Colibri and Mr. Red

I've told many of you this story before, but I will share it with you all now. If you've heard the story, read this anyway because I will tell you how the Colibri continues to show up for us. Colibri is a hummingbird in spanish, by the way.

J's mom was a gem. She loved us so and was delighted when HV, her first grandchild, came home when J's mom, Grammy, was almost 80 years old. Grammy LOVED hummingbirds and red birds. She would make her sugar water mixture and put it out for God's delicate creature, the hummingbird. She would dice up (yes, I mean literally cut) her stale bread into cubes and put out for the redbirds. She said they liked it better that way. Grammy passed away in May 2001, having been able to spend a little over 1 year with HV. When we moved into Grammy's house in the summer of 2003, we would often have bird visitors come see us. In the kitchen area, there was a high window that had no blinds or curtains--it was too high for anyone except birds and squirrels to see in. Many mornings, we would hear a tapping on that window. There would sit "Mr. Red" as we called him, tapping on the window, trying to get our attention. He would then make eye contact with you, just sitting on the window sill, looking in. We would also see a random hummingbird in our backyard, coming to have a taste of the lantana or other flowers we had. We have always felt that this was Grammy, coming to check on us. Back home, Mr. Red always had a way of "appearing" whenever I needed a little reassurance. He would land on the window sill in the kitchen as we were having breakfast. He would land in the backyard as I looked out the bathroom door. Always in perfect timing, of course--just when I needed to see God's reminder of His constant presence and care.

Well, I haven't ever seen Mr. Red here in Guatemala, but the Colibri is a different story. I've been to Guatemala many, many times and I don't ever see many birds except for the good ol' black bird. Last August when I made a trip to Guatemala and was lucky enough to have HG with me in my hotel, I was so sad because our time together was coming to an end. The orphanage folks were coming to pick her up that afternoon. I was holding her, looking out the window together (yes, I was crying, Chick-A-Dee) and lo and behold, the colibri appeared. At first I thought, look at that big dragonfly. Then, she stopped and actually sat on a branch so that I could see her splendor. So delicate. I knew it was Grammy, letting me know that she was there, watching over me and HG, and that it would be ok.

Fast forward to the day I listed all of the prayer requests on the blog (Saturday, I think). I was sitting in the little office area of my bedroom, looking out the window at the girls playing below. I saw something flying around the top of a tree. Yep. The hummingbird. Now, I feel quite certain that she was checking on me or at least reminding me of the presence of Grammy/angels because that tree has no flowers and there would be no reason for a hummingbird to be exploring the top of that particular tree.

Fast forward again to yesterday. The girls and I were exploring an old Catholic convent which is now mainly ruins, built in the 1500s. We had climbed to the top and I said to HM and HV, "Look at that interested plant. I wonder what that is." Well, HV shouted "Mom! Look! A hummingbird! Grammy is here!" We called J, leaving her a message about our "visitor." We were all so excited. At the entrance/exit of the convent, there was a woman selling/making things. She had many angels (we collect those in our family room at home) and some mosaic pieces. HV said, "Oh Mom. Look. We NEED that one." I had glanced at her work when we arrived and told her we would look more when we left so that I didn't have to carry the items we purchased around (I did, after all, have HG on my back). I didn't, however, see this piece before. A mosaic of two birds, one being Mr. Red. Of course, we had to buy it. The girls have all gone to bed now and I'm typing by the light of a small light, but I'll take a picture of it tomorrow and post. It will be lovely in our family room.

Today, we went swimming with our new neighbors at the pool. We also were able to meet some friends I email with that are also visiting Guatemala. I had shared the hummingbird story previously with one of the ladies (maybe both, but I don't remember for sure). These friends are staying at the hotel where we swim and so had a chance to visit briefly this afternoon. HV says, "Mom! Look! A hummingbird!" The one lady, M, said, "Oh, where? Show me!" So, we pointed it out to her. She then said, "Oh my! I have never seen one with my own eyes before AND that's YOUR BIRD, K!" Yep, it's my angel bird, Grammy, checking in on me.

I've been discouraged today. HG is doing SO GREAT! She is coming to me for her needs, she is affectionate with me (and with the girls at times). She is learning so much. She had such a fun time at the pool, even going under the water and laughing, asking to do it again--trusting me to be there to protect and keep her safe. And then I become afraid that I will have to return to TX without her because I will run out of time from work or I will run out of money. I've been talking to God about it, of course, and I know that He knows the limitations I see. The hummingbird visitor today was just yet another reminder for me that God is here. He's here in Guatemala with us. He's at home with J. He's with you too. I'm a planner, a do-er. I want to know how it will all work out. My dad always used to tell me that I needed to own my own company so that I could tell people what to do, since I need to be in control. I have felt through this all that God is saying, "K. Let me. Be still and let me." This has been such a learning experience for me. I want to plan "it" and He says "no." It's difficult for me to be obedient, but I am trying. And then, the hummingbird appears, letting me know that He is here. So, I have a little more spring in my step this afternoon after seeing my friend, the colibri. God sure knows when I need to see Him, doesn't he? I know that many of you are praying for us. Thank you. I know that God hears all of our prayers and perhaps it is your prayers for peace for us and reminders of His constant care and love that have sent the hummingbird my way in the last 2 days. I've needed it.

Back when I shared the hummingbird and red bird stories with my friend, M, that I saw her first hummingbird today, we were discussing (via email--she's not from the US), about looking for God around us. Looking for Him in the little things, like the hummingbird. God isn't about religion. He's about a relationship with us. When we start looking for Him, we can see He's everywhere. He's in the birds. He's in the beautiful flowers. He's in the lush green landscape like my sister reminded me a few days ago in a comment. When I step back and look at God like that, I am reminded of His goodness and His grace. It makes me want to be closer to Him.

I'll leave you with a photo of HG. Today while having her pachita that she asked me to give her, I had a praise CD playing on the portable DVD player. She sat and listened to the whole thing after she finished the bottle of milk. I guess she was spending some time with the Lord too. She was just laying on the bed, listening to the music, but when she saw the camera, she sat up and said, "Hi, Monny" just as I took the picture.