about 10-12 years ago, a family in our ward, who's husband was deployed at the time to Afghanistan, was driving to church when they saw a red tail hawk in the middle of their road in a wooded neighborhood. They thought it would fly away as they got close to it, but it never did. They hopped out and saw that it was distressed, panting hard. It was probably a juvenile who recently left the nest and got tired out.

The family was concerned about the bird, called animal control but it was closed given that it was a Sunday. They didn't want to leave it. They were also unaware that raptors are protected by federal regulations. They emptied out a diaper box from their trunk and their fearless 12 year old daughter approached the bird, held out a stick, the bird bit the stick, she grabbed the bird and boxed it....and then took it to church.

I first saw the bird as they walked in holding the diaper box. We eventually drove back and released the bird. But not after someone who frequents this board made the suggestion to release it in the gym during the 5th Sunday lesson. Of course we didn't do it, but the thought still makes be smile. The fearless 12 year old girl ended up going to Virginia Military Institute and is now in the Air Force.