Enlightened Within: A True Story About a Family That Lived in a Haunted House

By Wendie Willis

Enlightened Within: A True Story About a Family That Lived in a Haunted House recounts how a newly married couple, Penelope and Richard McCallister, forging a blended family with three children, takes up residence in a large and attractive house along Washingtons Columbia River Gorge. Believing they had found the home of their dreams, they quickly encounter dark forces from the realm of spirits that do battle for their home and their lives.

In the course of this battle, the McCallisters discover the tough realities that Christians face as they oppose the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil within the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).

If you find yourself looking about and wondering whether there is more to life than what you can touch, if you suspect that forces seek to do evil in your life despiteand especiallywhen you try to do what is good, and if thrilling, suspenseful, and inspiring true stories attract you, then Enlightened Within promises to share with you a story of a family facing the challenge of living in a haunted house while remaining strong in their faith in God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Mar 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781489703743

Wendie Willis

Wendie Willis—the recipient of God-given visions of the spiritual realm—perceives what may haunt individuals’ homes. She uses her gifts, experience, and knowledge to serve others, helping them with their lives of prayer and faith. She and her husband, parents of four, live in Camas, Washington.

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Copyright © 2015 Wendie Willis.

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ISBN: 978-1-4897-0373-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-0372-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-0374-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014921501

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 3/3/2015

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

Chapter I    Courtship

Chapter II    Building A Relationship

Chapter III    The Ex’s Meet

Chapter IV    Marriage

Chapter V    First Year

Chapter VI    Second Year

Chapter VII    Third Year

Chapter VIII    Fourth Year

Chapter IX    New House

Epilogue

PREFACE

This book would not have been written without receiving the message from God to write it.

There are a lot of true stories about evil spirits or hauntings and many times people don’t know what to do in a situation like that. They think people won’t believe them or that they’re crazy. Often they will lean on mediums’ or psychics for assistance and some kind of message. This is what God tells us in Leviticus 19:31 Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God. It’s really important that we turn to God for help and not the things of this world, for those things are not of God. They will only distract and clutter your mind and soul even more. God has given me a gift and I plan on using it to help others in their battles. We are all in some kind of battle and if we have the proper tools, we can overcome them. Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil within the heavenly realms."

I have been blessed with a wonderful, loving family that has supported me throughout the whole process of writing. Thank you for all of your encouragement and patience. My love goes to my husband, Jay, and our four amazing children, Brittney, Nick, Josh and Tyler.

I would also like to thank my mom and all of my siblings for their support and prayers during and after our experience.

INTRODUCTION

It all started back in the summer of 2002… planning a wedding and joining two families together. Penelope and Richard had been married before and have three children between the two of them, Cassandra eight, Casey six, and Richard’s son, Michael, who is also six. Much to their surprise, the challenge wasn’t blending two families together, but what they were to discover within their home. They were not alone…

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the Lord, who is my refuge – then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. Because he loves me, says the Lord, I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

COURTSHIP

Five long years had passed since Penelope had become a single mom of two. She owned an adorable Cape Cod home, white with green trim and located in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Outdoors, it featured an enclosed backyard and play structure. At this point in her life, she’d begun missing a partner and a good father for her children. As it was, her children only saw their dad during the summer months and occasionally throughout the year for holidays.

Penelope mused as she dried the last dish. God, I need a good husband…a soul mate for myself and a father for Cassandra and Casey. She promised God to give up dating and let him decide who would be the right person in their lives. It seemed as if dating didn’t work well, anyway, without God’s hand involved. Penelope did not want to give any commitment or accept it from anyone until she knew without a doubt that God had picked the right man for herself and her children. One year after relinquishing her love life over to God… the story begins.

Penelope woke up one morning just thinking about life and feeling the need to stay in bed and relax. It was a beautiful Sunday morning, which is rare in the Pacific Northwest in November. I think the kids and I will stay home and not go to church. Yeah, we can just have church here today. God started speaking to Penelope through her inner spirit… You need to go to church today, the voice said. Accompanying the voice was a vision: she saw a man who she knew, though she couldn’t remember his name. He was a tall man built like a football player, blue eyes, and a dirty blonde spiky haircut. She thought to herself, Man, is he cute! Hey, he’s the one who used to be married to Crystal, the girl I met at the athletic club. We raced in Triathlons. The voice continued, You need to go to church. Go to the early service, and you will see why. That was the end of the vision and message. Penelope turned quickly to look at the clock located across the room. It read 8:00 a.m. Church started at 9:00 a.m.! Her heart started racing as she hurried to get dressed. I need to get the kids up and ready! This is why I didn’t want to go; we rush all week long. Sheesh! I just wanted one day to chill out." Oh, here they come down the stairs now.

Good morning guys! How did you sleep?

Wiping her eyes, Cassandra said, Pretty good, mom.

Bright eyed and bushy tailed, Casey said, Mom, can we go to church today?

Yes, we are going, mister. So you guys need to get dressed while I make breakfast.

God is amazing how he works! Penelope got the kids dressed, fed and out the door by 8:50 a.m., just enough time to get to church and walk in while the singing started. Penelope leaned down toward Cassandra and said, Since Casey has a hard time sitting still, let’s drop him off at his Sunday school class first, and then we’ll go find a seat. She and Cassandra walked Casey to his class and as she was signing him in, she thought she would try and locate the name of the man in her vision on the Sunday school check-in list. She skimmed through the list and saw there was a Michael McCallister! She knew that was the child, but his dad’s name wasn’t signed next to it.

Penelope looked over at Casey and said, Have fun, sweetheart! See you after church. Casey waved goodbye to his mom and began playing with a dump truck. She and Cassandra walked into the sanctuary. It was crowded. Cassandra, let’s go over to the left side and see if there are any seats.

Cassandra tugged on her mom’s dress and said, No mommy, let’s go over this way.

Penelope saw the man that was in her vision sitting on the right side of the sanctuary. Her heart started racing. She almost couldn’t believe this was happening. God’s gift to her consisted of movie clips that would play in her mind. They would be events that hadn’t taken place yet. God instructed her to pray about them or prepare for them. Throughout her life, there had never been a vision that didn’t come true. Sometimes it would literally be a day before it happened—other times it might be years.

There were no seats to be found. They had to go sit where Cassandra was pointing, which was just a few pews away from the man in her vision. They finally sat down and Penelope had a perfect view of this man from where they were sitting. Oh my gosh, is he cute! Thank you, God! He kind of glanced over, but she couldn’t tell if he saw her or not. Penelope tried to focus on the singing, which was her favorite part of the church service. Suddenly it was time for the sermon.

Pastor Frank announced, It’s time for kids to go to their Sunday school classes. Everyone else turn to your neighbor and say, Hi; they might just be your next best friend. Penelope was a bit relieved to walk Cassandra to her class and take a breather before she had to walk back into the sanctuary. Any other time, she really enjoyed listening to Pastor Frank, but it was very hard for her to focus after receiving the vision that morning and then glancing over at this guy. Lord! You’re always right, and I am seeing why. Even though I’m sure what I’m thinking right now is not everything you wanted to share with me about this man.

After a month of going to the early service at church and making herself noticeable to this man, he still had yet to say anything to her. One Sunday evening as Penelope was praying, she said to God, I don’t know what to do. I refuse to ask this guy out and he doesn’t seem to notice me at all. She couldn’t ignore the feeling she had inside telling her to wait it out a bit longer. The small inner voice speaking to her heart once again always gave her hope.

Meanwhile, over at the man’s house, he and his son, Michael, were eating dinner together while listening to Christmas music. It was the Christmas season and they should have been happy, but somehow they couldn’t grasp that cheerful spirit. Their doorbell rang. Dad rose from the table to answer the door. He said, Finish eating your dinner, son.

He opened the door and said, Well, if it isn’t Pastor Frank! What brings you out this way?

Pastor Frank said, Hey Richard! I’m just dropping by to say Hi.

Really Pastor Frank? I didn’t think you would just drop by someone’s house on Christmas Eve without a reason. Tell me why you came by.

Pastor Frank said, "Ok, ok, there’s this girl named Penelope Anderson that goes to our church, and I think she’s interested in you.

Richard said, What? You think she’s interested in me?

Well, she can’t make it any clearer to you, Richard. She has moved her seat closer and closer to you for the past month. If she gets any closer, she’ll be sitting in your lap! So I came by to suggest that you take her out for coffee.

Richard stood there for a second and said, Well, I don’t know Frank.

Pastor Frank said, Just take the girl out for a cup of coffee, Richard! Pastor Frank left, giving Richard something worthwhile to think about.

Another week went by and it was a rainy Sunday morning. Richard took Michael into Sunday school. Have fun, Michael, I’ll see you after church, bud.

Penelope was dropping Casey off at the same time. Richard and Penelope locked eyes. Penelope’s heart was beating fast and she was thinking to herself, finally this guy sees me!

She tried to relax and said in a soft but confident voice, Good morning.

Richard replied with a how ya doing tone, and said, Good Morning back. They both went into church and sat in separate pews. That was the one Sunday morning that Penelope felt there was finally a little progress in getting closer to this guy. She didn’t even care if he said any more to her that day or not. After church was over and their kids were picked up from class, Pastor Frank handed Richard an umbrella so he could walk Penelope out to her car. She could tell he felt a little awkward but at the same time, he liked it.

During the following week, Penelope was dreaming of this guy. She wondered if he was thinking of her at all. It was Sunday and, once again, she was leaving church without talking to him. Richard came up from behind and tapped Penelope on the head with the church bulletin. She turned around and almost bumped into him. He leaned in slightly toward Penelope and asked, Would you—would you like to go out tonight and get a pizza?

Caught off guard, she said, Tonight? She was afraid she wouldn’t have time to arrange for a babysitter. As Richard stepped closer and looked down upon her, he said, "Well,