Sketchbook: Home away from home

It's probably just coincidence, but when all five of our boys were in the Young Men's program at the same time, it seemed like our opportunity to clean the church came around a lot more often.
 

In the service

It occurred to me that often we don't see the service that we do because so much of it happens naturally. There are so many who, like Ruth, are dutiful and take care of others' needs without a second thought.
 

All wet

One of the hazards of living in the Pacific Northwest.
 

Watch your step

Doing service was consistently one of the most fun and rewarding activities as a missionary. Whether it was helping someone move or building a new chapel, it was good to be out helping others.
 

It's our heritage

Moving people is a bit easier and safer these days, for the most part. As a Church, we've been trying to get people to move — whether it's to Zion or along the covenant path — since the beginning of the Restoration. 

Maybe what we need is some kind of spiritual U-Haul.
 

Going the extra mile. We hope.

Somehow the women of the Relief Society are always the first to know.

You're called to serve

It would have been cool to just lean out the window and teach a lesson.
 

Choose your tools wisely

I used fire to clear out a couple of fields when I was a deacon. It wasn’t intentional, though. 

Pepperoni service

My brother-in-law brought a pizza to the hospital for us just after my youngest was born. It was one of the most memorable pizzas I've ever had!
 

Perilous times

 

I’ll start with a caveat: This is NOT a Christmas cartoon! Even though Christmas is mentioned, this is about autumn and the Fall. 

Thank you. 

Unbeleafable

Leaves really enjoy autumn. They really let loose.
 

When in the service of your fellow beings...

One of the bonus parts of service that includes food is the part that involves quality control.
 

It’s a busy time of year

Sometimes folks just need you to lend a hand. 

Untangle the World

Because you can't really Light the World until it's untangled!
 

Autumn leaves behind

There’s something about our neighborhood that makes all the leaves fall down in a single day. You need to be careful where you stand on that day.
 

Seasons in the sun

There's a certain cycle to service...
 

Service hours

I've found that missionaries are usually really good about eating their vegetables when they come to dinner. Most likely it's because they don't usually eat them when they have to cook for themselves.
 

What is this stuff coming down?

This is the kind of thing we run into all the time in the Pacific Northwest.
 

Got a light?

I think this may be true for a lot of us — we bring a lot more light and love to the world than we realize. 
 

Many hands make a lot of work

Service projects are all about the experience.