I find myself being cautious as I contemplate my blog post for today. I have almost worn out my "delete" key erasing paragraphs as I strive to articulate the importance of this mission with compassion, clarity, and utility. Here is my testimony.
As our small prayer group gathered this morning, the buzz of my upcoming jaunt in July to Chicago to attend the Eucharistic Day of Renewal consumed the first half hour. This will be the second time I have seen Anne, A Lay Apostle bring the Word of God to Christians longing for an intimate relationship with Jesus. The first time changed my life forever. Now, two years later, I will be attending as a writer. My career as an oncology/pain management research nurse was put on hold a few years ago to care (with my husband, sister and daughter) for my father, dying of metastatic malignant melanoma. Becoming a caregiver outside of my usual clinical environment opened my eyes to another reality - that of a family member providing end of life care. My father fought the "cancer" battle like a champion for four and a half months. A few weeks after his death, our closest friends Joyce and Paul asked if my husband and I would like to attend a Eucharistic Day of Renewal in Clearwater, Florida. Joyce gave me Volume One to read prior to attending. The messages resonated within my soul as if Jesus Himself was speaking directly to me. As I anticipated Anne's arrival on stage that day, I searched the audience wondering who she was. Would she have a luminous glow about her? A halo encircling her head? Then, a woman approached the podium and turned to speak. To my surprise, she seemed as normal as you and I. Someone I would be friends with. Someone sitting in the pew in front of you at church. But, there was something special about her. The sound of her voice was comforting and as she spoke, I could sense the Holy Spirit taking hold of my heart and opening my eyes. Being raised in a Catholic family and environment, I always had faith and prayed and believed. But after leaving the conference, I finally got it. I finally understood what having an intimate relationship with Jesus meant. Anne made it so simple to understand. I couldn't wait to start reading the rest of the Volumes I had purchased at the conference. I was ready to commit to live as a lay apostle to the best of my ability.
A few months after my father's death, my mother's decline began. With renewed strength and having finished all the Volumes, Climbing the Mountain and Mist of Mercy (all by Anne, A Lay Apostle), I was prepared to face the challenges of taking care of mom. My mother suffered a lifetime of mental illness, bipolar disorder to be exact. Her end of life was about as traumatic (and dramatic!) as her entire life had been. (That's a whole other book!). After her death, thirteen months following my father's, I felt it was time for a change. It was time to start writing. I am blessed to have a husband fully supportive of this endeavor.
After having some articles accepted for publication in Christian magazines, I decided that I would write to DFOT to see if I could interview Anne over the phone or via email for an article I wanted to write about the mission. I just sent if off, never imagining, in my wildest dreams, I would get an encouraging response. After several emails and phone calls with Jane at DFOT, a plan was set in motion. I am blessed with the opportunity to interview Anne and the other speakers in July at the Eucharistic Day of Renewal.
Talk about overwhelming, exciting, amazing, unbelievable, and every other adjective that comes to mind. This blog is the result of brainstorming with our Ft. Myers group and Jane from DFOT. We want to capture testimonials of Christians around the world touched by this ministry. So, if the Lord just led you to this site and you want to know more, click on the picture of Jesus Christ the Returning King and it will lead you to the Direction For Our Times website. The links on the right will take you to a .pdf file of the books Anne has written with the Lord's guidance called the "Heaven Speaks" series. The "Volumes" link will take you to the page on the DFOT website where you can download .pdf files of every Volume to your computer.
I want to thank the women in our Ft. Myers Lay Apostle group for their warmth, support and prayers while I embark on this path the Lord has laid out for me. They all have truly touched my heart and I couldn't do this without them.
I pray these messages and this mission lead you to a closer relationship with our Jesus. He's ready when you are. All you have to do is ask Him. Lucky for us, He's compassionate and a good listener to boot!
Blessings,
Bonnie S.
