[Casting out of the Spirit]
So, the last couple nights have been among the most fearful that I've ever had. I've had a ghost in my apartment, in case you didn't know. I'd be pretty ok with all the lights on, but as soon as they turned off, every noise made in the apartment was fair game at scaring me. We tried to switch the doorknob on my door the other day, which didn't end up fitting, and after Socorro left, I was left to myself in the hallway to change it, and shakily, trembling and about to cry, was singing "I am a Child of God" as I changed it back so that I could get the door closed. Every noise, shadow, dark area, creak, moan, anything, was terrifying me.
"Fear is not of me, but of the Devil" This honestly was the quote that I was living by. It may not be evil, but it wasn't of God. I had a friend come over, who is sensitive to spirits, and he mentioned that the kitchen felt funny and that my bedroom did too. Great.
Sunday came. I waited till Sacrament meeting was over, and went to visit the Bishop.
Laura: Hi Bishop, I think there's a spirit in the apartment. (*wince*)
Bishop: *serious face* has your apartment been dedicated?
Laura: *sigh of relief* I don't know. I don't think so.
Bishop: Well, lets get with your home teachers.
I found my home teachers explained the situation and they agreed to come that night.
Upon returning home however, the home teacher I was texting declared that he was going to bed instead, and asked if it could be done another night. (Note: I formally request a new home teacher...) In despair, I texted Danny, telling him my home teachers were backing out, and that I was up for another night of terror. Earlier that day, Danny had offered his couch to me, if it became to scary for me at my apartment. Danny responded back asking me questions with a tone that meant he was just as frustrated with my home teachers as I. Telling me he wanted to help, but didn't know how, he suggested I call the Elders Quorum president. I didn't find a directory in the apartment, and was told by Danny to run next door to his place, (He was at Kayla's) to grab his.
I stepped outside, and reeled from the fact it was dark. Once upon a time, I ran back and forth between my place and his over and over again, in the dark and had no problems. I was shocked at just how afraid of the dark I was now. Trembling, I walked next door, and Mike and Joseph opened the door. Looking at them, I spit out a sob story, ready to cry. I finished with, "Danny told me to come get his directory so I can call Evan, and have him dedicate my apartment....... unless you guys want to dedicate it for me." They looked at each other, then Mike said. "We're going to go change and we'll be right over."
Giggling with relief, I ran back to my apartment, texting Danny that his roommates were going to save me, and he responded with "Wait for me!!!! I want to help!!!"
Mike and Joseph showed up 5 minutes later, dressed in church clothes, and I related Danny's wishes to them, and told what was going on with the spirit. Mike apparently has lots of experience in this matter, doing all sorts of dedications and casting while on his mission in Philadelphia. (yeah.. philadelphia??? ) and explained it was more common than most people think.
Danny arrived. And Mike explained what would happen. He would bless and dedicate the house and then cast out any unclean or evil thing. This required that they have their arm at an angle like during a baptism. In the square. Danny was worried that the spirit would take up residence in their apartment, and Mike explained that you could send it to a specific place. I chuckled and jokingly said, "I could think of a place to send it." (When relating the story to Kristen later night, she was horrified and said "Ohmygosh, you didn't send it to her, right?" No Kristen, I'm not vengeful or malicious.) The 4 of us knelt on the ground and Danny, Mike and Joseph put their arms up, and my house was dedicated, and blessed. That the spirit could take up residence there, and we'd have a spirit of harmony in the apartment with the new residents. Then he called/proclaimed that anything unclean or evil to leave and "go far away" The power, and spirit in the room was incredible. The peace that was felt. And it wasn't like these were professional ghost hunters, or even high sect religious leaders. These were my friends, with the ability to use the priesthood, and cast out spirits, give blessings, pass the sacrament and do any other number of power related items. The power of the Priesthood is real. I felt the strength from the 3 men before me proclaiming a blessing on my apartment.
We all heard it. Footsteps upstairs in Jenna's room. I flinched, as I wasn't expecting anything, just a warm feeling. Afterwards, Mike was not phased. "Its happened before, where I declare something to leave, and we hear it leave." We all agreed that the apartment felt much better than it did. There was a warmth there now that wasn't there before.
Danny: " I was expecting like, rattling or banging on windows, of something like mad to be kicked out." I think he believed me after hearing whatever it was walking upstairs.
*shudders* That thing was in my apartment. Always there. Residing in Jenna's room at the time it was kicked out. *Shudders again* .
Sheesh. The things I go through in this life. But the experience of the power I felt was worth the terror I've been through the last couple days.
P.S. Check out my 101 in 1001 and see how I'm doing!
4 thoughts :
Do you think Jenna is the problem? You should think about casting her out as well.
Hahahahaha. Jenna hasn't been home for 3 months, she's on internship in New York. Jenna is a good girl. We were pretty close while she was here.
Ya, at least it was only footsteps you heard from casting out. My personal experience (on my mission) was usually a lot angrier and more frightening.
I have a story to tell you Laura... whenever you wanna hear it! Something happened to me while Jake and I went camping the last two days.
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