Volunteering

Back in December I started volunteering at my daughters school. It's only an hour a week, but that blessed hour is one of the things I look most forward to during my week! And it has gotten me to thinking (never a good thing).

For just one hour a week, I escape the house, leave my problems behind, and help some 80 plus 5-year-olds... and I LOVE IT! Now the more I think about it, the more I try to pinpoint why, exactly, I love it so much. I think the answer to that question is a bit deeper than just the surface reason of being outside my home...

**DISCLAIMER: I love being a Stay at Home Momma. I love it! It is truly satisfying work, and the benefits (which usually come in hugs and kisses) far outweigh any benefits I have ever had at a monetarily paid job. **

At church most Sunday's I hear about the blessings of serving others. I have heard plenty of testimony from those who serve about how blessed they feel. That they feel they have been helped MORE than the person they have helped. And you know what? It's absolutely true. ABSOLUTELY.

Now, what I do each week for the elementary school is by no means a huge or grand event. I stand in the PTA room and go through a list of students and trade in books they have signed off for a new book to take home and practice reading. That's all. But what I am doing for them is giving kids something new to read that night. I am helping them develop reading and comprehension skills, and more importantly, I am taking a load off their teacher's plates. And helping in this way has given me a sense of fulfillment I honestly didn't know I was missing until I found it. Here I am hugely pregnant, and waddling around the school with a cart loaded down with three crates full of kids books... I am sure it's quite the sight! But you know what? It's nice to get out and DO something. To be helpful and appreciated (if only a little, and mostly anonymously).

And oddly enough- It kinda makes me want to search out more opportunity to volunteer my time. Right now is not the easiest time for me to be volunteering since most everything I do causes contractions, but eventually this little guy will not be inside me anymore and I can get back to feeling normal. And when that happens...

There is a lady in my neighborhood that has a son with some pretty significant health concerns. He has many seizures a day. His doctors are trying a Ketogenic diet for him that is VERY specific. His food needs to be measured out to a tenth of a gram. Because of how time consuming this is, she has asked for help getting her other 5 (FIVE!) children ready and out the door for school. I so wish I was in a position to help her, and eventually I will be, but I know how hard it must be for her to ask for help, and I just admire her TONS for it. I also admire those around me who have stepped up and helped her in this. She is a fantastic mother, and hopefully this diet will greatly improve her son's health.

Do any of YOU volunteer somewhere, if so where, and any suggestions on how to involve children in the volunteer work (as in my 5 1/2 year old)?