homeless

Layne and Mal.

Mylee and Malorie....she loves her cousins! I'm so glad she has a bunch around her to grow up with!

Ok.....so this was one of the funnest nights and coolest experiences I've had in a long time! My sister and her husband are the ward missionaries and leader in their ward. They had a guy names David that was there for a bit but ended up leaving up to s.lake. He ended up getting baptized and they have kept friends with him. I left my camera out in the car for this part but if I can get ahold of Shels picts I'll post some later. They invited a bunch of us family up to go and take clothes and shoes and a bunch of other things needed to a homeless shelter house. This is where David is living. We got there and the workers were telling us how they are all vets that have served in war for us and from what they have seen they kinda have gone mental abit. There was this young nurse that was so cute. She was in her 40's probably. They told us that she served as a nurse. These people here don't have family or friends that come around. They have pretty much nobody! We got there and set out all the clothes and goodies for them to come and see what they could use. I was put back in place and realized how blessed me and my little family are and how easy it is to get caught up in thinking you need it all. There was one little lady, named Audrey. She had on a pair of shoes that she found in a dumpster 5 years ago! They were getting holes in the toe and completely worn. We didn't have any her size so we told her we were going to go back up and bring her a new pair. She said that would be nice but hers were still pretty good too. I about died! This is the same lady that hasn't had a visitor in over 16yrs! She loved the little kids too. None of them took more then what they needed and were so grateful for what they received that night. We took all the kids and I'm so glad that they were able to have that experience. I thought about leaving mine home cause they aren't old enough to really know but I'm so glad I didn't cause they lit up around them. They loved the little ones. The nurse told us that she had to go do some artwork and came back with my sister a thank you note that she drew a picture on! Layne helped one guy that was close to being blind. Layne told him he could take whatever he needed to go ahead and look around. He said that would be kinda hard cause he can't see so he walked him around and got him a good pile. Also there was a man with a long silver ponytail. We walked in and started setting up and he went in his room and put on his nicer shoes and came out with 2 dark choc. candy bars for the kids! You know, I probably would have been alittle nervous with them out on the street and it sure taught me a big lesson. I will look at them and recognize that they are there and go out of my way alittle more now for people like that. I think it is amazing that they went to war for our freedom and now have a life like that. You never know peoples real stories. I told Layne after I would love to know their background and there real stories. Probably pretty interesting! It's so funny how when you go and serve and think you are helping them out so much, you learn so much! It was an experience I am so grateful for and hopefully we can go up there alot more times. After that we went and got pizza and decided to brave the cold and go see the lights. It was so much fun! Thanks Joel and Shel for inviting us and giving us that experience!