For me, the WAVES Gatherings, as is the EBTL message, are a story about love. The love first started with our creator God calling Betty forward as a messenger of his unconditional love for ALL of us. She translated that message in her books, and now she has passed it on further to us WAVES.

The Gatherings are that love in action. I personally attended last year’s Gathering in Chicago because of the impetus of love as expressed through another WAVE, Kristen, who encouraged me to attend. Without her selflessly thinking of me, I would not have attended and would not have experienced the Gathering of love.

This year’s Gathering came much easier for me, both in location and conviction to attend. Furthermore, I was blessed to bring my two girls (wife, Jody and daughter, Natalie) who both felt blessed to attend.

The events themselves were filled with love. From the beginning event on Friday night, the music set the tones of love – beautiful, heartfelt, simplistic and harmonious. Then Betty entered and welcomed the guests with hugs and greetings. Soon the atmosphere was charged with love, and Betty described her NDE to further enlighten the audience about God’s immense love for us, His children.

The WAVE-only events were likewise filled with love and possibly more poignant, as the programs were designed more specifically for smaller groups. Hearing from Betty’s down-to-earth best friend, Ellie, and meeting her loving husband, Joe, were also precious moments for me.

I especially adored the prayer meeting and meditation on Saturday night. Being able to specifically pray from my heart’s desire in such a focused atmosphere convinced me that our prayers were like beams headed to God. Also, I liked the prayer format we used: A ‘proxy’, or substitute, sat in when necessary for the person(s) needing prayer. An inspired individual led the prayer, and the rest of us joined hands or touched someone else’s shoulder so that we were all connected to the proxy. This format really united us all in mind, body and spirit.

I am surprised how the love I felt at the Gathering has lasted for so long! The personal connections I made from this Gathering and the one in Chicago have been strengthened in me with renewed vigor and depth. I love the WAVES and look forward to our continued unity of purpose both here on Earth and in Heaven to come.