Bell Ringers

We came.  We rang.  And we froze!  The boys and I volunteered to ring the bell for the Salvation Army this year.  We signed up for an earlier weekend and canceled because it was going to be 7 degrees outside.  Standing outside for 2 hours in 7 degree weather is too cold to try and teach the lesson of charity to my children.  So we cancelled the 7 degree weather and opted for the next weekend which was a balmy 32.  32 is still cold but Cody was home that weekend and I knew he could come and get the boys when they were done ringing.  We paired up with our friends Jennifer, Elijah and Luka in hopes that having some company would hold everyones interests longer.  Well... at least we tried.  Cole lasted 15 minutes before I called Cody to pick him up.  By the time Cody arrived, Case had thrown in the towel as well.  Elijah lasted over an hours and I picked up the last volunteer hour solo.  I think 90% of the money we earned was when the kids were outside ringing bells and saying 'Merry Christmas' as they chased each other around the red bucket.  Kids really do sell.  I hope to enstill charity in my children and pray that this will be one of many things we can do together in order to think of others needs.  After everyone left I spent the last hour of our shift cold and shivering to my core.  I was really able to ponder how a homeless person survives the winter without a place to live.  I think a couple more of my dollars will be going in the red bucket as a result of volunteering.