In April of 2013 at the Semi-Anual General Conference, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency stated, "To all who feel they walk in darkness, I invite you to rely on this certain promise spoken by the Savior of Mankind: 'I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.'"
As a member of this wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ, not only have I witnessed this light in my own life, but I am beginning to see how the light of Christ within me is becoming a light in the darkness that others may fall upon. Not only this, but I witnessed tonight, a miracle so beautiful; I saw the love that God has for his children!
Just the other day while browsing through my Facebook Newsfeed, I came upon a status from a childhood friend that really troubled me. They questioned whether anyone would really care if they were gone. This broke my heart not only because I have felt that pain of feeling unwanted or unloved, but also because no one should have to feel that they are not cared for. I brushed it by, scrolling past with a heart of saddness. Little did I know how the Lord was going to use me to be that light in his time of darkness.
Miracle #1 What a grand miracle it was when I logged into Facebook not even two days later when I see I have received a FB message. It was from him!! He has said hello, and asked if I had remembered who he was, with my response of, "Of course I do!" After messaging back and forth for a few minutes, catching up on old times, I asked how he was doing...and that I had seen his facebook status the other day. He mentioned that life was pretty bumpy right now. It was at this moment that a phrase in my Patriarchal blessing came into my mind. I KNEW that gifts that I had been given were for specific moments such as this. So I wanted him to know so badly that NO matter WHAT, his Father in Heaven would ALWAYS love him and care for him, but I had no idea how I would do it. I With a prayer in my heart, the words came clear that I could share with him how I met people from my mission in Hawaii just like him, and how by learning and taking hold of the Gospel of Jesus Christ I saw their lives transform!! I invited him, that if he was interested in learning how he can feel true peace and joy in his life, that I would love to share it with him.
Agreeing upon this, I then had the thought to tell him about "The Book of Mormon!" I could not believe it. I did not want to freak him out by any means, but I've learned WAY too many times to not argue with the Holy Ghost. I told him how this wonderful book will help him find his way towards true and everlasting JOY, with his response, "I just might have to take you up on that!" Within the next couple of minutes he excitedly tells me that he had downloaded the BOM to his phone!! I shared with him my testimony of Jesus Christ, and told him that if he EVER EVERRR felt like no one cared, that he MUST know that I, ANNIE MOYES, will always care, and more importantly, that Heavenly Father cares and loves him.
I cannot express what a miracle this was. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has placed people into my life that I may touch and teach them!! What an exciting time to be alive! I invited him to read Alma chatper 36 Alma the younger and his trials, and how he never let his gaurd down! I cannot wait for him to read it!!! I love sharing this gospel so much! It is true, and changes lives for not only this time, but for all eternity!!
21 November 2013
04 November 2013
In Every Needful Thing
This past weekend has been one of many miracles! My Sister Kate and her husband, Ryan, had to, at last minute, fly to Utah for their Grandfather's funeral, leaving me to watch their two precious children, Carly and Connor. As Kate and Ryan were in my prayers during this difficult time, I could not help but feel blessed and honored to be able to spend this time with my niece and nephew.
For those not familiar with my family, Connor is three years old, soon to be four in March. At the age of two he was diagnosed with Autism. Autism has affected him in many ways, including his speech, his motor skills, and ability to adjust to change. He is very set in his routine, and if something changes, it can be a very big upset. He is also very particular in what he eats and what he watches on the t.v. That being said, he is also the most precious, sweet, friendly, loving boy you will EVER meet in your life. He will give anyone a hug, or blow them a kiss, and has to say 'hi' to everyone we meets. I know that Heavenly Father has a special place for him in His heart. I could feel this so strongly when taking care of Carly and Connor this weekend. There were so many mighty miracles that were performed. Although they seem small, they had very large
Miracle #1 Every day, the same routine. Wake up myself, wake up Carly, get her dressed and ready, prepare her cereal. Go back upstairs, wake up Connor, let him turn his light on, shut his door, and he finishes off with turning off his humidifier and noise maker. I then pick him up change his diaper put him in his clothes, then bring him down stairs for breakfast. Carly is already off to school, so Connor and I have time to play until his bus comes at 11:30. When both he and Carly come home from school at 3, he knows that immediately it is time for his nap. Around 6pm I go to wake him up, same routine. But this time, I need to be sure to have a movie playing on the t.v. for when he comes down. Browsing through the movies in knowing what to play, I went to put on Cars, when the sudden thought came to me to put on Toys Story 3; a thought so quiet, had I not learned from life's experiences what this was, I would have easily dismissed the thought, thinking I knew better. This could not be the case. Our Father in Heaven is mindful of every needful thing. I turn on Toy Story 3. I go upstairs to wake Connor, whom, while changing his diaper keeps requesting, in these words, "Bzz Liyer, Bzz Liyer!" Translation: "Buzz Lightyear, Buzz Lightyear!" I know, had I not put Toys Story 3, he would have come down those stairs seeing the movie Cars on and put on a fit that could have delayed dinner for at least a half an hour, which on a night where baths were in order could have set many other routines OUT of order. A blessing, a tender mercy, my miracle.
Miracle #2 We then come to when I wasfeeding Connor and Carly lunch on Saturday. I was cutting an apple into slices for Carly, when I again felt inspired to leave some slices because although Connor begged for blueberries, was not going to eat them. After finishing his sandwhich, I encouraged Connor to eat his blueberries. He defiantly said his usual, "NO!"...there is no point in arguing with that, it will just continue on to an Emporere's New Groove moment (nuh uh, ya huh, nuh uh, ya huh, etc.). So I, knowing I had left apple for him to eat, asked, "Connor do you want some apple?" With a sweet tone and smile on his face he said, "Affle!" I said yet another prayer to Heavenly Father for blessing me at this time. It was these small little moments that testified to me each day of His love for His children.
In the scriptures we are told to cry over every needful thing. I know that if we always have a prayer in our heart, we will see many mighty miracles. God is our Father, and we are children of God. He loves us more than anything in the world, and wants to help us, even in every needful thing.
For those not familiar with my family, Connor is three years old, soon to be four in March. At the age of two he was diagnosed with Autism. Autism has affected him in many ways, including his speech, his motor skills, and ability to adjust to change. He is very set in his routine, and if something changes, it can be a very big upset. He is also very particular in what he eats and what he watches on the t.v. That being said, he is also the most precious, sweet, friendly, loving boy you will EVER meet in your life. He will give anyone a hug, or blow them a kiss, and has to say 'hi' to everyone we meets. I know that Heavenly Father has a special place for him in His heart. I could feel this so strongly when taking care of Carly and Connor this weekend. There were so many mighty miracles that were performed. Although they seem small, they had very large
Miracle #1 Every day, the same routine. Wake up myself, wake up Carly, get her dressed and ready, prepare her cereal. Go back upstairs, wake up Connor, let him turn his light on, shut his door, and he finishes off with turning off his humidifier and noise maker. I then pick him up change his diaper put him in his clothes, then bring him down stairs for breakfast. Carly is already off to school, so Connor and I have time to play until his bus comes at 11:30. When both he and Carly come home from school at 3, he knows that immediately it is time for his nap. Around 6pm I go to wake him up, same routine. But this time, I need to be sure to have a movie playing on the t.v. for when he comes down. Browsing through the movies in knowing what to play, I went to put on Cars, when the sudden thought came to me to put on Toys Story 3; a thought so quiet, had I not learned from life's experiences what this was, I would have easily dismissed the thought, thinking I knew better. This could not be the case. Our Father in Heaven is mindful of every needful thing. I turn on Toy Story 3. I go upstairs to wake Connor, whom, while changing his diaper keeps requesting, in these words, "Bzz Liyer, Bzz Liyer!" Translation: "Buzz Lightyear, Buzz Lightyear!" I know, had I not put Toys Story 3, he would have come down those stairs seeing the movie Cars on and put on a fit that could have delayed dinner for at least a half an hour, which on a night where baths were in order could have set many other routines OUT of order. A blessing, a tender mercy, my miracle.
Miracle #2 We then come to when I wasfeeding Connor and Carly lunch on Saturday. I was cutting an apple into slices for Carly, when I again felt inspired to leave some slices because although Connor begged for blueberries, was not going to eat them. After finishing his sandwhich, I encouraged Connor to eat his blueberries. He defiantly said his usual, "NO!"...there is no point in arguing with that, it will just continue on to an Emporere's New Groove moment (nuh uh, ya huh, nuh uh, ya huh, etc.). So I, knowing I had left apple for him to eat, asked, "Connor do you want some apple?" With a sweet tone and smile on his face he said, "Affle!" I said yet another prayer to Heavenly Father for blessing me at this time. It was these small little moments that testified to me each day of His love for His children.
In the scriptures we are told to cry over every needful thing. I know that if we always have a prayer in our heart, we will see many mighty miracles. God is our Father, and we are children of God. He loves us more than anything in the world, and wants to help us, even in every needful thing.
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