Back in December, the Young Single Adult Institute gathered for a Christmas Potluck to eat and do some humanitarian service. This fabulous project was all under the direction of Elder and Sister Olsen, who are the wonderful senior missionaries living in the Auburn Ward and serving in the Institute program here. With the Olsen's thoughtful planning, about 50 YSA came together, feasted on a scrumptious dinner, tied blankets and quilts, wrote letters to the missionaries, and were rewarded with a table full of treats afterwards! The Olsen's had prepared 30 fleece blankets to be tied, as well as 2 twin size quilts. A few days later, they then donated them to The Wishing Well Foundation, which is an organizing in Tacoma supporting Foster children. The foundation was very appreciative and grateful for the service, especially for the quilts, as they rarely get blankets in that larger size from donations. The YSA were blessed, the foundation was blessed, and some wonderful children will be very blessed from those thoughtful gifts!
Christmas is always such a wonderful time to serve others, while our hearts are full. As Charles Dickens wrote in A Christmas Carol, after Scrooge had been visited by the three ghosts, “I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
Now that Christmas is over and our hearts have been touched by opportunities of generosity and extra service, let's strive to keep that spirit with us year round.
