Maria's Encounter

(For an understanding of "Encounter" please see the post "Introduction to Encounter")

This is my second time attending Encounter, my first experience was awesome. I really wanted to experience God like that again. After working all day at work on January 7th, all I wanted to do is to feel God's love embracing me and letting me know how much He loves me.

I considered myself to be a pretty "happy" person and always like to see the positive in most things in life. My main talent is positivity, but I have always carried the sadness of losing my father at the young age of 15. I always felt like he missed so much of my life and I felt like I did not get the time to know who he really was. My sadness, guilt or whatever you want to call it, made me a very emotional rollercoaster. Although, I always carried the grief with me, I could not explain at times why I was crying for no reason. I used to make little occurrences, like a reprimand from my boss or an argument with my husband, a melodrama and a tragedy. It really did not need to be. I basically used to wear my heart on my sleeve. I do have to admit I am a little more sensitive than a lot of people but the tears at times were a little too much, even for me.

When I was 15, my father died of Cancer. I was not at my house when he passed and I have always felt guilty that I never got to say goodbye.
But looking back, my father prepared me for this journey way before he was sick. About 5 months before he died, when he was diagnosed, he talked to me and reassured me of how much he loved me. He made me promise that I would be a good girl and that I would become someone he could be proud of. He tried to explain that even if he was sick and could not hug me (our favorite thing to do) that he would always love me. By now you are wondering why I am telling you this...well it was not until I attended Encounter and wrote this blog that I really understood what had just happened at that moment.

At Encounter there was a moment during the service that people who were feeling guilt, shame or grief got to step forward to be prayed for. I am telling you that before the prayer was over I felt a sense of grief be lifted. It was almost like if I had lost 25 lbs automatically. My heart felt so light and relieved. When Don Eichhorn put his hand of my shoulder and prayed over my grief it was like God had just told me everything will be ok. At the end of the evening, I was so uncertain of what I was feeling or "not" feeling that I had Don and Helen pray over me again making sure that my grief was totally gone, WOW! It was totally gone!

I can now remember the great memories I had with my dad. I am able to remember those special moments I had with my dad when he was preparing me for what was to come. I can remember the times we laughed and hugged. I remember the times he told me how much he loved me. I really remembered!

If you have never been to Encounter, go! It changed my life. I honestly can say I am a much happier person. My life has totally changed. I have an even more positive way of thinking. My grief has not only made me happier emotionally but it changed my whole life. I have lost about 15 lbs, physically in a week and a half. I am exercising, making healthy eating decisions. I started the year as a renewed believer, God took my grief away and now I can focus on me and my relationship with my God.
What else is there in life? Well the best thing is, "Love what you do and share it with others".

Love you all and thanks for giving me the opportunity to share this story with you.