When I woke up this morning I was suprised to find E already awake. Im the notorious early riser and he the sleep-in-until-the-last-second man., so I was puzzled.I found him at the computer typing away and I was like "????!!"

He told me he had the most amazing dream and he was typing it so that he could remember it. He told me I could share it on my blog. I was obviously moved by his dream as he couldnt read it without tearing up.

While I dont necessarily believe that God shows up to us in human form anymore (we have the Bible ). I do know that He is present and real and that sometimes its so REAL that its overwhelming.

I remember once in the last year I woke up during the night with such a strong overwhelming sense of God's presence. And it was amazing. I know to those who dont understand this I sound like a ninny, but I do know that at that moment I was overcome by Christ's love for me. He was softly reassuring me (not in words) that He loved me forever. I was able to bask in that for several minutes before falling asleep.

It was an infusion of love. And what was so amazing to me was that in my mind I was telling him all the reasons I shouldnt be loved ...stuff he already knows but that I have a hard time forgiving myself of. He knew it already of course and he was shussssssshing me to be be still and just bask in His presence. When I woke up in the morning I was so incredibly refreshed by the realization...its something that doesnt really go into words. It makes the day focus differently.

I think E had one of those moments. Here's the dream in his words. Enjoy and be encouraged. God is real and we will go home one day.

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Ok. This is the coolest dream I’ve had in a long time. You know when you wake up early on Sunday morning, then roll over and fall back asleep? You know, how cozy that feels? This is when I had this dream.

I typically don’t like dreams. I seem to internalize stress, fear, and anxiety and my dreams typically “dramatize” them. (The classic “plane/bus/moving van” is leaving in 15 minutes and I have only one bag/box/cart and I have to choose to leave heirlooms/keepsakes/favorite clothes behind).

Today’s dream began in that usually context: I have to complete packing in order to board the bus to go to Summer Beach Project (circa 1987). Though I can’t find my Scripture Memory box (feelings of guilt that I have in real-life from not being strong in this discipline), I am excited about going.

The bus is like the tour buses at Disney – part school bus, part Disney. However, the destination has now changed (and I think someone younger is accompanying me, however it’s not Kaitlin – as I learn later). It seems that this bus is part of the routine commute that other buses offer to wherever we’re going.

We’re heading down the interstate in an urban area. It’s Atlanta – though I don’t recognize any buildings or signs. It’s sunny, warm and we’re heading east – which I now know is towards Alabama (I-20 coming out of Atlanta towards home in Carrollton is straight towards the Alabama line).

I now know where we’re heading…..heaven. Don’t ask me why. I’ve not experienced the pain of death. It’s not that the environment totally changed either….it’s just I know that from where I came from I’ll never return….the true feeling is that I’m going home. It was truly the most wonderful feeling I’ve ever had.

Side bar: as we’re heading down the highway, there’s an accident ahead. All traffic is stopped, except one lane. I see residual smoke from one of the vehicles…but it looked like any accident I see on the road here in Orlando. Strange…I see Stormtroppers (from Tattonnine) patrolling and directing traffic…very cool.

Yet, I don’t know why there’s an accident. Feelings of doubt and fear creep in….am I being lead astray? Am I under attack? Is this whole journey a ruse….is heaven a real place?!?!?!

Because of the accident we exit the interstate and head up a spiral street. Immediately after the exit it becomes clear that the exit was normal….this is where we’re suppose to turn. Fear subsides. Heading up the winding road very slowly….now, I’m off the bus and am walking. I can’t tell if anyone is with me or if I’m by myself.

Green. Green grass, beautiful flowers and shrubs. Misty, too. Like an early morning fog. Very quiet. Everything I see on the side of the road is beautiful. My peripheral vision narrows tremendously….almost like the sides having folded inward.

I’m at the top of the hill that I’ve been ascending. A large shrub to the right….about my height. Large blooms from healthy and green stalks. I eat a bloom directly from the branch….it’s safe. To the left a guide (I can’t tell if it’s a person) tells me that it’s safe, because it’s pure. It’s pure because it represents Jesus Christ….without sin. I heard those words clearly and directly.

(Of all the items I love to eat, I love home-made chocolate chip cookies….This is where it gets weird…the blooms were these cookies…clustered, still warm, melting chips in my mouth as I took a bite).

The reason the guide was there was because he/she was standing next to a doorframe…kind of like the entrance to the Peter Pan wide at Magic Kingdom….very bright and inviting.

Back to the shrub. All over the shrub, hanging on the branches, were home-made Christmas ornaments. Each ornament had a picture of someone and a number. I then realized that the area behind me was full of people. Each one of us had to locate our ornament, present it to the guide, and enter.

At this point, I was so filled with joy…I could hardly stand it. This is it! I’m actually going to be going to heaven to see Jesus. I knew it, I knew it!! My heart was warm, my head was clear!! The feeling that all sorrow and fear was about to be gone!

I found my ornament.

Joy overcame me. I immediately looked through the crowd for Patti. For some reason, I know she was back there. I found her….she had her ornament and had at raised high looking for me. Both of us were laughing, almost jumping and crying because we knew where we were going.

Amazing. Amazing….just amazing….