Merry Christmas Rod

This year I had Rod's name for Christmas. Rod is one of the most giving people I know. He helps his family tremendously and always makes time to help. This year, I did a few smaller service projects. We donated items to the road home which go to people who are homeless. I also donated LEGO sets to a few families in need. Lastly, I gave money to a family in need from my hometown. Thanks for being a great example of being patient and helping those who need it.

Merry Christmas Nick

Working in a school setting, I often see kids struggling to read at an appropriate level for their age. It kills me a little inside when they tell me they don't have any books of their own at home. Because of this, I decided to collect some used books. I then hand them out to a few kids that I knew could really benefit from them.

Love, Becca.

2016 Service for Sarah

This year for Christmas I had Sarah's name. Grayson was making his debut this year so I thought the perfect service would be something that had to do with children. As a parent, finding a babysitter can be one of the hardest things. You want someone you trust and you do not want to spend all your money on the babysitter and have nothing left for the actual date. I decided to try and babysit once a month for a family so the parents could go on a date. I didn't charge them for the babysitting. I also provided dinner for the kids so the mom would not have to worry about feeding the kids and cleaning up before the date started. 

My kids really enjoyed this service also. It meant they got more late nights with friends than normal. Some of the people I offered this to could never make a date night happen (super sad), so I babysat for the mom during the day so she could have a child free shopping trip, take a nap, clean her house in peace, read a book or whatever she wanted. 

I really enjoyed this and plan to continue to try and do this through 2017 also. Hopefully you guys make it to Utah so I can watch Grayson!!!!!

Love, Kristen

Service for Becca

Dearest Becca,

This year for you I was able to complete a service for the homeless. I joined in with almost twenty other women to make sleeping mats for the homeless in our area. The mats were made completely from recycled grocery bags to create a cushy sleeping surface for those without a bed. This service made me feel so much more grateful for a warm home and bed.

Merry Christmas to  you!
Love,
Sarah

To Aunt Tiffany, Love Kylie

Dear Aunt Tiffany,

I love being around you and your smile is so contagious!  You love helping everyone around you.  I love you!

This year, I spent a lot of my spare time knitting hats to donate to a hospital for newborn babies.  I made 100 of them!  One of them I was even able to donate in person to my newest cousin, Grayson Thomas Tucker!  He was so cute in it and I loved being able to donate my time and talent.

Merry Christmas, Aunt Tiffany!

Love,
Kylie

To Scott from Gary

This year, my service was for Scott.  This was quite fortuitous since he and I are both Orthodontists and I know he has similar concerns regarding people's oral health.  We also fondly remember our vacation with them to Costa Rica and the kind people of that country.

Throughout this last year we were able to buy and distribute hundreds or tooth brushes in our local area to children and families that were less fortunate, as well as have hundreds more sent down to Costa Rica with a family doing missionary work in that part of the world.

It was truly a gift being able to make a positive impact in many peoples lives this year, and I want to thank Scott for inspiring this service.

Love,
Gary

Dear Kristen, Love Gina

Dear Kristen,

 One thing that sticks out to me about Kristen is her ability to love everyone around her. She goes the extra mile for her friends, coworkers, ward members, and her family. She takes in foster children who haven't had the opportunity to be loved, and loves them as her own giving them every opportunity to succeed. When I watch her, she always goes above and beyond to make the people around her feel comfortable in whatever situation they find themselves in. I love this about Kristen! What a wonderful example of our Savior's love.

 This year as I was talking to a friend of mine from high school, she related the situation that her family and her 4 year old daughter is in. Her daughter has was born with a brain condition called Chiari Malformation that are structural defects of the cerebellum. Some children have the condition and it never causes any problems, but her daughter recently went in for a routine exam of it and discovered that she needs brain surgery as soon as possible. As anyone may imagine, there is a whole spectrum of emotion involved with this type news. As Kristen would do, I offered to help in any way that I can, but I couldn't think of anything at the moment. Later, her mom was telling me that her head would need to be shaved and that her favorite Disney princess is Rapunzel. Earlier this year, I was able to learn how to crochet and so quickly volunteered to crochet her a Rapunzel hat to wear after her surgery. I hope that his helps ease the discomfort and makes her feel comfortable and beautiful. I will also continue to help as much as I can! Kristen, Merry Christmas! Thank you for being such a wonderful example to me to look up to!

 Love, Gina