Flamingos - Connections & Feasting

Did you ever watch James Burke's PBS show Connections? I was fascinated with the interconnections. Often when I'm reading, a word or phrase will trigger a string of thoughts. It's interesting to see where those connections go. 

I was reading "Feast Like a Flamingo." Before getting into the article my mind took off on flamingos. 

My mother liked to encourage Joe's propensity towards gazing balls and other such lawn decorations. At some point she figured since he liked gazing balls, he must like flamingos. That led to flamingos for our garden and other flamingo gifts from Mom and others who decided to get in on the act. We even have a set of tiny flamingo decorations for our year round Christmas tree. 

When we were in the Bahamas on our mission, we saw the "marching flamingos," at the Ardastra Gardens Zoo & Conservation Center. As you can see from this youtube video, the marching looks more like birds trying to get away from the yelling man. 

Now - back to the article - "Feast Like A Flamingo." The author talked about connections her mind made when she saw flamingos at a zoo. She learned that their bright color comes from their food. If they don't feast on enough beta carotene, their feathers are white, not the distinctive pink or orange associated with flamingos.

That led to thoughts about what she "feasts" on and how her body and spirit reflect that "food." That led to thoughts about Christ and how important it is to feast on the words of Christ. When we make Him, His words, His work, and His love integral parts of our lives, people can tell. It shows in our words and our actions - in our countenances. 

 "…Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32:3)

"And now behold, I ask of you, …, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" (Alma 5:14)

Image from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/

I learned that the plural of flamingo is either "s" or "es"