John & Doves,
 
  First time writing in: Here are my two cents that I've been keeping to
  myself, but thought I'd share with you all:
 
 
  Personal confirmation? On June 13, 2012, I was checking out at
  Walmart, busy swiping my debit card not paying attention to the
  register at all when the cashier blurted out "Look at your total!" She
  actually seemed shocked at herself, like it had just popped out of her
  mouth and wasn't really her words. I looked and immediately felt a
  tugging at my heart, then looked to her for some facial expression
  like maybe she was a fellow watcher, but there was absolutley no
  recognition and she didn't further her comment with any follow up. It
  was almost as if she didn't even realize she'd said it. What was the
  total? $111.33. I marked my calendar and kept that receipt. I did do a
  date calculator on it at the time. 111 days came to October 2^nd ,
  then I added 6 days (3+3) and came to October 8^th . So, I too, was
  putting that day as a high priority!
 
 
  Also this: John 21:11 refers to the 153 fish, so the news of the
  Nigerian Dana Air crash that killed 153 passengers caught my attention
  on June 3, 2012. Adding 153 days, we come to November 3, 2012. So, I
  marked that day on my calendar, as well, even though I was in hopes
  for a sooner evacuation...
 
 
  I've been reading the Five Doves website since the fall of 2011, but
  this is my first time writing. I've enjoyed soaking in the letters as
  I've learned so much from all who contribute. I am amazed at the
  research from those who focus on specific areas of expertise, such as
  the feasts, astronomy, and numbers, just to name a few cool topics.
 
 
  However, my silence is not only due to me hunkering down into a
  learning mode. It's also due to my experience in 2008 when I felt a
  strong leading to watch. Now, like many of the Doves, I had always had
  an interest in the rapture and end time events. Afterall, I read the
  entire Left Behind series :) In the early 2000's, I took a spiritual
  gift test that our church offered and I recall that my ranking was
  highest in Prophecy and then Teaching. I was alreading exercising the
  teaching gift with Sunday school and facilitating women's Bible
  studies. But, prophecy? I asked a mentor what in the world did it mean
  and what was I supposed to do with this? She told me that it may mean
  that I find a deeper insight into a scripture verse or perhaps take
  details and piece them together for a larger picture. Okay, well, that
  isn't anything to be afraid of, so I was good...
 
 
  In the summer of 2008, I began noticing news headlines that seemed to
  correspond with end time prophecies, of which I really knew little
  about at that time, but it was enough for me to begin researching. I
  stumbled onto Prophecy in the News and was amazed by the interview
  with Pastor Mark Biltz regarding the tetrad blood moons of 2014/15
  along with his assertion that on Rosh Hashanna 2008, a 7 year
  Sabbatical cycle was to begin. Then, like Randy points to, the Dow
  dropped to -777 which made my jaw drop. Plus, I was very uneasy with
  Mr. Obama and couldn't understand why. My political stance was
  different in that I lean conservative, but intellectually, I could
  concede that perhaps it was about time we elected our first black
  president and his family seemed sweet. But, something didn't sit right
  with me, like how he could attend a church for so long listening to
  anti-semetic rhetoric. I actually found myself in tears when
  McCain/Palin lost, I mean uncontrollably, like the Holy Spirit was
  grieving within me and there was this since of dread I couldn't explain...
 
 
  I felt certain that the rapture would occur on Rosh Hashanna 2008, so
  I began getting my house in order, informing family and friends,
  giving specific instructions on everything from where to find bank
  account information to arranging who would take care of our yorkie. I
  let everyone know that I had information printed out explaining to
  those left behind what had occured and that they would need to get
  themselves right with the Lord. I could not stress enough that they
  never take the mark, probably a microchip, and to not be taken in by a
  lie that we were abducted by aliens (had just read L.A. Marzulli's
  books that summer on the Nephilium)! Yes, everyone thought I was
  crazy, however my step sister, who is Jewish, did pull over to the
  side of the road at 2pm on the Feast of Trumpets 2008, just in case,
  as I told her it was most likely the hour becuase it would be midnight
  in Jerusalem... So, I guess some family members were considering
  things and the good news is that she is now a believer in Christ –
  woohoo!
 
 
  When I read Renee's heartbreaking post this week, I was instantly
  transported to 2008 and the disappointment I endured. I, too, threw a
  tantrum with God until my pride broke and His peace washed over me. In
  that moment, I recall hearing something like "a few more years" but I
  thought it was just me talking to myself because I certainly did not
  want to wait a few more years – ugh! And, yet, here we are, four years
  later and still on high alert... Besides the lack of credability this
  experience dealt me, I also felt inadequate to proclaim, to be an
  ambassador for Christ. I didn't want to make the Lord look bad. This
  is a lie from the enemy because I became paralyzed, not wanting to
  make a wrong move, not knowing what to do with all that I learned and
  am learning. I became a useless tool by refusing to exercise a
  spiritual gift. Will I hear "Well done, good and faithful servant"?
  I'm in serious doubt...
 
 
  Renee, I wanted to share that I've been where you are and this is what
  I've come to realize: there truly are worse things than putting
  yourself out there and being off target a bit, such as being too
  afraid to move.