LDS Humanitarian Center

As many of you know, this year for Keri's birthday party she asked all of her friends to bring a gift for the LDS Church Orphanage instead of bringing one for her. Much to our amazement each of her friends donated generously, all 32 of them. It was both rewarding and humbling.
Today was the day we made the trip to the Humanitarian Center to drop everything off. (I know, her birthday was 4 weeks ago. But sometimes, that's just the way it goes at the Cooper home.:D) I wanted to make it a whole family experience so we waited until the kids were out of school and Mark had a free day.
The first thing we did was load the supplies into the car...

Then we went up to the Humanitarian Center...

And went on a tour of the facilities...

All of the donations that they accept for the LDS Church Orphanage must be new. Hence, the birthday party...

After watching a wonderful 10 minute video of "Ye Have Done It Unto Me" we unloaded her donations...

Then we took a few photos for her scrapbook. (Well, the scrapbook I'll put together when I have the time.)

I love the scripture in 2 Corinthians 8:14 that describes charity "But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want:that there may be equality."
There have been many times where I have mistaken charity as those who "have" giving to those who "have-not". But this is not the true meaning. Charity is "the pure love of Christ." There is no one who is better than another. We are all needy and dependent on God. For everything! And this little experience has opened my heart just a little bit wider this holiday season...