One miracle and two craft projects

I have heard from a couple of reliable sources that people are getting tired of my Florida report. The problem is finding just the right topic to follow up on a fabulous stay in a south Florida resort. I know...how about a miracle?


Bill and I have had colds for about a week. Not too bad--just kind of persistent. By Friday morning, I felt like I was really on the mend, while Bill woke up a little more congested and kind of cranky. He had not slept well the night before. Friday afternoon he called to tell me that he didn't feel good and was heading home early. When I saw him walk through the door I couldn't believe he had made it home by himself. HE LOOKED BAD!!! He was disoriented, feverish, shaking with chills and achy all over. He climbed into bed and I started praying. Honestly...in 36 years of marriage, this is the sickest I have ever seen him, including two years ago when he had bad cellulitis. I called the doctor's office, but they couldn't see him and suggested going to the urgent care center. Bill refused. He's too big for me to drag out to the car by myself, so I called Carl. He was in Las Vegas at a trade show. I was really getting frantic. I didn't know if this was another flare-up of the cellulitis or pneumonia. We've had flu shots, so I didn't think it was that, and I was really worried. I had given him Tylenol when he came home, but three hours later, his fever was back, higher than before. I told Bill I was calling our home teacher. By this time, Bill was too weak to fight me.

Our home teacher, Brother Newman, is in his 70s. He and his wife just recently returned home from a mission to Houston. He is a fine, faithful man. He found a companion and they were there in less than 30 minutes. Brother Newman gave Bill the most specific health blessing I have ever heard. He blessed him that he would be well within 24 hours. He blessed him that he would be able to attend church on Sunday AND teach his gospel doctrine class. Then he went on to explain to the Lord how much he enjoyed Bill's lessons and how much he, personally, would miss him if he weren't there to teach.


At 4:30 in the morning his fever broke and, fours hours later, he jumped out of bed, said he felt great, and asked for pancakes. Then he went to the office and worked for four hours, came home and fixed a broken door latch, then spent the rest of the day finishing preparations for his Sunday School class which he taught today.


I am so grateful for the power of the priesthood and for answered prayers.

Since I didn't have to spend Saturday in the emergency room, I found myself looking for a project. (Now I'm going to brag a little about myself.) I guess I could have done some Christmas shopping. But, wait...I'M FINISHED! Or I could have written my Christmas cards...ALSO FINISHED!!! I did those at Bill's office Saturday morning while I watched to make sure he didn't overdo. So I remembered that I had a bunch of red felt leftover from the Clement girls' poodle skirts. While Bill did home repairs and worked on his lesson, I made these:

Neither project involved a trip to the store, so I consider them "free." Bill disagrees, since at one point I paid for everything I used. Regardless, I LOVE making something out of scraps and discards.

Wednesday morning we leave for Thanksgiving in St. George. Carl, Heather and the kids are also going. We will enjoy the traditional Croshaw's pies and the craft show on Friday at the Dixie Center. We will be home Monday evening, after first enjoying a Cracker Barrel breakfast in St. George to celebrate Carl's birthday. Awww...good times.