What a wonderful weekend I had!! It was exhausting, but at the same time so fulfilling. Our stake participated in a day of service as many; many stakes nationwide did as well. Our ward worked with the Red Cross and we distributed emergency preparedness information to one of the poorest sections of our town. We were split up in to pairs and assigned a 6-block area that would have approximately 40 – 60 homes. I was blessed to be partnered with my daughter, Victoria.

When we first were dropped off on our corner my daughter expressed to me that she was frightened. I asked her if she would like to take a moment to pray. We stood together in this poor and crime-ridden area and asked the lord for protection and guidance. See we were being asked to do more than just drop literature. The Red Cross had asked us to knock on each house’s door and ask if there were working smoke detectors in the home and if there was anyone in the home that had special needs that someone might need to come out and assist with in the case of a weather emergency.

After our prayer we both signed, I thought it funny at the time, but she and I both knew why we signed. We both at that moment knew that we were okay, we would be safe, and the lord was on our side.

Together my daughter and I left 62 packages at home and were able to speak with 36 families about their needs. It was so sad to see the conditions that the houses were in and the people themselves. Hard to believe in the USA there are people who live in homes with broke out windows, door hanging on rusted and useless hinges. Their homes were filthy, overrun with cats, dogs and unwanted belongings. Many of the people we saw and talked too had teeth rotting from lack of care, clothes that were dirty, torn and misfitting. Many looked ill or in need of health care, food, a warm meal.

I mention this not because I want you to judge these people, our government or even myself for noticing but to tell you that even though we were in the middle of an area and people who we would not normally associate with we felt nothing but the pure love and compassion that the savior has for each and everyone of us.

Although their homes were filled with pain and sadness, we smiled and laughed with them and for a small moment made them feel that someone cared. I know that for my daughter and I this was the best kind of service we could have done. Being a single mother and having to struggle for money to keep a roof over my children’s heads and food in their stomachs has at times left me feeling like I had no hope. That there was no one out there that cared. I was so, so wrong. I am greatly blessed and thankful for all that I have!!

Even if I cannot afford to own a home, or a new car, or put name brand clothing on my children and myself, I am greatly blessed. Blessed with the knowledge that the lord and Heavenly Father love me, that they are mindful of my needs and wants; that they see my loneliness, my hopes, and my dreams. I am so greatly thankful to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for giving me what I have and for keeping me safe. I may not have a house that I can call mine, but I have an apartment with no broken glass, with a solid sturdy door to keep those who might hurt or steel from me out. I might not have a new car, but I have a car all the same and it is safe and it gets me to and from where I need to go. I may not have name brand clothing, but I have clothing that is clean and fit me. But most of all, I have a home that has no pain. Not the pain that I saw in the eyes of the people I served. My home has love, acceptance, faith, peace and joy. It is not a home of abuse, neglect, sickness or hopelessness.

What a weekend I had!! And how thankful I am that I had it.

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