From hitting the homeless to getting hit on by the homeless...

If you ask my sister for an embarrassing story from my younger years, she'll happily tell you about the time I almost hit a homeless man with my car shortly after getting my driver's permit. It's not something I like to admit to, because it was a complete accident. Not to mention, I didn't think it would take him so long to walk across the road. I would also like to clarify that I did NOT actually hit him (just for the record). Alas, that was my first accident-prone encounter with a homeless man.

On Saturday I had the opportunity to volunteer at the local soup kitchen. I had done it one time before and I had a really good time, so I decided to go back. After Saturday though, I'm not sure if they are ever going to invite me again. Strike number one involved the turkey I was dishing up. I started with a pretty small pan of turkey, but I tried to portion each scoop like the woman in charge had (we'll call her Trudy). I'm not going to lie, these scoops were pretty healthy portions. After a while of filling each tray with turkey, I realized that we were running out. I then started rationing the turkey to try to make it last (I feel sorry for the people who got these trays because they really didn't get much meat). I then had the brilliant idea that I should ask if there was more turkey. Trudy went to the oven where she was keeping a HUGE pan of turkey warm. After seeing this, I started dishing up the turkey pretty heavily...probably even more than before. After about two minutes of this, Trudy was quick to yell at me, "EASY ON THE TURKEY!" Needless to say, the turkey portions decreased again. 

Strike number two occurred when I was refilling a water pitcher. Apparently the water coming out of the sanitizing hose (which I didn't see labeled) actually has sanitizer in it and is not to be swallowed. Luckily only one man drank from that pitcher, but Trudy went and tasted it after the man complained, and I got yelled at again. Trudy really didn't like that taste in her mouth and was not too thrilled with me. 

The real excitement came when one of the diners started telling me some jokes. I listened politely and laughed at the right parts. Later, I was wiping off his table and he proceeded to give me his phone number and told me to call him if I could think of anymore jokes. He also offered to fix my bicycle for me. If or when I get a bicycle, I'll be sure to give him a call.

Even though this experience at the soup kitchen was more exciting than most, I was able to do something that I love to do: Service. Service always puts me in a great mood because I feel like I am making a small difference in someone's life. In John 21, we read about Christ and His commandments to feed His sheep. I believe that through service, I am not only helping those who I serve feel God's love for them, but they also help me feel God's love for me. It's amazing how great I feel after I do a good deed. I pray that as I strive to pattern my life after Christ's, I will make more time for service. What better way to draw closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than by serving and loving those around us? Dieter F. Uchtdorf, the Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said this: