This year we had the opportunity to do a lot of things that helped us to feel the love of Jesus Christ for those around us. We’ve been so grateful for the things we’ve had, especially during such difficult times around the world. We had the chance to help people all around the world as well as people closer to home.
Giving Machine at the Oakland California Temple
This year there was a Giving Machine at the Oakland Temple that we got to go see. We helped buy goats for families in need, help to support healthcare workers, and provide clean water. As we were walking around the temple we felt so grateful for both the physical and spiritual blessing we’ve been given.
“Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father, whom I created.” (D&C 29:34)
We were reminded that every commandment Heavenly Father has given us is for our spiritual good. So when he asks us to love one another and serve the people around us it isn’t just to make us feel better about life on earth. All of these things are to help us strengthen our spiritual relationship with God.
Working with Ethik Collective
At work, Kyle had a conversation with their office manager and found out that every year Index sends out hundreds of gift bags for Christmas to all their founders, limited partners, and friends of the firm. The office manager was in charge of selecting the gifts that were included in the basket. Usually they send expensive gifts and scarves. Kyle shared a project that was started by some of the people he worked with at BYU called Ethik Collective.
While we were in Uganda we worked with some of the people that started Ethik. They were working with tradeswomen in Africa who made jewelry and clothing, and would help them sell the things they made around the world instead of just in their local market.
For their holiday gifts Index selected three people from countries around the world to include things that they had made. This helps them support their families as well as sharing local culture around the world. We felt grateful to have helped promote these projects to a much bigger group of people.
Empathy Sales: Helping People to Help People
We had a surprise opportunity to help some people closer to home. A man named Cornell knocked on our door and told us about his experience losing his home during Hurricane Ida in New Orleans. He had the opportunity to work with an organization called Empathy Sales where they go around selling books that are then delivered to a variety of locations. We had the chance to donate over 500 books to the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital in Oakland.
