.

A year passed, and again, my yard was covered with leaves. One evening as I was working in the front yard, a couple from the ward who live nearby drove up with their rakes, and another big job was done! Last year I had lots of help from family members as well as friends visiting from Utah.

Since arriving, I have been the recipient of service from various sisters and brothers at different times from move-in day to the present day. At times, I have asked for help with something I couldn’t do or didn’t know how to do, and at other times, people have offered their services without my asking. I appreciate the consideration and kindness shown by family, friends, and neighbors in and out of the church. Having had a husband who was a “jack of all trades” and a master of some, at first it was difficult to receive help from others, but knowing that the givers are blessed also makes it easier to receive.

Lois Link, Franklin Ward

Cleaning and Casseroles

Working full-time and caring for three kids keeps me running. There are not usually enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I need to. So luxuries, such as a clean house and a home cooked meal do not happen every day. But, I wish they did. At the end of the day when I look around and see the cluttered house and the dirty dishes from the grilled cheese I quickly made for dinner, I miss the days that I was home to clean the house and cook meals. This past week while I was at work two sisters from my ward (who have requested to remain nameless, so I shall call them TB & KR) came over and cleaned my house and brought me a meal. Do you know how wonderful it is to come home on a day that ends with Parent Teacher Conference to a home cooked meal and a clean house? TB & KR have been fabulous in their small acts of service to me. This is not the first time they have made my day... a few months ago, LS joined them and they spent the morning painting my half-finished living room. These tasks that my life does not allow me the time to get done in a timely fashion have brought relief and joy to my life. I still love to sit in my living room and see the painted walls, and today I sit in a CLEAN living room, with a full stomach from a delicious casserole and best brownies ever! The "night off" they gave me was such a blessing.

Kim Wawro, Fredonia Branch