Dreams – My World (and recipes too)

You Are Not Alone. I Want to Throat Punch People Too!

How many weeks has this been going on? I can’t even remember. Here is a little angel stuff to get you through your day.

Today I want to remind you that whatever your feelings are right at this moment, they are valid and you are entitled to feel the way you do. Boy, let me tell ya, my emotions are all over the map, but I am doing okay because I know that no one on earth has ever experienced what’s going on right now. Whatever I feel is what I feel and it will pass. The same is true for you. Give yourself (and your family members) grace at this time.

If you are anything like me right now, things that are ordinarily easy to look past, are glowing red and causing you to want to explode. Yesterday I was so busy at work I barely had time to look up, but when I did, I noticed that I was not myself. The frustration bubbling up inside me was almost immeasurable. In fact, a few times I had the instinct to just get in my car and go home. LOL!

Lucky for me I work in a church (although if I were writing this yesterday I’d have said, OH MY GAWD, I HATE working with CHURCH people! ha ha) Late in the afternoon I was able to sneak across the parking lot to the church next door where I encountered some sweet ladies, one of whom is a Minster. We all sat down in the lobby, ten feet apart and just chatted for a couple of minutes about life and the fact that Easter is just around the corner. Anyone in the world who is presently part of a church staff understands that this uncharted territory we’re in right now. There is ten times more work happening right now than normally would be happening.

I laughed so hard when Mother Sweets (not her real name) told me that she was in her kitchen a few nights ago practically throwing pots and pans everywhere; anger had just bubbled up, she told us, and it was okay. Likewise she was saying that she would like to strangle people when they say to her, “You must be enjoying just staying home for a change.” That fantasy of relaxing at home isn’t happening in the lives of Ministers all over the world. No. They are learning new technology for online services, making endless lists of people who are in need, trying to figure out how to celebrate special Holidays like Easter without being together as a congregation, learning how to fill out paperwork for financial aid, worrying what will happen if people stop giving. The list is endless, just as it is endless for any other person in the world at this time.

We are all walking through uncharted territory. The good news is that we are never alone.

The good news is that there IS good news out there. Just this morning I watched a news piece about a family that had recently experienced a death. Because funerals cannot happen at this time, their family and friends made a car procession through the deceased man’s neighborhood. His parents stood outside their home and as each car passed by, they threw flowers, let go of balloons, held up signs and blew kisses. It was beautiful to see. Sympathy was expressed through this loving act of kindness. I cried when I watched it not because I was sad that they couldn’t have a funeral. No. I cried because the human spirit is a beautiful thing.

Where there is a will, there is a way and that’s what I want us all to focus on today. We cannot live our daily lives the same as we are used to, but we CAN always find inventive ways to carry forward….especially since we are ALL Blessed and loved by God.

With love to you!

Bobbe

You will search for me,
and when you search for
me with all your heart,
you will find me.
JEREMIAH 29:13

From the Angels:

Always keep in mind that if a message resonates with you strongly, it’s absolutely meant for you.

A clean slate is presented to you now as you encounter fresh opportunities and novel experiences.

Embrace the new in your life, including new opportunities, people, and projects. The angels know that change can be frightening, and they surround you now with loving energy. Call upon them whenever you feel afraid of facing novel situations. They will boost your confidence and energy so that you can enjoy your new beginnings.

Sometimes we cling to old routines because they are familiar. The angels ask you to be open to new approaches to life. Perhaps they will teach you a new way of looking at situations. Or maybe they will call on you to learn a new skill. Whatever the new beginning is for you, allow yourself to be stretched by the fresh circumstances. We learn about ourselves through new experiences.

God, the angels, and the ascended masters who love, protect, and guide you are watching over you right now. You are not alone, and you are safe.

Be reassured that you are part of an awesome and powerful team of benevolent beings. They surround, guide, and love you constantly. If you are in danger, they will intervene with warnings or lifesaving measures. If you are afraid, they will comfort you with the energy of Divine love. If you are confused, they will whisper guidance in your ear.

You are being asked to talk to your angels and guides more frequently. Have mental conversations with them about everything, and you will soon see evidence of their existence. Soon, the angels will enlist you to help other people. If you ever feel doubtful about your ability to help others, ask the angels to help you release these fears.

Today’s prayer:

Oh Dear Lord,

Sometimes this life is sooooooo hard. I know I’ve said this a million times before, but maybe it was never so true as it is today.

Wait. I can hear you laughing (and it’s making me smile).

Let me start again.

Thank you Lord for the ability to change how I perceive things. I know that life is only as hard as I make it and that every hard time feels like it’s the worst it’s ever been. Challenges will always be present. Hard times will come upon us off and on throughout our lives, but we are to remember that you live in our hearts and it’s Your blood in our veins and that means we are part of the Divine and for Divinity, nothing is impossible, not even this.

I know that you have given us the tools we need in order to navigate through life and I thank you.

Please continue to Bless and keep those who land on this page as well as their friends and their families and my family too. May we all remain safe and of good and steady spirit as we make our way through this pandemic.

Bolster our faith, dear Lord. Help us to lean into you more. May we even take this time to strengthen our relationship with you, who offers us unending unconditional love.

In your Son Jesus name, I pray.

Amen

Click here to be taken to yesterday’s messages and prayers

Love One Another.

Wednesday, I was taking a break from work to run my little dog Jack, to Wendy’s for a cheeseburger. (Yes, he’s a tad spoiled but that’s another story). When I leaned over to unlock the car door, I felt a concentrated breeze pull together and shoot right up my nose.

god-listenings

I was popping through some of my old writing and I found the following recount of an experience I had back in 2008. I post this as a reminder that we are ALL special to God and if we are open to receiving signs, they absolutely do come in all forms.

There is never a time, place or situation where all of heaven are not present in our lives. We are most definitely not alone.

PS: I left the card reading that went with this story knowing full well I’m meant to leave it so it will speak to one of you the way it’s supposed to.
_________________________________________________________________

The following is the true account of an experience I had on Wednesday, April 2, 2008.

Wednesday, I was taking a break from work to run my little dog Jack, to Wendy’s for a 1655_107595240572_1161_n cheeseburger. (Yes, he’s a tad spoiled but that’s another story). When I leaned over to unlock the car door, I felt a concentrated breeze pull together and shoot right up my nose.

The aroma? Roses.

I giggled with delight!

In that same moment I swirled around, nose to the air, giggling and sniffing like a lunatic. I was breathing in pure and utter joy. I knew what the roses were, but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t jumping to conclusions. (It’s spring-time and it could have been trees blooming nearby.)

But it wasn’t. No blooms anywhere.

I giggled some more and did a little dance right by my car.

The aroma of roses is just one of the signs The Blessed Mother uses to signal Her presence. I’ve smelled it many times before.

Typically, like yesterday, it’s when I least expect it or I need it the most.

I stopped and silently said these words; “I know. ‘Mary’s in the wind.’ Hello Mary! Thank you so much! I love you!”. I giggled some more.

Two seconds later I was in the car, carrying on with the tasks of the day.

Wednesday (the same night), I had the following dream:

“I am in an office feeling very VERY disgruntled and oppressed. Former colleagues and co-workers are milling about and I wonder why I am STILL here. I’m waiting for someone to tell me it’s my time to leave. I am impatient. I pace up and down the aisles just filling time. Finally, I receive word it’s time for me to go. I am to go find a particular Doctor and escort him. I have no idea who or where, but I leave to go find him.

I cross the threshold and step into another dimension. I am in a foreign country that feels “old worldly”, but this isn’t important to me. I am put out because I have to find the Doctor and no one bothered to tell me who or where he is.

I make my way up a crowded street, notice a huge group of people and I fall into line with them. I realize enough to know this is the line where I will find the Doctor. I follow the crowd up a grassy hill to a church-like structure.

“So many people”, I think to myself.

I hear someone say, “Pope John Paul II was supposed to be here too but he could not make it.”

I mutter to myself, “Yeah. That’s because he died. Awww. I always loved him. He was such a kind soul”.

I keep step with the crowd. We are moving forward at a pretty fast pace.

When I reach the point I can see it’s almost my turn, I can see I’m in the front part of a very old church. The architecture is fabulous. In the left corner, a girl stands at a card table. People go to her, she hands them their tickets and they go inside. I feel slightly uneasy. I know there is no ticket for me and I am not sure the girl will understand that I’m only there to find the Doctor. Will she even speak English?

When it’s my turn, all of the people vanish and it’s just she and I alone. I am thinking she will not have a ticket for me because I am certainly not on her list. I don’t even know what event I’d been in line for. I was only looking for the Doctor.

She picks up her pad, writes something, tears it off and hands it to me. My eyes lift to meet hers.

I recognize her instantly and crumble to my knees in humble tears.

“Oh my God. It’s YOU! You KNOW me? I cannot believe you remember me!”

(I support myself by holding her forearms and she is leaning over me slightly trying to bring me back up. She doesn’t want me to kneel before her.)

She says, “Oh course I remember you. We all do. We know you by name.”

I respond, “No no no. This place is reserved for special people. I’m not special. This is a mistake”. I’m crying…so shocked…so dumb-founded.

In a moment, I regain enough composure to catch site of the paper she’s handed me. It is a prescription slip from a Doctor’s prescription pad. I feel relieved. I know the Doctor’s name is imprinted on the paper. I’ll be able to read it and then be on my way to find him. I bring it up to my face to read, still holding onto Vicka for support.

I am awestruck again. This time I fall to my knees and bury my head beneath my hands.

“Oh my God, my GOD!!”, I begin to sob, “My NAME. My NAME is here and it is spelled right”.

I look at the page and my name is written, “B, Bobbe Crouch”. I begin to sob again.

Overcome, I rise to my feet and start to back away from the dear girl. I tell her, “No. I am not special enough to be here. I know what this place is. This is not my place!”

She raises her hand to beckon me forward, but she doesn’t approach me.

She says, “Yes. Yes, you ARE meant to be here. Come. Come. She still knows you by name. She loves you. We love you.”

I say, “No. No. I can’t go in there. Only the Holiest of Holy are allowed to be present. I am not worthy of it”.

She giggles and takes my hand. “Yes. You are. Let’s go ask Her. Let Her tell you Herself”.

I can barely breathe.

We step across the threshold of a packed Cathedral-like structure. I am so humbled and embarrassed and overcome with emotion. She leads me to the front, where I see another familiar face. It’s Mirjana about to have an apparition.

“I cannot be here. Why is she facing me? She shouldn’t be facing ME?”, thoughts just flood my brain faster than I can process them.

I am remembering ALL of the times I’d been present at the Marian conferences, when one of the visionaries experienced an apparition -ONLY the very ill and very Holy were invited to be present in the room. Yet, here I was and she was facing me about to speak directly TO me.

“I’m not special. I’m not worthy.”

Vicka whispers, “Oh yes you are. Our Lady loves you and She’s called for you especially.”

I can’t remember what happened next other than to say there was a dialogue and a long one. I woke up saying the “Glory Be” but I didn’t remember why until I got up and went down for coffee with Charlie.

When I remembered the dream I sat down on the couch and bawled my eyes out. Then I remembered smelling the roses the afternoon before the dream. OMG. I had completely forgotten that.

“I’ve come full circle. It’s time”. “B, Bobbe Crouch….that means: BE Bobbe Crouch! OMG”.

Yesterday I felt a peace I’ve not felt in a long while. Most of you are about to find out that my roots with the angels began with a journey I took with The Blessed Mother twenty years ago. Lately I’ve been feeling an inner pull to begin to talk more specifically about it, but I’m such a good human, I’ve been waiting for a certified letter from heaven giving me specific instructions on the where, when and how”. HA!

Yesterday, I came to the office and got on the web and did a search on Medjugorje. I wanted to find photos of the two women in my dream, so I could confirm for myself, what I all ready knew. Vicka and Mirjana are two of the six children (who are not children any more) to whom the Blessed Mother began appearing in 1981. The apparitions continue to this day; though for some of them, it’s no longer daily, but an annual occurence.

I went to the official website and not only found my proof, but I also found this:

“Our Lady has also been appearing to Mirjana on the 2nd of each month since August 2, 1987 for the express purpose of praying for all unbelievers. Mirjana tells us that it is very important that all of us pray for the unbelievers in the world, who are defined as those who do not yet know God’s love.”

Wednesday was the 2nd of April.

I’m going to end here with the promise that I’ll start explaining all this soon. In the meantime realize that we are all receiving signs at this time. It’s up to us to pay attention and to have enough courage to listen and act.

Before you ask me, yes. The Blessed Mother I speak of here is the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, Mother of ALL. Her message to the World is NOT just for Christians. Her message has always been one of love. She wants us all to find our faith and return to loving God and to loving one another.

This isn’t about organized religion at ALL. It’s about the conversion of souls. It’s all about LOVE.

From The Angels:

Enchantment: Recapture your childlike sense of wonder and awe. View the world as a magical place.

Remember when you were a child and how magical the world seemed? The sense of enchantment is the spirit of our inner child. Somewhere along the way, did you lose that sense of wonder?

The angels ask you to recapture your magical sense by remembering that a miraculous power surrounds you. Ask God and the angels to help you with anything (small or large). Don’t worry-you aren’t removing angels from “more important”tasks when you ask for their help with everyday situations. They truly want to support you so that you are free of worries. In that way, you exude the joy and wonder of children who trust that they are taken care of. And when you are joyful, your Divine light inspires everyone who sees you.

Power: You now allow yourself to express your power. Being powerful is safe for you, knowing that you express your power with love.

You have all of the power of your Creator within you! All the power of Divine love, wisdom, and intelligence is available to you. You have the spiritual power to see angels and the future. You have intellectual power to tap in to the universal wisdom of the One Mind. You have emotional power to empathize with others, and physical power that is truly unlimited.

The angels ask you to give them any fears you may have connected with being a powerful person. Your angels see a quiet and beautiful aspect of your true power, stemming from the only power in the universe: Divine love. Allow yourself to shine with this radiant love so that your true power can radiate out into the world in miraculous ways.

Archangel Micheal: This powerful archangel is with you right now. He gives you courage and helps release you from the effects of fear.

Through this card, Archangel Michael is making his presence known to you. He is the symbol of true courage, stemming from knowing that God’s love is the only power there is. Michael is letting you know that, as you make changes in your life and as you encounter challenges, you are safe and secure. God and the angels help you stay true to yourself during trying times.

Have heart-to-heart discussions with Michael often. Pour out all of your concerns to him. Don’t worry about overburdening him. Michael, like all of the archangels, is able to be with everyone simultaneously who needs him. He has no limitations of time or space,so he can help you and others concurrently.

(The cards I use in all of my readings are by Doreen Virtue, Healing with the Angels ©1999, Hay House)

Dearest Lord,

Help me to remember that there is never a time or place where you are not present with me. Help me to remember that you know the contents of my heart without my having to do a thing. Open my eyes and my heart to receive you better and to increase my faith more. Prompt me to open up and talk with you more. I know your grace is there.

Through you, I can do all things. Nothing is impossible.

Thank you so much for all that you do for me, seen and unseen.

I love you.

Amen

Signs, signs, everywhere signs

The other day my dear friend said to me, “You receive more signs than anyone I know.” and she’s right. I wouldn’t necessarily say that I receive more signs than anyone, but I would say that I’ve never had trouble recognizing my signs and messages. Lately, they’re coming to me in so many forms it’s hard to keep up. I’m not complaining. I’m awestruck.

dreams1

I’ve previously mentioned the film, “Gabriel” and how meaningful it was for me. Last night we rented, “Legion” and I have to say that one of these two films borrowed from the other one as the theme and characters were almost identical. Believe it or not, I enjoyed “Gabriel”, which was a “B” movie much better than “Legion” which has Dennis Quaid as one of the stars. ~Can’t point to exactly why, just that it had more depth of meaning for me. Regardless of which I liked better, I look at both of them as personal signs for me. It’s hard to explain with mere words, but when I sit and watch films like this, I can feel the room become dense and I know I’m not watching alone. There are legions of angels and spirits right there with me, making certain I’m receiving what I’m supposed to.

I see so many films and shows lately that have the theme of darkness overtaking the earth and that there are so few truly good people left who are willing to give all to keep evil from running rampant. Zombie films and shows seem to be at an all-time high. I have to wonder if this is because art reflects life? If it is, I hope I’m one of the good ones, able to stand up and fight to keep the light alive.

And how do I do that? I do it by honoring the signs that come to me and thanking God and the angels when they arrive.

The other night I had a very telling dream. I was rushing up the stairs to my daughter’s bedroom. She was about five years old and I knew she had been crying and crying out for me, scared to death that I didn’t love her any more, terrified that I’d not come back for her. My heart was breaking into bits as I ran my hardest to get to her. When I arrived and pulled back the covers to scoop her up and tell her I absolutely will never leave her or stop loving her, the person in the bed was ME as a five-year old.

I’ve been completely preoccupied with my family for while now and when I woke up it took me a while to remember that it was actually ME in that bed crying, wondering if I’d been forgotten and remained unloved. The thought occurs to me and I know I’m correct, that the little girl is actually symbolic of my inner child, which is symbolic of my own soul.

The rest of the dream was all about babies; mostly my talking with infants and making them giggle. At one point I was on the floor in a restaurant sitting beneath a high chair, talking with a strangers baby and the baby was laughing and completely engaged with me. I kept hearing her mother say, “It’s okay, let her keep talking. It’s okay…let them talk.”

It is said that to dream of death usually means, “happy birth” and to dream of babies, means “new beginning”. Elementary really.

So for me, all of this means that I’m beginning anew and I’m to honor who I am at my core. The trouble is that lately, I’m having to uncover that all over again, which of course is the reason I keep dreaming about babies.

See how easy it is to interpret dreams? Oh there is always more, but the reason I share this with you all is because you usually mirror what’s going on in my life, so this is me telling you to pay close attention to your dreams and to the signs that appear in your life.

Nothing happens at random, there is no such thing as coincidence.

SELF AWARENESS

Men look at themselves in mirrors. Women look for themselves. ~Elissa Melamed

“Mirror, Mirror, on the wall”…where did I go? It seems only yesterday that when I looked in the mirror I saw someone I recognized. Those little pieces of myself that I gave away one by one seemed so insignificant at the time. What has become of me?

So many of us who do too much have the experience of disappearing before our very eyes. We did not plan it that way. It just seemed to happen over the years.

Yet, if there is still someone to look in the mirror, we have not left completely.

I need to look closely. The mirror could be my friend. It could help lead me back to me.

(Meditations for Women who do too much. Anne Wilson Schaef ©1990 Anne Wilson Schaef, Harper & Row)

From The Angels:

Support: God, the angels, and all who love, protect, and guide you are watching over you right now. When you take time to communicate with God and the angels, they are able to pour out power and strength into our lives.

This card reassures in the multitude of anxious thoughts within you. Divine love comforts you. They will comfort you with the energy of Divine love.

If you ever feel doubtful about your ability to help others, ask the angels to help you release these fears.

Study: Don’t let the pressures of life push those dreams down. Stir up those dreams. Shake off every disappointment and press forward. This is a new day. Get a new vision. Make up your mind that no matter what comes your way, you are going to keep pressing forward. This is an important time for you to learn new ideas or skills.

You are going to keep growing. You are going to keep learning. You are going to stay active. If you will stay passionate about life, knowing what your purpose is and being your best every day, God will pour out His blessings to you. Perhaps you feel guided to enroll in a class and this card confirms that feeling.

Make the choice to keep your dreams in front of you. Remember, you have a purpose. You have a destiny. You were created to make a difference to impact our society to make this world a better place. You are being guided to enroll in class, continue your education.

Children: Children are a tremendous blessing to us, but they are also a tremendous responsibility that God has entrusted to us. As parents, we have been entrusted to nurture, train, teach and prepare our children for life.

Are you taking time to invest in your children? And if you don’t have any children, how about your nieces and nephews? We all have things that we’ve learned: skills, talents, life experiences, wisdom. You have a responsibility to transfer what we know to the next generation. When you invest in somebody else, you will continue to live on. Your life can have influence for generations to come if you will take time to invest in people. The only way this is going to happen is if you are taking time to invest in them. If you are not careful, you will substitute activity for attention. Understand, your children need you more than they need another activity.

The best legacy is not what you leave for people. It’s what you leave in people. You have a wealth of knowledge that God has entrusted you with. You are not supposed to keep that to yourself. You should be passing that on to somebody else. You have a responsibility to transfer what we know to the next generation. If you need guidance all you need to do is ask, we are always here for you.

I had a few days ago, an insight which consoled me very much.
It was during my thanksgiving, when I make
a few reflections upon the goodness of God, and
how should one not think of this at such a time, of that
infinite goodness, uncreated goodness, the source of all goodness. …

I saw written as in letters of gold this word “Goodness”
which I repeated for a long time with indescribable sweetness.
I beheld it, I say, written upon all creatures, animate and inanimate,
rational or not, all bore this name goodness. …

I understood then that all these creatures have of goodness and
all the services and assistance that we receive from each of them
is a benefit which we owe to the goodness of God
who has communicated to them something of his infinite goodness
so that we may meet it in everything and everywhere.

~St. thérèse couderc – 1865

Hauntings

Psychics say the way to end a haunting is to talk to the ghost, set it on the right track, and give it a boot in the behind, right into the light. The next time you find yourself haunted by a painful memory, you might try doing the same thing.

crying-eyes

Most people in my life are completely unaware (unless they are immediate family or have read my blogs for eons) that back in 2001 I was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). The diagnosis was made after I was assaulted that same year. I learned back then, that I had probably developed PTSD much earlier in life.

That being said, I consider myself fully recovered even though I am told it never goes away. I know this is true, because I have completely unexpected flare ups from time to time. I still consider myself recovered, however, because when the flares do appear, I recognize them and take the proper steps to get into the present moment.

Earlier this week I was blindsided by a situation at work where I felt someone was overstepping his boundaries. We were in an important meeting and he contradicted me several times over things he didn’t even have experience with. Throughout the day, he repeatedly incorrectly answered questions intended for me. At one point he swore I’d been given a certain list, when in fact, I haven’t and so on and so on. The entire scenario felt so ego-driven to me, it triggered a three-day long reaction.

My mind knew that he was acting partly on ego and that his intentions were probably to be helpful, not hurtful. Even so, my PTSD took me back to a time long ago where I felt belittled and betrayed and shamed. Immediately my heart-felt broken, as if none of the people I have come to love so much through my work place, really care about me at all. I sat on the couch that night feeling the familiar pangs of having the best of my intentions mocked as being fake and stupid and worse, that I had no one to go to for help.

Not a pretty place to be.

It’s taken three days to fight my way back to the truth. This was one incident in time with a person who wasn’t self-aware enough to realize he was over-stepping. I choose to believe his intention was to be helpful. I also believe his actions were ego-based, but I have to let that go and not dwell on it.

I make a conscious decision to affirm the following: It’s not true that people do not care about me; that is something from the past. It is a fact that I usually act from a place of purity. There is nothing fake about me. I am worthy. I should be treated with respect. I deserve to feel safe and protected. My mistakes in life do not define me as a failure of a person.

This morning I remembered a passage in one of my favorite books that talks about living according to old patterns that are no longer useful etc. It’s an excellent and thought-provoking little piece.

One doesn’t have to have PTSD to replay old tapes that do not serve any more. How many of us can remember and list every mistake we ever made, but we have trouble remembering the good things we’ve done?

HAUNTINGS

An Angel Reminder: It’s when we mistake memory for life that we get into trouble.

All of us live, to some extent, in haunted houses populated by the noisy ghosts of memory. Voices of parents, grandparents, old lovers may haunt us. Regrets for things done or left undone may dog us, filling us with guilt and freezing us in our tracks every time we try to get on with our lives. Unfortunately, the goblins and demons of the past often shriek and moan so loudly that we can’t hear the present. And so, without even realizing it, we live according to old patterns that are no longer useful, mistaking memory for reality and letting past mistakes destroy present possibilities. When we’re being haunted, it’s helpful to remember that our ghosts are as stuck as we are. They, too, would like to get a life, but they are compelled to repeat their tiresome patterns because they just don’t know any better. Psychics say the way to end a haunting is to talk to the ghost, set it on the right track, and give it a boot in the behind, right into the light. The next time you find yourself haunted by a painful memory, you might try doing the same thing.

Are you being haunted? If so, by what or whom? Are there regrets or past actions that you haven’t resolved, or people from the past who still hold you in their grip? How is this affecting your present life? Have you ever looked these ghosts straight in the eye? When we examine our ghosts, we realize that they really have no power over us, for we can see straight through them.

An Angelic Reflection: I make the distinction between past and present reality.

( “Angel Courage”, Terry Lynn Taylor and Mary Beth Crain, ©1999, Harper San Francisco)

From The Angels:

Serenity: You are moving into a time of greater inner peace and tranquility.

Peace of mind means feeling secure, and knowing that you’re always provided for. Even if your logical mind cannot fathom how a challenge could be resolved, peace of mind means that you trust that God will create a miraculous solution. This sort of faith is always warranted because faith is a key component in experiencing such miracles.

By drawing this card, the angels reassure you that peace of mind is within you. You can feel serene, even in the midst of great turmoil. It’s a mistake to think that you have to wait until your life is problem free before you can be happy and peaceful. The opposite is actually true. First, you work toward serenity, and then your life challenges lessen and disappear. Serenity is your natural state of mind, and the angels are now working with you to actualize this.

Retreat: Spend some time alone in quiet thought. Clear your mind, and focus on your truth and priorities.

Are you pushing yourself too hard, beloved child of God? The angels remind us that rest is a natural cycle in every living thing. Think of the mighty oak tree that grows in spurts and then rests. It draws its nourishment from deep within the earth, and takes its time before growing upward again. Like the oak tree, it’s important for you to nourish yourself with spiritual and emotional “food.”

While you are resting, take time to reflect on your heart’s true feelings and desires. Your angels speak to you through your heart, and when you listen to and honor your feelings, you walk hand-in-hand with God and the angels. You will know that it is true Divine guidance, and not just your imagination or wishful thinking if it speaks of your desire to make a difference in the world.

Emerging: Your true self-radiant, powerful, successful, and intelligent-is now shining through the surface. Allow your true self to be visible to others, for you lift them up and inspire them.

You are awesome in so many ways, and you are beginning to trust and reveal your true nature more easily. At one time, you may have believed that you had to hide your feelings from others (or even from yourself!). Now, however, you realize how vital and attractive expressing your authentic self is.

Your angels are guiding you to honor your true feelings by expressing them to yourself and others. The angels will help you lovingly talk about your feelings so that no misunderstandings occur with friends and loved ones. Your angels will never guide you to do or say anything that could hurt you or anyone else! They will also ensure that your life will emerge to a new level of inner peace as you let your true self come out and play.

Today’s Prayers:

As you leave this place
may the Living Lord go with you;
May he go behind you, to encourage you,
beside you, to befriend you,
above you, to watch over you,
beneath you, to lift you from your sorrows,
within you, to give you the gifts of faith, hope, and love,
and always before you, to show you the way.

benediction – blair monie

Divine Mother
Mother of the Universe
Bless us with peace
Within and without.

jalaja bonheim – 2000

Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.
— Psalm 79:9 (NIV)

Embracing the Light

“Don’t lose your light.” “Don’t give up your light”.

I’m not quite sure what the exact words were but I definitely dreamed of my Grandmother last night. She was lying in a hospital bed and I was curled up next to her looking into her eyes. She kept talking to me about “the light” and having me promise her that I would carry mine. I felt giggly and happy even though I knew she was on her death bed. I promised her I would abide by her wishes.

In life she’s been gone now for thirty six years. It’s always struck me as odd that she is the one and only close relative of mine (in spirit) who has not visited me. I think in light of all that has been happening in my life, last night may have been a real visit. It doesn’t really matter because the message has stuck with me and that was the point.

After I had that dream, Charlie got up as he usually does, around two in the morning, and I laid there thinking. I pulled one of the dogs close to me and as we curled up together I started to pray right out loud -something I used to do long ago and just loved. I prayed for every person I could think of by name, including many of you here and including those I usually forget. Before I knew it, I’d been lying there for two solid hours just chattering away, thanking God for my many Blessings, asking Him to take care of my family, to bring happiness and light and above all, healing to everyone.

Like clockwork, the birds began to chirp and I knew it was four am. I remember saying, “Who tells the birds to wake up?” just as I was drifting back off to sleep.

I had another dream. I was in a forest cloaked in darkness waiting for the “miracle” to happen. In my heart, I knew it was coming and I was eager to get to it, but as is always the case in dreamland, I had to go through a lot of nonsensical tasks prior. And so I did. (Too many details for this small space.) Suffice it to say that at the very end, I arrived back in the middle of the rainy, dark forest, tired, but still knowing it was coming. Charlie kept asking me about “the key” and I kept telling him we didn’t need a real key, we just needed to be still and watch. Finally, in a scene straight out of a Disney movie, a lady arrived, raised her hands, turned in a circle and the forest transformed into the most beautiful, twinkly, magical place I’d ever seen. I started dancing and skipping and laughing completely filled with unimaginable joy.

Of course the dream is a metaphor for life. It reminds me that there isn’t a special key that unlocks the magic….the key is perseverance, the key is a constant connection with God and of course, knowing without seeing (faith), that soon enough, everything transforms from darkness to light.

From The Angels:

Spiritual Growth: Integrate spirituality to a higher degree in your daily life! Enjoy the process!

You are seeking a higher connection a renewed connection with the Divine and you wish you could immerse yourself read, study, learn, or meditate take it all in at once. The exhilaration of moving up to a higher level of consciousness is challenging slow down and enjoy the process.

Trust that the same Power that brought you to your spiritual path will also take care of everything for you.

New Love: You have new love in your life whether it is with a new partner or rekindled love.

Let the light in open your heart to a new infusion of Divine love.

Trust in God and your guardian angels this will be an exciting time in your life. Embrace the changes flow with the current of love everything will work out.

Trust: You have to be willing to pour in everything you have before you can see Gods increase flowing in your life. Believe in yourself, the angels emphasize the value of self-trust.

The angels encourage you to give God what you have in your hands today, and as you stay faithful to do your part, God will do His part.

When you put action behind your faith and trust God, He will pour wisdom, strength, and creativity into you and help you accomplish the dreams and desires He has placed in your heart. The angels ask you to trust in God and to trust in them, they will help you trust yourself.

Today’s Prayer:

You are the peace of all things calm

You are the place to hide from harm

You are the light that shines in dark

You are the heart’s eternal spark

You are the door that’s open wide

You are the guest who waits inside

You are the stranger at the door

You are the calling of the poor

You are my Lord and with me still

You are my love, keep me from ill

You are the light, the truth, the way

You are my Saviour this very day.

~you are god – celtic oral tradition – 1st millennium

In humility is the greatest freedom.

As long as you have to defend the imaginary self

that you think is important, you lose your peace of heart.

As soon as you compare that shadow

with the shadows of other people, you lose all joy,

because you have begun to trade in unrealities

and there is no joy in things that do not exist.

~thomas merton

A Sign from Padre Pio

violets

The other day I told you the story of my new friend, Tenskawata (Open Door), from the Shawnee Tribe. A lot of you wrote and said you loved hearing the story and I thank you for this. It’s always a little nerve wracking to open up and speak about what actually goes on in my life. ha!

As I’ve stated a million times, the more open we are to receiving our signs and messages from beyond, the more abundant they become! It’s important to note that when I say, “from beyond”, I’m using this as a “catch-all” phrase for all things of super natural origin. For me this includes, God first, and also the Universe, the angels, Saints, loved ones, and spirit guides. “Universe” for me even includes signs in nature. I realize it’s a vast definition but how vast is this place we live?

I had another visit last night that came in the form of a dream. I asked specifically for a dream, because I wasn’t in the mood to be startled awake by a presence in the room. I did receive a dream. I won’t relate it here because it’s personal for me and for the two others I requested it for, but suffice it to say, “Ask, Believe, Receive”.

I will tell you that for about three months I’ve suffered with a terrible case of hives on my forearm. Just yesterday I noticed it spreading and it’s really bothering me. As I was falling asleep last night I heard something on TV say, “some Native Americans have remarkable healing abilities through their spirituality”. The thought occurred to me to ask for my arm to be healed OR AT LEAST to be relieved of the itching. So I did.

This morning the rash is still there though not as pronounced and I have had no itching since last night. Coincidence? I think not.

What I wanted to talk about today is something that happened during Sunday Mass this past weekend. We attend a church that I simply adore. It took us a long time to find this place. We feel immense comfort inside and the other parishioners seem to be just as laid back as we are. I have two favorite Priests there. One is from Africa and truly exudes joy and the other is an elderly man, who to me, seems to be one of the “Holiest” of all the Priests I’ve ever known. (I can’t explain what it is about him that makes me feel this…but I feel it and this is what’s important.)

I can be in the worst possible mood going into this place and the moment I sit down, I start to feel the layers come off. This past Sunday I was downright giddy and giggly to the point that I was almost bothering Charlie. LOL. Every time he looked over at me I was flashing an ear to ear smile. Typically this would make him start to laugh, but this past Sunday, he wasn’t really laughing. I decided I was probably being disrespectful causing him distraction so I attempted to contain myself.

About half way through, I looked up and was elated to see St. Padre Pio standing just to the right of our Priest. I sat there a few minutes watching him go through the exact motions our Priest was and I giggled. The moment I broke concentration to look away, he was gone. When I gathered myself and went back, I’d see him again. This only went on about three minutes but that’s as long as it takes. I knew it was a sign…(perhaps just to tell me to stop being such a giggle box and pay attention. So I did.)

Padre Pio is special to me because he was my Grandfather’s favorite. Because of this, I’ve read several books on the man’s life and I’ve prayed to him on numerous occasions to intercede for me. One of his many signs is the aroma of violets (my favorite flowers) and once a million years ago, I was Blessed to get to smell them as a sign of his presence.

His is a fascinating life story. I won’t get into all of it here, but I encourage you, if you are curious, to go and do some research. Get a book and read about this man’s life. Incredible stuff. In short, he was a Catholic Priest who bore the stigmata (wounds of Christ) for most of his life. He is very well know for bi-locution…meaning he is believed to have manifested himself in more than one place at a time. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and his miraculous healing work is well documented.

So there I am sitting next to Charlie seeing this. I was overcome with joy and could not figure out why Charlie didn’t seem to be his normal self. He looked a bit bothered,, which I chalked up to my being so goofy.

Days later, AFTER I finally told him about Tenskwata’s visit, I decided to go ahead and tell him about seeing Padre Pio on Sunday. ( I’d kept this to myself because believe it or not, there are things I actually prefer to keep quiet.) Before I’d even finished telling him, his eyes grew wide and he said, “OMG! WHERE WAS he?” When I told him he gulped. He had seen something as well but he chalked it up to shadows playing tricks with his mind.

What did he see? Well, it may sound very strange but at the very same time I was seeing Padre Pio to the right of the Priest, Charlie was seeing what he says looked like the shadow of a demonic being standing just next to him. He confessed this is why he was so somber during Mass, half thinking he was seeing things and the other half wondering why he would see such a thing on the alter next to a Priest.

Part of Padre Pio’s story has to do with the fact that it is said that for the many years he had the stigmata, he was also tormented by demonic beings. I recall reading how the other Priests would sit outside Padre Pio’s room at night, keeping vigil, while they heard all sorts of horrible noises coming from inside his room. In the morning he’d be weak and beaten, bruised and of course bleeding, but he never missed saying a Mass.

What in the WORLD does this all mean? Well for me, it’s confirmation that I wasn’t imagining things. Since I know some of the history of Padre Pio, this is just part of the sign letting me know what I experienced is real. Do I think the Padre is still being tormented by the devil? No way. I do know that wherever goodness is present, darkness tries to loom but never wins.

For me it seems to be a continuation of the same message I keep receiving which translated says, “Keep moving forward and don’t stop, no matter what happens.”

For Charlie it’s confirmation that our church hasn’t been invaded by demonic beings. HA! Do I think it was a real demonic being standing on the alter? Nope. I think he was meant to see this so that we’d talk about it and that’s all there is to it.

I wonder how much we would learn from one another if the fear of being labeled “crazy” wasn’t present?

Sometimes people tell me that as soon as they reach a place in life where they feel they are finally on the right track, something comes along almost instantly to knock them off and keep them down. I think we all feel this way every now and then and it does get so frustrating. It’s these times we are supposed to draw God closer, pray harder and refuse to give up. Nothing can knock us down faster than our own psyche telling us, “this is too hard…I’m tired…I give up”.

Padre Pio was attacked just about every day, his miracles were scrutinized, his wounds were scientifically examined, he was weak all the time for lack of blood, yet his faith in God never once wavered. He didn’t quit when it was hard. It was hard EVERY day. Despite all he went through he experienced immense joy and he exuded light to all he encountered and I believe with my whole heart, that in giving he received on a daily basis.

Times are hard for almost all of us but we don’t have to remain stuck in that hardness. It’s a decision.

Ask. Believe. Receive.

padre-pio

Tenskwatawa

All of my friends and family know I pay attention when the great spirits beyond start to invade my space! The other night I turned over in bed to see a Native American….

All of my friends and family know I pay attention when the great spirits beyond start to invade my space! The other night I turned over in bed to see a Native American -in full regalia-standing in the doorway. For a split second our eyes met and then he disappeared. I closed my eyes, made a mental, “what was THAT” note and tried to fall back asleep. Just a few minutes later I looked over my shoulder to the foot of the bed and felt his presence there again. In my mind I said, “What is your name?” Instantly I heard, “Tecumseh”and I made another mental note: “look up Tecumseh in the morning.”

During the next few moments I knew instinctively that he was praying for me. In his eyes, I saw great compassion and understanding. I was not afraid.

The next morning, still scratching my head, I decided to do a little research to see if I could find this person in history. Of course, it was easy as “Tecumseh” is in fact, a prominent figure. He was the Native American Leader of the Shawnee.

When I looked through the pictures I found in my research, I was startled to find that it wasn’t “Tecumseh” I saw, but rather, his brother, Tenskwatawa, who had stopped by for a visit. I believe he used the name, “Tecumseh” because it was easy for me to remember (and to spell) and because apparently wherever Tecumseh is mentioned, his brother is also mentioned.

What I found about him is profound (to me). Tenskwatawa, was apparently born a klutz, same as me. LOL. What I remembered about seeing him in my room was a distinctive marking over his eye. The history books say that he was so bad at fighting, his brothers refused to teach him hunting techniques and that the mark on his face came from a wayward arrow that hit him in the eye. He spent a good part of his life learning the ways of his tribe’s medicine man but he was not received within, as a prophet, until much later in life.

This takes me back to a Bible phrase, I am constantly referring to: ” A prophet is not without honor, but in his own home town.”

He spent a huge part of his life as an alcoholic. Finally in later years, while smoking a pipe, he went into a trance. His family thought he was dead and so began to prepare for burial when suddenly he awakened and began to relate his experience of visiting with “The Master of Life”. He urged his people to return to their old ways and if they did, they would have, “an open door”. The whites called him, “The Prophet”. His name literally meant, “The Open Door”.

Apparently he lead a great deal of people for a long time but ended his life with only a few friends and family and apparently back in the bottle again. Interestingly, the places he lived and settled are places I frequently pass on the way to Chicago and so forth.

What does all this even mean in the large scale of things and why am I taking my time to write it all out for you?

I won’t relate every single detail of his message to me. Suffice it to say he spoke to exactly what is going on in my life and he also foretold to me what could happen to me if I don’t get off my duff and start living my life back in the light.

I didn’t ask him to come to me. I didn’t even know he existed prior to this visitation. But I remembered him and took the time to find out who he is.

This is happening to all of us ALL the time. Whether you believe this was an actual visitation or just a dream, it makes no difference, because the message I received was loud and clear. You are ALSO receiving constant messages through your experiences and dreams. It’s important to recognize these are messages to learn from. Nothing happens at random in this Universe. All of heaven is standing at the ready to help each one of us, we need only ask, believe and receive.

I’ve been doing a whole lot of surrendering lately. The more I pray for God’s will in my life, the more the signs appear to point me in the right direction. The more I count my Blessings, the more abundant my Blessings are.

The same is true for you. I promise.

When Dreams Speak.

Where dreams come from

One night I had an experience that jolted me upright in bed. I have always had incredible dreams, but this wasn’t so much a dream, as it was just a quick experience that came from seemingly nowhere. Hard to explain and even harder to say out loud because it was so different from anything I’ve ever experienced in dreamland. For a split second, I was with Jesus on the cross and was looking at his feet, which had become mine, and poof, the first nail was driven in. The experience was so horrific, I jolted upright in bed and scared the living daylights out of Charlie. I didn’t say what had happened, but I laid there for a long time trying to make sense of it.

The symbols in our dreams are often conjured up by the subconscious to be so powerful that we don’t forget them in the daylight because there is some lesson there to be contemplated and understood.

I think for me, this is a reminder that nothing of any value or goodness in this life ever comes without sacrifice, hardship and just plain hard work and of course, that one must persevere at all cost.

For so long I’ve hidden away from my writing thinking that because I was going through a life change so horrible, I couldn’t be of any inspiration to anyone. I held myself to a silly standard that said that if I couldn’t be a bright shining star, I had nothing to offer. I let my brain take over and broke my cardinal rule which says that the heart should always lead, no matter what. The brain will always point out failures and mistakes, misjudgments, misgivings, lamentations…all the stuff the that squelches the spirit. Conversely the heart, which lives in a state of total honesty and love, in constant union with God, will keep that tiny flame of hope alive beyond all things of this world.

Sometimes the most important life teachings come in the form of periods of darkness, where one has to dig deep to come out the other side, where one has to cultivate courage, in order to persevere even in the face of possible failure.

A dear friend of mine has been here all along repeating to me what I’ve always told others…”ask yourself what lesson the Universe is trying to teach you through all this pain.”

So I asked.

This is what the angels had to say:

“Underneath the shield of physicality, is a place where the deepest love resides. It cannot be extinguished for this is the spark that connects all to the Divine. Remove the illusions of self-doubt and fear. These are restrictions you’ve placed on yourself, dear child. The time is now to step boldly forth. Bless the darkness, thank it for its lessons, and know that all is well. Point your heart in the direction of the all-encompassing love of the Father, strengthen your connection to the Divine. Today, life begins anew.”

And yes. They are correct and I have heeded their advice. ❤

hearts