James Van Praagh

CAMMY_WebAdmin

A little over ten years ago while living in Los Angeles, a strange thing happened to my life...I met, and began working with, James Van Praagh...and believe me, for a girl raised in Kentucky and all that implies, it doesn't get any stranger than James Van Praagh... haaa. Just kidding. Actually, it was, indeed, one of those "spirit-driven" situations you always hear about. I was blessed at that time to work with James as his Administrative Assistant with the opportunity to also meet gifted practitioners from around the world. I also learned firsthand the true meaning of spirituality through witnessing the healing and awakening of those at James' events.

Now, after two major life moves due to my husband's work transfers, one to Orlando and currently to Atlanta, I am still thrilled at the blessing to be able to work with James as his Web Site Administrator. It is wonderful to be a part of the work that he does in sharing with the world the understanding that there IS more to life than this life on Earth, and love is the key to it all. It doesn't get any better than that!

Besides being graced with the position of JVP Web Site Administrator, I enjoy experiencing every day the spiritual joy of my 14-year-old daughter, Alexis, and the loving strength and support of my long-time husband, Tony. While chatting with everyone in the JVP Chat Room and working on the web site, I have to fight for desk space from our two 6-year-old cats, Abigail and Agnes. We also now have a 1-year-old dog named Mollie who keeps me smiling.

My passion is gardening...veggie, herb and butterfly specifically. When I get the chance, I love to be outside meditating in my "garden space" and communing with Mother Nature. Great for grounding.

Each day is an adventure that I look back on in amazement and say, "Thank you, Divine Spirit, for giving me these blessings in my life and for the opportunity to fill my soul with purpose as you give me the abilities to share with others on this incredible place called the internet!" I look forward to continually growing and learning and experiencing with everyone in the Chat Room and Message Board. A special ‘thank you' to James for allowing me to be "a part of the ride"!

Afire

It is truly an honor and a joy to be a part of this loving chat family of friends. I have received so many blessings since coming here. The compassion and love so freely given has brought the gifts of healing and friendship to both heart and soul.

I reside in Arizona with my 3 and 1/2 pound, long-haired chihuahua, Bubba. I have been married and divorced, and have one child, a son, who passed at the age of 18. I miss him dearly, but find comfort in the many signs of his continued presence in my life.

Because I lost both my son and my father by suicide, the support of others who have survived such a loss has become near and dear to my heart. I now manage a support group for those who have lost a loved one by suicide, and this has been more of a blessing in my life than I ever could have imagined.

I now spend much of my time painting on just about anything I can find. I find painting both a meditation and a joy which soothes my soul. I also love hiking and just being outdoors in nature where the sprit can so easily find nourishment and peace.

BillyCat

I do have a confession to make! With regards to the imaginative life my chat room friends have fondly created for me, my name isn't really BillyCat and I don't live in a cattery although our ‘real' cats Billy and Chivers would disagree, and try to make it as close to a cattery as they can!

In April 2002, a month after my husband, Jon, passed over, I came across a book called "Healing Grief." This book by JVP led me to his chat site where I found the most wonderful and supportive people. James' books speak to my heart and soul, and in the chat room I feel I'm connecting with a beautiful soul group that I'm proud to call "family."

Through the "dark nights of the soul," the chat room always has a candle lit day and night where I, and so many others, come for support, friendship, laughter and food for the soul. I have been shown time and time again that love never dies and that our loved ones are forever with us. I truly believe that (((Jon))) played a part in my finding my way to JVP's chat room and he continues to make his love and presence felt.

I have been blessed again and have since met and married another wonderful man who I feel is part of my soul group and who has taught me how to laugh again. For this I give thanks again to JVP and our beautiful chat room.

I look forward to seeing you in the chat room and sharing experiences, friendship, a shoulder to lean on, and above all, love. I leave you with these words which always make me smile:

"…You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul…."
Max Erhman

BJM

Hi my name is Betty Jean. Most people just call me Bette (silent 'e' ) but you'll know me as BJM in the chat room.

Though I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic grade school, I realized at an early age that I didn't fit well with the program. I was very intuitive and the nuns didn't like my observations or my questions. I learned very quickly that it was best to keep my mouth shut, and not let them know that my mind was open. Though it broke my heart to leave the choir (I still love to belt out those Gospel tunes), I cut myself loose from the church at the age of fourteen when I refused to follow my older sibs into the Catholic high school. It was at that time that I began to explore my personal connection with The Divine and learned to define my spirituality for myself.

I never lost touch with those initial revelations and have built a foundation of faith from them through the years. I spent too many years running wild, living a nomadic existence, and flaunting my rebellious youth. I finally settled down with a great guy and we have been married and raising our two daughters for the last eighteen years in Michigan where I grew up. It's a conservative community and it still manages to offend my rebellious side, but it's good to be near family again.

I am honored to serve on JVPs website as a volunteer Chat Room Op. I think JVP, as a celebrated medium, has brought something truly unique to his website. Rather than pure self-promotion, he has opened his site up as an interactive place where people are genuinely welcome to share their grief, their joy and their spiritual questions and adventures. His Message Board is filled with profound and poignant stories and responses of love and support. And, of course, the chat room is the friendliest darn chat site on the web — no contest! He brings people together in a way that promotes community and support — the one thing I've missed through the years of non-affiliation with organized religion.

I started coming here in September 2001 and have found a community of wonderful folks who I have come to think of as my friends. They have helped me through so many struggles and have celebrated my joys and successes with me as well. I hope that I may contribute in my own way to making this web site a great place to be..

Brenda

Initially, I came to here to find an answer to a spiritual question in November 2001. But, along with the answer -- and much to my surprise -- I discovered so much more than that. I found a warm and loving extended family and a safe, welcoming forum in which to learn, share and grow. I’m delighted to say that I’ve been here ever since.

I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, writer, editor and needlework designer. I have been married to Carl since 1970. We have four amazing children who in turn have gifted us with eight precious grandchildren.

My personal interests include spending time with my family, reading, writing, watching movies and my favorite TV show, Ghost Whisperer.

I’ve learned so much during my stay here, and I’m sincerely grateful to James and Cammy for allowing me to be a part of this site. I look forward to seeing you all in the chat room!

Dragonflywings

I live in Australia with my husband and two children. I came to the JVP chat room almost 5 years ago looking for answers to questions. Not only did I find those answers but I also found many wonderful and loving friends. I have been here ever since.

The wonderful thing about this chat room is that you can come in and there is always a kind word and a hug. I thank you all just for being you and making JVPs chat room the kind and loving place that it is.

Dreamcatcher^1

My first spiritual experience that I remember is at the age of 3. I still have that vision to this day...it has never left me. My life from early childhood has been a veritable roller-coaster, dipping and rising, twisting and turning. I am grateful for all of the lessons it has brought me. Even now as I write this, I am transitioning and going through some major lessons...learning to trust and have faith being top of the list presently. "This too shall pass"...as I constantly remind myself.

I found the JVP Chat Room earlier in 2002 soon after my soul-mate, David, had gone home, five weeks after my father had gone home. Here I have found love, comfort and support from JVP Ops and chatters alike, as I adjust to my new life with my two children, Mark and Cody, our Australian-native parrot and three manx cats.

Both of my boys have also been my saving grace after David went home. We just recently moved to a new home and transitioning to new beginnings in our lives. David going home has really validated a lot for me and has also made my faith and beliefs stronger. It has also made me stronger and I thank him for this lesson.

I think his going home has pushed me further along my journey and made me going within and really live my beliefs. JVP Ops and chatters here have been my sounding board and my direction sometimes. We really are one big family... helping each other... showing each other where we are at... how much we really are loved... how much we really mean to the scheme of things... .each of us bringing different gifts, traits, personalities... yet, on the whole... ONE!

The photo of me you see above is an aura photo taken of me in March 2002, two months after David crossed over behind the veil, where he continues to heal , help and watch over us. Our special angel :)

I hope to see you in the chat room soon, I look forward to meeting you and being friends. Always walk in your truth and live life with love and compassion. And always know you are loved!

Jeannie

I have been married for more than 31 years to my high school sweetheart. I am a mother of two, and grandmother to two wonderful Grand Princesses! After 18 years in the medical field, I chose a career in advertising. At the present, I am looking forward to completing the book that has been on hold for quite some time and beginning a new series! I love GOD with all my heart and feel that He has given me an opportunity to serve Him by sharing His Love as He shines through me to others! are loved!

JulieD

Hi there! My friends call me Jules. I live in Birmingham England. My life has truly been blessed with 4 great children, 2 sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and 6 grandchildren. Life has been like for most good and some difficult experiences. I have been divorced and widowed. My husband passed 22 years ago and within this last year both my mum and dad have passed to spirit. I work with special educational needs children 3 days a week. Children have a wonderful way of bringing that balance and energy into your life.

Life began for me at 30. This was when I came to understand the thoughts and feelings I had experienced for many years. This was after a divorce and seemed to trigger my psychic awareness. Within 2 years I was married to a medium and working for spirit in Spiritualist churches. For over 26 years I have been fortunate to be blessed with the gifts of clairvoyance, clairsentience and perhaps the most rewarding trance. They have enabled me to help others to know that their loved ones are just that thought away still caring and loving them.

It has been my pleasure to have been a member of the JVP Chatroom for several years now. I hav been honored helping others as a Chat Op, especially getting up VERY early for the Tuesday Special Events. The highlights of the year are the times when JVP shares his loving energy, when we get around 400 gathered.

This is truly a place to find peace, uplift-ment, love and always a listening ear.

Kev

Hi, my name is Kevin Masters in the room simply known as kev. I have many years experience dealing with many forms of spiritual attunement / growth researched after losing numerous souls who have touched my life and have made their transition to the spirit world. This experience has given me the empathy to be able reach out to those who come to this site in need of someone to perhaps listen or simply share the pain and grief of losing someone.

James has set up this site with a wonderful loving caring energy, a place of knowledge love comfort and friendship I trust your visit here will be a memorable one and that you find the inner peace and comfort it was intended for and like so many return again and again as you make new friends. I look forward to meeting you in the room.

Mosaic_Muse

Namaste,  I am so happy and filled with joy to be part of James Op team. I am an Australian presently living on Vancouver Island, Canada, with my husband and son. Spirit weaves in and through my life and has led me to be here, meeting and sharing with many lovely and beautiful souls such as yourself.

I am a survivor of cancer, agoraphobia, depression and many other health issues. However through meditation, self awareness and spiritual knowledge I have been experiencing life with fresh awareness and understanding.

I practice and experience meditation, reiki, pilates, aromatherapy and love music! Poetry writing is another form of self expression. I am fortunate to live in a beautiful part of Canada amongst the mountains, rivers, ocean, wildlife and (yes that includes the bears!! hehee). I love to be creative with words, and art and take walks in nature, a natural inspiring environment.

I look forward to chatting with you in the chat room!  Love, peace and happiness…Om Shanti ( I am peace and so it is).

Nanc

It brings me great peace to be a part of the JVP Op family as I move forward on my path to a more deeper spiritual understanding. I also take this journey along with my loving family, and dearest friends, and all the wonderful souls I have met here through the JVP site. I'm happy to assist wherever and whenever I am needed.

As the awakening of spirit continues to flourish, more of us come to the understanding that this is not all there is, that life continues on into spirit. All of us are reminded of our place here, on this journey we share together, to love and support one another through wonderful times and through the difficult times as well. We come to share in the understanding that all of us are one, love is all that matters and all roads lead home.

Pink

What a joy it is to be part of the wonderful JVP chat family where I have been honored to meet many beautiful new friends. Over the years I have been blessed with many healing rainbows that have illuminated the pathway of a sometimes difficult journey. Through it all I know that God's love has been shining most brightly upon me. I am incredibly grateful to feel the presence of angels guiding me through the many pathways that I travel.

I believe my beloved and precious baby girl, Phoebe, gently guided me to James' web site one sad night in October 2001, only a few short weeks after the angels called her home. After reading a chapter in "Healing Grief," I found myself sitting at my computer, I typed in "James Van Praagh" and followed the links which led me here. Within minutes I found myself in the Community room being surrounded with such warmth, compassion and love from the beautiful people that visit here. I give thanks for these dear souls every day.

I believe fully that each moment of every day spirit constantly, lovingly and gently guides us all through our days. Mere words cannot express the depth of gratitude I feel for the light and love that I know shines upon us all, celebrating our joys and comforting us through our grief and sadness. I know in my heart that I was blessed with the presence of a glorious earth angel, Phoebe, who was entrusted into my care for the briefest of moments, now a bright and beautiful star in heaven. She touched my heart and soul so profoundly that her beautiful spirit fills my being with light and gratitude each and every moment.

In the years that I have been visiting the JVP Chat Room and helping with the Message Board I have met so many lovely people. We have shared our tears, our sadness, our heartache, our hopes, our dreams, our hearts and our healing. It is always so inspiring and uplifting when we share the gentle and often subtle realizations that our loved ones are sending us gentle messages of hope that help us to find inner peace once again.

I continue to give thanks for the many beautiful blessings that I have in my life, a truly wonderful husband who is the love of my life, 3 gorgeous, loving daughters, 1 adorable son who is full of joyful mischief, and my adored little soul angel, Phoebe, in heaven, who earned her wings with such love. It is always such a pleasure to log in and catch up with old and dear friends and of course to meet new friends.

I really look forward to meeting you on the site and if I can help in any way please know that I am here for you. May the angels shine their loving light upon you always.

PMH

Hi, Everyone! I live on Long Island, New York, and happily married 44 years to my husband Skeet (a nickname). We have a son and daughter, both married, who have blessed us with 5 grandsons and 1 grandaughter.

I'm now retired after being a bookeeper for our business. My interests are astrology, gardening, music and enjoying my grandkids! I have gone to many metaphysical classes over the years.

My Mom was a very gifted psychic and my grandmother read tea leaves, so nothing surprises me with the spirit world! I have been on JVP's chatroom for 7 years now and enjoy being an Op and chatting with all of you beautiful people. If you need an ear to listen, thats what I do best!

Rocketgal

Rocketgal felt a "calling" from within and at an early age she dreamt of joining an exclusive conclave; pint-sized, robed novitiates lured in by mysterious chants heard echoing windswept turrets of a remote hilltop on many a dark and stormy night!

Sure of her faith (but less sure of the itchy wool fabric that draped and chaffed her delicate skin) our Rocketgal pressed on with an insatiable thirst for spiritual knowledge and with a few nips of the homemade wine she'd secretly tasted from Mother Superior's "medicinal" flask.

Alas, this miraculous brew (fruity with an intense bouquet) proved to be deceiving and Rocketgal's soaring to ever more "spirit"ual heights was short-lived for it bespoke of sweet (also fruity) Rocketgal's fall from grace at a most tender age.

Our spunky Rocketgal, fueled by her desire (and a second flask of vino) naively thought she could share her message of love and light to the local villagers more swiftly by procuring the use (albeit unauthorized!) of dear Father Guido's '67 Volvo wagon. Rocketgal wasn't old enough for a license but she couldn't let such a small, inconsequential detail hinder her from ministering to so needy a flock! (She'd heard the "calling" folks, remember?)

Off she went hurtling towards the village at breakneck speed, regrettably minus the Volvo's brakes which had been removed for repair by His Reverence earlier in the day. Thankfully, noone was seriously hurt except the betraying Volvo...it now looked more like an accordion with wheels than a station wagon which could formerly seat nine penguins comfortably!

Services for its untimely demise were held the next morning in a lovely grotto conveniently located just a few steps from the imposing abbey's stoney walls. A piously subdued and thirsty crowd (sigh ... no flasks allowed) murmured softly as Rocketgal ceremoniously (sniff) returned her wooly habit and the paltry $1.79 she'd won rolling dice whilst saving up for her signed copy of Talking to Heaven.

With eyes blurred from oceans of tears, her upturned face seemingly Reaching to Heaven, Rocketgal slowly made her way to the distant highway where she hoped to thumb a ride from a passing Aussie biker when all of a sudden ...

Rocketgal awoke with a start and began to recall the vivid dream just as it started to fade from her memory. "Whew! That's the last time I take a tour of the local winery on an empty stomach," Rocketgal mused as she dressed for the day and began to brew a pot of her favorite Italian espresso.

Thank goodness she'd found the JVP Chat Room and its online spiritual community ... no need to join a secluded sect or to drive any great distances in order to find scores of loving friends. Friends as close as family and eagerly willing to share their thoughts of hope, comfort and the peaceful ways of Healing Grief with one another.

Feeling blessed and shaking off the last vestiges of her silly dream, Rocketgal went over to her computer to begin preparations for her online morning meditation. Just as she set down her steaming cup of coffee, Rocketgal spotted part of a faded-looking black and white photo peeking out from under a stack of papers. "What in Heaven and Earth is this?" she innocently laughed as she pulled out the old photo.

Seagull

I am married and have been blessed with two wonderful sons. I live in Boston, Massachusetts.

I entered JVPs chat room several years ago after reading JVP's book "Healing Grief," which was given to me after my mom passed. I think I would have made the Guiness World of Records for the fastest reader as I could not turn those pages fast enough, lol. The book to me was better than any prescription a doctor could have written. It was truly a "gift from God" as it had stirred in me a new awakening and the beginning of my Spiritual Journey (o: Wanting to learn and hear more, into JVPs chat room I went.

The nickname Seagull came to mind upon entering the chat room as going to the ocean and feeding the seagulls was one of the many happy moments shared with my mom. It was my very first chat room experience and a wonderful one. Not only did I receive the warmest welcome upon entering, the compassion, love and understanding displayed by all had touched my heart and, combined with that, such wonderful humor so vital to one's healing. I knew I had found a place I would not be leaving any time soon. (o:

I look forward to meeting new chatters and forming new friendships and I "treasure" the old friendships I have made in my 3 years chatting in JVP. You are all such a "light" in my life and I thank you for your love and support. God Bless You (o:

Seeker

Hi there! Most of you know me as Seeker. My real name is Rose. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada, with my two wonderful children and my dog, Noah. Besides being very interested in spiritual matters, I am an amateur artist and have a keen interest in psychology, gardening, and interior decorating.

I found this site as a result of being a James Van Praagh fan. I had several experiences in my life that led me to his work. When I first arrived here I was in search of answers, hence, my name, "Seeker." I may not have found the answers to all of the questions I had, but I did find something far more valuable…many wonderful, spiritual friends from all over the world! My life and my spiritual journey have been enhanced by all of the wonderful souls I have met here. I truly cherish my JVP chat family.

Sharon

Hiya. Haaa…that was the easy part! I have never felt comfortable about writing about myself; it has always been easier to talk about me. So, here I am struggling with updating my bio, and paring it down from the book form I previously posted, collecting tardy rents in the apartment building I manage, answering the phone, and waiting for the mailman to get here.

Well…I live in sunny California, Los Angeles area, but I always say good morning to you, no matter what time of day it is. After all, someplace on this planet it IS morning! I have 2 kids (conurs), a daughter who has 2 children of her own, who recently married the man of her dreams, who has 2 kids of his own. Can you see the family resemblance? (big ol huge grin)

I currently manage an apartment building, and have done so for 19 years, after leaving a professional nursing career that spanned 25 years. Cammy this doesn’t have to be 4 paragraphs does it? Anyone wanting more info can buy the book! Haaa

I hope to see you all in the chat room!

Spuds

It was very strange how I came to know about James. I had never heard of him, but within a period of a week or so, I heard his name from three different sources! He then appeared on the "Larry King Live" show and ‘lo and behold, what are the chances – my call was taken and I had the pleasure of speaking with James and having a mini-reading! Shortly after that, I visited this website and felt like I’d found home. I’d never been in a chat room before and found the whole experience quite phenomenal – also was quite startled when someone wrote “Hi Susan, how are you?” How did they know I was there! It took me a few trips to the chatroom to finally get the gist of it all, but I was definitely hooked!

I’ve always had a very keen interest in spirituality and have experienced enough to know that life does continue, albeit in a different form than we have been used to. Having lost five very close loved ones within 1-1/2 yrs., it was extremely difficult to deal with emotionally, notwithstanding all that I had learned over the years. The pain of all this loss was too overwhelming to even seek help through grief counselling. So it seems it was no accident in my life’s journey that I learned about James Van Praagh – as he said on Larry King that night when I commented about actually getting to talk to him, “It was meant to be.”  Here we are now, three years later and I have the honour to be one of James’ Ops. So, yes, he was right – it was meant to be.

Aside from the chat room, I am a professional photographer, specializing in nature, as well as working full-time in an arts environment. I rekindled my love for photography just in the past couple of years and it has truly been a great healer also. Nature in its many forms is not only very therapeutic, but teaches us many lessons and helps us keep life in perspective.

Thank you James and Cammy and all my dear Op friends for allowing me to be part of this wonderful ‘family.’

Sunrise

I thank my beautiful angels for guiding me to this chat room. I also thank James Van Praagh for this wonderful site where we may come to share, grieve, laugh, and make new friends. I am honored to be a part of JVPs Op Team.

I live in Ohio. I am divorced and have 3 children. My daughter is married and has blessed me with 2 beautiful granddaughters. I have a son who lives in the spirit world and in my heart. I raised my nephew who I refer to as my son.

I worked in the electronic field for 21 years. Part of my work was with a team who worked on night-vision goggles and I also worked on infrared instrument panels for our copters going to the Persian Gulf. I have been medically retired since 1998.

Since 2002 I have been a volunteer grief counselor working with parents whose children crossed over caused by a drunk driver and at a shelter for battered women. I am also a volunteer dream counselor with 21 years experience. I am now studying Shamanism.

I love NASCAR and football is my winter passion. I am an avid reader with my favorite authors being Tom Clancy, James Patterson and Dean Koontz. I also enjoy my talking parakeet "Sallie," except when she squawks for my attention.

"Brighten the corner where you are and you will light the world."