Akron Ohio Stake News

submitted by Sister Sheryl Weaver

There are certain hymns that remind me of my childhood. When the music would start, and I realized it was one of my favorites, I would sit up a bit taller and sing a bit louder. I know now, looking back, that I didn’t always understand their meaning and didn’t always get the message. One of my favorite hymns was Scatter Sunshine. Now that I’m older and can understand the message, I still sit taller and sing louder when we sing this song.

Listen to these wonderful words: 

In a world where sorrow 

Ever will be known, 
Where are found the needy 
And the sad and lone, 
How much joy and comfort 
You can all bestow, 
If you scatter sunshine 
Everywhere you go. 
Scatter sunshine all along your way. 
Cheer and bless and brighten every passing day”

I love that the words in this song go on to say that little kindly deeds will help remove sorrow. Our Heavenly Father knows our sorrows and wants to help us. We have many scriptures where Christ has shown us by example that we should serve others and that by doing so, we serve God.

In the New Philadelphia Ward, we have had people Scattering Sunshine with little kindly deeds that have meant so much to those they serve. During this past year, when so many have been stuck in their homes, members have stepped up to help some of those who were unable to get out.

We have a sister who loves to read. She is in a care facility, so members have dropped off books to help her have new material. The primary children have sent pictures and little kind thoughts to those in the care facilities. One of our sweet Young Women has become Pen Pals with one of our sisters who doesn’t get out much. They have come to really enjoy hearing from each other.

Cookies and treats have flown all over the ward boundaries as members have tried to scatter their little kindly deeds. We have a brother who is an excellent baker. He has won awards at the fairs with his yummy pies. He has been known to show up at members’ homes with pies and apple dumplings. When he caught wind of a sister that has returned to school and has a large family, he delivered a delicious chicken dinner and dessert to help out her busy schedule.

We have members volunteering at food banks and then participating in making a meal for those in need in their community. Sisters have helped each other out babysitting when crazy school schedules are a struggle. Brothers have helped to install kitchen floors.

The sister missionaries sent me a great little note I’d like to share with you of someone Scattering Sunshine. “Sometime in December we were at Aldi and we just trusted that our missionary funds would have reloaded but they didn’t so we didn’t have enough to cover our groceries. It just so happened that a sister from our ward was there and caught us in our plight. While we were calling our mission office, she paid for our groceries! We honestly felt so bad, but so grateful. It was so much sweeter when we discovered later the money was actually from the mother of that sister who is in a care center. She knew that her mom would be so happy to cover us. When the mom in the care center found out she was so happy that she could be of service even from the care center. So we all felt blessed all around.”

I love that the sisters realized that all involved in that act of service were blessed. There are so many examples in our ward, and I am sure in each ward of people showing little acts of kindness. I am grateful that the Savior has taught us by example and that we are able to follow His example and serve others.