Helping our first family!
At the end of November we received our very first application for a bed! I will never forget how excited I was reading the application. It was happening… like, for real happening! This application was for two children in need. Two families merged into one… now a family of six with one more on the way. During this merge, two boys ages 11 and 9 were given old hand-me-down mattresses that were lumpy, torn, stained, and hurt the children’s back when they tried to sleep. The boys wouldn’t sleep on the mattresses because the couch was more comfortable. The parents humbly asked for help and I felt like the Dream Builders of Indiana needed to answer their call.
I called the parent to touch base on what all the boys needed. They had a twin size bunkbed already, they just needed mattresses. We talked for a few minutes about their situation and I explained the process… I needed to talk with the Bed Committee and if everyone agreed, I would reach out for a delivery date.
I did just that. I talked with our Bed Committee. This isn’t exactly how I envisioned our first bed give-a-way to be, but I think in this case, it fits with our mission. The committee also agreed.
A few days later, I called the parent again to get a feel for what the boys liked, as far as bedding styles. Our options were stars and planets, dinosaurs, or a couple more neutral options. The parent thought more neutral, since the children were getting a little older. We then set a time and date for delivery. Off to the store I went to pick everything up.
Soon after returning home, someone (I’m not sure if they want to be anonymous or not) reached out and offered to provide custom embroidered blankets. Of course I accepted! What kid doesn’t love cuddling up with soft blankets?
DELIVERY DAY!! I was so excited. I loaded my truck with two sets of mattress’, mattress protectors, comforters, sheets, fitted sheets, two pillows, pillow cases, pillow shams, and custom embroidered blankets. Matt came over and off to the home we went.
We arrived and met the family. I could tell the boys were excited to see their new beds… but not as excited as I was to give them new beds. I let the oldest boy pick which bed set he wanted… seniority has its privileges. Matt and I spent the next 45 minuets or so removing the old stuff and installing the new mattresses and bedding. One of the young girls of the family hopped right up and was the first to try out the new stuff. I think she was trying to take over the bed!
After the beds were made and all set up, I saved the best for last. I gave each boy their custom blankets and they didn’t want to put them down. Those blankets really are incredibly soft. As we were finishing up, the boys had written thank you notes and gave them to us. This. This is why I do this. I’m not crying. You’re crying.
When the application was sent in, they did not want pictures taken and I will always honor that, but I really wish I could have gotten a group picture with the family. Maybe next time.
After we left, I stopped and reflected on the experience. Wow. We did good. God has put me on a path to do good for this area… will you join me?