Back from San Antonio

[Shellyb]

Hey Guys!

We just got back! I'm going to try and do my best to remember everything. We arrived at the convention center about 3 hrs before doors opening and got to sit in the 4th row. The first two rows were blocked off so I think we did pretty good. The person waiting in line directly behind me was someone from this board so that really helped pass the time. John was introduced by a DJ friend of his (can't remember the name) and everyone stood and clapped. He came out in jeans and his leather jacket. He started the seminar in the usual fashion with the birthday cake analogy and a couple of stories. He then answered quite a few questions before starting the readings. I knew the answers to most of the questions since I've read John's books. I don't remember any unique questions. As we've all heard before, he did readings all over the room so it didn't matter where you sat as far as that was concerned. He never left the stage and there were two bodyguards standing on either side of the stage. I could tell he had lots of energy as he paced back and forth on the stage constantly. He did about 10 readings without a break and it was just like on Crossing Over. For those who would say the show is edited to make him look like he gets more "hits" they would be totally wrong. He was awesome and gave a lot of very personal detailed information. Almost everything he said was validated. Of course John made us laugh a lot but some of the people being read were emotional at times also. Two of the more emotional readings were for two families who had both lost sons. I was a little disappointed that we did not get a reading but then most of the people who did get one seemed like they needed it more. I would definitely see John again if he comes to my area. My husband is a skeptic and he is even starting to like John.

Shelly


PS A few tips for those about to attend a seminar:

1. Bring snacks because if you get in line at 8am like we did and you don't get out until 3pm+ you are going to get pretty hungry. I got a headache myself.

2. You do need to show up pretty early for a decent seat. It doesn't matter for readings but I'm sure the people in the back could not see much.

3. Go to the bathroom before it starts because you will have to hold it for several hours otherwise. John specifically asked everyone to try not to go to the bathroom during the readings.

[VioletSky]

Thank you SOO Much - I'm going to see him in Houston tomorrow (actually I leave in just a few hours, I'm driving from Baton Rouge) - and I didn't even think about the snacks thing. You saved me lol!!! :) I can't wait, I don't think I'll be sleeping tonight!

[bshumate]

Shelley, I completely agree wtih everything you said. I'm wondering how close in line we were to you. We out there around 8:45 and had a good time in line. Were looking for pink roses, but didn't see any. We made some really good friends in line, though, which made the time go quickly. We didn't get a reading either, but figured since we validate little signs from our mom and other loved ones all the time, we didn't need it as badly as some of the others.

And something AMAZING did happen to us, but I won't go into all of it now because it's 2;30 a.m. and I'm BEAT! But I will say that the very first person read at this seminar was the one we sold our extra ticket to... the one whose brother, a sheriff's deputy, had been killed along with two other officers. It was amazing. So while we weren't read personally, someone we were connected with, who needed our extra ticket, got the important reading she needed from her brother. It's amazing how we hooked up with her; let's just say it was one of those cases where the "other side" was working hard to coordinate and orchestrate things to make it all happen. AMAZING! we talked to her afterward and she was SOOOO thrilled. So we thanked our mom for helping to make that happen.

Gonna run for now. I'd attend another one of his seminars in a heartbeat. Just like the TV show only better!!!!!

[Yardbird]

Wow! Sounds like another great seminar. Thanks for sharing, guys. Please feel free to share more as it all sinks in.... Yardbird

[scrambled6]

Thank you both for posting. It is so nice to hear what others have to say about attending seminars, especially if it's their first.

Shelly---lol...can relate with the food thing--when we attended the Indy seminar, we were staaaaaarving afterwards and had a wonderful dinner and even our waiter named "Randi" was exceptional ;)

bshumate--you couldn't have said it any better--->let's just say it was one of those cases where the "other side" was working hard to coordinate and orchestrate things to make it all happen.
So true!!!!!!!

Thanks again!
Cyndy

[Whendee]

What a surreal experience my first seminar was! I concur with Shelly and Beth! It was amazing! Unfortunately, we never got to meet! :(

There were a couple things that I wanted to add. John did a short Q & A period at the end of the seminar also and was asked a question by a woman if it's possible for a child who's been passed 43 years could have given her a hug. He asked what would make her think it was THAT child. Her reply was that she didn't know...she just thought it was. John said "There's your answer". He went on to give the example that when "Aunt Mary", who's been passed for X amount of years just POPS into your head while you're in the shower washing your hair, it's just her paying a visit.

In one of John's readings, he had mentioned "Rhapsody in Blue". The lady sitting next to me freaked out as the piece of paper she was using to take notes had "Rhapsody in Blueberry" written on it. Unfortunately, that's as far as her 'me too' went. But it did make our hearts race a bit! LOL!!

John has a tremendous sense of humor and it really came out moreso at the semimar than you can see on CO. The thing that touched me the most was at the end of the seminar, he had us all take a deep breath and let it out... Then he had us take another deep breath and let it out as a sigh for our disappointment in not getting a personal reading. He said that this is HIS way of acknowledging our feelings of disappointment. I thought that was the most thoughtful thing he could have done!

I would go back again in a heartbeat!

Wendy

[Shellyb]

I almost forgot to post the part about the deep breath at the end. It seems silly but you do feel a little disappointed at the end if you weren't fortunate enough to get a reading. The deep breath and John acknowledging our feelings was nice. There's just not enough John to go around.

[ceylavie]

Thanks for the wonderful descriptions from the seminar!! I can totally feel your excitement and energy!!

Question -- did anyone ever explain why the first few rows (or seats) were blocked off?? The same thing happened in Las Vegas but an explanation wasn't provided.

The curiosity is "killing" me!!

I am going to Tucson on 2/23; if it is the same there, I will ask someone to find out why.

[Shurnjune]

I agree with you guys. It was wonderful. I don't have but a minute, but I just wanted to check to see how many messages were posted about yesterday's show. I will write my thoughts tomorrow evening. It was GREAT! I wish I could have stopped at the show in Houston today on the way home.
Carolyn

[Shellyb]

At our show the first two rows were blocked off for special guests. Several people did get to sit in those seats and we were told they were for family and friends. I also noticed several of the people in those seats were allowed to go "back stage" before the seminar.

[PsyQuestor]

Originally posted by scrambled6
Shelly---lol...can relate with the food thing--when we attended the Indy seminar, we were staaaaaarving afterwards and had a wonderful dinner and even our waiter named "Randi" was exceptional

OH...The bus boy's name was Travis ~ lol. You're right Cyn, it was an awesome dinner! I was so hungry!!!! ( ;) p :thumbsup: ) So, yeah, I relate to the food thing too.

Thanks for sharing your seminar experiences with us! I'm enjoying it so much!!!

(((( John Edward Friends ))))

Tam

[WarEagle2000]

Everything that has been said is totally accurate about this seminar! John is everything you expect and the seminar is EXACTLY like his show. No tricks, no hidden mics, nothing commercial at all (which REALLY was impressive to my dad). bshumate (a new member) is my sister. We went with our dad for the 5 hour trip from her house in McKinney, TX to San Antonio. Dad was a skeptic ... but after realizing that the FIRST reading was someone we knew, and hearing the reactions of the people being read and also the wonderful messages that John passed along to us ... he was very touched. Which is EXACTLY why we wanted him to go. I just wish EVERYONE could hear John's positive healing messages ... he has been such a blessing to our family.

We went to the seminar with an extra ticket. And, because we were able to wait INSIDE the convention center, we weren't sure how we were going to sell that ticket. In talking about that, we discovered 2 others who had extra tickets. One woman from Minnesota said she had seen ads in the local paper requesting tickets ... so we looked in the paper I had decided to buy at the last minute on the walk over. Yep, there was an ad! I called and that woman had already gotten tickets, but she knew of someone who might still need some. And in about 5 minutes, "Debbie" called. She was desperate for tickets, only finding out less than 24 hours prior that John was coming to San Antonio! She KNEW she needed to be there to hear from her brother! So, she said she would be right there with money and wanted all 4 of our extra tickets! GREAT!

(We also discovered then, that she had been so hungry for tickets that she had purchsed some on eBay and they were to be delivered on Saturday ... she was afraid they may not arrive and wanted to have tickets-in-hand! Side note: DO NOT BUY ON EBAY! They hit her for $85 PER ticket PLUS overnight delivery!)

About 45 minutes later, she arrived ... she had described herself to me and by then we ALL knew her when she walked in! She then told us her story and we said "good luck". Already emotional, when John came out and started the readings, we were OVERJOYED when we realized that DEBBIE was the first reading! WOW! That piece of cake may have had HER name on it, but we felt like ours was on it as well!

After the seminar we immediately went over to talk with her and she then told us that she had indeed gotten the eBay tickets and had gone to the box office to see if she could find someone to buy the NOW extra tickets she had. As she was at the window, a man who needed tickets came up ... recognized the medallion around her neck ... and, in their talking, they realized that this man had not only known her brother ... his sister had dated her brother! But, if she hadn't had extra tickets, she would never have met this man! And he in turn got tickets for the seminar!

Isn't it AMAZING how situations are created! And this is just a TINY piece of our fabulous seminar experience in San Antonio!

[Phigalilly]

WarEagle,
What a cool story!! A big thumbs up to everyone on the other side who pulled that off. And to the people on this side who did all the leg work. I Love This Stuff!:D :D

[Daughtie]

Thanks, everyone, for sharing about the seminar!

The Debbie story is just awesome -- here we get more proof that when you are supposed to get a reading, you will.

[Jude]

WarEagle & bshumate, what a great story!

Did someone from your group also attend the Houston Seminar on Sunday? There was a lady there who said she was from McKinney, TX and I believe she said she had also been to the San Antonio seminar on Saturday.

Don't worry! I intend to post info on the Houston Seminar today.

Glad you all had such a wonderful experience!

[ceylavie]

Coincidence -- I think not. The Other Side working their magic!!

Wonderful story............

[bshumate]

The McKinney woman you met in Houston wasn't from our group, but she may very well have been one that we met in our section. Was she fairly young (I'd say mid-to-late 20s) with a cute, kinda short and flipped up hairdo (dark hair)? In talking with those around us, I learned that she was from McKinney (where I live) and only lives a couple miles from my house! We were all talking about the Houston seminar because the people sitting between me and this other person from McKinney were a couple from Houston who had bought their San Antonio tickets before the Houston seminar was announced. My sister (another new member here -- WarEagle) said she met someone else who was headed to the Houston seminar after the San Antonio one. They're so relatively close, I'll bet there were others who did the same thing.

It was so fun to see how we wound up with people in our section who had things in common. The people directly in front of us were some we had met in line, a woman with her husband and her mom who had driven in from Dallas that morning. While in line we were all being VERY cautious not to share too much info, so none of each even introduced ourselves by name. By the time we sat down, though, names started to come out and we started to learn of our similarities.

Funny because the woman from DAllas mentioned that her sister's name was Kathy. I said (pointing to my sister's chair), "Wow! MY sister's name is Kathie." Then the husband of the couple from Houston sitting next to me pipes up "I have a sister named Kathy, too." So the Dallas woman says, "I have another sister named Linda who couldn't come today." Then the wife of the Houston couple says "MY name is Linda!" So we all got a big laugh. That's about the time I found out the couple at the end of our row was from McKinney and the husband of the Dallas woman had relatives in McKinney. (Keep in mind, McKinney is a town of about 40,000 that is 5 hours north of San Antonio -- not like a suburb of San Antonio or anything.) So a little later, the mom of the Dallas woman says something to her and then calls her by name -- Beth. My eyes popped out and I put my hand on her back and said "Your name is Beth? *MY* name is Beth!!!" So here we had two Beths who both had sisters named Kathie and another guy with a sister Kathie whose wife was Linda, the same name as the sister of the Beth in from of me. WILD!!!!!! :goofy:

You always see on Crossing Over how sections of people with similarities gravitate to each other somehow. SOOOO funny, we all got a big laugh! And here we'd been visiting with them in line for 4 hours before ever learning their first names were the same as ours! (Gee, that trned out to be a long explanation, but had to share cuz it was so funny to us.) :p

[WarEagle2000]

Another "Debbie" fact ...
:bulb:

John was trying to get a verification from SOMEONE about a relative he said had actually been ON the "Titanic" ... he said it was NOT a reference to the movie (as many tried to make it) and that it was an actual relative of theirs who was on the Titanic and he saw the boat going down and that there was a "D" name attached to it ...

At the end of the seminar when we ran over to Debbie (the FIRST reading at San Antonio) ... she told us her Titanic connection! She said she KNEW that was for her as well because her name is, duh, DEBBIE and she in fact had a great uncle or great great uncle who was ON the actual "Titanic" and went down with it. BUT, she said she was afraid to confirm it because she had already HAD a reading and she didn't want everyone to be mad at her! Isn't that something. So, it was another relative trying to come through but we'll never know what the rest of that would have been. Still, SO COOL! Another validation that John rocks!

:hmm: (this reminds me of "Bewitched"!)

[raejon]

I guess this is a message for people like me that are now feeling very much like an idiot for not speaking up when your relatives came through. John was looking for someone with a Titanic connection - the section he was talking to was several rows behind me. I was in the same row as Debbie (the first reading) several seats to the left of her. While trying to find someone with a Titanic connection he came up with the name Lucille with 12 or 13 siblings. I have an aunt Lucille - she's 1 of 12 and I'm one of 13. The lady in front of me told me to raise my hand but I didn't because I had no connection to the Titanic, John felt it was for the people behind me, and I didn't want to be a relative stealer. So I just sat there like a lump on a log and am now feeling very depressed about the whole thing and now that I read that Debbie has an uncle on the Titanic I feel even worse since we were in the same row.

At the end of the show during the question and answer session the lady next to me was about to ask a question and John told her to stop and started to read her. He asked who was German - I'm 100% German but I knew she was 1/2 German since we discussed it earlier. He then read her for awhile then asked whose Beatrice - Well my arm flew in the air. I wasn't about ready to pass up another message and finally got to hear from my aunt Beatrice (whose Lucille's and my mother's sister); my dad and my daughter-in-law's grandmother. It was very short; but John was right on target with the little I got. I have to admit - as excited as I was to hear from the other side - I am just as disgusted with myself for not giving my aunt Lucille a chance to come through. Perhaps if I had I would have had a longer reading. The woman next to me had quite a lenghty reading and I know she really needed it since she lost her daugther - I can't think of anything more painful than losing a child - but I am glad my relatives snuck in every once in awhile.

I guess the message I'm trying to relay here - is - don't be a lump on a log like I was - Speak up!!! If you don't you'll regret it later - just as I do.:(

[PsyQuestor]

Originally posted by KenC327
This must be a common practice. I noticed the same sort of thing at the Atlanta seminar last year, although I did not notice anyone sitting there. They must go ahead and block them off to get an accurate count for ticket sales.

At the Indy seminar the seats were being saved for the news media. We know for a fact because Carol told us; we sat right behind the reporters. There were only a handful of reporters there, but I can see how it would be most important for them to hear and see John. How could they report otherwise?

[Yardbird]

Once again, wonderful stories to all attendees, and once again, the "wish we were there"s have been great in their encouragements. Thanks to all- I just can't express how fantastic you guys all are for sharing with one another :cool:

Yardbird

[Terry05]

We also attended San Antonio and JE was great as usual. I was disappointed in the seating as my husband had to work the night before and we couldn't leave until he got home that AM and a three hour drive. When we went to Amarillo last year we did get there early and were about in the tenth row. I know it doesn't matter as far as getting a reading but we really could barely see John. I wish when they did seating all on one level like that they would put him on a stand in the middle and face the two halves of the room toward him. Also at Amarillo he walked around when giving the readings so everyone got to be somewhat close during a reading and at SA he remained on the stage. But the readings were awesome. I wish the "Debbie" had spoken up about the Titanic relative because it made John look like he was off base to a skeptic (I was with one). I wonder how many other people don't speak up when he makes references like that. We stood on line with a lady who had been to four seminars and she said they were all great as far as content but the seating and facility makes the difference. I agree.

Terry

[Theresa444]

When I had attended John's seminar in Kansas City, it was explained to all that the first two rows are ALWAYS BLOCKED OFF. Much like yourself, I though it was for special or invited guests. We were then told that the first two rows are actually TOO CLOSE and make John feel a little uncomfortable.

At our seminar, the two front rows were actually removed and placed in the back of the convention center to accommodate all that had attended; every seat was taken and some people were even standing... until the seats were relocated.

I'm just curious.... were they empty for the rest of John's seiminars???

Keep the posts comming!! I love it!! It's like re-living a seminar all over again!

Thanks,

Theresa444

[Gail]

I think the first two rows were filled in Atlantic City, but that may be because the seats were assigned when purchased. We knew where our seats were and didn't need to wait in line. The closer seats were also a little more expensive but well worth the money.
Gail

[Phigalilly]

Thanks for the recap! :D
The first two rows in Vegas were empty too, except for an older couple right in front. The woman behind me had a minor hissy fit wanting to know who those people were, she was really :mad:.
Weren't the people in the front rows in Atlantic City Crossing Over staff there for their Christmas party? I imagine it's less distracting for John if the people in the front rows are people he knows.

[unicorn91432]

At the Atlanta Seminar the first two rows were also blocked off. They were only a few feet, maybe four, from the little platform John was standing on.

There was just one couple sitting in the first row, and someone said it was John's brother-in-law and sister-in-law. There was no one in the second row,and the security people stood up front.

We were in the fourth row center so had an excellent view. One thing about attending a seminar--it just whetts your appetite for more!

Unicorn

[Gail]

Scrambled6, Cyndy, probably knows if the staff were in the front rows. They did have a party after the seminar. I know she was close to the front, (but she's not on the staff). We were 12 rows from the stage and could see John very well from there.
Gail

[WarEagle2000]

As someone mentioned on another thread ... just being at the seminar with John ... his whole introduction and the wonderful birthday cake image ... I, too, felt the energies of my mother and other family members SO strongly, that it was like a reading of sorts for me! Just being in that room so full of life and energy ... WOW!

But, the wonderful FULL feeling of love that made me feel as if I would burst open ... and the warmth! It was a day we will NEVER forget!

[angelakay1]

OK, I'm not happy!!! I guess I have been living under a rock for the past couple of months...I did not find out abot the SA seminar until it was too late. Now I find out he was in Houston too! :jumper:

My 3 year old son got several new computer games for Christmas and he has taken over the computer...I guess I need to get back into the swing of things! Hopefully John will be back to Texas soon.

Angie:daisy:

[bshumate]

Hey Angie! Where do you live in Texas? I'm sorry you didn't get to go. Maybe next time. I'm hoping for one in Dallas next. Apparently he was in Dallas in 2000 sometime, but I didn't have a clue who he was back then anyway. keeping my fingers crossed he'll come this way again soon. --Beth

[scrambled6]

Originally posted by PhilsGail
Scrambled6, Cyndy, probably knows if the staff were in the front rows. They did have a party after the seminar. I know she was close to the front, (but she's not on the staff). We were 12 rows from the stage and could see John very well from there.
Gail

Gail---Not sure if the staff were in the front rows, but I do know that it may have been some family members of the staff workers seated there.

Also, my seat was in the section behind yours. There were staff workers (lighting guy) seated in the row in front of me....remember they were introduced?

So that just goes to show that those seats in front are not necessary for staff workers only...

[Gail]

I was so focused on John when he came on stage that there could have been circus clowns in the front row and I wouldn't have noticed.:)

There was a very nice distinguished older man in a suit sitting a few rows in front of me. I spoke briefly to him in the lobby while waiting to go in and he told me he was called that day and told he had a seat if he could get there in time. He smiled at me as he walked past us after the seminar. We were lingering there because we were talking about the ditto validation. We felt like celebrities because everyone was looking at us on their way out. I'll always wonder who that man was.
Gail

[Annette]

That is what I get for not visiting this board more often. My Mom and I had tickets for the first San Antonio seminar, and we missed finding out about this one that had been rescheduled. And to know he did one in Houston too!

The Wichita one would have been good for us to go to also, because there is a validation connected there. Shoot, I hope he comes back to Texas soon. I am glad for all those that did get to go though. It sounds like it was fantastic! You can bet that I'll be coming back here more often now. I wish the chats were not on a work night, or I'd be around for those. :(