Tough Times...

Monday was a sad day for Ally and Kaitlyn. Our rooster, Buddy died.

The girls have experienced a lot with animals through the passed few years. We've had several pets and hunting is a part of our lives. Most of the animals are for our enjoyment; dogs, cat, goats and fish. The animals we hunt have been utilized for food storage. Over the past year, we have been raising chickens. We've learned a lot in caring for them. The biggest learning curves have been adapting to eating farm fresh eggs (brown eggs and the color/texture is a little different) and eating a few chickens for dinner (this experience was around halloween...another dramatic situation that had a good outcome). I share all this because we've never experenced an animal dying for an unknown cause.

Buddy was our only roster. Ally's had an attachment with this chick since February. She felt she had him trained and he listened to her. She felt this way because she was easily able to catch him and he didn't ever run fast like the others. She would carry him around the yard and keep him close during our nice weather days (you all know how often we have those). The other night, Jeremy noticed that Buddy wasn't drinking or eating much. He saught advice from a friend, the tips didn't seem to help. Ally was always there to assist. She checked on Buddy every hour or more until bed time, putting him in a safe place where the bigger chickens wouldn't be able to peck him.

The next morning, Ally went out to get Buddy and make sure he was alright. He was still alive, but very fraile. She needed to finish getting ready for school and I asked her to come back inside. When she put Buddy down, he fell over and the tears began to flow. Ally ran into the house to tell me the news. Again, Buddy was still alive. We found a better place for him to rest with food and water close by. I told Ally she probably needed to say goodbye because Buddy probably would not make it through the day. This is where the drama began! She had said "special prayers" for Buddy, she knew he would be okay because Heavenly Father WOULD answer her prayers. She didn't understand why Buddy wasn't getting better..."Why isn't Heavenly Father answering my prayers??!". She felt she was doing everything she could to make him better. "I've prayed for him, loved him, fed him and helped him, why isn't he getting better!" (let me add a few stomps of the foot and grunts along the way). Jeremy and I both said a few words to help comfort. Letting her know that Heavenly Father doesn't always answer our prayers the way we want Him to and that He knows what is best for Buddy. I then sent her off to school....with e-mails back and forth from the teacher through out the day. Choice time: was coloring pictures of Buddy with her friend Jillian and sending him words of comfort.

What great opportunities we have as parents to teach a few principles of the gospel!

Let me add Kaitlyn's drama....which was all out of the love for her sister. Ally's crying and frustration got Kaitlyn all riled up and upset (crying for an hour after getting on the bus). She was praying that Heavenly Father would help her sister. "Sister loves Buddy, please help her to be better"

Kaitlyn was happy to see Buddy when she got home....surprised that he was dead and so hard (sorry if that's too graphic). She wanted to put Buddy in a special box so he would be safe and the bugs wouldn't get him. She felt we needed to have a funeral, like Little House on the Prairie. "That will help Ally Mom....that's what we need to do for family night" (It was her turn for lesson and activity). We are so proud of Kaitlyn for showing so much compassion and love for her sister! The lesson and burial was a hit and huge lesson for all of us!

Ally, Kaitlyn, Friends and Family,
Please ALWAYS remember:
Your Heavenly Father loves you and does hear your prayers! There are times (and will be many other times) when He does not answer your prayers the way you want him to. There will be times when He answers no. There will be joyous times when He answers your prayer quickly and answers yes. There are times when He will have you wait for an answer and it will seem like He never will. I promise you, He will answer! Whatever our situation, we need to have faith. He knows what is best for each of us. There is a plan for each of us, He will guide the way. I know someday we WILL understand why we go through the trials we do and we will be rewarded for perservering with faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.


Who would have known that a few days after this family drama, there would be a sudden death of a brother in our ward (at church) and I would be directly in charge of helping to assist with this family. My heart aches so much for this young family! I am thankful for the opportunity I've had through the week to recognize my testimony in prayer and in our Heavenly Fathers plan for each of us!

Mandy,
You have been through so much!!! Thank you for your testimony and faithfulness! Who would have thought that the day after your husband's death, you would attend church and plan to attend the temple early in the week. You are setting such a fine example for your children and your ward family. You are showing your faith in the Lord. I'm sure Kevin is caring for your sweet Carissa right now.
Andrea