My husband is in the High Priest Group leadership at church. Jeff received this calling a little over a year ago. Before he took the calling he asked me if it was ok with me. I of course, said yes. He was surprised I said yes so quickly and told me that it would take more of his time than he was doing as a Sunday School teacher. I still said yes. I couldn't see any negatives. Jeff finally had more time to give to callings and other areas of his life because he was no longer in car sales (a 50-60 hour a week job).
Last Sunday I was blessed to be a part of Jeff's calling. Jeff was assigned to take care of Sacrament meeting at the Veteran's Home. I didn't even know this was a need in our community. Well, Jeff forgot about the assignment until he saw a note on Sunday morning. Jeff needed to have priesthood members present to help with the sacrament, a talk, music and an opening and closing prayer. Jeff figured he would give the talk. This would have been an issue for me but for Jeff it was a piece of cake. Keli gave the opening prayer, Ana directed the music, I gave the closing prayer and Jeff was able to get some friends to play the piano and help with the sacrament. It was a very nice meeting. The Sacrament meetings at the VA home are only half an hour long but what a spirit you can have in such a short amount of time. Ronnie came as well. He didn't want to come at first but I told him that he needed to come. He was pleasantly surprised. As we were leaving he asked if we could walk slowly so he could look at all of the military posters and displays as we walked out.
In the main hall as you walk in the building there are posters with a picture of one of the residents and a story about their military service. They were very interesting to read. I thought, any one of these people could have served with my grandfathers. The beauty of this country is that it is a melting pot of people from all areas of the world. The beauty of the military is that it is also a melting pot of citizens from all over the country serving all over the world. Any one of these people could have served with my father or my uncle or my aunt. As you read these stories you are reminded that those people that are serving our country, fighting for freedoms and protecting us are just regular people like you and I.
I am grateful for Jeff's assignment to serve at the VA home. It may have started as an assignment but it was truly a blessing. It provided me with a way to help provide service for a need I never knew existed. What a simple way to help serve those who served for so many years. I am grateful for my family instilling in me a belief in our military and our country. I am grateful for a husband who is willing to serve and to provide those same opportunities to his family.
I am truly blessed.
