In our ward every year there is a giving tree. This sweet and amazing older couple buys beautiful ornaments and attaches slips of paper with information on it as to what needs to be bought for families within our ward that are in need of help. We picked some ornaments off of the tree last Sunday and yesterday we were able to go out and buy the things that we picked. There were a few toys and one in particular that both of my girls wanted. I explained to them that we were buying these things for children who's parents don't have any money which would mean that they would have no Christmas presents. H is my little tender heart and teared up a little. They were happy to be helping those in need. They understood the reasons why we were doing it (all except O--she is kind of too little to get it). This taught them that it is better to give than to receive.
When we got home we put the things away and then later on in the evening H asked if we could go out and buy some more food for a family. See, last week we were shopping from grocery store to grocery store for someone that is very near and dear to me and my family. They have fallen on some hard times and basically didn't have any food. We decided that we needed to get them some of the basics like meat, eggs, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc. H was complaining that she didn't want to go to the store anymore and when I explained why we were doing it she cried and felt bad. Now she is in the giving spirit and wants to give more. She is such a sweet little girl.
I am so grateful that we are able to help others. With the economy the way it is I am VERY thankful that my husband still has a job and works for a company that is thriving. We are by no means rich or well off but we make due with one income. I feel so blessed to have all that I do. I feel so blessed that my children understand why it is important to help others. I feel so blessed that I have an amazing husband who is willing to help others over himself. He is such a GREAT example to me and our children. I am so blessed to have a Savior who came to the earth and was born under such humble circumstances. I am grateful to celebrate his birth and his life at this Christmas time and throughout the year.
36 comments:
What a beautiful post and beautiful example for your children! You are a wonderful friend, mother, and wife. Aren't we so blessed to have our families and the Gospel in our lives to help us through difficult times and to help us remember why we have plenty? Thank you for sharing :)
How great! Check out the Gospel Tree post I put up earlier today :) ♥ Hugs :)
Wonderful post Jillene. Y'all are setting such a great example for your kids!
What is up with google feeder? I just got the update that you had a post. It's been doing this all day!
That is really lovely. I feel the same way. SO grateful that my hubby has a job and we can still afford to have me stay home. I love the giving tree idea, we did that a couple of years ago in one of our old wards. I love giving service to others. Truly, this is what the Christmas season is all about. Doing as Christ would do.
We have this too, but it's just for Target gift cards. So, I bought one!
Good for you! It's the best feeling to give, no matter how big or little.
What a great post!
I love that your H has such a giving heart. How wonderful. Thank you for this lovely post.
Wonderful post Jillene! So touching about your daughter. This will be something she always remembers.
I adore this time of year :)
wonderful uplifting post!
She is the type that wants to just take care of everyone. Why can't we just go buy everyone in the world food and take care of them! We sort of do, though.
What a sweet daughter you have! This is a great reminder to think of others this holiday season.
Lovely Post Jillene. YOu are so blessed to have children that "get it"
OH my goodness..your kids are just so sweet! Love that picture!
-sandy toes
This is what Christmas is all about! Thanks for sharing! You are a wonder example!
What a great post Jillene! I think it is so important to teach kids to think of others. You are doing a great job with your kids!
Were you buying food for MEEEEEE???? haha
I do think that's a wonderful thing to do and teach your children. yay. One year, I bought presents for random children instead of everyone in my family. They were like, ummm okay.... But they gave me presents instead of buying ones for the special children. I don't think I worked that out very well.
I'm so happy that your kids are learning about giving young. You're setting a great example. :)
Every year my mother and I donate toys to the firefighters outside of walmart that collect them for the kids.
So great of you go be giving but more importantly teaching your children to do the same.
I had to hold back tears as I read your post. I think it is such an amazing and wonderful thing when people who are more fortunate take the time to give to those who are less fortunate than us. Every year since I was a child my mom and I have provided gifts for a family in need, and I hope to share the tradition for many years with my daughter. Thank you for the beautiful post. (hugs)
Opportunities like this to me seem like as much of a blessing to those who can give as to those who receive. What a great lesson to your kids. They will never forget it.
This to me is what the Holidays are all about and what I think each parent should teach their children. Thanks for being such a wonderful mother to teach your children about giving. I love that my future daughter in law will have these wonderful qualities...wink..wink....
what a great post.
i love it when the kids start understanding and have a desire to participate.
Love the giving tree idea! How wonderful that you were able to help those families in need. What a great way to teach your little ones the joy of giving.
AMEN!
What sweet children. you have done such a good job with them.
How wonderful is that! You have an amazing heart!
Warm people like you are what we need more of on this planet! Thank god you are teaching your children to be as loving as you, they will continue to care for others, as there parents had done!
That's awesome Jillene! I love the tree idea your ward does. That's a great idea and what a wonderful example you are setting for your kids (and us)! I love it! I hope you had a great weekend.
Hi
I tagged you on my blog. I hope you'll go there and check out the details.
P.S. I love your blog!
You are a great example to your children. I can't wait until ours are old enough to understand!
Jillene, where have you been????
ive been such a comment slacker these days, blegh christmas shopping kills me! So I have been donating gifts lately to a few places but I really really wanna do a giving tree!! I don't know anything about them, do they say what to buy on them? I'm curious! So at the next meet & greet we need to sit closer! I love your glasses by the way! I just realized exactly who you were when i was reading a whitney's comments a second ago!
What a wonderful lesson to teach your kids while they are young!
I absolutely LOVE the pictures you posted of your kids for christmas! They are adorable!
:) you are so sweet! And you are teaching your children amazing, valuable lessons. I hope to be able to do the same thing some day. I feel fortunate as well.. hearing how bad it is for some and not feeling this "Recession" at all... I sometimes wonder why I am so blessed and others that I feel are better than I am are having a harder time. I just keep telling my husband "we have been given much and now we must give" I feel that Heavenly Father has blessed us so that we can bless others. I am just trying to find ways!! And you are motivating me like no other :) Thanks for that.
It is so great that you get your kids involved in giving to those in need. Whenever I am with my friend's kids, I always give them money to put in the salvation army bucket...its good to teach them young!
Post a Comment