Life is full of so many choices of activities to be involved in. I am so grateful for the ones that come my way!
Late last night we returned from delivering gifts to the Hopi Nation near Tuba City, Arizona. I didn't take pictures, I was too busy interacting, loving, sharing with the little ones there, but it was... fabulous! We were invited to help provide Christmas for 200 kids who attend a day school on the reservation. There were some 47 infants (under the age of five) and then about 150 in elementary grades k-5. We have worked for the past several months gathering...
cute backpacks for them carry these items home in, Hygiene kits, school supplies, hats, gloves, socks, sweatshirts, blankets & stuffed animals for the infants, coloring books and crayons, hair bows, water bottles, clementines, granola bars, lego sets for the older boys... it was amazing!
These people live within five hours of my home, without running water, many on dirt floors. They do have some electricity but rely on propane gas heaters in their school. I am sure their little one or two room shacks are heated simply by fire. They do have cars, however that is about the extent of modern convenience they enjoy.
My favorite part was actually after we delivered to the kids in the school, and took the extra into the villages. We pulled in, and found one person, and then wandering asked them to share that we had somethings we would like to share, and then slowly the people would start coming out of these shacks. Some hurried right out willing to collect free things from some stranger, but my favorites were those who were timid, waiting until nearly before we left, or not really ever coming out, we had to seek them out. They were so humble, kind, really satisfied with life because they don't know any different. These beautiful Great Grandmothers who didn't ask for anything for themselves, but were so grateful for a pair of socks to share with their grandchildren. Who smiled with a twinkle when we shared a darling blanket tied in a bow. The little girls who radiated when we clipped a little flower in their hair, radiating inner beauty! These little ones were clean and respectful even though they live in dirt - correction - MUD this season! I can't imagine how they wash their clothes! They carry water to their homes from a spring in the village - one village enjoyed the luxury of a four wheeler to help them carry the water. The other village we saw the spring with only footprints all around it, where they had gone to bring water up to the mesa where they live. They dry farm, growing corn. One older gentleman was so pleased to show us his plot of ground, where he was the only fortunate one in his village this year, he was able to have a harvest - I am sure it was so meager! Yet he was grateful, praising the Great Spirit for his mercy and kindness. Wow!
The hearts of my children have been touched. As we collected toys, lifesaver treats, etc. they were uneasy, concerned about sharing all these things with others, pleading "can't we keep this one" or "can I have two packs of lifesavers?" When it came time to deliver, they rose to the occasion! The girls were so beautiful as they took little girls by the hand, and said "Come here, can we share with you?" B was so good at that! Little J jumped out of Grandpa's truck when he saw little kids, chasing them, wanting to play in the dirty, muddy, puddled streets. The little boys were so thrilled with a simple tennis ball (used from a fabulous tennis coach at Dixie State) with a smiley face drawn on them. Wow! We are so fortunate!
The Grandmothers were thrilled with socks for their little ones, overwhelmed when we shared clementines, cold and fresh. That was more than they dreamed! C.W. shared that while serving his mission, a family in one of the villages we visited invited him to a special feast. It consisted of a few 'Luxury' carrots and potatoes - a special, rare, treat! Main course was a sheep head (eyeballs and all) and intestine - a luxury to them! That was 40 years ago, but he doesn't believe it has changed! Wow!
Memories we will cherish forever! In the balance of Good, Better, Best activities, this one was a Best! I am grateful to have participated, and have begun plans for next year already! It doesn't matter that we don't have a Christmas tree up yet, those little ones won't get a tree. We have been so busy we haven't put one up yet, and now we will do it with such gratitude for the warm luxurious conditions we enjoy! Laus Deo!
Late last night we returned from delivering gifts to the Hopi Nation near Tuba City, Arizona. I didn't take pictures, I was too busy interacting, loving, sharing with the little ones there, but it was... fabulous! We were invited to help provide Christmas for 200 kids who attend a day school on the reservation. There were some 47 infants (under the age of five) and then about 150 in elementary grades k-5. We have worked for the past several months gathering...
cute backpacks for them carry these items home in, Hygiene kits, school supplies, hats, gloves, socks, sweatshirts, blankets & stuffed animals for the infants, coloring books and crayons, hair bows, water bottles, clementines, granola bars, lego sets for the older boys... it was amazing!
These people live within five hours of my home, without running water, many on dirt floors. They do have some electricity but rely on propane gas heaters in their school. I am sure their little one or two room shacks are heated simply by fire. They do have cars, however that is about the extent of modern convenience they enjoy.
My favorite part was actually after we delivered to the kids in the school, and took the extra into the villages. We pulled in, and found one person, and then wandering asked them to share that we had somethings we would like to share, and then slowly the people would start coming out of these shacks. Some hurried right out willing to collect free things from some stranger, but my favorites were those who were timid, waiting until nearly before we left, or not really ever coming out, we had to seek them out. They were so humble, kind, really satisfied with life because they don't know any different. These beautiful Great Grandmothers who didn't ask for anything for themselves, but were so grateful for a pair of socks to share with their grandchildren. Who smiled with a twinkle when we shared a darling blanket tied in a bow. The little girls who radiated when we clipped a little flower in their hair, radiating inner beauty! These little ones were clean and respectful even though they live in dirt - correction - MUD this season! I can't imagine how they wash their clothes! They carry water to their homes from a spring in the village - one village enjoyed the luxury of a four wheeler to help them carry the water. The other village we saw the spring with only footprints all around it, where they had gone to bring water up to the mesa where they live. They dry farm, growing corn. One older gentleman was so pleased to show us his plot of ground, where he was the only fortunate one in his village this year, he was able to have a harvest - I am sure it was so meager! Yet he was grateful, praising the Great Spirit for his mercy and kindness. Wow!
The hearts of my children have been touched. As we collected toys, lifesaver treats, etc. they were uneasy, concerned about sharing all these things with others, pleading "can't we keep this one" or "can I have two packs of lifesavers?" When it came time to deliver, they rose to the occasion! The girls were so beautiful as they took little girls by the hand, and said "Come here, can we share with you?" B was so good at that! Little J jumped out of Grandpa's truck when he saw little kids, chasing them, wanting to play in the dirty, muddy, puddled streets. The little boys were so thrilled with a simple tennis ball (used from a fabulous tennis coach at Dixie State) with a smiley face drawn on them. Wow! We are so fortunate!
The Grandmothers were thrilled with socks for their little ones, overwhelmed when we shared clementines, cold and fresh. That was more than they dreamed! C.W. shared that while serving his mission, a family in one of the villages we visited invited him to a special feast. It consisted of a few 'Luxury' carrots and potatoes - a special, rare, treat! Main course was a sheep head (eyeballs and all) and intestine - a luxury to them! That was 40 years ago, but he doesn't believe it has changed! Wow!
Memories we will cherish forever! In the balance of Good, Better, Best activities, this one was a Best! I am grateful to have participated, and have begun plans for next year already! It doesn't matter that we don't have a Christmas tree up yet, those little ones won't get a tree. We have been so busy we haven't put one up yet, and now we will do it with such gratitude for the warm luxurious conditions we enjoy! Laus Deo!