This week we laid sod in our backyard. This is a very exciting time for us, as we've had a big mud pit in our backyard for quite some time. Scott had mentioned to our bishop a few weeks before the sod was delivered that we'd be doing this over spring break. The bishop thought it'd be a great idea for the youth in the ward to come help us. (The bishop is mean to the youth and thinks it's good for them to do hard work... I'm sure they will appreciate it later, even if they don't now... :D)
Last Sunday, we mentioned to the youth what we were doing and when. We didn't really expect anyone to come help us lay the sod. That's really hard work and it was during spring break- a time when everyone would have other plans- even if it was just avoiding work. We figured we'd be doing it on our own, even though we hoped a few people would come help so it didn't take the entire day.
A father and son team showed up the morning of and were waiting with Scott in our driveway even before the sod was delivered. By the time we were done, we'd had about 20 people come to help. Some came later than others and some had to leave before we were done. But we had TWENTY people come to help. And to top it off, MOST were the youth. (And I'd like to point out that at least half of the youth were the Young Women. The young women in our ward are TOUGH! :D) We had the sod completely done from start to finish in just under two hours.
This is a huge deal. Scott found out Monday (we laid the sod Tuesday) that his oral defense for his second Master's Degree (yes, SECOND- go SCOTT!) was Tuesday at 10. The sod was scheduled to be delivered at 9. We were stressed about getting the sod laid. We had two worries- one was that no one would come help and I'd be out there alone trying to lay sod while Scott did his defense. The other was that people would come help and Scott would have to leave and go do his oral defense. We knew his defense would take a full hour.
The sod was delivered closer to 9:30 than 9, and as a result, Scott didn't get to do much at all before his defense. But we were 95% done when he came out from his defense- with word that he'd passed and was done with his degree. By about 11:15 the job was entirely done.
We now have a beautiful backyard, and our kids have loved it. We still have some work to do, but it is now all aesthetics that can be done over years and we will still have a nice backyard in the meantime. This is something we have wanted ever since we were married- a nice backyard for our kids to play in.
Work is not a bad thing. Apparently the youth in this ward have learned that well. Not only did they all volunteer to come do a very taxing job, but not of them complained about it once while they were here. They have also obviously learned the value of service. We will always welcome them at our house, but the honest truth of the matter is that they may never enjoy the lawn in our yard. But they still came. I know of at least one of the youth who postponed a trip in order to come help.
Always be willing to serve. Also, always be willing to accept service. I think Heavenly Father wants us to be good at both. Just a thought.
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