Creatures Big and Small

My children are lovers of many different kinds of creatures, whether they be real or imaginary. Often on our walks to school or parks it isn't uncommon for us to stop frequently to look at a ladybug, rolly-polly, tiny millipedes, or even the big clumsy June bugs.

Now with butterflies and moths emerging from their hiding places, my children want to explore even more! They love to catch the bugs very carefully, examine them, and then let them go. They are good little explorers.


We have also had a fun trip to see the rodeo grounds. We loved seeing and touching big creatures. As you can see, we also enjoyed exploring the machinery as well.

Our littlest bug, munching away at his fingers.
I just want to kiss those cheeks all the time.

Prayers

I just found out a couple days ago that my cousins little boy has gone in for his fourth open heart surgery. My heart fills with compassion and I pray that a miracle can happen for this little boy. He is about the same age as my little Benjamin.

Here is a link to their blog if you want the first hand information:

http://thewheatleyroundup.blogspot.com/

If anyone reads my blog, I hope that you will keep a prayer in your heart for this sweet little boy who has had to struggle so much.

Helping Japan

Japan holds a very special place in my heart and I feel my life is changed after the earthquake that hit last week. I can't stop feeling for them, and praying for them. I received an email from the school I attended while I lived there and they gave some sites that people could donate to, I added the church to the list as well, since it always helps as well:

LDS Humanitarian Services
http://lds.org/service/humanitarian?lang=eng

If you live in Japan:
Donations to The Red Cross Japan
(http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html)

Donations to a group fund for NGOs working in disaster releif including Doctors Without Borders and Habitat for Humanity [Japanese only]
(http://www.janic.org/bokin/matomete14.php)

Donations through Citibank bank transfer
(http://www.citibank.co.jp/en/customernotices/customernoticesindex/customernoticepages/cust_031211_01.html)


If you live Outside Japan:

Donations to the Red Cross fund for Japan
(http://www.redcross.org/)

*Donations can also be made through iTunes

Donations to Doctor's Without Borders fund for Japan
(http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate)

Donations to NGO funds through Paypal
(https://www.paypal-donations.com/pp-charity/web.us/campaign.jsp?cid=-12)

Donations through Global Giving
(http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/ or by texting JAPAN to 50555 to donate $10. The donation will be added to your next cell phone bill)

Donations to International Medical Corps
(https://www.internationalmedicalcorps.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=1967 or by calling (800) 481-4462. You can also text MED to 80888 to donate $10, which will be added to your next cellphone bill)

The Friend

My children love looking at the pictures that are in the Friend that are drawn by other children. Just a couple Sundays ago, they brought home these pictures from their lessons. I felt they would be good to add to the Friend, but just in case we never see them, here they are:

By Rebecca, Joseph Smith seeing Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

By David, President Monson our prophet.

By David, The Temple