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Time:第 62 次例會,2006年7月1日(週六)下午2:30~5:00
Place: viewtopic.php?t=15
14:30~15:30 gossiping and chatting
15:30~15:45 Ice Breaker session
15:45~16:00 intermission
16:00~17:00 topic discussion
Host: James Shi
Assistant Host: Sandra Huang
Topic:It is more blessed to give than receive.
( Source: http://www.rctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ar ... 0/MTCN0305 )
By Lillian Mills
Special to The Star News
"There is more happiness in giving than in receiving."
Jesus Christ knew what he was talking about when he spoke those words. They are words that hit home for me a couple of weekends ago as I traveled to Alabama and Mississippi to help repair houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
I joined 24 other volunteers, from congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Nashville area, on the four-day trip. After witnessing the devastation in Biloxi, Mississippi, I came to appreciate so much more my blessings in life. Although we spent two full days repairing roofs, the human interaction is what made this weekend memorable.
It was in Mobile, Alabama that I met a five-year-old girl named Chloe. Her grandparent's house was damaged during the hurricane and badly needed a new roof. Although their names were included on a list of individuals whose homes were in need of repairs, they did not know we were coming until they pulled up in the driveway late Friday morning. By then, we had managed to tear off all of the old shingles and were getting ready to start laying down the new roof. I will always remember the grateful look on her grandmother's face as she got out of the car, then hugged us and thanked us for being there.
It was her precious granddaughter, however, who stole my heart.
I knew I had made a new friend when Chloe proceeded to pick flowers from the yard and bring them to me, one by one. Her grandmother said she did that for people she really liked.
She walked me around her yard, showing me all of her favorite spots, and introduced me to her two dogs and cat. She also sat next to me in the group photo that was taken at the end of the day.
Once she realized we were getting ready to leave, however, tears filled her eyes and my heart simply melted. I gave her a hug, took down her name and number and promised to write when I got back to Tennessee.
With that, she dried her eyes and gave me a smile I will never forget.
Later, I found out that Chloe had lost quite a few people close to her, which perhaps explained her sadness at seeing us go. I am so glad to have played a small part of what will hopefully be a fonder memory for her year from now.
You never know how your actions can brighten someone's day just by showing genuine interest. This is so true when it comes to our children, especially those affected by adversity.
Many of the volunteers, including myself, are making plans to return to the Gulf Coast in the months ahead to support the relief effort.
Perhaps, then I can visit Chloe and let her know that someone is thinking of her. After all, this little girl taught me a valuable lesson in giving. What I learned is that there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.
Lillian Mills is a resident of Hendersonville and submitted this account of her experiences helping hurricane victims.
Questions:
1. Why is it more blessed to give than to receive?
2. What is the most valuable thing you want to give to your family, friends, or this society?
3. How do you know what you want to give to others is really good for them?
4. What will you do if others do not accept what you want to give?
5. What is the thing that you do not want others give it to you?
6. What will you do if you can not receive what you want to receive?
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