So in addition to my Americorps job, I also deliver newspapers. I really enjoy it. Since winter has started, I've started taking a little more time (a few seconds difference really) to pull into people's driveways so that I can get the paper closer to their door. Especially the ones I know are older. I do my very best every day to get them delivered as soon as possible, and to take care of any problems or mistakes I may make.
My customers have the opportunity to give a tip as they are billed, but out of the 60 or so customers I deliver to, only about four or five do so. I'm especially grateful for those who do tip, and also those who take the time to compliment me for what I do. It can be a thankless job sometimes, and their appreciation means a lot.
I made plenty of mistakes when I first started, which resulted in many calls and complaints. My record is SO much better now, but I remember the first time someone gave me a compliment it almost brought tears to my eyes.
So last month was December, a time of Christmas giving, I was delighted to receive more tips. Some in person, and almost double through my paycheck. In reviewing my paycheck I found something surprising: No one new had added a tip. The extra money all came from others who already tip me. They increased their tip. It leads me to think that there are those who give, and those who don't. I bet that this is true across the board, and not just in my tips. There are people who give already, and if there is extra need, it's the people who are already giving who step up and give more.
I hope to become the giving kind.
AE
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sponsoring
So a new opportunity to serve came up that I have never considered or done before: sponosor someone. Monetarily. Those who know me would say, "What? You mean you actually have some to give?"
Well, not all at once, but you know, yeah.
So what's the cause? A mission. For the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Having served a mission myself, I find it the singularly most influential thing I have ever done for myself, my family, the world, and the Lord. I would not be who I am today without that sacrifice. The idea of helping someone else have that same kind of experience is exciting for me.
Based on my own personal experience, the opportunity to serve a mission is worth any cost. That's because no matter what, the Lord will reimburse that cost a hundredfold or more. Whatever it takes to sacrifice to go while you have the chance is worth it. And you know, in the end, the things you thought would be a big sacrifice aren't. It's fabulous how the Lord works that way. Win-win.
I definitely will need the Lord's help on this one, but I'm assured that He is ready to give it.
I feel good. I'm excited.
AE
Well, not all at once, but you know, yeah.
So what's the cause? A mission. For the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Having served a mission myself, I find it the singularly most influential thing I have ever done for myself, my family, the world, and the Lord. I would not be who I am today without that sacrifice. The idea of helping someone else have that same kind of experience is exciting for me.
Based on my own personal experience, the opportunity to serve a mission is worth any cost. That's because no matter what, the Lord will reimburse that cost a hundredfold or more. Whatever it takes to sacrifice to go while you have the chance is worth it. And you know, in the end, the things you thought would be a big sacrifice aren't. It's fabulous how the Lord works that way. Win-win.
I definitely will need the Lord's help on this one, but I'm assured that He is ready to give it.
I feel good. I'm excited.
AE
Monday, January 4, 2010
This Blog is NOT about marriage actually....
Well, I did it.
I created a blog. I've jumped on the band-wagon. Call me conformist.
I'm not sure how much I'll use this, but my idea is to document my attempts, poor as they may be, to be involved in something useful. The phrase "anxiously engaged" could be about pre-wedding ceremony stress, but I took the phrase from a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants. This book (D&C for short) is a volume of modern scripture used by Latter-Day Saints along with the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The quote is as follows:
This verse and the verses around it, express Heavenly Father's delight in those who are proactive in serving Him and his children (translation: all of humankind.) We do not have to be told everything we can or ought to do. If we wait for personal invitations from God to do specific good, we may find ourselves waiting a long time and losing valuable opportunities. On the other hand, when we actively seek to serve, God will shower upon us the necessary ideas, opportunities and means to do them.
This all started because I was recently hired jointly by my local elementary school and Americorps. I'm learning quite a bit about service, although most of it has come in the form of a growing realization of how much there is to do out there and how much one person can actually get done. I'm hoping that this blog can help me to learn and figure out even more and that by documenting what I do and think about, I can continue to foster an awareness and attitude of serving. I know that with time and continued effort, my ability and capability to serve will increase.
Perhaps someday I can make a difference in the lives of thousands, like Mike and Joyce Murray, two of my most favorite people in the world. They are amazingly talented. Mike Murray co-founded a program called Unitus (www.unitus.org) that offers micro-credit loans to poverty-stricken women in several places in Africa. They served as my mission president and "mom" while I served in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission.
I know that there's not much I can do right now, and most of my efforts may be feeble, but I don't mind. I'm just happy to even start on this journey.
AE
I created a blog. I've jumped on the band-wagon. Call me conformist.
I'm not sure how much I'll use this, but my idea is to document my attempts, poor as they may be, to be involved in something useful. The phrase "anxiously engaged" could be about pre-wedding ceremony stress, but I took the phrase from a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants. This book (D&C for short) is a volume of modern scripture used by Latter-Day Saints along with the Bible and the Book of Mormon. The quote is as follows:
"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." D&C 58:27
This verse and the verses around it, express Heavenly Father's delight in those who are proactive in serving Him and his children (translation: all of humankind.) We do not have to be told everything we can or ought to do. If we wait for personal invitations from God to do specific good, we may find ourselves waiting a long time and losing valuable opportunities. On the other hand, when we actively seek to serve, God will shower upon us the necessary ideas, opportunities and means to do them.
This all started because I was recently hired jointly by my local elementary school and Americorps. I'm learning quite a bit about service, although most of it has come in the form of a growing realization of how much there is to do out there and how much one person can actually get done. I'm hoping that this blog can help me to learn and figure out even more and that by documenting what I do and think about, I can continue to foster an awareness and attitude of serving. I know that with time and continued effort, my ability and capability to serve will increase.
Perhaps someday I can make a difference in the lives of thousands, like Mike and Joyce Murray, two of my most favorite people in the world. They are amazingly talented. Mike Murray co-founded a program called Unitus (www.unitus.org) that offers micro-credit loans to poverty-stricken women in several places in Africa. They served as my mission president and "mom" while I served in the Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission.
I know that there's not much I can do right now, and most of my efforts may be feeble, but I don't mind. I'm just happy to even start on this journey.
AE
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