As a stay-at-home mom and mother of two young children, Jenessa Boothby's life is already busy, filled with chores and clean-ups.

But Jenessa, whose husband, Kevin Boothby is assigned with the 52nd Medical Brigade at JBLM, still finds the time to help when she can.

Last summer, Jenessa and her husband took a 10-year-old orphaned boy from Latvia into their home for five months. The Boothbys first heard about hosting an orphaned child while visiting a church in their hometown of Maine.

"We listened to a singer tell about his experience hosting," Jenessa said. "It was through an orphan hosting program."

The Boothbys had trouble saying goodbye to their 10-year-old visitor, Ingus.

"He was such a good brother to Landon and he loved our little baby," Jenessa said. "It was a lot of work, but it was a good fit."

In the next few days, they'll send adoption papers to Latvia to adopt the child permanently into their home.

"It's been a lot of work, a lot of paperwork," Jenessa said. "But it's a child's life. It's worth it."

Jenessa has the spirit of volunteerism in her bones.  Recently, she picked up groceries people donated from base and brought them to the food bank at the church she attends, Lake City Community Church in Lakewood.

"The food drive was just something my son and I did for one day," Jenessa said.

"He loved it," Jenessa said of her 4-year old. "He did almost all of the unloading to the church because I was carrying for my 1-year-old daughter. My son is a trooper."

The church's food bank is called the Bread of Life and is part of an evangelistic mission, sharing food and scripture. Jenessa is hoping her son learned a lesson in the importance of giving as he helped his mom that day.

"That was my goal," Jenessa said. "I love giving back and I wanted to help the food bank. It's always been important for my husband and I to teach Landon to have a loving, giving heart."