To Scott

This year I had the opportunity to do a service on behalf of Scott. The obvious (and most fun) choice was to do something to give back in the dental field. There is a free dental clinic that travels all over North Carolina, called the Missions of Mercy Dental Clinic. They set up dental chairs in coliseums and churches, and dental professionals have the opportunity to volunteer their skills to give back to those in need in the community. The Missions of Mercy Dental Clinic came to Winston-Salem this year, and Gary and I, along with two of our awesome assistants, had the opportunity to volunteer at the clinic. We took close to 70 impressions that day in just a few short hours so that people were able to leave the clinic with a new partial denture. The patients were so excited that they would soon have a partial denture to replace the teeth that they had lost previously. We had lots of fun and everyone was so excited to help!

Little known fact (maybe): Gary and I met at a Missions of Mercy Dental Clinic. The rest is history :)

To Kristen:

This year, I was given the opportunity to do service on behalf of Kristen.  One of the things that really sticks out to me about Kristen is her tireless pursuit of helping those around her, especially children.  For this reason, I had the office donate money for a playground at a local school that was in need.  The response from local families has been great as they now have a safe place for the little ones to play to their hearts content!  Love, Gary

To Nick!

Dear Nick,

This year when I drew your name to do service in your honor, I tried to think of something you love and like to spend time doing.  I am so thankful that you are a part of our family.  It makes me happy to know that you make Tiffany happy.  I haven't had the chance to get to know you on a deep level, but I knew you liked video games, computers, and motorcycles.  I tried to come up with a couple of projects that would involve that, but I came up empty handed.  So, here is what I did and I still believe that it will touch lives of those you love and the lives of many you don't know. 

This year, I did many acts of service.  I will highlight 3 that pertain to how I often think of you.

As a backstory, several years ago our friend Eric Bednar was telling us that his father, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, had recommended that he read the book entitled Bonds that Make Us Free.  Scott and I read it and loved it.  It was so applicable to our lives and our interactions with others that we began recommending it to all of our friends.  Everyone could benefit from reading this book multiple times in their lives and if they take it to heart and look within themselves, it would improve every relationship in their lives including but not limited to spousal relationship, relations with your children, parents, friends, and even coworkers and acquaintances.  I loved reading it so much and it has helped me become a better person so much that I personally have read it several times in the last 10 years.  It's just that great.  Now fast forward to the end of April when Scott was called to the Bishop of our ward.  One of the first bits of advice that our Stake President gave him was to read the book, Bonds that Make Us Free.   It had been a while since Scott had read it and he really wanted to do everything that he could to help himself in helping others during his service as Bishop.  So, he really wanted to read this book again.  The problem was that he is so incredibly busy now between being a father, working, and Bishop that there was really no time for him to sit down with a book to read it.  He has a 20 minute commute to work every day; 40 minutes round trip.  I got the bright idea to begin reading the book for him out loud and recording it on my phone, one chapter at a time.  I began in September reading chapters and I finished the last chapter, chapter 14 last week.  It has been such a great thing for him to be able to listen to the book on his commute.  But, it has also been a great review for me in my own life.  And the giving doesn't stop there!  I've had the opportunity to help friends who are struggling with advice from this book that has saved their marriage.  And even furthermore, Scott as a Bishop has been able to recommend this book to many members of our ward to better themselves and their relationships.  This service has helped many families already and will continue to help families as they teach their own children.  This ended up being about a 10 hour project.  The audio files are now in an emailable format and anyone who wants to listen can just listen right from their phone.  I'm happy to share if anyone is interested.  ;)

The second project I did this year was for members of the Tucker and Marshall families.  My sister in law, Haylee, said it well on Facebook with this message, "It makes me sad to hear people complain about how they hate Christmas because it is so commercialized. It's true that it is, but it doesn't have to be in your home and your heart! Focus on the Savior, His mission and life, focus on emulating him through love and service and Christmas will quickly become meaningful and joyful!"  Last year, I bought an ornament kit called the 25 Days of Christ.  It was unfinished wooden ornaments that I painted and it also came with New Testament scriptures and Bible videos to accompany each day's ornament.  It was a wonderful tradition because it focused us the entire month of December on the life of Jesus Christ, our Savior.  It was so wonderful to study and be reminded of His wonder.  So, this year, I decided that I wanted to share that gift and tradition with my siblings that don't already have the ornament kit for their children.  I painted ornament kits for 6 families including Kristen, Becca, and my brother Craig.  I hope this has become a beloved tradition in their homes and for their children to be able to focus on our Savior.  This was a 10 hour project as well.

The last project we did as a family.  We debated over doing the 12 days of Christmas for a couple of families who have had a hard time or doing Secret Santa for a family in need, but we settled on spreading Christmas cheer to be able to reach more families.  We were able to secretly deliver Christmas music CDs to 12 families with a tag that read, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing loudly for all to hear".  I know that these families were touched and it felt so good to know that they were thought of this beautiful season.

Merry Christmas, Nick!  I hope your Christmas has been filled with joy!  We love you!

To: Gina. From: Becca

This year I wanted to render service that would mean something to me, and remind me of Gina. I talked to people about charities I could help with, but nothing seemed quite right. After starting work this Fall, I knew I had my answer. As I worked with kids, struggling to read, I recognized a commonality among them. These children had access to very few books at home. I thought about how lucky my kids were to have hundreds of books to choose from. I know Gina spends a lot of time reading with her family. I wanted the students I was helping to enjoy reading at their own homes. So, I gathered up age appropriate books and donated them to the school. The teachers were glad to hand the books out to the children who needed their own little libraries. I enjoy helping kids develop a love for reading. I hope this small act will provide a few children the enjoyment of reading.

Love Kylie

Dear Tucker family,

Up until now, the kids haven't been included in the Service exchange.  I have helped my parents with their service projects, but this year I wanted to do my own.  I consulted with my mom and dad and since I learned how to sew on a sewing machine last year, I wanted to use my new found skills to bless someone else's life. 

This year I've really enjoyed reading nonfiction books.  Some that I've read are about people who have endured horrific trials in their lives.  I wanted to be able to help someone in need.

My mom told me about an organization called ConKerr Cancer: A case for smiles.  This organization provides cheery pillowcases to children with lifechanging illnesses while they stay in the hospital.

From their website:

“A Case for Smiles – Helping children feel special while battling life changing illnesses.”

Our mission is heartfelt – to provide smiles to children with life changing illnesses and to make them feel special.
Our work is simple – to provide children with cheery pillowcases to brighten their hospital stay and a chance to learn to sew while breaking up the boredom of a hospital stay.
Our impact is immediate – many organizations are focused on saving tomorrow’s children through research. Our focus is on helping children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses today.
Our organization is driven by volunteers – literally thousands of people are making pillowcases across the country and around the world. They are led by an all-volunteer organization of regional chapters with regional coordinators supported and served through volunteers who make up our home office organization.
Our fuel is love – ConKerr is fueled by a simple act of love – making a pillowcase for a sick child struggling with cancer or another life changing illness. Everything else is details.


My mom and I went to the fabric store and I got to pick out enough fabric to make 12 pillowcases.  Over the course of this year, I've completed all 12 and I can't wait to deliver them so that children can benefit from them.

My Service to Tiffany! Love Kristen

There was two main service projects I did this year. The first one, was to a lady in our ward. She was on a very high risk pregnancy (no I am not saying you are pregnant!) and had to be in the Hospital for quite a few weeks of her pregnancy. She was extremely stressed and it was really wearing on her. I got messages out to most of the ladies in our neighborhood and asked for donations of money, or items to help her pass the time, or to just know people are out there praying for her.

With the donations I gathered, I was able to get her magazines, books, Scentsy warmer and scents for her hospital room, toys to give to her kids as they came to visit her, nail polish, spray in shampoo (she wasn't allowed to shower, only sponge baths), healthy snacks, treats, stationary and envelopes to write letters, foot cream for her husband to massage her feet, and many more items. She was so grateful she cried and has thanked all those involved many times. It brought back so many memories of when I was on bed rest for my pregnancy. It made me think of you because of all the things you do to help those around you. I am sure your in-laws are grateful for the help you have been giving them.

The second service was a last minute CHristmas service. Just last night I found out about a family who wasn't going to have Christmas gifts for their kids because of all the medical expenses this year. Today I went and got gift cards and found a few small gifts to donate to this family. A few fun things for the family and hygiene items to get them through the next few months.

I sure do love you Tiffany and I am grateful to have you as my little sissy! I miss you living close and wish I would have taken advantage of the time you lived in Utah!! Love, Kristen

To Mom!

Dear Mom,

It has been a busy and eventful year.  I had the opportunity to provide lots of different service in the church and in the community.  I know that at one time you were a single sister and Mother.  As bishop I had the opportunity to serve many single sisters of all varieties.  In your name I was able to hand deliver a Turkey and a $50 dollar bill to five deserving families for Thanksgiving.  I was also able to prepare and arrange delivery of Orange wreaths and Chocolates to 25 widows, single sisters, and single mothers.  We also blew a large quantity of leaves from the yard of an elderly single sister as a family for family home evening. (94 years old)  Throughout the year I had multiple opportunities to visit and provide Priesthood blessings to several Ward members in the hospital.   I have also been able to spend numerous hours visiting with and counseling with single sisters in the Ward.  As a side note, but also in your name I was able to work with three families to help strengthen their marriages and prevent them thus far from becoming single Mothers/Fathers.  During this Christmas holiday I collected and distributed several hundred dollars worth of gift cards to very grateful recipients.  Each time I have been able to visit with, serve, or bless one of these women I have thought of you.  I have thought of the great Mother that you are and the sacrifices you have made and continue to make for our family.  It has reminded of your great love, humility, diligence, and faithfulness to the Lord and His gospel.  Thank you for all that you have done to raise me to love and serve others.  Thank you for helping me to gain my own testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.   Thank you for being you and the great example that you are.



 

Love,
Scott F. Tucker