A few facts about honeybees:
- They live a short lifespan, anywhere from four weeks to four months
- A colony of bees can range from 20,000 to 60,000 bees
- To produce one pound of honey the hive must collective visit millions of flowers and travel the equivalent of two times around the world
- The contribution of honey that one bee makes is 1/12 of a one teaspoon. One twelfth!
What an insignificant amount. And yet, that doesn’t stop the bees from working or giving up. Not in the least!
In his new book, One Drop At a Time, A Message for Women, M. Russell Ballard teaches us that our small efforts to serve and help our families and others makes a difference.
“Your simple, daily acts of service may not seem like much in and of themselves, but when considered collectively they become just like the one-twelfth teaspoon of honey contributed by a single bee to the hive.” ~ M. Russell Ballard.
The book is actually a reworking of Elder Ballard’s talk from the October 2012 General Conference. I loved listening to it then and have enjoyed the book now. It is filled with beautiful photos and illustrations of bees, honey, and beehives.
If you don’t know, our homeschool is called Beehive Academy. Named that years ago when my three oldest were 5,4 and 2. They choose the name because we were learning about bees and how hard-working and industrious they are. They each have a job to do but work together for the good of the hive. Because of that I collect beehives to adorn our home and remind us all to work hard together. Having this book as part of my collection is a bonus!
I have a copy of One Drop at a Time to giveaway today! To enter leave a comment sharing a service idea for helping those in need or share a time someone has served you. Giveaway will end on Saturday, May 11th at 8 pm PST.
Last Thursday women and girls from our church congregation gathered together to assemble “comfort kits” for parents who find themselves staying in the NICU with their children.
Fleece blankets were sewn or the edges tied together.
Younger girls {ages 8-11} sorted out donations of chapstick, pens, notebooks, activity books {sudoku, word searches, etc}, toothpaste, toothbrushes, tissues, disposable cameras, lotion, small bags of candy, and gum or mints.
Then they went down the line again putting one of each into bags to assemble the kits. While about 45 people were there, many more made donations. Small donations made by many women and girls add up!
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| Some of the assembled comfort kits to be delivered to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. |
One drop at a time. It makes a difference!
I like the idea of including the youth. We recently had a big relief society service project. We made blankets, scarves for the cancer patients, cards for the prison…It was really fun.
Wow! Love the pictures! I didn’t even see you taking them!
I think one important part of service, no matter what the actual task is, is to involve your children or at the very least let them see/know what it is you are doing. I can recall so many times when my own mother would serve others and often she would also let us help her.
I was a new single mother- following a very shocking and painful divorce. I was very concerned for my 3 beautiful children. Their father signed the divorce agreement and immediately cleared out all of the accounts that were supposed to be split- leaving me penniless (I couldn’t afford an attorney to try and get it back). He even cancelled the children’s health insurance. I was under a lot of stress and so worried for the well-being of my children. I guess the stress took it’s toll because I got sick. An older sister from our ward had called and when she learned I was sick- she came to my house with some homemade chicken soup. She told me she had been through a similar experience and she proceeded to give me a shoulder and neck massage. I was so grateful for this loving sister who felt inspired to reach out to me with genuine and sincere care and love. I think I will always remember the feel of her arthritic fingers massaging my neck and shoulders- I thought in my mind, “I’m the one that should be serving her- and yet here she is serving me.” It was a testimony to me of the willingness and sacrifices some make to serve the Lord and His children. She is such an example to me.
A friend’s husband came home from work with a bouquet of flowers for her. She posted the kind act on her blog and I left a comment about how nice it was. Later that night, she was on my doorstep with some flowers and as she gave me a hug- she said, “You deserve flowers too.” I cried and cried at the thoughtfulness. At a time I felt so rejected and forgotten. There were acts of kindness all around to remind me that Heavenly Father was aware and sending angels to help strengthen me in my time of need.
-Lisa
I love that you included the 8-11 yr old girls in your service project, what a wonderful experience for them! Our group of 8-11 yr olds recently made a few dozen Valentine cards for women in our ward who would be otherwise forgotten on Valenaine’s Day. Many of the women we mailed them to responded with tearful thanks- a small act that made a big difference for many in our ward family.
I’ve always been one to give service, but now one of my favorite service opportunities was from a time when I needed to be on the receiving side. For a time (2 1/2 years) my husband was either unemployed or worked out-of-town a couple hours away. Many people stepped in to give service of one sort or another, but one of the most meaningful services came from two teen girls that offered to watch my four young children a couple of hours every week. I’m sure it was for a Personal Progress experience, but I looked forward to those two hours when I could get out of the house and get some time just for me. I may have been grocery shopping or completing other errands, but the blessing of being by myself was huge.
I’ve just had my third girl, and I have appreciated so much the kind calls and dinners that have been given to us. Even just getting a phone call from a friend means so much. I haven’t seen my friends lately, and it makes me feel special to know someone is thinking about me.
I have a friend of mine that I help to organize a soup and service night the first week of Christmas every year. So far we’ve made newborn hats out of t-shirts, pillowcase dresses, tutus for little girls in hospitals. One thing that we love to look at is a book called “craft hope” it has a ton of service ideas that are constantly running. It’s a fantastic resource!
When I first moved in my home, I was really missing my old ward and feeling very lonely. A wonderful sister (who wasn’t my visiting teacher)in the my ward made me feel special by leaving homemade rolls and cookies once a month on my doorstep. She did this for several months. I have never forgotten her kindness.
Although I also benefit, 😉 I set up a playgroup in our neighborhood each summer to help us all get out of the house. This year I am making a much bigger push to invite neighbors who may not hear from church. I have found that the sisters feel a boost with these little moments together. It is fun to see friendships made and learn that we are all trying and we’re all real and that we are all in this together.
Thanks for the chance for this book. My Mom collects bees and beehives as well and is known by the grandchildren as Grandma Bee.
I would love this book!
A service idea that we’ve done is cook for the families staying at Ronald McDonald House next to Children’s Hospital. I know when we stayed there last year with the birth of baby #7 (who had spine and brain surgeries 7 hours and 7 days after birth) it was a huge blessing to be able to walk into Ronald McDonald House at meal time and see volunteers who had made fresh, warm meals for us. seven months later we spent a day baking with our 7 kiddos and brought everything to Ronald McDonald House for the families currently staying. It was a wonderful opportunity we plan to repeat every year!
Awhile back, I found out that I wouldn’t be able to go to the temple for several months. I was devastated (managed to hold it in at the Bishop’s office but completely lost it outside). I was just torn apart by how much I was losing because I was stupid for a few moments. My best friend, who has a lot of problems of their own, just held me and reminded me that everything was going to be all right, that God still loved me even though i’d made a mistake.
In good news, I get to go back soon! 😀
My family was moving half way across the US a few months ago. As my husband and I worked to get our belongings packed and loaded my good friend drove from her in-laws to pick up my three young children and took them back where they were able to run and play with their friends. She kept them overnight. Her husband and brother-in-law came to our house at 11 at night and began helping with loading the truck until 5 or so in the morning. The next day we finished with some help of other friends. After a very long and exhausting day we traveled up to my friends in-laws where there was a bed made and a bathroom with all the things I would need to get cleaned up without unloading a lot from our car. It was heaven. We never asked for their help, they just saw a need and came to the rescue. In turn I hope to be that person one day for someone else.
I am so excited about the book. I would love to read it!
When we traveled back to Provo for my husband’s graduation at BYU I had five kids (one in a baby carrier) and four trying to hold my hands. The Marriott Center was crowded and I couldn’t even get through the crowds with my kids to find a seat. A woman came up to me and said she had been watching me. She took my two oldest by the hands and said, “follow me.” She led us through the crowds and found seats for us and for herself and her husband. She helped entertain my kids (and keep them quiet during the ceremony) and watched them when I had to run out and change a diaper. She was my angel that day. I still get teary-eyed thinking about her wonderful service to me!!
I always struggle to know what to do when I see a homeless person with a sign. Should I give them money or listen to those who say don’t do it; it will only be used to support a substance abuse problem? My children and I recently came up with a solution to this dilemma. We made simple Homeless Care Packages that we keep in the car so that when we see someone in need we can just hand them the bag. It is a gallon size Ziploc with things like water, crackers, granola bars, wet wipes, a small card with Matthew 11:28-30 printed on it, etc. You can put as much in the bags as you are able. We kept ours pretty simple. My conscience feels much better now!
What an awesome idea! I love this!
living in a high move in area service I like to do is just be super friendly to anyone who moves in! I’ve babysat for people the first week they’ve moved to a new country (work meetings/dinners etc) and driven people around to look for rental houses, to teaching them to cook with Australian ingredients. of course a friendly smile and chatting about info, schools, things to do, places to go etc is also enough for some people
some of the best service to me was anonymous money given at the right time, cookie drop offs (who doesn’t like yummy treats!)babysitting etc
When I was on bed rest towards the end of my pregnancy with my twins, numbers. 4 and 5 a few women from my church offered to tend my 4 older kids ages 7,6,5 and 3. If was the first time I had ever been lane for an entire day with no kids or husband. I was so grateful for these women who helped me in my time of need!
Our Relief Society gets together once a month to put quilts and blankets together for someone in our ward or stake who may need them.
Would you please let your ladies know that this random stranger from Utah says THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! for your work on the blankets.
When Toby was born, he went straight to the NICU. I wasn’t released from the hospital to see him until he was 3 days old. When I got to the NICU they had a blanket over his incubator with kitties on it (we had 2 kittens at home.) I thought it was SO cute but thought it was just decoration. I was so excited when I learned it was for Toby to keep. Five and a half years later, that fleece blanket from the NICU is Toby’s very favorite blanket in the world. It’s the only thing he has consistently taken to bed with him (stuffed animals come and go, but blankies are forever.) When he first started talking, he called it his “buddy” and he still calls it that, even though he knows how to say blanket now. I searched for years trying to find more fabric identical to it so I could make him a back-up buddy but never have been able to. But seriously. As an NICU mommy, these kits are awesome. And the babies may just be like Toby and love their buddies forever and ever. Blah blah blah, I like to talk 🙂
Our most recent service project was taking dinner to a new mom. This time my teen daughter planned and prepared the meal. She enjoyed it so much. It was very gratifying to see.
I love the NICU care package idea! Our first was rushed into the NICU after just a few hours and it was a roller coaster of emotions for those first two weeks. One day, I’ll be brave enough to tell that story… Care packages like the ones you discussed are an awesome gift.
During the preparatory workshops for Reconciliation and Eucharist celebrations, our young ones (usually 7 and 8) put together kits for Operation Shoe Box and for the local food pantry. They collect small toys, crayons, etc for the Shoe Box kits. The bag lunches for the food pantry include snacks, oranges, and sandwiches. We discuss the Corporal Works of Mercy with them – we are called to serve one another and be hands and feet to those in need.
Soo many times I have been served. The most touching was when we had just moved across the country, then a family member needed emergency heart surgery & several other stresses and a sister in my new ward felt to stop & give me a hug at my house. She had no idea of any of the things going on & I had no local friends yet. It was just what I needed.
Right now I am Compassionate Service Leader and I am so touch by the amount of service the sisters are willing to provide. What touches me most though are the women that will rearrange their schedule and are so proactive in their service…always seeking out those who need help. I have been forever changed by what I have seen done by sisters who love and want to serve others. amyjones194(at)gmail(dot)com
Amy
This summer our Relief Society will be embarking on a summer of service. I am hoping that sisters will realize all that they do to give service on a regular basis, especially in small ways. Smile at a stranger, hug your little one, kiss a boo boo, make a phone call to a friend, etc. I fear that sometimes we don’t count it if it doesn’t seen big enough. I loved Elder Ballard’s talk and I would love this book! I think it goes very well our theme this summer.
What a wonderful service project! When our newest little one was in the NICU one of the sweet Red Cross volunteers brought me a little hand made quilt for him, and it was such a comforting way to be served. I had felt so alone and scared, but with that sweet little quilt I felt sure that there were so many people who were aware of us and willing to help.
I also think it’s great you put tissues in the package, we couldn’t find any anywhere in the hospital, and I sure needed them!
I have only been the RS Pres. for about 6 months and have been so amazed at the many small acts of kindness I see every day from the sisters. When I started to make some changes in the VTing. I found I had a Sister in her 90’s living with her daughter. The VT she had would visit the daughter and never talk to the older sister. I was telling one of my Councilors and she said oh let me go to her. So I sent the councilor to just the mother and a different set of sisters to the daughter.
This sweet little lady has blossomed in the last few months because she has her very own Vting teacher.
1/12 at a time this sweet Councilor has changer a 90 year old mom who thought she wasn’t needed anymore.
PS my moto for RS is we enrich lives and bring the chocolate.
So many services done for me. I hope some day soon to pay it forward in some way.I like the ideas alreadyexpressed. i am inactive but have my testimony still/ somr of favoriye experiences have been being included in things, not given up on and not beung judged by the majority,
HAVE A NICE DAY Y’ALL!!!
Hello I was so excited to see your post today on Pinserter. I have recently be allowed to start my ministry at church called Living Well Ministry. A few months back our ladies at church went to retreat where we learned about Deborah the Prophetess and her name meaning Bee. I started a chat box for all us ladies where we are called The Honey Bees. I would love one of your books to do a small woman’s meeting with. Please consider me!