The gift of time...

Ashley, I love you.  You are so amazing.  Sometimes when I am having a weak moment I think of you and your wonderful spirit, patience and organization and it strengthens me to be better, like you.  For my gift of service this year, you gave me time.  When a service opportunity presented it's self, I thought for a minute that no, I can't do this, it isn't directly Ashley related and I don't have time to do it anyway.  That's when it hit me, Ashley would make the time. 

One Saturday a few months ago I was at work and was called out to the ticket counter to help.  I was told a gentleman was buying a ticket and smelled to much to be allowed to fly in his current condition and he had no ID.  When I first saw this man, my heart was warmed and yet fell at the same time.  Here was a man I could tell has had some hard times and not a lot of love, his name is Richard.  His clothes were very dirty and his hair and beard were unkempt.  He even had some tomato juice in his beard, which my agents first thought was blood.  His mind I could tell was fading from this earth and not all with him.

I talked to this sweet man and learned that he served in the Air Force and was currently living in a home that is offered as an alternative to living on the streets called, The Anchor House.  He wanted to buy a ticket to California because he didn't like where he was living.  He said he had family in California and Las Vegas.  He had $600 in cash.  I asked if he had a phone number for his family so I could call and make sure they were able to pick him up.  He didn't have a number for them so I used Google to see if I could find one and I did.  I called his son who lives out side of San Diego.  His son said he couldn't fly there because there was no place for him to live and he couldn't take care of him.  He gave me the number of Richard's brother in Las Vegas.  I called his brother and again the answer was the same.  Richard had to stay in Anchorage because none of his family would take him.

The Anchor House was already on their way to come pick Richard up from the airport.  I talked with this man who had no family member that would take him and my heart broke.  When I told him that his family said he had to stay here, he said well if they don't take me I will go and just live in a shelter by them.  I told him that wasn't an option as the Anchor House was in charge of him.  When the representative from the Anchor House arrived, I asked what kind of place was it and I was told it was an option for people who have had issues in the past and instead of living on the streets they lived there.  After doing more research I found out it focused on people with mental issues.  I asked if I could visit and they said yes.

I told Richard that I would come and check on him and his eye light up as if...someone cares about me.  Oh, great, now I committed myself.  This was about a week before I was going on our family cruise before Darcy went off to BYU Hawaii.  I was thinking I don't have time to do this, but yet, I hadn't done my gift of service and I would make time.

Two days before we left for our cruise, I stopped at the Anchor House and a whole new level of compassion flooded my heart.  I have thought hard how to explain this place and I am still at a loss.  It is a building full of people that either have mental issues or past addiction issues.  It is a permanent shelter for them.  They do have a staff that provides meals and passes out medication but that seems to be the end of the job requirements.  The residents must clean themselves and their clothes on their own and they don't seem to be able to do that. 

On my first visit Darcy was with me and it was very sweet.  Darcy felt inclined to bring along a Book of Mormon that she gave to him.  Before I visited with him I thought this was going to be my one visit and that I would be done, check that off my list.  But after seeing his place I knew I would need to come back. 

I have visited with Richard three times.  This past time I decorated his room (with the help from my kids).  Wayne and Darcy came that time and as we were driving away we saw him in his room just staring at the decorations.  I know what you are thinking, Amy, why didn't you clean up a bit while you were there?  Agreed, I thought about it but being as I am not sure of his mental state, I didn't want to upset him.

Ashley, thank you for giving me the time to do this service to a man that needed just a little love and attention.  Love you so much Ash, and I am so glad Heavenly Father sent you to our house to live.

His Room Before and After