Happy Birthday

Kind deeds of love and service continued!

“Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check.  But that is not what I have found.  I have found that it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay.  Small acts of kindness and love”.

Gandalf

92....Today Brad took the day off and took to the grill. He lit up both the Big Green Egg and our backyard open pit grill. He did 4 chickens, 3 racks of ribs, 2 tri tips, 18 sausages and a mess of brussel sprouts. He proceeded to smoke and grill them over oak, mesquite and lemon wood. Once he was finished, he made up "care packages" and started to deliver. One went to our chiropractor - his mom is at her end of life stage. He and his wife are keeping her at their home and are delivering 24 hour care. One went to neighbor down at the end of our street. Brad found out they were going through foreclosure and we saw the moving trucks there today. One went to our neighbors across the street - she is in remission from brain cancer. One more will go to our elderly next door neighbor. I shop for her and she does get Meals on Wheels, but they don't do anything as delicious as Brad's BBQ. We of course will get some good leftovers."

93.   From Karen Cunningham:  This last month I have been delivering homemade zucchini bread and chili sauce made from the last successful plants in my garden to neighbors and friends.  I had my grandkids, Kohen and Knox help me deliver a few times.  The best part of these many experiences was being able to spend time visiting with these wonderful people.    Some relationships I had developed while I was serving as Relief Society President years ago and had not kept up as I should have.  I know this doesn't sound like much but when I think of Grandma Cunningham and her special fudge, I realize that her ability to show love and concern for others around her may start with a gift, but ends up with a personal relationship that she continues to cultivate.  It takes a little effort to serve others, but I have witnessed it as a blessing in my life when doing so, and hopefully will be able to help someone in need along the way.  I appreciate so much, Mom's example of hard work and love for her family.  This gal never sits still, she is always working on a project and usually it is to benefit others somehow.  I hope to share true Christlike love as you do for this year and many, many more.  I love you!                                        

94.  Grandma has always been an inspiration to me. She has always had an open heart and shared everything she has with everyone. Her loving and sharing attitude inspired our family to donate some of the items that we have to others that may need them. Now that the season is changing and its getting colder we decided to collect all of the blankets and coats that we no longer used and donate them to The Road Home to help the families in the area that would need coats and blankets for the upcoming winter. It took a little while to explain to our kids why there were some people that didn't have homes and coats and blankets, but once they understood the need others had they were very excited to help. The experience we had was great and we were very thankful we were in a position to be able to help. We're so thankful to have Grandmas loving example in our lives and don't know where we would be without her.

We love you Grandma!

From Travis Cunningham and family

Thanks to everyone who helped on Jo's birthday book!!

“Great things are wrought through simple and small things. Like the small flecks of gold that accumulate over time into a large treasure, our small and simple acts of kindness and service will accumulate into a life filled with love for Heavenly Father, devotion to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, and a sense of peace and joy each time we reach out to one another.”

― M Russell Ballard

Last Week to send in stories!!

"Be present.  Make love.  Make tea.  Avoid small talk.  Embrace conversation.  Buy a plant, water it.  Make your bed.  Make someone  else's bed.  Have a smart mouth, and quick wit.  Run.  Make art.  Create.  Swim in the ocean.  Swim in the rain.  Take chances.  Ask questions.  Make mistakes.  Learn.  Know your worth.  Love fiercely.  Forgive quickly.  Let go of what doesn't make you happy.  Grow."

66.  Jo (Sister Cunningham) has always been such an example of Love and Service to me.  Her Christmas fudge is always a special treat for the holidays.  I chose to organize a group of Sisters (active, less active and different ages ) to go to Cafe Rio for dinner and then attend the Relief Society Broadcast.  I made arrangements to pick everyone up to be sure that all attended.  We had a wonderful evening of Sisterhood and inspiration.  My goal is to continue this for future Relief Society Broadcasts. Thank you for inspiring all of us, Jo.
Love, Beverly Terry

67-68.   "Even though I'm not in your ward anymore, I still think of you often and how wonderful you are at remembering others and doing nice things for them.  Service is my middle name and I was excited to do something in your honor.  I don't usually tell people what I do.  I just see a need and do it.  So in your honor I did a couple things…
First, there is a home on my street owned by a retired couple.  This is their second home.  They live in Idaho.  It is not easy for them to get down on their knees and pull weeds.  So while they are in Idaho, I maintain their yard.  I pull weeds, trim bushes and ix water leaks.  They served a mission recently in Omaha, Nebraska and my boys and I were able to go see them on their mission.  While they were serving I would pull weeds and think of their service to the Lord and I was honored to be serving them.  Now when I work in their yard I think 'there's one less weed they have to pull…there's a leak they won't have to fix'  I leave it in tip top shape so when they come back down, their yard is ready for them.
The Second act of service I did and am currently doing is for a boy in my ward who comes from a family that doesn't have a lot of money.  He doesn't have much in the way of toys and uses his imagination quite well.  He has an older brother who constantly yells at him.  This boy is so sweet and struggles a little with feeling accepted.  So I started teaching him piano at no cost.  I wasn't sure how he was going to do because he can't sit still.  However, this young man who is11 is doing well.  He pushes himself and wants to get the song right.  He likes a challenge and always comes to lessons excited and ready to learn.  I am so proud of him."  Happy Birthday Jo!!

69-71.  Sage, Ethan and Haven came over while they are visiting their Grandpa Dave and Grandma Kris.  They wanted to do something to help Grandma Jo.  We have had some wind with the last few storms, so Grandma had them collect the pinecones that have fallen from the trees.  Now Ann has enough for decorations for the ward Christmas party!

72.  We have found that our acts of service and kindness come back around full service to bless us.  Mom gave one of her containers of fudge to the driver of the delivery truck who brought most of our doors and windows.  We looked out the next day and the Burton Lumber truck was back with our front door which had been delivered to the company later.  The driver just stopped by with it and didn't charge a delivery fee because she has been so sweet to him.