Helping hands continue at the Jersey shore.

Looking at the statistics on the NJ Mormon helping hands FB page it looks like volunteers have provided at least 196,882 hours of service, and the numbers are going to continue to increase...at least until the end of the year.

Last Sunday we had at least 50 members from our church drive up to North Jersey to help the people in Tuckerton. There was so much debris to clean up. Temperatures were cold, but from what my husband told me everyone was hardworking, and effortless.

My eldest daughter Alexandra & Sister Nichols working hard.  

There were four different houses in the area, and here is my better half holding a section of the floor so that they could cut it in half to clear it away.  

This is one of the houses before they tore it down.

Here it is after they tore it down with the roof on the ground finishing up so that they can clear it away.

In this photo shows the backside of where my better half was cutting down the floor. This was such a mess, and a lot of work to be done in clearing it out.

The finishing touches of clearing it out...

WOW! It's amazing what so many helping hands can do in a matter of hours! They totally cleaned it up!

So many youth came from other wards in the stake, and they all got their hands working. I think the smile on their faces proved that waking up at 6am is all for a good reason...to serve.

Most of the youth have come more than once to help, and I know that it was humbling for them to see what happens after a hurricane. It is always wonderful to see so many youth volunteer...including our girls!

Having seen these pictures that my better half took, and me not being there brought tears to my eyes. Not because I wasn't there to help, but because of the memories that I have when I endured Hurricane Allen. 

These images are so similar to the devastation that the Padre Island in Texas endured back in 1980. Although I was 10 years old when it happened I will always remember the aftermath, and how that taught me to be grateful for life. 

Grateful because we were without power for more than a week, and having our neighbors helping each other out by clearing off trees from our porch, and helping us out with meals is something that will always be etched in my mind as a young girl. 

Being a member of the church today in which so many hands have helped our fellow man makes me extremely grateful, and lucky to be a part of the Lord's work. 

It is a wonderful country we live in when that unity ties us as one. 

a ragged flag that still waves-picture via Sister Nichols

We are Jersey strong, and God bless the hands that help America!

the yellow shirts with helping hands.

The very first time members of our church went to help out after the hurricane hit was down in Atlantic City, and I'm sure it was an eye opener for everyone. I was especially glad that one of my daughters Lexie had the opportunity to help serve on that day. Although New York got hit the worst there is still so much work to be done here in our neck of the woods.

As we drove around Atlantic City last week I noticed a few people still putting rotted stuff out on the curb. I was tempted to offer my help, but was a bit under the weather.

I asked my husband if I should at least let them know that we are part of an organization called Mormon Helping Hands, and if they needed any help to please call us. The thing is that we have been going to different parts in South Jersey, and are not sure what area we will be called to next. So I didn't attempt to tell them.

Wherever it may be we are needed everywhere! I honestly don't think cleaning up all the debris left in the home, and knocking down old drywall will get taken care by the end of the year. There is so much to do, and I wish I could even go further north in New York to help families up there. Luckily there are so many church members up there who are giving countless hours of their time. LDS Missionaries are even going every single day to help them out! Amazing!

My family is taking advantage of going, and I'm so grateful to know that they are willing to help. It's kind of hard having two younger children to be able to go. My husband, and two older daughters plan on going again this Sunday.

Get this...they are going to have sacrament meeting at 6:30 a.m., and then head to their destination of where they are supposed to be. I really wish I could go, but I don't think it's a good idea having two younger children going that early in the morning, and was just informed they're not allowed. If it was in the afternoon it probably be no problem...I could have them passing out bottled water to the adults! Besides, there is a sister who I pick up to attend church every Sunday.

However, we will attend church services at normal hours which is 9-Noon, and continue to pray for the families in need as well as the hands that are helping them.

I can't stress enough how thankful I am to be a member of this church, and to feel of God's love throughout this time of need!

If I can't be there wearing the yellow shirt to help at least I can do my part in praying for them in hopes that life will get back to normal for them soon. I am thankful to know that some of my family members are extending a hand of service and love.

Once again...I have a lot to be grateful for...A lot.

a thankful week with a video

Here are some of my favorite moments that happened this past week in which I'm extremely grateful for that happened throughout the week...

Family Home Evening...

I love it when it's Chelsea's turn to teach the family home evening lesson. She is becoming more bold, and outgoing when it comes to teaching. She really makes it interesting, and I just love her enthusiasm as she teaches us! Her lesson was on Kindness, and to do an act of kindness for a family member, friend, neighbor, or anyone!

Letters...

I love sending them as well as receiving them, and I had a lot of catching up to do this week. Writing is always at the top of my "to do" list. That time has come for me to mail out our Thanksgiving cards, and before we know it it'll be time to mail out our yearly holiday cards, as well as care packages. 

Simple little things...

Such as press on nails. Can you guess who's nails these are? I'll give you a hint. She's our sassy girl. Yep...you guessed right. They are Chelsea's. I personally would never buy these for her, but my dear friend got them for her, and Chelsea just couldn't wait to put them on. She loved them, and seeing the smile on her face after putting them on was priceless.

Learning...

Here's Noah kicking it old school with a leap pad from 1999. He plays it almost every day. Hey...it still works, and he loves it!

Technology (sometimes!)...

Here is Noah ditching the leap pad for today's technology...sneakingly playing games on one of dad's phones.

Time...

I love finding time to spend with the girls. I have three, and sometimes it's hard to have a one on one with just ONE! Chelsea wanted to help make a batch of popcorn balls. We originally only made a batch for our trick or treaters, and didn't think to save us any. We've been making these every year since we moved to the east, and all the kids at the trunk or treat just love them. It is a great recipe from my mother in law. You can have them sitting in a bowl a week after Halloween, and they never get hard! We will always keep this tradition in the family.

Education...

This past Wednesday Sierra, along with the NHS veteran class of 2013 had the privilege of introducing the new National Honor Society Inductees of 2014. She was inducted last year, and had a little bit of deja vu on this night. It was so nice to have seen these three girls hugging, and smiling, and expressing love towards one another. This is such a great accomplishment for all of them, and it truly is a huge step forward to their successes in the future!

Service...

This video brought tears of joy to my eyes. Tears of joy because of how compassionate all the members  of the LDS Church in New York have been in giving of their time, and efforts to help serve, and clean up all the debris from the storm. Truly the work of the Lord, and it's so beautiful that we can make a world a better place no matter how hard the trial.

And their trial was enormous.

God continue to bless the hands that help our fellow man.

After watching this video I can't complain. It's been a good week, and I have a lot to be grateful for.

mormon helping hands

There are many of us who risk our lives before, during, and after a hurricane has hit. Listening to this talk by Scott Simon on NPR was inspirational, and the way he described those who risked their lives to save others was said perfectly. Today I am thankful for being a member of a church in which no matter how busy our lives get, we make the time to go out and serve those who need our help. 

And then there is Mormon Helping Hands....