Sweet Miracle at Church Today

Ken and I sit on the stand at church because I lead the singing, so we watched the whole thing unfold.  The high council speaker told a tender story about a little boy who longs to give his single mother a Christmas gift, but he has no money.  He is walking down the street, trying to think of something he could give his mother when he finds a shiny dime in the snow.  He goes to a store where the clerk informs him there is nothing he can buy for a dime.  He then goes to a flower shop, waits in line, then offers the clerk his dime and asks if he can buy a flower for his mother.  The clerk tells him to wait here.  He goes in the back and brings back a dozen of his finest red roses, ties a huge silver bow around them, and nestles them in a florists box.  He then says, "That will be ten cents."  The little boy is hesitant, so the florist says, "We just happen to have a special today- one dozen roses for a dime."  The little boy delightedly leaves with his treasure for his mother.  The florist's wife asks him what just happened. The florist explains that as he was opening the shop that morning, a distinct voice told him to set aside a dozen of his finest roses.  He now knew why.
The high councilor was very moved by the story and was crying.  It was hard for him to keep reading.  All of a sudden, from the very back row, up the aisle comes a little girl.  Ken and I had never seen her before.  She has Down Syndrome.  She is coming fast.  Her mother, seeing what's happening, jumps up and comes up the aisle after her.  She is followed by two more little children.  It's quite the parade.  The first little girl comes right up on the stand and, before her mother can get to her, goes straight to the speaker and pats his leg.  The speaker turns and looks down at her and pats her head.  They look at each other a moment.  It's a tender moment.  Then the mother gets to her and carries her off the stand, followed by the other two little ones.  I feel sure that this little girl heard Brother Hafen crying and came up to comfort him in the only way she knew how.  We watched our own little "Dime in the Snow" story unfold as he was telling it!    It was a sweet, little miracle at church.

Merry Christmas!

I was in a store this week, doing some Christmas shopping.  As I paid and was gathering my things to leave, I said to the clerk, "Merry Christmas!"  She looked at me surprised and said, "You're the first person to wish me a Merry Christmas this year.  Thank you."   Really?  That really got me thinking.  I've said it dozens of times already- mostly at rest homes and assisted living centers.  As we end our program, we traditionally call out "Merry Christmas" and then as we individually greet the residents, we wish them a merry Christmas. And in wishing it, I am filled with the spirit of Christmas.  I truly wish them the peace and joy this season can bring.  I realized what a blessing it is to me to simply say "Merry Christmas!" so often.
  So, in case no one's said it to you yet this year:

The End

I've been putting off this post because I'm sad.  The hummingbird story has an ending.  He died.  I'm sad.  I got attached to a hummingbird.  I'm glad I didn't name him.  The End

Hummingbird in the Snow

Are you ready for a really good story?  Well, we think it's a good story anyway.  First, let me give you a little background.  

I guess it's no secret that Ken loves birds.  We have a nice hummingbird feeder attached to our kitchen window. Ken faithfully keeps it filled with the perfect mixture of sugar water.   Not too many years ago that would have been wasted effort in the winter, but a few years ago one species of hummingbirds- Anna's- started wintering here.  We've had a pair of Anna's feed from our feeder year-round.  They have become our friends.  

Saturday, it snowed all day long.  It was very cold.  As a general rule, hummingbirds simply aren't made to last in very cold weather.  Ken was in and about the house all day and kept an eye on the male Anna's.  He watched him feed from our feeder, then go and sit in the tree just outside the window many times throughout the day.  At about dusk, he watched him drink and drink and then fly off.  But something was wrong.  As he tried to land in a tree, he couldn't and plummeted to the snow below.  Ken watched it happen and quickly got on his boots and coat and ran outside.  Sure enough, he found the little bird lying in the snow.  He had fallen and would have died.  Ken brought him in the house and we quickly found a box.  Ken mixed up some more sugar water and got an old feeder he had in the basement and put it in the box so the bird could drink. He got away several times through all this and flew around the house, but he was sluggish, so Ken was able to catch him and put him in the box and close it up for the night.  We worried all night long if he was alright in there.  We awoke to very cold temperatures (for us) and waited until about 10:00 to try to release the hummingbird.  Several years ago, Ken and Kristen's husband, Jared got to assist ornithologists in Arizona tag hummingbirds.  Before they released the birds, they would stick their beaks into the juice, kind of forcing them to drink. That way they would get nourishment right before being released.  That was Ken's plan this morning.  So he carefully opened the box this morning and captured the bird and tried to force him to drink, but he wouldn't.  He got away and flew around the house.  For the next half an hour, Ken chased the little bird around our living room and kitchen.  It was so funny to hear Ken talking to him, trying to convince him that he was just trying to help.  We had a good laugh when I reminded Ken that the little guy obviously didn't speak English.  The bird would land on something- always high up- and Ken would climb to catch him and he'd take off.  It happened over and over.  Finally the little guy got so tired that Ken was able to catch him and release him out the window where the bird feeder is.  Again, he stayed around all day- drinking from the feeder and resting in the tree.  His "wife" also stopped by a few times, so she also had survived the night.  Well, this evening, again at about dusk, he came and drank a lot and then just stayed there on the feeder.  We were both in the kitchen at the time and we watched and watched.  He puffed all up and it soon became evident that he was planning on roosting right there on the feeder.  That has NEVER happened.  He soon was fast asleep and laying down with his head on the feeder and his feet fastened to the stand.  All evening we kept checking and there he was, fast asleep.

We watched the late news and found it was going to get down to 10 degrees.  We just couldn't stand the thought of the little guy freezing to death.  So Ken went in and gently opened the window and brought him in.  So, as I write, the bird is in the room across the hall sleeping in his box.  Ken will release him through the window again in the morning.  So, I guess the story isn't the "The End" sort.  It's a continuing saga.  I'll have to keep you updated.  Here are some pictures of the adventure:

Our window hummingbird feeder.

This is the bird in the box when we opened it this morning.  He was sound asleep in the corner.

Ken gently captured him.  Don't try this at home.

Here Ken is trying to get him to drink as he was taught by the ornithologists.

He's waking up.

And off he goes.  He had a grand time flying all over in our house.  Because he got on Ken's finger last night, here he is trying to get the bird to land on his finger. 

He flew . . . 

And flew . . . 

And occasionally landed to rest- but always up high.  

Just as Ken would climb and try to capture it, off he'd go.  Finally Ken got him and sent him out the window.

These pictures were taken shortly after he was released and came back to feed.

Isn't he beautiful?

This picture is disappointingly blurry.  But this was taken when he came to roost.  

I guess we'll have to let you know what happens.  Is it alright to pray for a bird?

Snowed In

 Church was cancelled today.  We had a snow day.  It snowed here literally all day yesterday.  The official report was 6", though many people measured 7".  St. George city only owns one snow plow, so the roads are not cleared, and, of course the church parking lot is covered.  It is only 17 degrees right now, so under the snow is ice.  Very few people own snow shovels and approximately 0 people in this town own snow blowers.  So when it snows we're stuck.  I like being stuck.  It's delightful!  So instead of being in church today, we spent the morning chasing a male Anna's hummingbird around our house.  Yes, you heard me right. Check the next post for that amazing story!

Saturday- our view out the back.

Do you remember this old hymn that talks about the rosy light of morning when you wake up on the Sabbath day.  I always wondered what the rosy light of morning was.  Now I know . . .

The rosy light of morning. That's the western horizon really early in the morning.

The same view as the picture a couple above taken today.  It was just so pretty and sparkly and pristine.  

Our driveway was so snowy, we couldn't get the car up the hill last evening.  We went out to do a little bit of shopping and couldn't wait to get home.  Driving was scary.  

Our car spent the night outside.  A nice neighbor helped Ken dig it out this afternoon so we could get the car in the garage.

Icicles on our roof.

I know to many of you this is not big news.  But to us who rarely see snow like this, this is exciting.  I just wanted to take pictures all day long.  It was nice to spend a nice, cozy day at home.  We made homemade stew and hot rolls and enjoyed our own private "church meeting."   When I was a young mother, I dreamed of having a day like this.  I loved having my children and husband home.  I would dream of having a snow day or other reason that we'd all have to stay inside together all day.  It was a little late, but it finally came!  Tomorrow life is back to normal, but for these few hours we throughly enjoyed being "snowed in."

Recipe for a Nobel Peace Prize Winner

In a 6 foot, skinny man, add 1/3 George Washington, 1/3 Abraham Lincoln, 1/3 Martin Luther King and mix well.  Season well with some Mother Teresa.  Marinate for 95 years.  Results:

Rest In Peace

I Looked Out the Window and What Did I See? . . .

 . . . A sight we don't often see out our windows!  Let it snow!  Let it snow!  Let it snow~

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving hosted by Don and Ada (Ken's brother.)  Neither of us had children in town to share the day with, so we spent it together.

Who are those masked men?

Unfotunately, both Ken and Don had terrible colds, so thoughtfully wore masks most of the day.  They drew the line, though, when it came time to eat!

Our beautiful hostess.  

Is it wrong that there were more pies than people at this party?

We have so much much to be thankful for!  Thank you, Don and Ada, for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

A Blessing and a Baptism in Wisconsin

Ken and I got home just before Thanksgiving from a wonderful trip to Wintery, windy Wisconsin.  We went to celebrate the baptism of Brielle and the blessing of baby Audrey.  We flew in on Monday afternoon and Kristen picked us up at the airport.  There in the car, Ken met baby Audrey.  She is so dang cute. 

We hit the ground running as we planned to do a pre-Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday evening.  So that evening, I made apple pie with Nathan and Key Lime Pie with  Brielle.

We learned about being thankful from Tom the Turkey at Family Home Evening.

Tuesday, we made more pies and lots of other delicious Thanksgiving foods and . . .

went to the school to read to Brielle's 2nd grade class.

Grandpa read to Jakie in the pre-game show.

I read "Ira Sleeps Over" (one of the best read-alouds ever) to the 2nd graders.

Jared met us at the school and then he and Ken and Nathan went for a hike.

They got home in time for our Thanksgiving feast.

Audrey really likes her siblings and they can really make her smile.

The pies.

One day, we let the kids stay home from school, and Grandpa and the boys went on a hike while the girls went shopping at a fun Christmas shop that was going out of business.  

On Friday, we were back at the school.  Grandpa helped make Cranberry Trail Mix and I served cranberry juice (cranberry  day) and read a story to the 1st graders in Nathan's class.  He felt like king of the hill having us there.  We enjoyed taking the kids to school each day and picking them up most days.  They go to a great school.  We were so impressed with the staff and their teachers.

In the evenings, we had rousing games of All.  It was really fun.

Jakie loves Mickey Mouse road rally.  I personally don't see the charm.

Saturday morning started with the kids scrubbing bathrooms.  I was impressed how diligently and well Brielle cleaned this bathroom.  Reminds me of her mother.
That evening, Carolyn and Mitch flew in from Denver.  We tended while Kristen and Jared attended the Saturday evening session of their stake conference.

Sunday afternoon was the big event.  Before we left for the church, we snapped a few pictures.  Good thing, because I completely forgot to take any pictures once we got to the church.

The baptism girl, Brielle.  Kristen and I made her dress when she was here last summer.  I found the pattern I had used to make Kristen's baptism dress on ebay and ordered it.  We found eyelet lace that was identical to that that I used on her baptism dress.  So Brielle's dress looks just like her mom's did.  Kristen got more material and Carolyn made a matching blessing dress for baby Audrey.  It turned out so beautiful.  

The girls with Grandpa and Grandma Mackrory.

Baby Audrey Elizabeth was blessed by her father at 3:30 at the church.  It was a special small meeting with just the bishop and his wife (his wife, Whitney, is Kristen's best friend), the grandparents and the family.
The baptismal was held at the church 1/2 hour later.  The family had invited many friends that are not members of our church.  I think most of the ward was there, too.  It was a beautiful program.  Ken gave a prayer and Grandpa Mackrory and Jared spoke.  Kristen and I sang a duet "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" and the Primary president and bishop also spoke.  There was a very special spirit there.  After, they served sundaes to remind us of how important "Sundays" are as we renew our baptismal covenants.  It truly was a celebration.

We had to leave on Monday afternoon.  Kristen prepared a nice brunch for us and the Mackrorys,  and then took us to the airport to fly home.  We noted as drove in our driveway that evening that from Kristen's door to our door was just 8 1/2 hours.  That is just amazing that we can go to Wisconsin to Vegas to home that quickly.  What a blessing!   Thank you Mackrorys for a wonderful, wintery week in Wisconsin.