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Posted Wednesday --- November 28, 2007 -- 10:15pm

 
Do you believe in Near Death Experiences?
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It is one of life's biggest mysteries -- what happens after death. A Deerfield woman who nearly died says what happened next changed the way she lives today.

This experience is by no means rare. Thousands of people actually report near death experiences. The elements vary, but one common theme is a profound change in how people spend their future.

Much like some of her special-needs horses ...

"This is Cherry Pie."

Roby Rogers has escaped death.

"She was supposed to have been dead about 8 years ago, according to all of the veterinarians," Rogers says of Cherry Pie.

But Cherry Pie survived to teach Rogers about caring for horses -- a calling she never imagined to answer in such a big way.

"I was 43. I had a career that was on the fast track. I really had a life that I liked."

That's until she says a medical mistake in 1999 nearly cost her everything.

"As a physician, I couldn't see anything, but I could hear people talking. I knew I was in really bad shape."

But then, a source of relief appeared before her hospital bed.

"Two angels came into my room, and they were little cherub angels about two feet high," she says, "As soon as they came, the room was filled with light."

"Although I was still in tremendous pain, and I was still in my body, I wasn't bothered by the pain anymore."

But Rogers, still struggling to survive, reached out for another comfort -- the memory of a beloved dog named Brinder.

"I always said about that dog, when I touched her, I felt like I was touching heaven, although I'd never been to heaven, of course."

"And boom, that fast, there she was," she says, "I reached out to pet her and as I did, the angels moved from the foot of my bed to the head and escorted me out of my body."

What Rogers describes as her "energy" then moved through a tunnel of golden light.

"It was dark and yet I felt the presence of angels and the presence of the divine ...and I saw golden, you just go to the light," she says, "It's sort of like the tubes at the bank... the drive-thru tubes at the bank ... it's like getting in a tube and going whewt!"

Rogers believes she landed in heaven.

"We don't have any words to describe heaven."

But the words she heard while there eventually landed Roby here -- on Avatar Farm in Deerfield.

"One, I was told very clearly that the reason we're here is all about love and relationships," she says, "It's not about the job you have, the car you have, the home you have," she says, "It is about our love of each other, the earth, the animals, ourselves, everything."

And everything is inter-connected.

"I was shown a picture of the earth," she says, "The earth had an infinite number of silver cords that went from every point to every other point ... I was both shown and told that everything happens for a reason... that nothing happens by chance."

Rogers rescued Cherry Pie before her near death experience but now she knows why.

"As I was put back in my body, I was told that I was being put back on earth to be of service in two ways. One I was told to "talk about the angels," and two, I was told to "help the animals."

Knowing her work was unfinished, Rogers then returned to her old, earthly life but as a new, changed person.

"It was both the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to me and the most difficult thing. What I love about it is the sense of purpose.
Unlike a lot of people I know why I'm here."

And she's reminded...

"It was right in front of the door."

... because angels still visit Rogers...

"I was cleaning the manure out of the barn, and all of a sudden I saw a little angel, about this high again."

The angel called on Rogers to listen...

"We are so distracted from ourselves and from our lives, and from what's really important after all, what's really important is love and relationships."

Because every interaction is an opportunity to spread love ...

"It's not always easy to try to achieve the responsibility that I was given, but I know exactly why I'm here."
... an opportunity ...

"I see my job as a messenger... "

... to spread a kind of heaven on earth, here at home.

"It's the place closest to heaven that I can get to here on earth."

Rogers says she is not trying to convince anyone. Science, however, is less convinced of an other worldly explanation. It's still seeking to prove a physiological explanation for NDE's. One theory says an NDE is a sleep-related hallucination.

You can learn more about Rogers' sanctuary by visiting:
http://www.heartlandsanctuary.org/

You also can catch a web exclusive on a group that meets every month in Madison to discuss near death experiences here at nbc15.com (See Above Video)

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QUESTION: Have you a near death experience?? Feel free to post your COMMENTS below.

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Posted by: Joe on May 22, 2008 at 04:27 PM
Due to the recent e-mails I received from people all over the world these past three years or so, I have decided to reveal what was told to me during my NDE in 2005. First off, bear in mind that I am now 70 years of age, have lived a less than spectacular life, have a very weak heart, which is now 40% damaged and dangerously enlarged. On top of that, I have now had C.O.P.D. since 2006 and cannot breathe well. I am retired and have written a few children's books, at the urging of my elementary school teacher wife, which were published but did not make me a lot of money. Thus, I have very little going for me at this time and do not expect to live much longer due to my heart condition. In 2005 I underwent open heart surgery after my heart attack, and that involved a triple bypass and a Maze procedure by a Portland, Oregon cardiac surgeon. He and God saved my life. I point all this out because I feel you should know more about me before judging me. Secondly, an e-mail from someone in Lon

Posted by: Scott on Dec 17, 2007 at 08:50 AM
Experiences just occur. It is not enough to say you believe that they "happened" or only to investigate their possible scientific basis. What is necessary is to determine their significance and meaning.

Posted by: Brenda on Dec 3, 2007 at 09:10 AM
I had an NDE after a horrific car accident 3 years ago. While some aspects are the same as other experiencers (universal knowledge, a connection to everything) I still feel alone because I have never heard different aspects of my experience mentioned by other NDE accounts. Wherever I was had nothing in common with reality as we know it. There was no memories from life on earth, no religious aspect, no language. In fact the only thing that comes close to describing it is eternal freedom and peace. It wasn't like my questions were answered, but more like there were no questions at all. And when I came back, being trapped in my physical body was excrutiating. For a few moments, it seemed like I felt the pain of the entire world. And then I began to understand the truth. That I went to where we naturally always are, and this world is our heaven and hell. This world is the gift, because you can't know love without hate.

Posted by: Jeff on Dec 1, 2007 at 08:43 AM
Had a NDE 1985. Went through the Tunnel of Light, saw Jesus at the end. He told me to go back it was not my time and He had work for me to do. For a number of years I wondered what that work was. In 1993 He sent me on my 1st mission trip to the Chzech Republic, 6 mo after the revolution Since then I know what that work is. Have been going and leading mission teams since. I have retired at Age 51 started my own Business, Under The Son Home Service, that funds my mission work and is in itself a mission in itself. It is so Fantastic and Rewarding when do what God wants you to do. Glory to God in the Highest, and I pray for the Peace of Christ to all.

Posted by: Betty on Nov 30, 2007 at 09:38 PM
Roby,I am a native of Deerfield, WI.I left when I graduated DHS in 73,but remain 100% a Deerfield-ite and believer that Heaven on Earth IS Deerfield and surrounding rural area, WI.Where else in the USA could you grow up,walk the RR tracks(now a trail)for miles in either direction with a small group of friends,be safe,and have the absolute time/freedom of your life!GOD'S COUNTRY.Suprising,maybe,as there are far more bars than churches!Although none of my family lives in Deerfield anymore,I have close friends remaining & I am welcome to stay with them when I do visit. & when I am in WI, I DO go HOME to Deerfield. AMAZING!I am a BELIEVER in your event!!My advise is to follow the advise of the Angels. I DO BELIEVE in Angels!In subtle ways,I believe my life has been saved by my Angels.I call on them frequently to provide safety and sometimes wisdom for myself and my family,and am assured my Angels have lifted us up.Do what the Angles lead you to do.Listen carefully&do what they say. w/b

Posted by: Lynette on Nov 30, 2007 at 07:49 AM
I haven't had one but I have read dozens of books on the subjects Roby mentions. I'm glad to see stories like this!

Posted by: Susan Lynn Wahl on Nov 29, 2007 at 10:37 PM
Back in 1978, I had a NDE.

Posted by: Gary on Nov 29, 2007 at 03:35 PM
I also believe there is more to us than our lives on earth. I do not attend church every Sunday but do believe in a higher power. I do think there are things that happen that cannot be dismissed just because science cannot explain them or give physical proof of there happening. I will say this, if the people honestly and truly believe this has happened and they are comforted by their experience, then grab hold of it and do not let go. With all the pain and misery in the world today, everyone needs something to comfort them and make them feel at peace and whole. Thank you to all those who are brave enough to come forward and tell their stories!

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 29, 2007 at 12:57 PM
When I was a child I was hit by a vehicle while riding my bicycle. I was not seriously injured, but while it was happening my life truly did flash before my eyes. I saw all these things, my parents, my grandparents, my dogs, my friends, certain events in my life. It was very surreal and it happened so fast. The weird thing is, it was all positive events, there was nothing bad that flashed before my eyes. I am not religious but I do believe in life after death. My grandmother passed and she loved a certain bird, and on the year anniversary of her death we gathered at my grandparents home, which was in early March and very cold. Her favorite bird landed on the porch for a few minutes. It was a female also. To me that seems more then a coincedence. The bird was a Cardinal. I truly believe it was my Grandmother letting us know she is ok, and she is still with us.

Posted by: Rachel on Nov 29, 2007 at 11:19 AM
I haven't had a near death experiance, but I've had an experiance after a very good and close friend of mine passed away as I had a lot of guilt feelings about her death and blamed myself for it!

Posted by: Bob on Nov 28, 2007 at 11:03 PM
USMC Retired, 2/18/69, republic of south vietnam,seriously wounded in action, left my body, went through the tunnel to the light. I remember that it was warm and soothing and it smelled good. If I had any contact at the light I don't remember but all of a sudden I was back in my body in real pain. I spent 9 months in various military hospitals getting put (mostly) back together. I didn't tell anyone as I thought I was insane, read a book by Dr Moody, life after death, and found out there were others like me. When in the hospital there were some doctors and residents outside the door iscusing my case and one saying I wasn't going to make it. This was around easter time as some playboy bunnies from lake genivia came to give the troops moral a boost, I was in an isolation burn ward and all who entered had to be gowned from head to foot. One entered properly attired with just 2 scared eyes showing, must have been a real mess. I still wonder what was under that gown.

Posted by: stephanie on Nov 28, 2007 at 10:47 PM
i know, i've had nde a few times! i've had 14 surgeries since age 21, as i have crohn's disease and two cancers...now 53 yrs. i have woken or levitated above my body during several operations. the more serious operations, the more likely i saw it from above... i believe i came back into my body as i had two girls to raise and i refused to give up!!! religion,GOD, or whatever people believe in is nothing more than GOOD. be good to one another and all living things and all will be enough for yourself... you get what you give to this universe. so love all things and all will embrace your psychie...we are only given as much as we can handle, so enjoy whatever life you are handed. someday i hope to see your ranch, and keep on believing...stephanie gorkowski