the next best place to home...

Service has always been a big part of my life. When I was young I remember countless snowy mornings my dad would be gone from the house, out with the tractor shoveling driveways.  He still does it to this day, but usually he brings along a few grandkids with snow shovels. When I was a teenager and would drag my feet to a youth activity, without fail my mom would say, “Auna Leigh you can make shoveling manure fun!”  She would then share the story of when she had the opportunity to take some youth to help someone in the congregation on their farm.  The youth were skeptical of working in the barn among animals and their droppings, but before long everyone was having a good time, even singing along.  It was THE activity.

When I was about to turn ten years old, my Dad asked all of us girls who would like to come with him on a trip.  Mind you, we were all in school.  My parents were never afraid to take us out of school to be with them.  I was quick to jump at the chance.  I don’t remember how I was chosen; I had four other sisters that could sweeten up my Dad real good and a brother who was the apple of his eye.  But this was my trip to be with my Dad.  

We were off, headed south, to open a new door to my life.  Besides a stint with my stinky loafers and a prank my Dad pulled at a department store that embarrassed the crud out of me, we made it.  About three years previously my Dad had started a new company.  It was an elderly care facility that was more like a home that assisted elderly that can’t live on their own.  My great grandmother was put in a huge facility that did not take care of her.  It tore my Dad up and he knew there would have to be another way.  Thus Beehive Homes was established.  It was a big part of my family’s life.  We had just opened one up in Lehi, UT and my Dad had to be there for the ribbon cutting ceremony.  As I walked into that home twenty-one years ago, I was enveloped into a spiritual paradise. 

 I spent every waking minute and sleeping, for that matter, in the home.  For five days I sat at the feet of giants as they told me their life stories.  I was able to cook for them, talk with them, play with them, and read with them.  I fell in love with them.  I met men who were accountants and famers, women who were full time moms and others who were receptionists.  I even met a man who was a cross dresser, now that was interesting.  There was one lady in particular whom I’ll call Mable.  She knitted coverings for hangers and Mable knitted her way into my heart.  We spent many hours together, her teaching me to knit and telling me about her kids and me soaking it all in.  I felt important and happy.  These people needed me, and I needed them.  I realized that week that  I was happy; I drank freely of God's love as  I served.  I never wanted to leave.  I wanted to stay in the sanctuary of the elderly's love.

Recently I went to a beautiful rendition of Les Mis, my husband and I were brought to tears when Jean Valjean sang "To love another person is to see the face of God."  After the play we skipped dinner and headed straight to see Craig's Dad.  He was ill and in a home recovering.  We sat by him and cried.  Held his hands and talked with him.  We didn't want to leave.  We felt close to God.

While in that home years ago I felt like I could see how God loves others;  I felt I was among earthly angels.   Saying goodbye was not easy, even after Dad extended his trip for me.  Shortly after our trip Dad received a call, my friend Mable had passed away.  I was devastated.  I already missed her terribly.   I sat in my room holding my knitted hangers and cried.  And this is when my love affair with service was born.

The thing is love is an amazing gift, when given, it only expands.  It's the law of positive attraction.  If we hold on to love and don't share our love with hard work it fizzles and dies out.   The relationships that tear at our heart strings, to where they feel like a frayed violin bow, are the ones worth fighting for.  Life is exhausting, but when we kneel down and wash a loved one's feet or pull them into our lap to play with their hair, we are refreshed, we are renewed.  We need to put aside our own needs, our own troubles and enjoy the blessings that come from it.

I am grateful for a mother who encouraged a sunny disposition when asked to do something I’d rather not and a father who taught me to serve, who gave me opportunities to serve and introduced me to a woman who showed a little ten year old how to love others.  I am beyond grateful for my Father who watches over me, who knows me, who teaches me, who strengthens me.  It is through this Father I am led to others who are in need of His love.   He sent his Son who gave us the perfect example of love and service.  And to Him I dedicate my life and this here blog.