So That's Where All My Money Goes!

Most of you may know that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons) pay 10% of their income as tithing, but you may not know that we are also encouraged to give a "generous fast offering" each month - we generally fast as a church once a month and donate the money we would have spent on the two meals to the Church. I knew that the money goes to the poor in our area, but I got to SEE the amazing humanitarian work in action this weekend when I went with some girls from my Relief Society to the local bishop's storehouse.

It's basically a big warehouse where food/supplies bought by fast offering money is stored and distributed to the needy. There is only one paid employee - the manager - who supervises the "staff" (volunteer senior missionaries) and other volunteers like us. A sister missionary was full of awe and conviction for the work that's done here and gave us a grand tour. I learned some amazing facts:

- She considers this the 2nd temple in Maryland. The one in Rockville is for spiritual needs and this one is for temporal needs :)
- There are 34 storehouses in the US northeast region. This one (in Upper Malboro, Maryland) is the main one that distributes to the rest of them.
- The region stretches from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, and Maryland to West Virginia (I can't imagine traveling 100's miles to get food - feeling humbled and blessed).
- You don't have to be Mormon to get food/supplies, you just need to fill out a sheet through the local Mormon bishop and then come pick up the food for free.
- Some of this food also gets shipped to places around the world after, say, a natural disaster.

The Church also owns farmland and cans food to sell at very low prices for people's emergency food storage. This missionary explained that we often talk about being prepared for big disasters but this backup food supply can also help people during financial "bumps" such as car problems, health bills, etc. I'm so grateful for the teachings of food storage that helped me get through a difficult period of unemployment.

There was a huge freezer we could only stay in for a few seconds. Brrrr

We took a group pic before they split us up for various tasks :) We were so happy to be there and touched by the Lord's programs of charity and service that also teach principles of self-sufficiency and provident living.

I ended up helping measure and bag nuts :D

It was SUCH a wonderful and powerful experience, and I loved getting to know the girls in my Relief Society while we served :)

In other news, I got a new prescription and year's worth of contacts! I had way too much fun trying on glasses (and different personalities) while I waited for the eye doctor lol...

I also enjoyed helping Mike shop for clothes at the outlet mall (I advised against this coat cuz I thought the piping and cut looked too feminine).

Mike's roommate, Joe, came along and they both looked sharp in this jacket, but it was a bit out of the budget...

And of course, yummy and new foods were part of this foodie's week. After a long day of shopping, we had a delicious dinner at Olive Garden.

I ordered some kind of scrumptious creamy garlic-y shrimp pasta

Had the dainty limoncello mousse for dessert. Alot of flavor and richness packed into that little glass!

On Friday, I went with Mike to his coworker's house for Chinese hot pot, which is as much about the process of creating a soup together as it is eating it. Stuffed ourselves silly.

Earlier in the week, I stumbled upon a restaurant that's been on my DC bucket list for about 8 months - G Street Food, with a fun environment and an innovative international menu. I asked for a sample of the Tuna Thai Salad and instantly had to have it. I'm not a big salad person, but this salad blew my mind!

The week ended with a major surprise. I had signed up to sing "Where Can I Turn for Peace" and accompany myself on the piano at church this Sunday. I didn't have much time to practice and when I arrived, Quentin L. Cook (one of the 12 modern Apostles of the Lord) walked in with his wife and sat on the stand! I was flabbergasted. Apparently, nobody knew he was coming (he was sent here by the prophet to attend the presidential inauguration tomorrow) and the room was filled with a mix of excitement and reverence. My hands started sweating, my heart started thumping fast, and I tried to turn all my nervous energy into awe - I felt so honored to be performing for an Apostle! I just prayed that I would help invite the Spirit and hit all the notes on the piano and in voice. I was relieved to at least accomplish the latter.

Going through some other challenges in life but I couldn't ask for a more supportive network of friends or more loving Heavenly Father. Onward we go...