Dear Becca,

I have thought a lot throughout the year about my little sister Becca.  I realize that it has been an especially difficult year with Becca and Todd’s separation.  I realize I walk fine line of getting too personal, but I had an idea.  There are two Wards that share our church building.  The Colfax Ward that we belong to and the Kernersville Ward that I also attend regularly as their High Councilor.  As the Primary President Gina had already had plans of gathering toys, games, clothes, and every day supplies for a battered women and children’s shelter called Family Services of the Piedmont.  They provide a place to stay for women and children who are in need of help.  Let me be clear, I am not stating or implying Becca and Todd’s relationship to be abusive.  So, the situation is not the same; however, there are many women and children out there with no support network to fall back on.  Many arrive at the shelter hungry, broke, and with no possessions.  Our family is extremely blessed to be very close knit and we can depend on and help each other through difficult circumstances.  (I have to be honest: Gina did more work than I did but she let me help out and claim it for my act of service.)   

We put a Christmas tree up in the foyer of our church building.  We then worked with the Bishopric in each Ward and the Primary President in Kernersville to promote this cause.  The Christmas tree was decorated with ornaments that we made that listed items that were needed or desired by the shelter for their constituents.  Ward Members then chose ornaments from the tree.  They would purchase the items/gifts and return them to the Primary President in each Ward.  The gifts were all delivered in early December so the shelter would have plenty of time to assess their needs and what they had available.  We were able to provide two car loads of gifts for the shelter.  Gina kindly took a picture of her carload.  The other Primary President arrived a little later and did not want to take a picture because of the time involved in removing and arranging the items for the picture.  They were very grateful.  It felt very good to help out all those women and children in need who do not have the wonderful support network that we as a family provide for each other in difficult times.  Thank you, Becca for being such a wonderful sister!  Thank you everyone for being such a wonderful and loving family.  Merry Christmas!  

Love,

Scott