Wink from Heaven: Elder Jeffrey R Holland

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Elder Jeffrey R Holland

Last night Caleb got to see Elder Jeffrey R. Holland! We were invited to eat with him before the evening session of my parent's Stake Conference. Caleb first met Elder Holland when Mom and Dad Moody were set apart as mission presidents. When Elder Holland walked by our table he asked "Now, who is this?" and I said, "This is Caleb, he actually got to meet you a few years ago!" Elder Holland responded "I remember Caleb- Wow, he takes up a lot more room on your lap than the last time I saw him...!" We were touched that he took a moment to say hello!

This song will always remind me of Elder Holland's message- that God loves broken things....especially a broken heart and contrite spirit.

8 comments:

Devon said...: COOL! That's so neat!! I love Elder Holland--have you read his "Temple-Prison" talk?? Hey, are you on Facebook?; March 22, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Ashley Dawn said...: Wow, what a beautiful experience. I love that he remembered him. How special!; March 22, 2009 at 6:19 PM
Becky said...: of COURSE he remembered Caleb - how could one ever forget? :) I'm so grateful that Caleb was able to shine his LIGHT...once again.; March 22, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Karen said...: Wow! He remembered him of the thousands of people he meets each year. What a neat experience. Caleb leaves a lasting impression of love that is unforgettable.; March 22, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Kel said...: How fun for all of you! I think Elder Holland was the lucky one to meet Caleb.

Great song, by the way.; March 22, 2009 at 8:59 PM
The 5 Disney Lovers said...: thats so neat!!!!; March 23, 2009 at 9:16 AM
The Five Jacksons said...: My sister in law was looking at blogs listed on her friend's blog (Kim H) and saw yours. She was very touched and forwarded it to me. My daughter Clare was born 14 months ago. A few days before she was born she suffered a stroke effecting the majority of the left side of her brain. There were many other complications and we are currently undergoing discussions with our surgeon about getting a G-tube. There is so much I can relate to on your blog. The way you write is beautiful and inspiring! I especially loved the entry on Feb. 3 - A tribute to my brothers. You so elegantly expressed the way I feel about my older two's interactions with Clare. I was hoping that you would allow me to quote it on my blog. I can see you are very busy but if you get the opportunity to answer this comment, that would be great!
Thank you for all you've shared and for the way you have lifted myself and others.
Jadi Jackson; March 23, 2009 at 8:20 PM
David said...: how exciting that you all got to meet elder holland! i especially enjoy his conference talks. i guess it won't be long til we get to hear him speak again. when is conference, in a week or two?; March 25, 2009 at 7:52 AM

Prayer for Caleb

(written by Caleb's Grandma in her weekly column -2008-)

In my family we have a secret code to communicate our love for each other when we are out in public. We wink. When one of us is about to perform or speak, we look for a family member’s face in the crowd. Then we wink at each other. Closing one eye and winking is our secret code for saying, “I love you. You can do it. You’re wonderful.”

About three years ago, my grandson Caleb was born into our family. He must have known before birth that he would never be able to speak to us because he was born with one eyelid permanently closed. So, he is always “winking” at us, always communicating, “I love you. You can do it. You’re wonderful.”

Caleb has one eye lid permanently closed because he is missing one of his eyes . . . and he is also missing his brain. All the doctors said he would die soon after birth. They were wrong. Caleb is three years old. He is a medical miracle. The doctors say he can’t see, hear, speak, think or move. Those who know and love Caleb understand he has his own unique way of experiencing the world and communicating his love to those around him.

After Caleb was born the hospice people told us to buy a burial plot and continually warned us of his imminent death. We soon learned you can not live well in a state of fear and sadness. We decided we could spend Caleb’s entire life anxious and scared he might die at any moment, or we could celebrate each day we were blessed to have him with us. In the beginning, my daughter April celebrated Caleb’s birthday every week instead of every year with balloons and cupcakes because we simply did not know how long we would have him with us. We stopped the cupcakes after we gained ten pounds, but the celebrating goes on.

We all prayed for a miracle when we first learned about Caleb’s condition. We got one. Caleb’s birth, life and mission have had a deep and lasting impact on our lives. His spirit, eternal identity and most of all the loving, individual relationship he has with each of us is truly a miracle. Because of Caleb we know that each of us has a divine purpose and that the physical body is a sacred gift we should never take for granted. We better understand the worth of a soul and the resiliency of the human spirit.

Caleb’s five year old brother Matthew said, “Grandma. The doctors said Caleb was going to die, but he didn’t. That’s the first miracle I ever saw!”

Sometimes Caleb’s baby brother Mitchell pulls out his feeding tube while they hold hands riding together in their double stroller. Sometimes the only intervention that can get Caleb’s heart rate up is when his older brothers Josh and Matty crawl in his crib, hug him and sing, “I am a Child of God.” ...If you have a moment please offer a prayer for the little boy who has never been able to utter a single word and yet has taught everyone who knows and loves him – all the secrets of a rich and meaningful life.