So this is an interesting story that I really don't know how or what to make of it... We decided to be entrepreneurial this week and drive around Bozeman and pick up Christmas trees. We have friends that have done it in the past and they were able to make pretty good money at it. So the four of us loaded up in the truck and headed out in search of the trees planted in people's snow hills that they so carefully placed to make it look like they have a real tree growing in their yard. (Surprisingly, lots of people do this.) It was almost like garage saling and almost got the same high of finding a pink or bright orange sign as I did finding these transplanted trees floating in the snow. Well the first little old lady that answered the door was so pleased that we had come to collect her tree until she heard that we wanted to also collect $5 to haul it away. She mysteriously turned into a very capable and willing person to manhandle her own tree into her car and haul it across town and rid herself of it herself. Kind of aggravated by the change in tone, I took her tree anyway. An empty trailer doesn't look good. Trees in the trailer would lead others to think that it is the cool thing to do. Everyone should send their tree with us. As we made the next few stops, I had some successful attempts at collecting the $5 dollars, but it was very awkward as they all were delighted at first to find that some good soul was taking pity on them and collecting their Christmas tree. However, more than not we left the house with the tree still transplanted in the snow bank. I was beginning to feel like this business venture was a complete waste of time. I decided to just take their tree even if they didn't want to pay for it. The next house a middle aged contractor type man answered the door ecstatic that we wanted to haul off his tree. I awkwardly stood there waiting for him to make the first move about how much it would cost to haul it off. Turns out he suggested that he "donate" money to the cause. HAHA! Perfect! I didn't have to charge him, he would just donate his hard earned money. And would you know it? He donated $10! This idea stuck for the rest of the afternoon. I no longer charged anyone and if they asked I told them donations would be accepted to the Poor Stewart family college fund. HAHA. I only got a couple of weird looks and only one person maybe me promise to donate some of the proceeds to scouting... The funny thing is that those that donated gave an average of $10. Those that didn't feel it needful to donate were still blessed with the absence of their floating tree. All in all we made way less than minimum wage today, but I think we may have brightened a few people's day and they to us also.
It just really goes to show that when we forget ourselves and serve others (even though we were accepting donations) we are blessed. I know that the Lord wants us to be happy. But, sometimes we just have to not do things how they make sense to us and do them how He would have us do them. We shall see how the rest of the week goes! And if anyone would like a trailer load of Christmas trees to transplant in your snow banks... you know who to call.
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