Friday, January 10, 2014

The Blessing of the Roast

 {The Kahumoku Kids: Jacob (10), Joshua (9), Nathan (6), Peter (4), and Lucy (almost 2)}
 
 
We had an unusual blessing at the grocery store this week that needs to be recorded, but first...a little back story.

Willie has recently been called as the 1st counselor in the Bishopric.  I am trying my best to lean on him less (he helps me out a TON) so that he'll be able to do his work and church jobs without the headache of working for me too.
(Willie posing with the turkey he deep fried for Thanksgiving 2013.  He totally rocked it!)

So, Tuesday (the last day of the sale) when Willie told me he couldn't stop by Smith's after work, I mustered up my strength and took the whole crew grocery shopping.  We have a grand 'ole time when we're all out together, but it's a lot faster and easier when I'm by myself, or only have a couple kids, or when Willie does it for me!

We meandered through the store looking for the things on our list.  Josh was pushing Lu in the basket and the boys were following behind.  I have to admit, my children are very good shoppers.  Maybe because they've had a lot of practice?

While we were in the produce section of the store, a store clerk approached me and said, "Excuse me."  My mind was racing trying to think of what my kids had done wrong or what the problem could possibly be.  She continued, "This is an unusual situation, but a customer that just checked out purchased this and asked me to give it to you."

She tells me, "She said to look for a woman with long blonde hair and five very well-behaved children.  I'm pretty sure I have the right person."  She smiled and handed me a grocery bag with a big fat roast. 

I started tearing up right then and there by the bananas.  The clerk said, "She asked to remain anonymous.  The receipt is in the bag.  I guess this is a good lesson for your children about being so good!" 

It was so touching........after I got over myself wondering, "Do we look poor?  Do I look like I can't afford to feed my children?"  I quickly decided that wasn't the case (I had showered and we were all decently dressed!) and determined to be grateful and accept this generous and kind gift without questioning the why.

Josh helped me laugh and get myself pulled together through the tears when he said, "Guys!  Let's keep being good...maybe it will be Oreos next time!!"

I was so moved by the kindness of a stranger.  We called Willie and told him our exciting story.  He told us it was a blessing of tithing.  As I got to thinking about it, I could see that, but I could also see it as a blessing of him serving in his calling.  We wouldn't have even been in the store had he not had church meetings after work.  He would have just stopped in and picked up what I needed.

I am grateful for my children and not just because they won me a free hunk of meat.  They make me laugh constantly.  Each one of them is such a blessing.
(Our kids outside the Reno Temple.)
 
Now we want to pay it forward.  We have been thinking of ideas of kind things that we can do for others.  I doubt that the woman who kindly bought us a roast will ever know the wonderful affect it has had on me and especially the kids.  What an amazing way to learn a valuable lesson.  We will never forget the blessing of the roast!

Halloween 2012