Tonny/ Sparks/ NV/ Washoe County

I hope the story touches you like it still affects me. 7 years ago today while shoveling snow, all of a sudden I had trouble catching my breath. No pain, just that. I went in the house and figured I'd sit on the couch and have a smoke. I asked Jane to get me a couple of aspirin, and she asked what was wrong. I told her I just felt a little off. When she saw me, I guess I didn't look so hot, and she asked me if she should call someone, and I told her I didn't think so. She called 911 anyway and they got here pretty quick. They said I should go to the hospital, and since I thought I was just hyperventilating, figured they were trying to rack up the charges. By this time I still had no pain, but stopped them on the way out and told Jane I loved her and to tell the kids I loved them. When they were loading me into the ambulance I did remind God that He said if you believed in His Son, He would forgive your sins, and you would be with Him if you died. I also reminded Him I did that a long time ago and I was holding Him to His word. After we got on the Main St. after leaving the house they had given me 4 doses of nitro, and I heard the paramedic working on me tell the driver "We're going code 3". I figured that wasn't good, and just slipped away. No pain and no panic. That was the first time I died, and was gone for probably 20 minutes. The paramedics never gave up on me. I died two more times between the emergency room and the operating room where they did a triple bypass. What I remember is not at all what I would have expected, or all the stories you always hear. I was in a waiting room, sitting on a couch with my legs crossed Indian style. I knew someone was sitting behind me, but felt no need to turn around, because I knew they were watching over me, and I sensed had nothing but my best interest at heart and I could feel the love. In the bible it mentions a peace that passes all understanding...never really spoke to my heart before, but now I know what it means. The other thing that was so striking was that there was no concept of time. I could have sat there for 30 years waiting for all of you, and it would have been like the blink of an eye. Once in a blue moon you get that flashing feeling that everything is right with the world....never more than a fleeting moment, but I felt that way the whole time. It was absolutely amazing. I know it was real since it wasn't at all what I expected. It was good having faith that heaven is real, and God's word is real, but knowing is so much better A book I read right after I came home is called "The Shack". While I read it, it really spoke to my heart and spirit as being spot on. Just never considered that God would be what you need him to be I thank God that he gave me this blessing, and hope that my experience will give others comfort and lead them to the same realization that God is really there, that He really loves you even if you think you're a worthless piece of meat, and that no matter what you've done He can still forgive you and use you to help others.