Encounters with Heaven Stories of God’S Surprising Presence All Rights Reserved
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The opinions expressed in this manuscript are solely the opinions of the author and do not represent the opinions or thoughts of the publisher. The author has represented and warranted full ownership and/or legal right to publish all the materials in this book. Encounters with Heaven Stories of God’s Surprising Presence All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 2013 Karin J. Gunderson v2.0 Cover Photo © 2013 JupiterImages Corporation. All rights reserved - used with permission. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. Outskirts Press, Inc. http://www.outskirtspress.com Paperback ISBN: 978-1-4787-0843-8 Hardback ISBN: 978-1-4787-0797-4 Outskirts Press and the “OP” logo are trademarks belonging to Outskirts Press, Inc. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Encounters with Heaven – Gift Book & Music CD by Karin Gunderson Purchase the “gift version” of this book with a music CD by Karin. Available only through www.ChristianHarpMusic.com or www.KaringJourney.com The gift version is a hardcover copy of Encounters with Heaven with a beautiful CD of Karin’s harp and vocal music. The perfect, meaningful gift for friends those facing terminal illness those who are afraid of death those who suffer from stress or anxiety those who are going through difficult times every memorial service the grieving widows and widowers church libraries pastors and Christian workers caregivers birthdays teenagers hospice, hospital and nursing home volunteers hospice units hospital waiting rooms nursing homes Stephen’s Ministers and anyone in a caring ministry “Karin, I am a psychologist. I lost my dear wife one year, nine months and six days ago. You did more for me in one hour than all my colleagues did in one year, nine months and six days. Thank you.” Dr. T. R. Minneapolis, MN Contents Foreword and Acknowledgements .............................................................i Chapter One: Karin’s Personal Story .......................................................1 Chapter Two: Divine Intervention ......................................................... 10 Heavenly Harp Beginnings .............................................................. 12 One More Game of Pool .................................................................. 14 What’s for Breakfast? .......................................................................15 Way of Escape .................................................................................. 16 Peaceful Goodbye .............................................................................17 God’s Schedule, Not Mine ............................................................... 19 A Step Away From Peace ................................................................. 21 You are Mine .................................................................................... 24 Last Valentine ................................................................................... 27 The Smile ......................................................................................... 28 Conclusions ...................................................................................... 30 Chapter Three: Divine Preparation ........................................................ 36 Do Not Be Afraid ............................................................................ 37 Mom’s Favorite Song ....................................................................... 40 Christmas Homecoming .................................................................. 41 On Eagle’s Wings ............................................................................. 43 The Perfect Birthday Gift ................................................................. 45 No More Grief .................................................................................. 46 Jesus Loves Me ................................................................................ 48 He Knows My Name ........................................................................50 The Peach ......................................................................................... 52 Is It Sunday Yet? ...............................................................................54 Conclusions ...................................................................................... 55 Chapter Four: The Importance of Forgiveness ...................................... 61 Family Reunion ................................................................................ 62 The Art of Forgiveness ..................................................................... 64 Free at Last! ......................................................................................66 Ten More Days ................................................................................. 68 Conclusions ...................................................................................... 69 Chapter Five: Seeing Loved Ones Who Have Gone Before Us ............ 76 Unexpected Visitors.......................................................................... 78 A Heavenly Body ............................................................................. 80 Surrounded by Loved Ones ..............................................................82 Foretaste of the Feast to Come ......................................................... 83 The Mysterious Scent .......................................................................84 Surprise Reunion .............................................................................. 85 No More Pain ................................................................................... 87 Dancing Together Again ...................................................................88 Conclusions ...................................................................................... 90 Chapter Six: Visions of Angels .............................................................. 95 My First Day .................................................................................... 97 “Do Your Thing, Sue” ...................................................................... 99 Grandma’s Guardian Angels .......................................................... 101 “The Other Things Come at Night”................................................ 102 Angel Dance ................................................................................... 103 Waving at the Angels ......................................................................104 Surfer Angel ................................................................................... 105 Angels Everywhere ........................................................................ 106 Angels in Lab Coats ....................................................................... 108 Blessed and Balanced ......................................................................110 Time to Shape Up ...........................................................................111 Conclusions .....................................................................................112 Chapter Seven: Glimpses of Heaven ................................................... 122 Taking It All In ............................................................................... 123 Floating in the Heavens ..................................................................124 The Dress .......................................................................................126 The Missing Goldfish .....................................................................132 A New Heart ...................................................................................134 Wonders that Await .........................................................................136 Conclusions .................................................................................... 137 Chapter Eight: Encountering Jesus ...................................................... 143 Messiah Revealed ...........................................................................145 More Than a Dream........................................................................ 146 Mom’s Visits ...................................................................................147 Jesus—the Bright Morning Star ..................................................... 148 Not Too Grumpy for Jesus ............................................................. 149 An Arm around My Shoulder .........................................................150 Jesus Loves the Little Children ...................................................... 151 Wishing It was My Turn .................................................................152 It Is Well with My Soul .................................................................. 153 Taking Jesus’ Hand .........................................................................155 Lonesome for Jesus ........................................................................ 156 Things to Do ...................................................................................157 The Hidden Cross ...........................................................................158 Making Sure Jesus Stays ................................................................ 160 I Think It’s Jesus .............................................................................161 Conclusions