Below is a description of an experience I had written down the same day it happened. The images used do not do justice to what was seen, but are the best I could find. I could find nothing that could describe the house or barns.
Whether this is believed or not, I will leave with the reader. This is posted only because I believe I'm supposed to. May God use it as He wishes.
July 16, 1994
It is late evening, and I'm still reeling from something that happened earlier today. My mind is boggled, and my spirit is torn in many directions. I'm having a hard time believing what happened to me, and don't think anyone else would at all.
I feel I must try to put this down, but even as I start, there are no words that will do justice to what I've seen, and heard.
A Trip To Heaven
I sat in a recliner late this morning, feeling sorry for myself, and very despondent. Two days ago, I had worked my last day as a legal proofreader for a law book publishing company, Butterworth Publishers (formally Equity Publishing Corp.). I'd been there quite a few years, and along with many other's were given the option of moving with the company out of state, or taking our retirement, or severance pay, and leaving. I had to leave, and now my life looked like a blank wall. Not only was I losing a good paying job, but all the benefits with it, and the fulfillment of a challenging job that I liked. I still work in home health care nights, but that is a different realm.
Whether this is believed or not, I will leave with the reader. This is posted only because I believe I'm supposed to. May God use it as He wishes.
July 16, 1994
It is late evening, and I'm still reeling from something that happened earlier today. My mind is boggled, and my spirit is torn in many directions. I'm having a hard time believing what happened to me, and don't think anyone else would at all.
I feel I must try to put this down, but even as I start, there are no words that will do justice to what I've seen, and heard.
A Trip To Heaven
I sat in a recliner late this morning, feeling sorry for myself, and very despondent. Two days ago, I had worked my last day as a legal proofreader for a law book publishing company, Butterworth Publishers (formally Equity Publishing Corp.). I'd been there quite a few years, and along with many other's were given the option of moving with the company out of state, or taking our retirement, or severance pay, and leaving. I had to leave, and now my life looked like a blank wall. Not only was I losing a good paying job, but all the benefits with it, and the fulfillment of a challenging job that I liked. I still work in home health care nights, but that is a different realm.
As I sat there looking out the window alone, I became drowsy, and noticed the clock on my piano said 11:35 a.m., then I must of gone into sleep.
Then, I woke up. But instead of being in my livingroom, I was standing in the middle of a very wide gravel road. Four or five cars could have lined up across it, and along the road were columns of huge trees, and their branches went over the road, making a canopy over it, but I noticed that sunlight still came brightly onto the road....there was no shadows from the branches. These trees were so large, it would take perhaps 10 men reaching and touching hand to hand to circle them. (I'm trying very hard not to exaggerate)
The sun was warm, but not oppressive, there were amazing smells, aromas of flowers; like light perfume. I was so amazed at what I saw, I could hardly take it in.
To my left, thru the avenue of trees, I saw the land open up and gently slope downwards revealing a very large body of water, like a huge pond. The water was still and calm. Flowering bushes, trees, and flowers were along the banks, I could see pathways thru them and places to sit right next to the water. The water had all kinds of water fowl, ducks, geese, and swans....which I've always loved.
The colors were brighter than anything I've ever seen, but not unpleasant. As I continued to try to take this in, I became aware that I was barefoot. I always loved being barefoot, and walking in sand. Looking down, I noticed the gravel was very fine, like gold dust, and felt wonderful between my toes. I stooped down, and picked some up, letting it go thru my fingers. It was like the finest of gold, but as it poured out of my hand, it made no cloud, or fumes in the air. It was pleasantly warm to the touch.
Then, I woke up. But instead of being in my livingroom, I was standing in the middle of a very wide gravel road. Four or five cars could have lined up across it, and along the road were columns of huge trees, and their branches went over the road, making a canopy over it, but I noticed that sunlight still came brightly onto the road....there was no shadows from the branches. These trees were so large, it would take perhaps 10 men reaching and touching hand to hand to circle them. (I'm trying very hard not to exaggerate)
The sun was warm, but not oppressive, there were amazing smells, aromas of flowers; like light perfume. I was so amazed at what I saw, I could hardly take it in.
To my left, thru the avenue of trees, I saw the land open up and gently slope downwards revealing a very large body of water, like a huge pond. The water was still and calm. Flowering bushes, trees, and flowers were along the banks, I could see pathways thru them and places to sit right next to the water. The water had all kinds of water fowl, ducks, geese, and swans....which I've always loved.
The colors were brighter than anything I've ever seen, but not unpleasant. As I continued to try to take this in, I became aware that I was barefoot. I always loved being barefoot, and walking in sand. Looking down, I noticed the gravel was very fine, like gold dust, and felt wonderful between my toes. I stooped down, and picked some up, letting it go thru my fingers. It was like the finest of gold, but as it poured out of my hand, it made no cloud, or fumes in the air. It was pleasantly warm to the touch.
I stood up again, and then noticed that there was someone standing to my left, and slightly behind me. It was a man, tall, very quiet. He was serious, but with great peace. His hair was dark, as well as his eyes. He stood silently observing me, allowing me to have these moments to myself. But, as I gazed upon him, I knew he was my angel, and somehow I knew him, and that we knew each other well. I recognized his spirit, but didn't know how.
I thought to myself "what am I doing here, and where am I?" In my mind the angel answered me, "This is heaven, I'm going to take you to your home." I was speechless. I looked ahead of me, and now noticed that about 100 ft. away was a carriage with two horses harnessed to it, and a silent driver waiting in the front seat, with his back to us. The horses stood in complete calmness and obedience. They were the most beautiful matched pair I'd ever seen. Their color was like a new copper penny, and their manes and tails flaxen blond, and they were exactly the same size.
The angel spoke to my mind again, "they are waiting for us, we need to get in, and go with them."
We both stepped up into the carriage, and sat down behind the silent driver. The seat was beautiful deep royal blue velvet, the floor deep rich red. Golden ornaments were on the carriage but not overdone. It was magnificent.
As the driver lifted the reins, the horses started in unison. He never had to say or do anything more. They seemed to know exactly what to do, and did it with complete calmness. I looked down and noticed they had no shoes on their feet. The angel saw my expression and in my mind he said "there is no need for shoes, there will never be anything to harm them here."
Moving along the avenue I looked to my left. Between the trees I saw sloping hills, and pastures sectioned off, and animals in them. Each kind of animal was in their own area. Some like cows in one, sheep in another, and many, many horses. Some of the pastures were open and vacant, with beautiful flowering bushes hedging them. The greens were so numerous it was amazing to see them flow together. I could hear and see birds of varieties I'd never seen before flying in flocks, and playing in the air.
The hills went on as far as the eye could see, and beyond that, magnificent mountains far in the horizon. I was overwhelmed with the beauty and harmony everywhere. Everything was in perfect proportion, nothing out of place.
I thought to myself "what am I doing here, and where am I?" In my mind the angel answered me, "This is heaven, I'm going to take you to your home." I was speechless. I looked ahead of me, and now noticed that about 100 ft. away was a carriage with two horses harnessed to it, and a silent driver waiting in the front seat, with his back to us. The horses stood in complete calmness and obedience. They were the most beautiful matched pair I'd ever seen. Their color was like a new copper penny, and their manes and tails flaxen blond, and they were exactly the same size.
The angel spoke to my mind again, "they are waiting for us, we need to get in, and go with them."
We both stepped up into the carriage, and sat down behind the silent driver. The seat was beautiful deep royal blue velvet, the floor deep rich red. Golden ornaments were on the carriage but not overdone. It was magnificent.
As the driver lifted the reins, the horses started in unison. He never had to say or do anything more. They seemed to know exactly what to do, and did it with complete calmness. I looked down and noticed they had no shoes on their feet. The angel saw my expression and in my mind he said "there is no need for shoes, there will never be anything to harm them here."
Moving along the avenue I looked to my left. Between the trees I saw sloping hills, and pastures sectioned off, and animals in them. Each kind of animal was in their own area. Some like cows in one, sheep in another, and many, many horses. Some of the pastures were open and vacant, with beautiful flowering bushes hedging them. The greens were so numerous it was amazing to see them flow together. I could hear and see birds of varieties I'd never seen before flying in flocks, and playing in the air.
The hills went on as far as the eye could see, and beyond that, magnificent mountains far in the horizon. I was overwhelmed with the beauty and harmony everywhere. Everything was in perfect proportion, nothing out of place.
It seemed we drove for a long time, the road gently started to curve to the left, bordering the water and still the avenue of huge trees. Then suddenly the scene changed, we came to the end of the lines of trees and the road opened up to the panorama before us, the land to the left still sloped to the pond, but more open with lawns and well placed small gardens along it's borders. The open fields to the right continued on and on. Directly in front of us, I saw a building. As we approached it, I noticed again it was in perfect proportion to it's surroundings. It was a two story structure, white, a semicircular entry with columns in front of it. The steps were also semicircular, seven steps to the door. They were double doors, dark green, with gold fixtures. There were high windows on each side with green shutters. The shape of the home was rectangle, with four windows in the front (two at each side of the door) at the lower and second levels. The gravel avenue came up within just a few feet of the sloping lawn in front of the home, and a walkway of a few steps to the door.
The driver stopped at the front, and the angel got down first. As I stepped down, I noticed that now I had simple gold sandals on my feet, they fit perfectly. We went up the steps, the door opened and stepping thru.....I was speechless. The foyer was huge and open to the second floor, and was domed. The dome above me was beautifully sculpted stained glass of many colors that streamed lights of color to the entire entry. As they hit the floor they mingled in a spectacular fashion, like a kaleidoscope. But this was not irritating or extreme, it was beautiful, and was full of life.
The floor was muted milky marble, and there were muted gray marble columns bordering the circle of the foyer. Beyond this, there were two stairways bordering the walls on each side. They arched to the floor like a graceful skirt, with iron railings beautifully designed. These two stairways met at the second floor with a walkway between them and beyond I could see that there were floor to ceiling windows on the far wall which looked to the outside and the back of the home. This made the home very light and appear even larger. There were doorways on each side of the foyer on both levels, and I could see they were rooms of different kinds.
Below to the left a room like a reading, and music room combined. Beautiful furniture, a fireplace, instruments that looked like they had been used often. One, like a cello, leaned on a chair very invitingly. The walls were lined with bookcases to the ceiling, filled with volumes. The windows looked out over the country, and each scene was one of peace, and serenity. The appointments and colors were perfect.
To the right, there was a dining room. A long table with many chairs, and upholstered seats. Flowers were in the center of the table, and looked vibrant with life.
On the second floor, the rooms were like bedrooms. They each had private setting places looking out over the gardens, and the mountains beyond. The colors were soft, muted, and calming to the soul. The patterns in the fabrics complimented the styles of the rooms but there was imagination, and surprising details making the room inviting and interesting.
On the first floor, beyond the foyer it was open to the back. More windows were there looking out onto a formal garden, with stone walkways within it. Flowers, bushes, roses, birds, climbing vines with beautiful flowers framed the outside of the windows. The aroma's were rich, and deep.
But, one of the most amazing things in this home was within the walls that the staircases lined. The walls themselves were huge two story aquariums! They both were full of fish of every kind, some I'd never seen before. As I looked upon them, they came up as close to the glass as they could and in my mind I heard them say to me "hey, come on in and play with us. We're glad your here!" I could hardly believe what I heard....but then all of a sudden I was in the water with them! But I didn't get wet, they swam around me with joy, and I swam with them enjoying every minute of it. Some of them were huge, the same size as me, but they were like pets. I noticed the angel still in the foyer, with a big smile on his face. There seemed to be no borders to the back of these aquariums....they seemed to go on forever. I couldn't figure this out, and decided not to try.
Suddenly, I was back in the foyer with the angel, and was not wet. I looked up and wondered to myself, "how high is this foyer?" The angel answered me again in my mind "20 feet". Wow, was all I could say.
My gaze went straight ahead of me to the open windows to the garden in the back, and the double doors to it.....I felt a compulsion to go out to it. I stepped thru the doors and just stopped for what seemed like a long time and just tried to take it all in. The beauty was beyond comprehension. The garden was bordered by stone walls that went up about 4ft., and trailing vines, with flowers draped over them, these walls surrounded the garden, making it an outdoor sanctuary, but it was huge. Within it the stone pathways went in several directions, and met each other at times. There were flower beds, fruit trees, and roses of many kinds. In one section a grape arbor was laden with vines and fruit, and under the arbor, an inviting bench.
The driver stopped at the front, and the angel got down first. As I stepped down, I noticed that now I had simple gold sandals on my feet, they fit perfectly. We went up the steps, the door opened and stepping thru.....I was speechless. The foyer was huge and open to the second floor, and was domed. The dome above me was beautifully sculpted stained glass of many colors that streamed lights of color to the entire entry. As they hit the floor they mingled in a spectacular fashion, like a kaleidoscope. But this was not irritating or extreme, it was beautiful, and was full of life.
The floor was muted milky marble, and there were muted gray marble columns bordering the circle of the foyer. Beyond this, there were two stairways bordering the walls on each side. They arched to the floor like a graceful skirt, with iron railings beautifully designed. These two stairways met at the second floor with a walkway between them and beyond I could see that there were floor to ceiling windows on the far wall which looked to the outside and the back of the home. This made the home very light and appear even larger. There were doorways on each side of the foyer on both levels, and I could see they were rooms of different kinds.
Below to the left a room like a reading, and music room combined. Beautiful furniture, a fireplace, instruments that looked like they had been used often. One, like a cello, leaned on a chair very invitingly. The walls were lined with bookcases to the ceiling, filled with volumes. The windows looked out over the country, and each scene was one of peace, and serenity. The appointments and colors were perfect.
To the right, there was a dining room. A long table with many chairs, and upholstered seats. Flowers were in the center of the table, and looked vibrant with life.
On the second floor, the rooms were like bedrooms. They each had private setting places looking out over the gardens, and the mountains beyond. The colors were soft, muted, and calming to the soul. The patterns in the fabrics complimented the styles of the rooms but there was imagination, and surprising details making the room inviting and interesting.
On the first floor, beyond the foyer it was open to the back. More windows were there looking out onto a formal garden, with stone walkways within it. Flowers, bushes, roses, birds, climbing vines with beautiful flowers framed the outside of the windows. The aroma's were rich, and deep.
But, one of the most amazing things in this home was within the walls that the staircases lined. The walls themselves were huge two story aquariums! They both were full of fish of every kind, some I'd never seen before. As I looked upon them, they came up as close to the glass as they could and in my mind I heard them say to me "hey, come on in and play with us. We're glad your here!" I could hardly believe what I heard....but then all of a sudden I was in the water with them! But I didn't get wet, they swam around me with joy, and I swam with them enjoying every minute of it. Some of them were huge, the same size as me, but they were like pets. I noticed the angel still in the foyer, with a big smile on his face. There seemed to be no borders to the back of these aquariums....they seemed to go on forever. I couldn't figure this out, and decided not to try.
Suddenly, I was back in the foyer with the angel, and was not wet. I looked up and wondered to myself, "how high is this foyer?" The angel answered me again in my mind "20 feet". Wow, was all I could say.
My gaze went straight ahead of me to the open windows to the garden in the back, and the double doors to it.....I felt a compulsion to go out to it. I stepped thru the doors and just stopped for what seemed like a long time and just tried to take it all in. The beauty was beyond comprehension. The garden was bordered by stone walls that went up about 4ft., and trailing vines, with flowers draped over them, these walls surrounded the garden, making it an outdoor sanctuary, but it was huge. Within it the stone pathways went in several directions, and met each other at times. There were flower beds, fruit trees, and roses of many kinds. In one section a grape arbor was laden with vines and fruit, and under the arbor, an inviting bench.
I decided to take one of the stone paths to the left. While I had been in the house and upstairs, I had looked down and out and noticed that a single wide dirt road led out of the left side of this garden, and wandered over a brook, and to a huge barn in the distance, I had only been able to see the roof which was also dark green. Now, as I walked I looked for this path to lead me to the road, the angel walked along silently, but seemed to know where I was going; I could sense it. Around the bend, there it was, the road I'd seen upstairs. I decided to take it, I wanted to see this barn I had gotten a glimpse of earlier.
As I got closer I could hear the whinny of horses, they seemed to be calling to me. One especially seemed familiar to me.....and I knew it was a male horse. The road graced over the brook with a small bridge, as I crossed it, the barn came into view. It was long and narrow, white with green shutters; double doors on both ends, and stalls on both sides the full length of it. It looked to be about 100-150 ft. long. The road sloped gently up to it, and as I walked along I could still hear the horses, they were greeting me, and even though they hadn't seen me yet.
Then I heard a voice very familiar to me....it was the voice of my husband coming to me from the barn. "Come on up, let me show you around." I continued walking and got to the front doors of the barn. Looking in I saw the most magnificent horses I've ever seen. They looked at me with intelligence, and as if they knew me, and shook their heads up and down in greeting. Halfway down the aisle, I saw a man bending over a piece of equipment, he stood up and turned around...It was Lynn (my husband). He smiled warmly to me, started walking to me, my heart was melting in me. He looked as he did when we first married, but even more handsome.
Suddenly, with a jolt, I heard a door slam.....and I was awake, back in the recliner in the livingroom. The first thing my eyes saw, was the clock, it was 3:36 in the afternoon.
My husband's steps came in from the kitchen, as he walked he said "Lorna, are you here?" I could not answer, I was frozen. He came around the corner and looked at me in the chair, then said "Are you ok? You look like your in shock." All I could do was nod a "no". At this, he started relaying his day, while I sat there trying to come to my senses.
After a few minutes of acting like I was listening to him, I asked a question, "Lynn, how high is our cathedral ceiling (which was what our living room was)". He looked at me with a question in his eyes, but answered "It is 14ft. to the center". My mind was still in the foyer of that beautiful home.....remembering.
Personal Notes
There are some very interesting things I've taken note of about this visit that only God would know.
1. from a very little girl, I've had a fascination and loved tropical, and ocean fish of every kind. One of my first memories is of sitting on my father's lap while he showed me a book of color pictures of ocean life, it was always the one I picked for him to look at with me. When I became a woman, and just a few yrs. ago, I was able to purchase my first aquarium, and have raised many kinds of tropical fish.
2. From the age of 3, horses have been another fervent love of mine. I would sit and dream of owning Arabian horses, but we were very poor, and I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would own any. But in 1984, I was able to purchase my first Arab mare, and have owned several since. I also showed, trained and owned my own business for over 20 yrs. The Lord has blessed me beyond my dreams.
3. Green has always been my favorite color, especially for home decor.
4. My husband and I are country people, and like elbow room, we lived in a very rural setting at the end of a dead end road. Living in Northern Vermont, and we both love mountains.
5. My husband loves raising fruits, berries, and vegetables, and has done this for many yrs. the grounds around this house was graced with every kind of garden and fruit tree, and berry bushes in long rows, like he has had here.
6. The fact that he was already there was a prophetic message to me.....he is there now. My husband died in 2004 in my arms, of a heart attack, and ironically in July ten yrs. later. His funeral was on July 16, 2004; the exact day I had this dream, 10 years earlier.
There are many other details and layers of understanding of this trip that I will leave out. But, this is a glimpse of it, and I will never be the same.
Lorna Couillard
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
There is no monetary gain intended in the use of these pics, and no copyright infringements intended. I found them in a public domain site.
There are some very interesting things I've taken note of about this visit that only God would know.
1. from a very little girl, I've had a fascination and loved tropical, and ocean fish of every kind. One of my first memories is of sitting on my father's lap while he showed me a book of color pictures of ocean life, it was always the one I picked for him to look at with me. When I became a woman, and just a few yrs. ago, I was able to purchase my first aquarium, and have raised many kinds of tropical fish.
2. From the age of 3, horses have been another fervent love of mine. I would sit and dream of owning Arabian horses, but we were very poor, and I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would own any. But in 1984, I was able to purchase my first Arab mare, and have owned several since. I also showed, trained and owned my own business for over 20 yrs. The Lord has blessed me beyond my dreams.
3. Green has always been my favorite color, especially for home decor.
4. My husband and I are country people, and like elbow room, we lived in a very rural setting at the end of a dead end road. Living in Northern Vermont, and we both love mountains.
5. My husband loves raising fruits, berries, and vegetables, and has done this for many yrs. the grounds around this house was graced with every kind of garden and fruit tree, and berry bushes in long rows, like he has had here.
6. The fact that he was already there was a prophetic message to me.....he is there now. My husband died in 2004 in my arms, of a heart attack, and ironically in July ten yrs. later. His funeral was on July 16, 2004; the exact day I had this dream, 10 years earlier.
There are many other details and layers of understanding of this trip that I will leave out. But, this is a glimpse of it, and I will never be the same.
Lorna Couillard
1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
There is no monetary gain intended in the use of these pics, and no copyright infringements intended. I found them in a public domain site.
