It was great to be back in the state where I technically reside – good ol' Idaho! I have to admit that it was really nice to be around family and friends for a week. As much as I love exploring the new, unseen parts of the U.S. (for my eyes that is), there is something to be said about the familiar.

I had a couple or really good volunteer options come from the submissions on 48by48.com, but was unable to make it to them because of time constraints, bad weather, and long distance driving. My hope is to serve at these places when I get back to Idaho next October.

The places I did volunteer at were as quality as they come. I connected with Journey Hospice and my friend Nikki who is the chaplain and volunteer coordinator. She informed me of a special project that came up and could use my help with it. We left Journey Hospice in Nampa and headed for the garage of a lady who used to be in the hospice care. She had made a recovery and was so impressed by the work of this organization that she wanted to help others with her ability to sew. She makes teddy bears for the family members of the those in hospice care from the shirts of their loved ones. Nikki informed me that this is a very meaningful gesture to those grieving and a much appreciated service.

The sewing was done in this ladies garage and needed it cleaned out and organized to keep making the bears. We arrived with bells on! We took everything out of the garage, including five (plus) sewing machines, tables, and the old carpet, then swept, dusted, and even vacuumed the area. We installed a newer carpet, put back all the machines, and moved a few things around (freezer, boxes, tables). All this was done without once stepping on her miniature pincher who would yip and nip at you anytime you came to close.

After cleaning finishing that dusty task, we made our way to the nursing home in Homedale, ID. Here we visited with a dear lady who had lost her husband recently and was in the home for apparent health reasons. She was sleeping when we arrived. After asking about her care and health, we opened the hymnbook and asked for her favorites. She liked them all, so we sang a wide spectrum of classic melodies from the faith. It was great getting to sing and even more fun having a harmonizer sitting next to me. We stayed no longer than thirty minutes but made a world of difference to this woman.

I quickly realized that hospice care is not a time-consuming charity. There are so many ways to help others in this stage of life and they take less than an hour. Find a way to get involved with hospice care in your community. You will be rewarded over and over by your ability to sit and listen to people wise beyond years. Seriously, contact the hospice ministry in your areas to find out about simple ways to help those who are dying and their families.

The other organization I partnered with this week was The Momentum Group. They work with refugees in the Boise area, equipping them with basic job skills, language training, and cultural assimilation. I originally heard about this group through a project they run called Common Ground. Since the growing season was over, I wasn't able to help in the gardens, but I was able to get involved with one of their six-week programs helping the individuals with the English language working in either a warehouse position or a cashier job.

I had a blast! I worked one-on-one with a few of the refugees, going through workbook exercises dealing with change counting and grocery store situations. I had a few a-ha moments while being involved. For starters, the English language is very difficult to learn. Even I was having a difficult time making sense of a few things and then trying to have to explain why we call a bag of food a bag of groceries. Also, there are sounds in our language that are not common in other languages and therefore make certain words hard to form. I take for granted the “th” sound. But in the Burundi language, the “th” and the “ff” sound similar and therefore harder to pronounce. I also realized how important it is for people to have an environment where they know they won't be laughed at or verbally assaulted for not knowing the language. The people I worked with were genuinely trying to learn and were so excited when they learned a new phrase - - their energy was infectious.

If you have a few hours to give each week, please contact this group. They are benefiting the community in so many good ways. It would be a shame if you didn't get in on this. Find a way to serve those who are new in your communities, whether they speak your language or not. You will be glad you did.

I also had a spontaneous Service To Others moment this week. While walking back to my car (I parked seven blocks away on purpose), I came across a man with a sign that said, “Anything will help”. I had a bag full of produce and told the man he could have anything or everything, his choice. He looked at me and cracked a smile. “I don't have any teeth”, he replied, “I'll just take the bananas.” I was happy to help and asked him if he had anywhere to go to get help. He said he didn't so I gave him directions to the Boise Rescue Mission and asked if he needed a ride. After declining the ride, he thanked me for the food and for the Missions address.

There are a ton of people out on the corners asking for help. My recommendation is to always know where the local rescue mission is located. I never give out money, but I always try to have something to give. People are still people even if they are beggars. I refuse to believe that everyone is a con-artist and that if don't help anyone, then those who are really in need will get left out. I'm still trying to sort out my complete philosophy about helping the corner beggars out, but will continue to do what I feel compelled to do until I am convinced to do otherwise.

Thanks Idaho! I'll see you again in eight months. Until then, push on to Oregon!