OUT OF THE ASHES

This letter came to my inbox today. The writer gave me permission to post, but asked that his name be withheld. Wonderful story of friends and neighbors coming together to help two families in great need. And to his comments at the end of the story, I say, "Amen!"

Two families in our [neighborhood] just experienced a house fire in which they lost pretty much all of their earthly possessions. The blessing here is that they all made it out of the house with no injuries. As one could expect, the loss of everything still brings tragic circumstances. Their little girls were standing outside immediately after the fire barefooted in below freezing temperatures. This was very traumatic for these two beautiful little girls who have done nothing to deserve this.

As do all good faithful members of our Church, we rallied to their aide. Some brought blankets, clothes, new wrapped Christmas presents, RV's for temporary housing, generators to provide power into the burned home to light pathways to salvage what could be salvaged and to assess the extensive damage. Of course, food was supplied, and our wonderful Relief Society sisters wasted no time putting a meal schedule together to ensure these families do not have to worry about any meals in the weeks that lie ahead. There have been volunteers galore to help inventory every single item that was lost for insurance replacement costs. A fund was set up in the family's names to help them pay their insurance deductible and provide for immediate needs like clothes, shoes, toiletries etc.

....I have witnessed the hand of God at work in these two family's lives, through the love, support and service of our members. Out of the ashes, the pure love of Christ has been manifest. My testimony of His gospel has been strengthened because of my association with the Saints, our love for one another, our love for Him. "For inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

It is my hope and prayer that we all would just take a moment to notice those around us and look for opportunities to serve our neighbors, family and friends. When we make room to serve others, we make room for Jesus Christ. May the light of Christ burn brightly in all our lives.