Stephen and I often refer to our third child, Lily, as "one of a kind", and she is in so many ways! Today I have a story to prove one of those ways…
Last night as I tucked Lily into bed she showed me some coupons she had been making. They said things like, "will babysit for free", "will mow your lawn", "will vacuum your house". She wanted me to get the keys to the car and drive her around the neighborhood to drop off the coupons to all of our neighbors. I thought it was such a thoughtful gesture, but the hour was much too late. So I offered to help her make a flyer to take around today instead in hopes of a deferment. She went for it!
When she woke up, the first thing she reminded me was of making the flyer. When she got home from school, some of the first words out of her mouth were, "can we make the flyer now?" I put her off long enough to finish a project and she was so helpful with JT and Olivia so I could hurry faster. Finally at 5 o'clock this evening we sat down to the computer and made up this flyer. She was soooo excited to make her list of the people she wanted to take it to. I drover her around and she delivered the flyer to 7 lucky recipient's doors all by herself and with a smile. As she walked to the doors I was silently praying in my heart that someone will really take her up on her offer someday, because it would mean so much to her. Right before bed was her/my payoff. A call came in while we were saying family prayer. Stephen played the message out loud after the prayer. A very sweet and kind man (Uncle Trevin's dad) left her the perfect message saying how kind and thoughtful Lily was and that he was sure he would need help later and he would give her a call. As I noticed Lily's satisfied face, my heart felt joy for Lily. She loves to serve as much as her dad. She has also uncovered the secret of service at a young age- that when you willingly serve you are rewarded with as good a feeling as the person you serve.
She really is one of a kind. I learn a lot from Lily's thoughtfulness and caring nature and am humbled to be her mother.