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    To Touch Heaven: Where the Invisible Becomes Visible
    To Touch Heaven: Where the Invisible Becomes Visible
    To Touch Heaven: Where the Invisible Becomes Visible
    Ebook97 pages1 hour

    To Touch Heaven: Where the Invisible Becomes Visible

    By Patricia Marie Bluemel

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    About this ebook

    Katherine was a biologist. She taught physical science, biology, and chemistry; she understood the way the world worked, including the intricate functions of the human body until she made the trek to Ethiopia. Her husband suggested the trip on a whim. Katherine agreed, but how could she have known that her moment of agreement would change her life forever?

    Brother Benedict, a monk, led her over the mountains of Ethiopia. He led her to the very highest cliffs, and that daythat momentmade her doubt every bit of science she had ever known. She found God on that mountain. She touched heaven, and when she touched heaven, she felt its power and promise. Her guide calmly told her, You have experienced the Lalibella Moment.

    Katherine discovered a hidden holy land. She had her moment, when the divine broke through and altered her life. But there is more to be learned in the hills of Ethiopia. Katherine soon comes upon secrets of the human body that render her speechless as she struggles to accept the enlightenment of the untouched holy land. Join Katherinean unintended pilgrimon her journey of the soul, and feel the tugging of the divine on your own heart, as well.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisheriUniverse
    Release dateFeb 1, 2011
    ISBN9781450289726
    To Touch Heaven: Where the Invisible Becomes Visible
    Author

    Patricia Marie Bluemel

    Patricia Marie Bluemel earned a master’s in science degree and postgraduate degrees in theocentric psychology and theology. She is a chaplain and writer and provides spiritual direction through her Jerusalem Dream Outreach. She is the author of Lost Crusader and To Touch Heaven. She lives on Florida’s Treasure Coast.

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      Book preview

      To Touch Heaven - Patricia Marie Bluemel

      To Touch

      Heaven

      Where the Invisible Becomes Visible

      Patricia Marie Bluemel

      iUniverse, Inc.
      Bloomington

      To Touch Heaven

      Where the Invisible Becomes Visible

      Copyright © 2011 by Patricia Marie Bluemel

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

      This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

      iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

      iUniverse

      1663 Liberty Drive

      Bloomington, IN 47403

      www.iuniverse.com

      1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

      Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

      Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

      Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

      ISBN: 978-1-4502-8970-2 (sc)

      ISBN: 978-1-4502-8971-9 (dj)

      ISBN: 978-1-4502-8972-6 (ebk)

      Library of Congress Control Number: 2011900970

      Printed in the United States of America

      iUniverse rev. date: 01/25/2011

      Contents

      Acknowledgments

      Preface

      Introduction

      Part 1

      The I Am Not

      The Pier Top

      The Wake-Up Call

      How Did I Get Here?

      Graduation

      Beginning the Quest

      The Lure of the Divine Proportion

      The Meeting of Father K.

      Part 2

      The He Did

      The Pilgrimage

      The Lalibela Moment

      An Introduction to a Hidden Mystery

      Lalibela, a New Jerusalem

      The Creations

      Father K.’s Special Retreat

      An Interlude

      The Precious Human Body

      The Anointing

      The Blessing

      The Manuscript

      Part 3

      The I Am

      Returning Home

      Reintegrating

      One Morning in Chemistry Class

      A Distant Memory

      St. Joseph Parish

      Father Thomas

      The Worst Part of It

      The End Result

      The Real Facts

      When People Are Used

      A Hidden Wisdom

      A Miracle Priest

      The Chalice of the Silver Maple

      Resurrection of the Manuscript

      Rereading the Manuscript

      The Next Day

      The Mystical Bailey Roe

      The Miracle

      You Knew This Would Happen

      A Final Reflection

      Part 4

      A Time for Celebration

      The Nature of the Pilgrim

      Medjugorje

      Reentry Back into the World

      Teaching To Touch Heaven

      For More Information

      To

      Joanna y Luis

      Acknowledgments

      The writing of this book is a result of the extraordinary encouragement, support, and companionship of dear friends.

      I am especially grateful to the morning coffee clan, Peggy Bushwaller and Louise Brush, who listened and offered every support during the Silver Maple crisis.

      I can never repay Sharon Kenny for her healing touch contributing to my well-being, Elaine Regal for her consultations on the nature of truth, Ellen Bachman for her inspiration, Sister Paul and Sister Grace for always being there, Renate Thevarajah for our international discussions, and Maureen Ryan for her faithful support for so many years.

      I am eternally grateful to my godmother, Lena Blansfield, who kept me in the faith during every challenge.

      To Joan Skedd, I cannot say enough words of appreciation for always seeing the miracle that I could not see ahead of me.

      I especially thank Penny Pohlman for her unbelievable generosity, without which I would not have had the resources to continue my work.

      Our lives are a spiritual journey through the

      I Am Not,

      the

      He Did,

      and

      the

      I Am.

      —Patricia Marie Bluemel

      Preface

      Dear Fellow Pilgrim,

      To Touch Heaven is neither a traditional novel nor a memoir. It is probably best described as a spiritual narrative, a contemplation, and a reflection on life’s spiritual pilgrimage—its three distinct phases.

      Though To Touch Heaven is based on a true story, all of the characters are to be regarded as representing a corporate concept.

      Katherine, the main character, represents all pilgrims on their respective journeys. Sister Paul Emilia represents not only the Dominican charism but also angels sent to pilgrims on their journeys. The priests represent not only pastors but also those spiritual directors who come along to guide us to the next stage of awareness. The cathedrals of Lalibela represent not only spectacular examples of exotic architecture, but also that place where our souls find a home while on earth. The Stillbornes—as a couple—represent our present society, the corporate personality of our nation in 2011. No one character reflects in any way any real person.

      The details, appearances, and mannerisms of the characters are intentionally left to the imagination of the reader so as not to detract from the main purpose of the book—the three phases of the spiritual journey.

      The main conflict of the story may be unclear to the casual reader. One must follow the pilgrim through each phase—the I Am Not, the He Did, and the I Am. This is a story not of the

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