Opportunities to Serve

           We always have opportunities to serve no matter where we live – there is community service, charity organizations, shelters, Red Cross . . . the list goes on.  When I lived in Salt Lake I would put in hours of service in various church projects such as the pasta plant, the dairy, the bishops storehouse, the cannery and Deseret Industries (2^nd hand thrift store) to name a few.  I lived within minutes of those buildings.  In Oregon we are located one and a half hours south of the nearest storehouse and one and a half hours north of the pear farm which I have mentioned in a few of my posts.

          When I was attending church in my son’s ward in Utah there was an announcement made for volunteers to clean the Jordan River Temple which I have learned is the busiest temple in the world.  I felt impressed to volunteer if I could and offered my services.  I had assisted in cleaning the temple two times before and enjoyed having that experience. 

          I bore my testimony in their ward and meant to put in a plug for how fortunate the members were to have temples so near to them but also be able to volunteer to work at a large variety of places sponsored by the church.  But when I returned home I was reminded of a service that I don’t think most members have the opportunity of doing and that is feeding the full time missionaries. 

          Missionaries in Utah are over stakes and I don’t believe are given the same opportunities for really getting to know the members the same way as those that serve in single ward boundaries as opposed to stake boundaries (see here for LDS language on what ward and stake mean) especially small wards (or branches) as missionaries are able to eat with members regularly.  When Richard and I lived in Kearns Utah we did have the missionaries over more than the average as we were the ward missionaries at the time. 

Pros and Cons

I Love Our Communities

from last year

             Friends of Myrtle Creek Library did not have a booth this year.  Jenna was bummed as she desired to lure others to the booth as she had last year.

            While at my swim class, one of the women stated that she would be manning the booth for the Riddle Library.  How awesome.  When I returned home, I let Jenna know about it.

            Turns out that it wasn't a booth for the library after all, but rather the sawdust jubilee which is held the Saturday before July 4.  They had actually held it on the 4th every year until this year. It just wasn't conducive for many volunteers to put in the hours and try to work the next day.  There is a disappointment among many, but I for one understand the dilemma.

            Yesterday was the first year they created a booth for Myrtle Creek Days.  The idea was to raise fireworks for the sawdust jubilee that will take place next year.  Jenna asked if she could assist and blew up some inflatable toys for them.   

When the inflatables were all blown and hanging, Shelly and Tony left and left Susan in charge.  So Jenna and I stayed so that Susan would not be alone.  We stayed after Annie had come to release Susan.  But still, it didn't seem right to leave Annie alone - and I'm so happy we didn't as it turned out the heat was more than she could bear.  I think it should be mandatory that there be at least two people in every booth - especially if more than one activity is offered - which in this case was two games - one throw two footballs through one hole, or get a ring around a hook (that one was the hardest of the two) 

            Jenna had asked if she could hang around with one of her friends, and I ran to the car for a bit.  When I returned, Annie appeared as though she'd pass out.  She had come prepared with water to drink and water to squirt on herself, but it wasn't enough.  She contacted the next shift and asked if they could be there early.  Jenna and I left shortly after they arrived - though Jenna would have been happy staying until closing - I knew Roland would have a problem with it.  I don't know why.  Leaving her with the community for a community activity feels a lot safer than having her just walk down the street in our prior Utah neighborhood.  But Roland doesn't know the community as well as Jenna does.

            I got in touch with Annie on facebook so that she'll be able to get a hold of us next year as she would like Jenna's assistance for the Sawdust Jubilee. 

It's a Slow Process but We're Getting There

            There was a magic show last night in Riddle but I missed it as I had told one of the girls that I would fill in for her at the library.  She hadn't been feeling well for a few days and my schooling is not as demanding when I have only one class.

            Last night I worked my first shift at the library.  I felt bad for not having received proper training or retaining those few things which I had learned.  I really think we ought to have a training session and will mention at our next meeting.  As of now, we are using cards and pockets as was done before computers.  Everything is filed by date - which presents a challenge when the book is returned without a date - or a pocket for that matter.  I think some books just get put in the drop when users have finished looking at them in the library, but had never been checked out, just returned.

            Somebody decided it would be a good idea to transfer the information to excel and look the information up that way - still we are finding that there are more steps involved than I think are necessary.  I know how to alphabetize excel so that it will work for me rather by date, title, client, or whatever . . . I'm just afraid it may be too overwhelming for some of those that I work with who may not even be familiar with how to turn a computer on - let alone be familiar with the programs.

            Starting tomorrow through Saturday is the Myrtle Creek Festival.  They have it every year about this time.  I think their official holiday is either the 24th or the 25th.  Jenna and I will be working two or three shifts this weekend.  The library will offer a game and rock painting - I'm thinking in two different booths.  I suppose I will learn more about it tomorrow.

            We had planned to walk in the parade on Saturday morning, but don't feel like we have enough support as we did on June 17th.   There is only 30 minutes between the time the parade ends to have the booth set up and ready to go.  It's a good walk from the school to the park.  Can't drive while the parade is going on.  Since we won't be in it, I don't know if we'll even make the parade this year or not.  We didn't go last year.

            It felt busy to me with book returns and patrons dropping by to either check out books or inquire about our existence.  There were a few who didn't seem to know that the library had ever existed in this town - some who were not aware that the library had ever closed and some who are not aware that everything is now volunteer run and we are still learning and trying to work out the bugs.

            Yesterday the pool area was decorated for Christmas in July -- which has nothing to do with the library. The pool is located near the library and some of our patrons had stopped in on their way to the pool or on their return.  I took these yesterday morning.