The missionary handbook specifically councils against catching or touching animals while serving a mission. However, how could I pass up the opportunity to come in closer contact with an animal that has long been my favorite? Yes, I caught a hedgehog. The spiky little friend was crossing the street on a rainy night and as soon as I realized what it was, I yelled to my companion to stop the car. I flew out of the still rolling vehicle, not minding the drizzling rain, and ran to where the animal had hidden under a car. It was hiding behind the wheel, but I decided I had to at least touch it. I reached around the tire.... and it let me pet it! So I carefully reached around it's side and started to reach under it to pick it up. As soon as my cold fingers found it's soft warm belly, it curled up to protect itself. I picked up the surprisingly heavy ball of spikes just as my companion ran over to me after finding a parking spot.
I convinced her to snap a quick picture before the weight of the creature pressed the spikes any harder into my hands and gently let it go near a hedge. (I thought it might feel at home hiding under it's namesake.) It was a short-lived adventure, but one I had secretly wanted to check off my "mission bucket list." It felt to me as though God had given me this little moment with one of his beloved creations to show me that He knows me and my secret wishes, and loves me. :)
