Pay it Forward

Remember how I almost lived here.

My dad was born and raised on a farm in Coalville, Utah. He tried to raise his family on the farm until my three oldest siblings and a neighbor burned it down....

I think he was hoping to instill in us the values he learned as a child growing up a farm. Farm life is hard, it is unforgiving, to have food on your plate, you must work.... AND work my dad did. From sunup to sunrise....15 hour days...feeding, plowing, harvesting, cleaning, building,...you get the picture. I truly believe my dad is who he is because of his farm life.



The other day I got a phone call from my mom, "Tawny, a check is in the mail. Go cash it and buy your kids some new bikes. Dad and I really want to help you out, we are so sorry about your storage unit and we know it's small, but please let us help."
" Oh and the other thing, please don't tell your kids it's from us, just tell them it's from you. We don't want them to know. "



I was taken back and told my mom," no thank you, you have so much to worry about, the mission, your home, so many other places to put your money..." My mom interrupted me and said, "Stop, we want to help. You know we always try to help any way we can, this is a small gift compared to all you lost. Now go buy those kids some new bikes."..and some day, Pay it Forward. That's what we do.



I have always admired their example of giving. Growing up, we would have sales people come to the door while we were all eating dinner and my dad would say, " Have you eaten dinner? Please, won't you come in and join us? Have some food, sit down. " Surprisingly at least half of the people would sit down and eat with us 10 kids. My mom would quickly get up and get a plate of food for the "new guest." We all looked around awkwardly not knowing what to say, but my dad would have no problem with small talk, "Where do you live? Do you have a family? What do you do? We would know all about the salesman by the time he left....


My parents have always been giving in what they have. I believe much of it comes from my grandparents, teaching their families that you always help a neighbor in need. There is always something you can do whether it is as simple as a bag of groceries or a bale of hay, anything to help ease the burden.

Geez, I really needed that moment in my life! Lately all I think about is me, me, and yes, me....I have gottten so wrapped up in my own little life ....I definitely needed this reminder of service and what I can do to help others ... even if it's in a small way.





We surprised the kids last weekend and took them to Wallmart and walked to the bike aisle. They knew we weren't replacing their bikes so they looked at us with curious eyes. "Surprise!" I said. Grandma and Grandpa wanted to do something special for you and wanted to buy you new bikes." The sheer joy on their faces.....! New bikes, no way! They were jumping up and down. So sweet.

So thanks mom and dad, we appreciate your kindness and yes, we will pay it forward!




Austin, Ashlyn, Jakers, and Mace thank you every single day as they ride their new bikes.....