Helping Hands

Both of the girls are at the age where they love to help. They LIVE to help. It is so endearing and I try to just cherish whatever help they can give, without criticism or giving into my urge to take over and do it the "right" way. I so desire to nurture this kind, giving, thoughtful spirit in their hearts so that they see the value of reaching out, coming alongside others, and helping out. I fervently pray that they hold onto those values as they grow into young women and then as adults.

We baked pumpkin bread last night and the girls relished every little job I gave them, from dumping ingredients into the bowl, to picking up scraps of apple peel and putting them in the compost bucket. If you ask Kaylee if she wants to help, she will drop EVERYTHING and come running. Karamea has changed, though. She still a very eager helper, but she is also starting to think and look for ways she can contribute or try to think of what she could do next.

Today and Saturday, I will be participating in a workshop as professional development that requires me to spend a night away from the family. (Luckily, the workshop is being held in the town where my sister lives and we get to have not one, but two sister sleepovers, since the workshop happened on two separate weekends in October and November!)

Around the kids' bedtime last night, I mentioned to Mark that I would need to start packing while he put the girls to bed, Karamea excitedly exclaimed, "I'll help you pack!!!" I tried to find a few things that she could put in my bag, but many things (my pillow and toiletries, among others) would have to wait for the morning. I mentioned that I would need my pillow, and she immediately said, "OK, I will pack that for you right now!" I told her that I would need it for sleeping that night and that it would have to wait, so she tried thinking of things that I might need. "You might need lotion, in case your skin gets dry." So I acquiesced and let her grab a tube of lotion to put in my bag. It is so cool to see her thought processes expanding to include planning ahead and anticipating possible needs.

I can't even tell you how much it warmed my heart to have her so focused on helping. It took me by surprise, since I expected her to be a little sad that I would be away, but the way she reacted makes me a thousand times happier. My heart just bursts with joy when I see the caring, helpful young girls my daughters are becoming.