A testimony of Service

I teach Pre-school. All the children in my pre-school belong to our ward. I really dreaded inviting one of these children to come to our pre-school. The kids in this family are filthy, are kind of outcasts, etc... I followed the spirit and invited this child to our pre-school. The child comes 45 minutes early each day (which is agreed upon on our part). Her daddy drops her off on his way to work. The mother is a bus driver and leaves the house before any of her children are awake. Even though the mother has several hours of a break between routes and is available to come and help out in our pre-school she prefers to sit in her car in some parking lot and read books. This little girl comes with dried snot all over her face. She ALWAYS has a runny nose. She comes with her hair matted and uncombed. The first thing I do is bring her in, blow her nose, wash her face and fix her hair. She absolutely loves having her hair fixed. I sometimes put it in poney tails and sometimes in braids. The child always chooses. I also got this little girl her own tooth brush and she brushes her teeth each day too. I went through a period of time where I really resented this mother for not taking better care of her children. There have been a couple times the mother has had to drop her off at our pre-school, I would ask the mother if she wanted to clean her daughter up, the mother would just say "Oh, that's just K_____" That's just the way she looks. This little girl is the sweetest little girl. She's quite the peace maker. Whenever there is a disagreement among the children on which chair they get to sit in, this little girl always gives hers up and let's the others have their way. This child is a special needs child as well. She has quite the learning disability. She also attends the pre-school at the big school. So we keep her and feed her lunch until the school bus picks her up. This sweet little girl never complains about what we feed her for lunch. She eats every bite as if it's the only food she's going to get. We try to feed her the left over dinner from our evening meal the night before. She absolutely loves the home cooked food. We learned that this family never has normal meals. The mother doesn't cook. The father does all the laundry, all the house cleaning (what gets done) and any of the cooking that takes place. Mostly the 5 children (this little girl is the youngest) fend for themselves and eat microwave foods or cold cereal. For the longest time I really resented this child. Then I realized that it wasn't the child's fault. I realized that what she eats at our house is the best homecooked meal she gets in the entire day. By making this child normal by doing her hair, washing her face (sometimes even washing her coat) and fitting in, I realized that she is much more accepted by the other children. This child absolutely feels like a normal little girl by the time I finish with her. The first thing she does when she comes into the house each morning is to go straight into the bathroom so I can fix her up. By serving this child, I have really seen this child in a different light. She's a jewel. She's wonderful. She's polite, well behaved a real sweetheart. If I hadn't included this child in our pre-school, I would have always had my same prejudices about this child. It's not her fault. She's only 4 years old. She can't help it that her family lives that way. On a side note, because she's one of 5 children, and all the children are ragged, everyone thinks the family is destitute and donates lots and lots of things to them. I have learned since having her in our pre-school that her parents make about twice the money my husband and I make. They drive 2 new vehicles. They are not hurting for money. They may not spend their money in the most wisest way but that's their problem. Certainly not the children's. By serving this child, I have come to really love this child. I've always heard that if you want to love someone, serve them. I have a true testimony of that principle. Melody

Good morning Melody What an awesome story. My heart just melted as I read this. What a wonderful gift you have given to this child for her self worth and her future. I can tell from your comments the gifts have come back to you as well. One of my biggest regrets has been knowing that as a teenager there was a family that sounds terribly familiar to the one you described in our community. One of the girls was in my class and everyone was mean to her. I wasn't but I could have been a friend to her and I wasn't. I've always regretted that. You are an wonderful inspiration to me in so many was. Have a great day and thank you for sharing this with us. love ya Alfie

That was wonderful. Oh, so true, when you serve someone is when you love them more. Think about our babies. Yes, we loved them but after we have taken care of them, WOW. Good story thanks for sharing. I heard from the Dr. the other day and now everything is on the way to the Insurance. I wonder how long this part takes? Barbara Vancouver WA

Melody, You have given that little girl a wondeful gift that she will treasure the rest of her life and it will impact her for the good. And perhaps because of what you have done it will have an impact on her family. Its unbelievable how some people choose to live their lives. It saddens me to think that there are people in the church who have been taught and been given so much direction only to ignore it all. Unfortunately, their poor choices make life difficult for their children and others who have to pick up the pieces. Blessings come to those who have the pure love of Christ in their lives and bless others thru their service. Sharon

Melody, if I did not already know you were a special gift, this story only proves it. What you are giving her will reach far past today or tommrow, what it gives her is hope and love. What your teaching her is that there is a better life, and that she is special. Hugs for you and many many many blessing each day and far into the future. Kaye

Thank you for sharing this little act of service. I am amazed though at some of things that some parents do to their children and they don't appriciate them for the blessings that they are. This little girl is truly a diamond in the rough. And this could be your way of serving the family. Teach them to be parents to their 5 children and not just throw food and things at them. Love Donna

You're an Angel! Having been in similar situations as a pas YW Pres; I found the hardest part for me was knowing that I had to send them back into their home situation. I always held back a bit from loving completely; knowing they would never truly be under my complete stewardship. But, being Christlike in snippets goes a long ways in a child's life. It could be that in years to come; that little girl will remember those loving hands on her head each morning and strive to be a better teen, abetter young adult, etc. because she experienced unconditional love! Hugggz to you! Joyce