We went and visited Grandpa and Grandma Ballard this evening. Grandma Ballard turned 82 today. I love visiting with them. I asked her what her favorite birthday year so far has been and she said I can tell you which one wasn't. She said on her 9th or 10th birthday her teacher got mad at her and made her stay after school. She paused for a minute and said it was probably Mrs. Robinson, I never liked her. I asked her what she could have done to make her teacher angry and she said I probably talked too much. We both laughed. I realized that is where Kyle gets it. Kyle can talk and talk and talk, a trait I wish I had. Sure I can talk but he can talk to anyone about anything.
Gus turns 3 on Tuesday and Grandpa was asking him about it. Gus can tell you his birthday is November 12th, it sounds more like nomber 12. He will also tell you he is turing free (3). Grandpa proceeded to tell him that when he was 3 he lived out on the ranch in Cane Beds. His parents were homesteading out there. Gus loves the ranch so he thought that was pretty neat. Grandpa always tells Gus that he is his best cowboy and thanks for helping the cowboys out at the ranch.
We gained a lot of knowledge today in the 30 short minutes we were at Grandpa and Grandma's house. We have made it a point to go and visit them more frequently as of late, and every time we leave we say we were glad we stopped. We often don't take the time and find it kind of a hassle to go and visit but every time we do I am glad we went and thankful for the knowledge they gave us.
“She can’t see! The fever has left Sister Stratton completely blind!” The news swept rapidly through the little pioneer town of Virgin, Utah. Sister Emily Amanda Gardner Stratton, beloved Primary president in the Virgin Ward, had lost her sight following a sudden illness. She had lovingly and faithfully served the children in this southern Utah town for 15 years, and she had helped many of the ward members in times of trouble. Now she needed help. But what could the children and ward members do?
The local doctor had done everything he could for her and had advised her family to take her to the nearest hospital, which was in St. George, Utah. He said her only hope of seeing again was to receive the help available at the hospital.
For weeks, the doctors in St. George tried every treatment they knew, but nothing worked. When their last treatment failed, Sister Stratton sent word that she wanted to come home.
The children and Primary workers in Virgin had prayed diligently for her recovery. When they learned the doctors had given up, they were even more determined to do whatever they could to help their dedicated Primary president.
Someone suggested they hold a special fast for her. The children knew that if they fasted and prayed with faith, Heavenly Father would help Sister Stratton in ways they could not. Heavenly Father would hear their prayers and answer them according to His will.
It was difficult to go all day without food, but even the youngest Primary children fasted and prayed for their beloved leader.
That evening, they all met at the tiny meetinghouse to close their fast with prayer. Afterward, they felt great peace and joy and knew that Heavenly Father had heard their prayers. The sunset was glorious, casting rays of red and gold throughout the western sky as they went to their homes.
A few days later, Sister Stratton’s wagon creaked as it rolled along the dusty road toward Virgin. The children and Primary leaders hurried to greet her and tell her of their special fast.
“What time was your fast meeting, children?” Sister Stratton asked.
“It was at sunset!” one child exclaimed.
Sister Stratton sat back. Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke. “At sunset on that day, I was sitting in a chair by the west window of my hospital room. As I looked up, I saw the sunset for the first time since the fever stole my sight. Yes, children, I can see!”
The loving prayers and faithful fasting of the Virgin Ward Primary had been answered with a miracle. For the rest of Sister Stratton’s life, she was blessed with perfect eyesight.
[illustration] Illustrated by Jerry Thompson