Angel Mutual has Begun!

Since my last post on Special Needs Mutual in September, much has happened. We have been very busy organizing and filling board positions. We are now fully staffed with the exception of a few more advisors and specialists. We have spent a good deal of time meeting and planning.

Special Needs Mutual became a reality last Thursday evening, November 13, 2008.

I had spent the day with my mom helping deliver the Pioneer Shopper paper all the way over to Kanab and back. It was a good thing I was busy and distracted. I might have spent my day worrying about Angel Mutual.

It was a wonderful, marvelous spiritual experience! Every board member took care of their assignments without any hitches. We had approximately 48 special needs participants and about 50 youth counselors. We had some parents stick around to watch; some bishops and stake presidency members came to observe and find out what the buzz is all about. So with SN participants, youth counselors, board members and visitors, we estimate there were at least 125 people there.

I can't express the feelings I experienced that evening. The joy on the faces of the special needs individuals would have been enough for me; but as I looked around I could see the joy in the faces of the youth counselors, the parents, the adult leaders and even the visitors. President Lyman was beaming. He spent the entire evening with us moving from activity to activity. The spirit of the Lord was very keenly felt by everyone in attendance.

I spoke with a mother who had brought several special needs persons that night. She did not hesitate to tell me that she is not a member of our church, but she was amazed at what she witnessed that evening. She is so anxious to tell all her friends about SNM and encourage them to participate.

We are doing the Lords work. The miracles have already begun!

Meeting the "New" McCracken Family

On Sunday, September 21, 2008 we were privileged to meet the "new" McCracken family. It has been quite a journey watching this Colombian adoption unfold over the past year. I am so grateful Rachel and Adam were so willing to share this adventure with anyone who was interested.

In the afternoon Juan P (Wompy) & Ezzie came by with their dad to visit Jaime & Rob. Jaime and Angie were in the process of making chocolate chip cookies to take to the McCrackens later in the evening. Wompy and Ezzie thought it was great fun to help.

We came bearing gifts for the children. It was so fun to watch them. They are pretty good at sharing and taking turns.
Their anticipation as they waited for the pieces to pop up was delightful.
My heart leaped as I remembered how one of the dreams Daniel had was to have a dad who would play with him.

It was amazing to watch the gift of tongues in action in their home. Both the children and their parents seem to be able to make their wants and needs known. However, there are times when a little extra help is necessary. Uncle Rob took the time to explain the chore chart, the purpose of clothes hampers, how to rinse the dishes and make sure they get in the dishwasher BEFORE they get in the cupboards. Hands on lessons were included.

There is a wonderful spirit of love and gratitude in the McCracken household. What an example they set for all of us!

Innocence in It's Purest Form

David Aldous & Angie

David has been in love with Angie since they met in junior high school. When they were in high school and old enough to date, we did a triple date with them and David's parents, John & Susan Aldous. We went to Applebee's because that is Angie's favorite place.

David turned to me out of the clear blue sky and said, "Heavenly Father made Angie just for me. We can't be married in this life, but I know we will be together in the next life." He caught me off guard. All I could say was a sheepish, "Oh?"

He has managed to keep in touch even though we moved away from Draper. On August 23, 2008, David and his parents came to visit for the weekend. We went to dinner at Golden Corral and played games afterward. Saturday morning the guys took a walk up Half-way Wash. We then enjoyed a brunch at the house and more games. In the afternoon Susan and I and David and Angie went shopping for a few games for David to take back to his group home. Duane and I were busy in the evening, but David and his parents took Angie to a movie and for an ice cream. I think she really enjoyed her weekend with her special friend and his parents.

David has Prader-Willi Syndrome. He has some reasoning difficulties and problems with handling his frustrations, but his biggest challenge is food. I can't imagine what a living hell he must be experiencing because his body is always hungry. He has never known the feeling of being satisfied. As a result of his penchant for eating, he gets himself into a little trouble with his caregivers.

But he is a sweet young man. His intentions are always pure and he wants so desperately to do the right thing, especially when it comes to Angie.

I really don't know how Angie feels about David. She doesn't really talk about him much, but she is always excited to see him.

I think it will be wonderful in the next life when these special children of our Heavenly Father are no longer restricted by their imperfect human bodies and minds . . .