I will never forget the time our family and members of our church went to help serve a Thanksgiving dinner to a group of people living in housing projects near our town…

Our kids served the children who were our guests from the housing projects. The children from the projects were obviously very hungry and eating everything as fast as they possibly could. One child kept asking for more jello, so my daughter Whitney brought him plate after plate of jello. Red jello, green jello, yellow jello… he kept asking for more.

True Compassion, Real Caring

Finally when it was time to go home, we packed up some plates full of turkey, stuffing and all the extras for his family. We walked the boy home, and Whitney carried a plate of jello for him. As we were crossing the street into the government housing section, Whitney tripped and fell on the road. It was the most amazing fall ever. She fell flat on her face, but kept the Jello with both hands up in the air. It stayed perfectly in the center of the plate. She was crying hysterically from the fall, but the jello was in tact. We were all amazed at her determination to save the boys’ jello. Her reward that day was being able to give that boy his plate of jello when we got to his house.

Serving together as a family is one of our favorite things to do. We are intentional about finding service projects we can do as a family.

Here are some practical things you can do with your family to serve your community:

• Pick up trash in a neighborhood park
• Volunteer to serve food in a local food pantry or homeless shelter.
• Ask an elderly neighbor if your family can pull weeds or do light yard work for them
• Collect toys and gifts for a needy family at Christmas time
• Throw a birthday party for children at your local homeless shelter.

Our kids love to help serve when they are given the opportunity. It has made them less selfish and more focused on the needs of others. Sacrificing her face for a plate of Jello was worth the joy of handing it off to a hungry, Jello-loving boy. Our family will never forget this memory. Make some memories with your family by serving together. You will be glad you did.

Michelle is a full time stay at home Mom of three spirited little girls 9,8, and 4.  Her husband is a pastor, and they have anything but “normal” lives.  Follow their adventures at Michelle Wegner.