Encounters With God Through Dreams and Visions: A Journey...

By Lanni Fides

Have you ever wondered why we dream at night and sometimes experience visions? God loves us so much and speaks to us, even at night! This book validates this truth. It is a journey of experiences of some notable characters from the ancient days to the early twentieth century on dreams and visions where God conveys His message and instructions to His people! Are you aware that you may be spiritually gifted? Do you want to find out and discover for yourself this priceless treasure? Then take time to read this book. Hold onto God's power like I did as I revealed my own personal encounters with God through dreams and visions, followed by my interpretations and realisations which directed me and my whole family to the right path of life. Enjoy the journey with God!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tellwell Talent
• Release date: Apr 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9780228873198

Lanni Fides

A former teacher-librarian and college professor for thirteen years in the Philippines. Family of five migrated to Australia in 1988 and joined Couples for Christ community in 1991. Former NSW coordinator of Handmaids of the Lord, and mission coordinator in Newcastle and Taree, NSW. Currently a retiree and still active member of CFCA community and teacher volunteer of Special Religious Education in the state schools under St. John 23rd Catholic Parish, Stanhope Gardens. Blessed with a loving husband, three children with their spouses and six grandchildren.Mission in writing books: To proclaim God's unconditional love and faithfulness to His people!

Book preview

Encounters with God Through Dreams and Visions

A Journey…

I bless the Lord who is my counsellor; even at night guides me

Psalm 16:7

Lanni Fides

Encounters with God Through Dreams and Visions

Copyright © 2022 by Lanni Fides

All Scripture verses and some reflections are from The New Community Bible, Catholic Edition, St Pauls Publications @2008 and are used by permission - Society of St Paul, Strathfield, NSW Australia.

The accounts in this book are based on actual events. Some names have been changed to protect privacy.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Tellwell Talent

www.tellwell.ca

ISBN

978-0-2288-7320-4 (Hardcover)

978-0-2288-7321-1 (Paperback)

978-0-2288-7319-8 (eBook)

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1: Awareness of My Prophetic Gifts of Dreams and Visions

1. My Spiritual Gifts Unveiled through a Dream

2. Difference between Dreams and Visions

Chapter 2: Gifts of the Holy Spirit

1. What Are the Spiritual Gifts?

2. How to Receive the Spiritual Gifts

3. Use Your Spiritual Gifts for God’s Glory

Chapter 3: Dreams and Visions of Some Biblical Characters, Prophets, and Saints

1. Encounters of Biblical Characters and Saints

a. Patriarch Jacob’s Dream of a Ladder

b. Saint Joseph’s Four Dreams

c. Visions of Cornelius and Peter

d. Dream of Saint Francis of Assisi: Battlefield’s Glory

e. Saint Teresa of Calcutta’s Early Visions

2. Encounters of Prophets: Visions of God

a. Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and Seventy Elders of Israel

b. Isaiah Saw the Lord Sitting upon a Throne

c. Ezekiel Saw the Vision of Heaven

d. Stephen Looked up into Heaven and Saw God’s Glory

e. John Was in the Spirit; One Sat on the Throne Set in Heaven

Chapter 4: My Personal Encounters with God through Dreams and Visions

1. Self-Introduction

2. Prelude

3. Vision: My Baby Falling down the Stairs

4. Dream: Two Intertwined Hearts in Rainbow Colours

5. Dream: A Girl Flown up in the Sky by Hundreds of Colourful Balloons

6. Vision: A Silhouette of a Woman Covered with a Cape Appeared on the Switched-Off TV

7. Vision: A Man’s Face Turned Old and Then White

8. Dream: Kuya Nico’s Face so Close to Mine, Asking for Help

9. Dream: Blessed Mother Mary Seated with a Golden Crown on Her Head

10. Dream: A Distressed Woman inside the Grilled Window and Locked House, Waving Her Hand at Me

11. Dream: A Spacious Arena Filled with People Singing and Praising God

12. Dream: A Woman Yelled at Her Husband and Disturbed the Quiet Night

13. Dream: A Man’s Heart Is Like a Corroded Iron!

14. Vision: A Sandbag Fell off the Truck While I Was Driving

15. Dream: Three Men with Black Hair Smiling at Me from a Distance

16. Dream: The Black Madonna’s Picture on the Wall, Next to My New Manager’s Desk

17. Dream: A Man in a Bright-Coloured Polo Shirt Entered the Room

18. Dream: My Cousin and I Dressed in White Gowns

19. Dream: Tatay and His Usual Early Morning Coffee, Cigar, and Music

20. Dream: An Old Man Served Us Bread, Butter, and Olives on a Big, Round Plate

21. Dream: My Husband Slipped on the Altar in the Church Sanctuary and Fell on the Floor; Parishioners Rushed to Help Him

Conclusion

Endnotes

About the Author

Dedication

to

my loving husband, Stephen

our beloved children and families:

Jasmine & husband Jeremiah, children Jean & Jermaine

Matthew & wife Raelyn, children Raphael & Mae

Lily & husband Marty, children Christopher & Maya

my loving sister Jade

all relatives and friends

and

You, my readers

Acknowledgements

Deepest gratitude for the motivation, inspiration and support of:

my loving family

Catholic Church Parish of St. John 23rd Stanhope Gardens

and its Ministries of the Word and Special Religious Education,

NSW, Australia

Community of Couples for Christ Australia

and its Ministries

my Chapter-Seniors’ Household,

NSW, Australia

Society of St Paul, NSW Australia

Introduction

Amazingly, I saw in the sky two intertwined hearts, not only coloured brightly in red but also the rest of the rainbow colours! This is one of my dreams revealed in this book!

Did I get a message from God through this dream? How did it affect my life and family? Take a break from the busyness of the world and simply feel the peace and joy in the presence of God!

This book will take you on a journey to the encounters with God, through the dreams and visions of selected biblical characters, prophets, and saints. This will be followed by my testimonial encounters with God! Does this sound like too much for you? Just give it a go and see!

How and when did I discover my prophetic gifts? How did God speak to me through dreams and visions? My personal encounters with God will be unfolded in this book!

How did God convey His instructions to Moses? Why was Joseph known to be a dreamer? The first part of this book revisits these past encounters!

I have written about my episodes last because the first part supports and validates the truth behind the experiences of some notable characters from the ancient days to the early twentieth century, which exhibits the living proof of God’s manifestations of His love to His people by giving them His instructions through dreams and visions, regardless of time and age. This inspired me to share my own dreams and visions in order to glorify God’s love and faithfulness. I have selected the significant and remarkable episodes, followed by my interpretation and realisation or fruition, which enormously directed my own life and my whole family to the right course of life!

Discover how a seven-year-old-orphan girl was guided by God and the Blessed Mother Mary all the way …

It’s time to relax and read these revelations over a cup of coffee or tea!

I sincerely hope and pray for readers’ enjoyment and satisfaction, and most of all, that they achieve their awareness and self-discovery of the spiritual gifts present in their lives and use them for God’s honour and glory!

Are you ready for the journey?

Lanni Fides

Chapter 1

Awareness of My Prophetic Gifts of Dreams and Visions

1. My Spiritual Gifts Unveiled through a Dream

Did I dream last night?

After Stephen and I had our first child, I acquired the habit of recalling whether or not I’d had a dream at night. At times I can vividly remember a dream, right down to the details, like people, colours, and settings. Sometimes I have no recollection at all. You may ask how and why I acquired this habit.

Let me start by giving you a brief introduction of myself. In the last chapter of this book, I’ll share about my life’s journey. I was born a Catholic and studied in a Catholic school managed by nuns. At a young age, I really loved going to church, attending masses, and novenas, and cleaning the church and arranging flowers for the altar. Attending masses and novenas meant a lot to me. Mass is the highest form of worship. It starts with the Liturgy of the Word, in which the readings and Gospels are proclaimed, and is followed by the sermon from the priest explaining the moral theme of the readings. It culminates in the celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist, a ceremony commemorating the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His apostles on their last night together. A novena is a spiritual devotion consisting of the recitation of a set form of prayer for nine successive days, in preparation for a liturgical celebration. An example is a novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The devotees include their personal favours and petitions in the novena. These have been my spiritual food and nourishment, which I believe kept me strong in my faith and trust in the Lord. Through these, I developed a deep relationship with God and His beloved Mother, and my mother too.

When I wake up in the morning, first I say my morning prayers, and then I recall if there was a dream that night. I unknowingly acquired this habit after an absolutely remarkable incident happened in my life. I was five months pregnant with our eldest child, when unexpectedly my obstetrician asked me if I wanted to know the gender of my baby. It was a very quick no, because I wanted to be surprised and share the joy of waiting with my husband, who was working overseas at that time and sadly wouldn’t be with me when I gave birth. He’d miss out on the very first sight of our first child. I completely turned to God and Mother Mary for prayers and petitions. I also prayed hard and hoped to find a lady helper as a support at home after childbirth.

That night, I dreamed of a baby crib adorned with white lace, pink ribbons on the handle, and a pink blanket and tiny white pillows. A woman was busy cleaning the room and putting everything in place!

When I woke up, I was in ecstasy! I prayed my morning prayers with tears of joy, for I knew and felt the message of God, with deep expectant faith, that a baby girl and housemaid were on the way!

I praise and thank you, Lord! These were the words I kept repeating the whole day!

Two months before my due date, Aunt Encar visited me and happily mentioned that her long-time friend was looking for work. She’d told her friend that she had a niece (referring to me) who needed a housemaid. That’s great news! The next day, I met the housemaid, who was an older woman. I preferred this because I knew she had lots of experiences to share with me. That day was the beginning of a relationship with a loving and reliable companion, which made me feel secure.

The much-awaited time came. I was brought to the hospital and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I immediately sent