Saying Prayers

And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.  3 Nephi 20:1

String Cheese comes in the front door with a flurry of snow and excitement.

"Mom!  Come quick!" she shouts.  "You've got to see this!  It's not something I've ever seen in the wintertime!"

This week some friends of mine are going through a terrible ordeal.  It has affected me, my family, and friends very profoundly as we pray for the situation to have a positive outcome.  I welcome a little excitement and a diversion of my thoughts, so I quickly throw on some shoes, wrap Finn in a blanket, and follow SC back outside with my camera.

Heavenly Father forgive me for interrupting my prayers for little Gardy...I need to think of something else for a minute.

"Look!"  she says as she points to these tracks she found in the snow as she walked home from the bus stop.

"Hm!  Some kind of bird!"  I say.  "I wonder if its hurt.  Probably looking for some food.  Why hasn't it flown to warmer weather?"

Please bless that Gardy is not hungry.  Please help him to get to safety.

We follow the tracks and find "lift off".  Then we spot the tracks again a moment later.

We follow the tracks for awhile longer, wondering what kind of bird is around and what its trying to find to eat.  And why is it walking in the snow?  Is its wing hurt?

Please don't let Gardy be hurt.  Please surround him with ministering angels.  Please help him not to feel lost and alone.  
 
We lose the tracks as we go over the driveway next to our house.  The snow is packed solid from the trucks that cross it.
"Mom!  Over here!  More tracks!"  SC shouts.

Please let there be some good news soon.  

Sure enough.  It looks like maybe the bird is leaning to one side.  If its hurt I really want to help it.

Oh, Heavenly Father, please don't let Gardy be hurt.  Please please please. 
 
Deedle is down by the fence now and she shouts, "Grapes!  I think it tried to eat some grapes!"

Finn is smiling big behind his blanket.  He's been couped up inside all day.  We tromp through the snow to join the girls.  Its colder this week than any December I can remember.

It sure different weather in Haiti.  Always so hot.  I hope Gardy has plenty to drink.  I hope they're not giving him dirty water that will make him sick.  Please bless that Gardy can be snuggled in his parents arms tonight! 

I see that some of the grapes are pecked.  Do hungry birds like grapes  in winter ?  Where are you little bird?  I will help you.

Lord, is there nothing more we can do for Gardy?  I feel so helpless.  
 
Wait a minute...
"Girls,"  I whisper, "Look over there...through our fence."

It's Mrs. Quail!  No wonder!  Quails love to walk around and only fly when absolutely necessary.

Oh please oh please oh please let him be found.  And let him be healthy.  Please please help him.
 

"There it is! I'm going to the backyard!"  SC is off and running back, through the house, and out the back door into the back yard.  She thinks she's found a bird for us to save. She's even got a bucket to put her in.

But I think the quail is not hurt.  She likes walking in the snow.  But she could probably use some food.  The bird feeder is empty.  I didn't even know any birds were around in this cold we've been having.

Please let there be good news soon!  Please let me hear the news that Gardy is in his mama's arms.  Perhaps a little hungry but okay.  Please, Heavenly Father!

String Cheese and Deedle help me to fill it up then SC takes it over to the quail. 

Heavenly Father, why are some so blessed to live in a safe place, surrounded by nice things, comforts, food, love, and others must suffer?  Please help me, who has been blessed so abundantly, to help more, to do more, to be more like Thee.
 

Mrs. Quail flies up into a nearby tree, but we leave her the bird feeder and lots of seed on the ground for her to enjoy at her leisure.  We haven't done much, but hopefully this will help her out a little.  The adventure is over and we're all cold.  Time to go inside.

Thanks for the diversion, Heavenly Father, now I will get back to saying those prayers in my mind and in my heart.  Here goes another, "Please PLEASE please PLEASE please PLEASE please PLEASE let Gardy be returned safely to his parents tonight!"