Many of us think of ways to help those in need during the holiday season. We might present musical programs to people in nursing homes, bring goody bags to shut-ins, or contribute to “Sub for Santa” programs.
According to the Kitsap Sun, a local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as “Mormons”) found a different way to help a family in need. They worked together to remodel the home of a family who had lost their husband and father years ago.
The father and husband of the Gaudio family of Bainbridge Island, near Seattle, Washington, was killed in 1980 by a drunk driver. The family had been building their own house, but it had not been completed. Liz Gaudio was left to raise the family’s six boys alone. The family also faced other challenges, and the house fell into disrepair.
Members of the Bainbridge Island Ward, the local Mormon congregation and to work together to fix the house as a whole. Work on the project began in September, and members contributed in various capacities. Businesses in the community also donated services and materials. By Christmas, the driveway had been graded, a concrete walkway had been put in, and the exterior had been painted. And that was just the exterior work done while the weather was still good.
The congregation also gutted much of the interior of the house. New floors, plumbing, appliances, and walls were put in. A local hotel housed the family while the work was being done.
The Gaudio family was thrilled with the results, and greatly appreciated the efforts of all those who helped. But there were other benefits as well. One of these was a greater friendship among those who worked on the project. “You get to know people a lot better, and you feel close to people when you are working with them,” said Bruce Nowjack, a community work-project coordinator for the Church, to the Kitsap Sun.
And other blessings come to those who serve others, sometimes in unexpected ways. “Along the way, you realize the permanent change is you,” said Ross Boundy to the Kitsap Sun. “It’s just wonderful.” Boundy is a former bishop (similar to a pastor) of the Bainbridge Island Ward (local congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said:
To followers who were vying for prominent positions in his kingdom, the Savior taught, “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” (Matt. 20:27) On a later occasion, he spoke of ministering to the needs of the hungry, the naked, the sick, and the imprisoned. He concluded that teaching with these words: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40) (Dallin H. Oaks, “Why Do We Serve?,” Ensign, Nov 1984, 12)
Elder Oaks concluded this thought with a reference to Mosiah 2:17, in the Book of Mormon: “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”
