Ducklings, Dogs and Chicks

   Almost a year ago, after our traditional Saturday morning breakfast with friends, Kirk and I headed North on I-15 to  do the grocery shopping and run errands that we save to do together each weekend. It's one of my favorite days of the week! As we were nearing our exit an 18-wheeler whizzed past the driver's side passing us and pushing a duck into our path.  In the blink of an eye I saw feathers flying and ducklings scattering to the barricades on the right side of the freeway.  We looked at each other in shock and I said, "There were baby ducks!"  I didn't have to say more (that never stops me..).  Kirk exited the freeway, entered the freeway headed South to the exit we just started from, got back off the freeway and then back on again headed North.  I had a blanket in the back seat and we travelled in the farthest right lane watching for anything that may resemble ducklings.  We finally saw two and Kirk pulled over in front of them.  As soon as they saw us they turned around and started running in the other direction so Kirk quickly ran in front of them and started chasing them back towards me. They came close enough that I was able to throw this giant hot pink blanket over them, scoop them up and get back in the car all without anyone else losing their life!  We must have looked crazy to all of the motorist speeding by.  With adrenaline aplenty, we headed straight to IFA which, as luck would have it, was just off the next exit.

   Kirk went in to get the needed supplies to keep these little babies alive while I continued to hold them within the blanket.  It was so cold and I had not felt them move so I cautiously parted the folds of the blanket to make sure they had survived our rescue attempt.  Umm...wow! How amazing was that first real view of these helpless little creatures who were clearly enjoying the warmth of the blanket and the blasting heat from the car. Despite being recently orphaned, scared, tired and cold, they were alive and promises were made right then and there that I would do everything in my power to make it up to them.

   We got home and quickly got to work introducing the ducklings to the powers that be, AKA Buddy and Crazy.  The latter really didn't seem to care too much about the newest additions but Buddy was smitten.  He quickly became the self proclaimed protector and helicopter parent of the ducklings, watching over them whenever anyone tried touching or getting near them.  Some times he would lick his chops.  This made me a bit nervous.  Is he just waiting to eat them?

   Kirk had a beautiful set up for the ducklings with food and water and a heat lamp for the warmth they would need.  We watched them for almost three hours because what else do you do when you have ducklings? We tried to get them to eat or drink but they wouldn't, or couldn't or maybe they just didn't know how.  I suggested we go back to IFA and get a couple chicks who were freely eating and drinking at IFA without anyone showing them how.  Maybe they could teach the ducklings how to survive.

   We did just that.  When I saw the multitude of chicks in the big aluminum trough chirping away one thought struck me, "These are all bigger than our ducklings!" The 14-year old chick-professional guided us to the chicks that had just arrived and were less than 24 hours old.  They still seemed bigger than the ducklings but they would have to do.  I pointed to two different breeds, picking a Buff Orpington, now known as Parmesan, because she seemed calm in the chaos of the throngs of chicks, and an Ameracauna known simply as Chicken, just because she looked sassy.  My chick picking strategies were lacking at the time but things have turned out well!

   We headed back for home, introduced the new girls to the dogs and then to their new coop mates.  Parmesan immediately marched over to one of the ducks, looked it over and pecked it in the eye.  I guess she was just waiting for her moment to shine.  Within fifteen minutes the ducks and chicks were eating and drinking and bonding and cuddling.  I cannot express the relief I felt.  I imagine the ducklings were relieved too.  I am certain they grieved over the loss of their mother and siblings and while this wasn't plan A, it was an okay plan B.

   Tune in next time and watch Buddy babysit the growing brood!
 

37,000 Words

   It’s 25 days in to 2019 and I am already feeling like it has been quite a year.  There have been some wonderful things and some down-right emotionally and physically draining things.  But that is precisely what makes life worth living, isn’t it? The sprinkles on my sundae!

   Kirk and I were in Texas last week with family as my sweet Aunt Polly made the transition from this life to beyond the veil.  We spent quite a bit of time gathered in her room reminiscing about so many wonderful memories through the  years.

 At times it was quiet and we all were either in our own thoughts or reading or scrolling through social media.  Kirk decided to reread the blog I wrote about his motorcycle crash and subsequent broken back. I followed suit and found myself crying over the multitude of blessings we experienced at the hands and hearts of family and friends.  I was reminded of the growth that happened personally, in our marriage and in our family and I was profoundly aware of Heavenly Father’s hand in granting not only a full recovery but an amazing experience for us.  He truly knows and loves me, and you.
   Rereading the blog gave Kirk and me a lot to talk about... such fond memories of time spent with loved ones, even if he was a captive audience! We shed tears several times as we discussed our kids, family, friends and even people we hardly knew that went out of their way to help us during those 6 months. It truly was a blessing to go on that adventure with everyone.
    Writing as often as I did during that time was therapeutic. I enjoyed talking about what we were learning through our adventure and hoped that our experience would be able to help someone at some point.  I didn’t realize how much it was helping me!
   I guess what I’m trying to say is....I have a lot say! Kirk is always saying “Women use 37,000 words a day...” what he doesn’t realize is that we only use that many because we have to repeat things for our hubbies when they tune us out!  Seriously though, I like putting my thoughts into words and putting those in to print so... I’m going to give this blog another go and I invite you to come along!
 
 

Heavenly Father Loves Everyone

The tears I am shedding are from the ache I feel for those who are so angered by the policy clarification from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on same sex marriages and the children, natural born or adopted in those families.

When I first read the news article I was stunned, even angry.  How could they not allow children to be blessed or baptized? Isn't that punishing them for choices made by someone else? Doesn't our second article of faith state that we won't be punished for Adam's transgressions? I thought we love everyone! This didn't feel like love.

I immediately started praying for help in understanding this.  It was only minutes before I got a text from my oldest daughter asking if I had read the article.  I told her I had and then I prayed even harder knowing what the next text would ask.  She asked what I thought about it and with divine guidance I was able to express to her the following:

"When I first saw the headline I felt mad but then I read the entire statement and realized that once the child is an adult and making their own choices they can choose to join the church.  It is difficult in our society to draw a line of right and wrong. The church must draw that line with their policies so that everything coincides with the teachings of the gospel. We don't believe in same sex marriage but we do believe that every human being has certain rights. Those rights don't include changing the definition of marriage but should include civil rights allowed to all.  If someone chooses same sex marriage it doesn't mean that they are loved or valued any less, it just means they choose not to live by the guidelines of the church. I probably don't fully understand the depths of the policy but I know that President Monson is a prophet of God and speaks for him. If nothing else, I trust that and will certainly come to understand the whys."

Through the next few days and with continual prayer to my (and your) Heavenly Father, I feel so much peace in the policy and it's clear protection for the children and their parents.

I am only a whisper in the fury of the social media storm but I shall whisper nonetheless.

As a child I attended church.  Alone.  On occasion one of my brothers would attend with me but, for the most part, I went alone.  Our home life was less than ideal with many financial difficulties, alcoholism and violence that shaped our lives in many different ways.  There was love in our family but there was also a brokenness that seemed to never get repaired.

Being with my ward family at church was a refuge.  A calm in the storm of my life. I belonged. But there was also a deep sadness as I listened and learned the gospel and made the connection that my family wasn't living this gospel that I loved.  It was not a welcome response at home when I started asking the "why's", especially, Why don't you come to church? My parents had their reasons, the most memorable response was that the "Bishop couldn't answer their questions".

We had some neighbors move in next door from South Carolina, the Allen's.  They had three daughters, the youngest being just a year or two older than me.  We became friends and eventually I was invited to a sleep over.  That night, before we went to bed, the entire family gathered in her parents bedroom and kneeled around the bed to say a family prayer.  This was completely foreign to me! The father said the prayer and he asked for a blessing for me and for my family. My little heart skipped a beat....this man just asked Heavenly Father to bless me and my family! I remember laying in bed that night with my mind racing at this thought.  It was that night that I believe I was converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not at my own home with my family, but at the home of someone who was living the gospel to the best of their ability.  I found myself wanting to be there as much as I could. I started noticing gospel centered actions in other friends homes and found myself gravitating to their homes too. I knew that this was what I wanted in my own family, I wanted my children to feel that and to have a family that lived a gospel centered life.  I have tried to instill that in our family and while not perfect, I am comfortable with my efforts.

Reflecting on these experiences has made the policy clarification of children in same sex families not being blessed at birth or baptized until age 18 an act of love for the child and their family.  No child wants to attend church and learn that their parents, the same people who they mostly view as their heroes, are not living the gospel. What good would come from that? In my own life experience it has caused grief and brokenness.  No one would wish that on a child or on the parents.

I loved the explanation this video with Elder Christofferson gave.  Please take 10 minutes and watch it.  I hope the peace I feel will fill your hearts.  I love you and I know Heavenly Father loves you. He wants the best for all of his children and he continues to show us the way.  It is not easy but I testify that it is worth it.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/handbook-changes-same-sex-marriages-elder-christofferson


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The Best Is Yet To Be

January 1, 2015. The day millions of people make billions of resolutions that are usually forgotten in a mere matter of days. Why do we do that?



So, I am not going to make declarations about all of the things I am going to do or change or think. I quite like where I am at and who I am. In fact, I plan on enjoying everything that already is just a bit more.



Today, I just want to let you know that I will be appreciating every person, place and thing in my life for exactly what it is, a blessing.



Consider yourself thought of and loved.



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