Teaming Up With Ordinary Hero

Yesterday was a day I had marked on the calendar several weeks ago. It was our family's volunteer day with Ordinary Hero. The excitement was building. I was the most excited b/c my kids were getting to participate and it's my heart's desire that they would learn to become servants and to do it cheerfully. Kelly and a group of friends were taking a group of moms and kiddos from the shelter to participate in a Fall Festival at a local church. The OH volunteers were matched up with a mom and her kids and we just went around with them to the different activities allowing them to have a break if they liked or to just "do life" with them.

I had the kids wear their costumes b/c I knew the kids coming would be dressed up. We swung by my mom's house b/c she was embroidering the "Gryffindor" emblem on their capes. Spencer was Harry Potter and Natalie was Hermione. A couple of quick snapshots and we were back in the car on our way to Bethel World Outreach Church. We got there, got checked in, and scoped out the layout--inflatables, food, and games. Everyone there was sooooooo friendly. We were ready!

Soon, the vans pulled up...The kids jumped out and the moms weren't too far behind. We quickly got paired up with a little boy that was one of my kids' ages. Perfect!! Then, we went to meet his mom and saw that he had a little brother.....an almost 3 year old. :-) I introduced myself, my kids, and my husband to the mom and the little boy. I asked the little boy if he was ready to go play. He wanted me to pick him up and hold him. (insert "melt").  Trevis took off with my two and our new little friend and I had little monkey permanently attached to my hip.



Is he a cutie or what???!! I got to know mom a little and just pretty much took "monkey" to anything he wanted to do. It was a lot of fun. I was so happy mom got to get a balloon flower and something beautiful painted on her face. Honestly, it's as much fun watching the moms get to enjoy themselves as it is watching the kids. I watched him have his first pony ride and bounce himself silly in the bounce houses. I tended to him when he fell. I loved that little boy. How do you love children that you have just known for so short of time? I will always remember that family.

One of the main things I wanted my kids to see is that kids at the shelter are just like them. They like the same things, do the same things, and laugh at the same things. It's just they have a different set of life circumstances. I was so thankful that our whole family was able to go, have fun, and be a blesssing.....
Here's one more shot of Spencer with other kiddos at the "Donut on the string" game....You've gotta know though that we don't let Spencer have donuts normally. They have a ton of yeast and send his energy level through the roof. However, it's Halloween...so we have to splurge.:)

Thank you Kelly for motivating and inspiring Christ Followers to serve and providing an outlet to do so. If you have not checked out the OH site and you live around the Nashville area, please have a look around.

Galatians 5:13B
Serve one another in love.

Trick or Treat,