JoAnna Lynn Oblander's Blog, page 83

A Bundle of Sweetness

[image error]I held a bundle of sweetness today. She came adorned with a full head of long dark hair, dark blue eyes and little chubby cheeks. Though she is less than a week old, my 10th grandchild has already begun to make her unique mark in the world. I seem to be pre-programmed with a default “love setting”, I am already in love with this precious infant. As I observe other family members – it is clear to see that I am not the only one who is experiencing feelings of adoration. She cannot tell us she loves us, give us a hug or provide any type of kind deed but we don’t care – we love her anyway. She is the newest miracle in our family and she has already earned a permanent berth in our family just by being born.

As I held little Emily, my heart told me that I was becoming reacquainted with a loved one from my pre-existence rather than meeting her for the first time. (The same scenario has played out with each of my children and grandchildren as I have held them for the first time.)

For me, those “first time” encounters with family are a testimony of families being planned in advance and of prior loving relationships with them. No matter how wonderful and adorable I find other babies – the feelings of attachment I have for them are not the same.

I am quite certain there is a program called R.E.M.O.V.E. (Remove Eternal Memories Of Familiar Relationships is Vital to EARTH) at work here. The program is Top Secret and although no one will confirm its existence, a large body of evidence exists to support claims of its reality. The program enables those who come to earth to function without the large amounts of homesickness that otherwise would be present with those who have left heaven to come to earth. The program is known to be very effective although it is not expected to be eternal in nature.

Now that I have been reunited with Emily again, the R.E.M.O.V.E program has done the job it was meant to do and is no longer needed. I am grateful that the program worked well while I needed it. However, now that we have had our first mortal encounter, we are reconnected again and the R.E.M.O.V.E. program will only be utilized for those we are still waiting on to join us.  Starting immediately, a new program will be utilized in its place called the Grandma Program. The Grandma Program calls for lots of love and adoration and for those connections to be cherished for the rest of eternity – never be forgotten again!

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I Want to Be Like a Caterpillar

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I love spring and all the renewal of life that comes to the big sky country where I live. I love seeing green once again after months of leafless brown and yellow trees. I love seeing children’s faces light up when warm days arrive that allow them to play outside in the sunshine!

Spring always reminds me of the good things that change can bring and that is why I want to be like a caterpillar.  Just like a caterpillar…I want to be the object of a beautiful transformation.

I’m mostly interested in being the kind of caterpillar that turns into an attractive butterfly mainly because I want my story to be one of both growth and beauty.

Just like a caterpillar…I want to grow and to be willing to cast off old skins when my growth exceeds my current “skin”.  Just like a caterpillar – I want my growth to be exponential. Lastly, I want my growth and maturation to reach the point where a transformation is butterfly obvious and can be felt by all who know me.

When it comes time for others to look back on my life…It doesn’t matter to me if others see obvious stages in my life but I would love for others to be able to see my life as a pilgrimage – a voyage in which an ordinary person continued to be an ordinary person who was able to accomplish extraordinary things because of her willingness to allow God to guide her life.

For me, being a caterpillar is a lot like being the clay in a potter’s hands. I want mine to be a story of an ordinary caterpillar transformed into a majestic butterfly by “The Potter.”  Hope you enjoy the beautiful transformation that spring brings this year!

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What I Learned from My Near Death Experience About God and Life

I have had a few experiences in which I have seen people who are passionate about their beliefs using a megaphone to shout their message from busy street corners.  I always find

their attempts a little puzzling. They are standing on a busy street corner so that more will hear their message and yet – because they are standing on a “busy” street corner and people passing them by are “busy” no one seems to really hear or care about the messages being broadcast.

There have been a few times when I have wanted to “broadcast” a message to my fellowman – no desire for street corner megaphone but definitely a desire to share information I consider important.

I think I could compare my passion to that of a reformed smoker. You know the type: the kind that having learned their lesson – doesn’t want to see anyone else make the same mistake. That’s how I feel now that I have seen what heaven is like and I have gained insights about God that few mortals seem to have.

Here’s what I would say if I could have my chance to tell everyone who is struggling with their life or struggling to know if God is real:

Believe in what your heart tells you. It speaks truth when it tells you that God is real, He loves you, you have potential and you deserve to be loved.

Understand that evidence of God’s existence is so abundant that you should feel overwhelmed with the sheer volume of evidence He has provided us with. If you are able to love, see, feel, touch, hear, taste…if you are able to marvel at the beauty of a sunset…if you are able to feel warm rays of sunshine…if you can hold a newborn baby in your arms…if you have the ability to change in even the smallest of ways…if you can look at any single creation from nature and recognize the miracle of its existence…you can know in your heart that despite the difficulties that life can and will bring…God does exist, you are His child and He loves you.
Know that the conscience that every living soul is born with is not an accident – it is a gift from God and will lead you along the right paths if you will allow it to.
Life is not an accident and every living soul born to this earth has a purpose.
Death is not an end…it is a necessary transition to another world.
How we live matters. It doesn’t matter whether we are wealthy or famous or remarkably talented or beautiful. It does matter that we love, learn, and serve.
We have each been blessed with the gift of choice. Because of that gift…our lives and the world are sometimes impacted in negative ways. However, because of that gift…we can grow and overcome difficulties, we can choose our attitude and learn new things…we can love and we can forgive.
Our lives were planned prior to our births but the objective of those plans were not to create a billion billionaires of extraordinary fame – the objective was to provide life experiences that would enable us maximum potential for positive growth.
God and His angels are there to help us.
We can change and our lives can be changed and if we are willing to utilize His perfect understanding – God knows how to get us from where we are to where we are meant to be.
Life was never meant to be a spectator sport. To create the life that we each have the potential to create – we must get in the trenches and work hard. We will experience trials and tribulations but if we utilize the divine assistance that is available to us – we will also experience joy, love, growth and personal success!

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What I Want My Grandchildren to Know

I have noticed that there seems to be some confused folks in this world…folks who think that what they do, say, or think doesn’t matter. I want my grandchildren to know that it all matters. Everything we do, say and think…matters a lot.

If you are one of those folks that thinks that your life or what you do doesn’t matter…or maybe that it only matters if you are rich or famous then I hope you will re-think your opinion.

Think about this. ..What if your thoughts are constantly the negative kind. You know – the kind that tell yourself that you will never measure up, that you will never amount to anything, that you will never be able to do what you want to do or maybe even that you are stupid? Will those thoughts give you confidence? Do they encourage you to reach for your potential? Do they even help you believe that you can make a difference in this world?

Now think back to the last time your heart was touched by a kind deed. Maybe the grocery clerk smiled and expressed genuine interest. Maybe someone much frailer than you held a door for you. Maybe you got a big hug from a grandchild or even a child you barely know. Didn’t that small gesture brighten your day and didn’t it make you feel better? Your kind deeds have the potential to do the same for someone else.

Our thoughts have the ability to lift us or stifle us. The interesting thing it is all up to us. No one else can control our thoughts. No one else can determine our attitude and our outlook but we can – and how we do it matters. Our thoughts will steer our direction in life and they can have a positive influence on others if we will make it a habit of making those thoughts positive and constructive.

What we say matters too! I, for one, have never seen anyone helped our uplifted by moaning and complaining but I sure have seen another whose lot in life seemed more difficult than mine inspire me because of their kind words and their willingness to look beyond their personal difficulties and reach in positive ways out to those around them.

And then there’s that “do” thing. Have you ever done something without at least thinking about it first? That’s how life works…thoughts preceding actions. Which means are thoughts are extremely important when it comes to actions.

I want my grandchildren to know that it matters how you think, how you talk, and how you act. Your thoughts can build you and those around you or they can hold you prisoner and ruin your life. Being kind with your thoughts and your words will never hurt you…it will only help you. And your actions count. What goes around comes around. Life works in circles. Being courteous, kind and loving will not only make this world a better place to live…it will make your life a better and more blessed one!

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A Visit with God…

Welcome to the official website of author JoAnna Oblander, and her book, A Glimpse of Heaven: One Woman’s Life-Altering Visit with God.

Through both personal and spiritual experiences, JoAnna Oblander guides us to a deeper understanding of our heavenly home. Shared within the covers of this book are experiences and insights that will remind you of God’s great love for each of His children, His desire to be a daily part of our lives, and that each of us has come to earth to fulfill a unique and important purpose. Find out more…

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