I've always had a soft spot in my heart for anyone who tries their best to do something. It doesn't matter how simple the task may be for me but how they themselves are feeling. This week I was able to apply some of the talks that we read to a real life situation with my niece. Annabelle has autism and she is a doll! Some days are more difficult then others and it shows on my sisters face. They live in New Zealand and consequently we FaceTime quite frequently. This week on a more trying day I spent time catching my sister up on life as Annabelle jumped on the bed, couch or chair where my sister was talking to me. She had a brief moment of dismay and hopelessness and a few tears were shed. The next day I recalled the talk, "The Moving of the Water" by President Boyd K. Packer. In his talk he reminds us about perspective and how if we lose our eternal perspective everything will be more difficult. "You parents and you families whose lives must be reordered because of a handicapped one, whose resources and time must be devoted to them, are special heroes. You are manifesting the works of God with every thought, with every gesture of tenderness and care you extend to the handicapped loved one. Never mind the tears nor the hours of regret and discouragement; never mind the times when you feel you cannot stand another day of what is required. You are living the principles of then gospel of Jesus Christ in exceptional purity. and you perfect yourselves in the process." As future teachers I think it is incredibly important to realize the stress that sometimes becomes involved with our exceptional students. Some days will be good and some days will be rougher but as we remind ourselves of their worth and love them just as the Savior loves us everything will work out and all will be uplifted.
