September 2008

July brought the HOT weather....usually in the high 90's up to 105 degrees. That didn't stop people from coming to St. George.

One group we especially enjoyed were about 15 orphans from Kenya. They were between 10 to maybe 15 years old. They were traveling around America trying to get donations to help the orphans in Kenya. They anticipated their trip through America would take about 3 months.

One of their traveling-leaders was a LDS Branch President in Kenya. He had personally adopted many orphans, though he is not well-to-do. They had contacted Church members and were referred to places where they could perform and they usually stayed with Church members, though most children and escorts were not LDS. Arrangements were made for them to stay with members of our home ward in Ivins. Their Branch President was escorted throughout their stay by our good friends, the Boyles--with whom he also stayed. He kept saying---'this home is like a king's palace.' BrotherBoyle took him to do Temple sessions and they took a private tour of the Temple. He was so thrilled with everything!

The children were given a chance to perform at the pre-show at Tuacahn a couple of nights. They sang beautifully!!

We were going to be at the Brigham Young Winter Home when they planned to take a tour there. So, Elder Hansen and I decided to be prepared. I made little snack-sized packets with a flower of Dixie cotton( grown at Jacob Hamblin's), a pamphlet of the Brigham Young Home and a note of encouragement and love for each of them. Elder Hansen decided to share the almonds from the little trees in our back yard.

So, when they arrived, Elder Hansen explained about Brigham Young and the Cotton Mission pioneers. They sat with their arms folded and listened intently. Then Elder Hansen took them into the Brigham Young Home. In the parlor he asked the children to gather under the picture of Brigham Young that was made for his 75th birthday, which he had celebrated in St. George. He told how the people of St. George had a parade and sang two songs especially written for the occassion, and how the children dressed in their best and sang for their prophet. Then he asked them if they would sing for Brigham Young in this same room where the children had celebrated him so long ago. The children sang 'I Am a Child of God'---all verses, in English. It was a very touching moment for the missionaries---we hope for them, too.

Then, he took them outside to continue the tour. One of the nut trees the pioneers grew in Dixie were almonds. On the back patio, near the almond trees, he explained how to get the almonds out of the pod and crack the shell. He had picked the almonds that morning, so they were fresh---you could open them with your fingers. He had a five gallen bucket of nuts and an empty one for the shells. They gathered around and ate every nut---in a very short time!

When they had to go, we handed them the packets and shook hands and gave hugs as they climbed back onto their bus. It was a happy day for us!

It made me think again of what we choose to do with the precious time we have to live here on earth. Some people have spent their lives in unselfish service to others--it doesn't matter how much money they have or how smart they are. These are the people who can smile and be at peace because they know they are doing what God asks us to do---love one another.