Some people ask how I came to know about the Do Good Restaurant which opened just before Covid in November of 2019. In April, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, my friend, Chris Bramlage mentioned that the Do Good in Osgood, OH would be a good story to post on my website. He said to Google the Sidney Daily newspaper, which had posted an article the week before. He was blown away by it. After reading the article myself, I decided to call the restaurant. Karen, the owner, was open to considering an interview. After a couple of attempts, we were able to meet in October, 2020 for her story. Arriving early, I took a tour of the restaurant and the grounds. At the appointed time, I asked the waitresses if Karen was there, and asked what all the construction was about behind the restaurant. They said it was going to be a Rosary Walk, and the Stations of the Cross.

Karen came out from the kitchen, and chose a small corner in the restaurant to have the interview. After giving her a brief background about myself, she asked, “Does the Holy Spirit speak to you?” I said, “Sometimes, usually in the middle of the night.” Then I asked her if she had looked at my website or my book. She said, “No.” I said, “Well why did you agree to see me then?” She said, “Because the Holy Spirit told me to.”

Here is Karen Homan’s biography of the Do Good Restaurant, and her encounter with God.

 DO GOOD FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

A RELUCTANT SERVANT TELLS HER STORY

 PART 1

READ the INTRODUCTION to the story, PART 1 in the Feb. 17, 2021 BLOG here => BLOG (Scroll down to Feb. 17 Blog)

GOD SPEAKS TO KAREN OUT LOUD

I was working in my kitchen one day and a voice spoke out loud. The voice said, “I was to open a restaurant. It would serve as a ministry.” Then it said, “There are many good people in the world, but they're not coming to my churches. Their lives are busy, but they will go out to eat, and I will show you things to do to draw them back to me.” I said, “I would never do that whoever or whatever you are.” I believe I also said, “And you can’t make me.” It frightened me. I had never heard the Holy Spirit before, and I could hardly believe what had just happened. I quickly thought that perhaps I was losing my mind because I knew you weren’t supposed to hear voices!

For the next week or so I kept myself very busy so that I couldn’t hear Him. I would keep very busy from the moment I got out of bed until I laid down at night. But the moment I would lay down, He would be back. He is very persistent. This went on for 10-12 days. Finally, one night, I got up at 2 in the morning and went in our master bathroom where I just sat on the floor with a tablet and an ink pen. I said, “What do You want? What do You want?” and He said, “You are to open a restaurant. You are to buy the Silver Spur in Osgood. You will call it Do Good.” He told me many things I would do. Then He started giving me people’s names. I said, “I don't know these people.” He said, “They are going to help you. They will volunteer, they will help build, they will give you money.” This went on from 2 to 4 in the morning. After He was done speaking, it became very peaceful.

I did not say I would do it, but at least I had listened to what He wanted. I had many questions. I said, “I know how to cook and bake, but I don’t know how to run a restaurant.” He said, “I will give you people to help.” I said, “You know I’m not real healthy. Maybe I would do it if you healed me.” He said, “It’s not about you. It is for MY GLORY.” He said that I wouldn't feel great, but that he would send people to help, and I would have the energy I needed on the days I needed it. He told me I could do it.

As time went on, I thought, this is crazy. It would be the strangest thing I ever heard, a restaurant serving God. I wondered, “How do I even know if this was the Holy Spirit? What if it was something evil pretending to be good?” So, I talked to a couple of priests and to someone I knew who was spirit-filled. I asked them, “How would I know if this was from God?” They would say, “You must test the Spirit. If it is from God, the doors will open. Was there any tainted fruit? If it was from God, it would bear ALL good fruit. Anything that wasn’t completely pure and good would never be from Him.” After speaking to each individual, they would say they did think it was from the Holy Spirit.

God Desires Obedience

I cried a lot. I told the Lord I would think about it. I started to Google how to run a restaurant. Every article I read said the most important thing I would do was to choose my location. So, I told the Holy Spirit that if I did it, I thought I should put it somewhere else, because Osgood was such a small town and could never support a restaurant. I was thinking I could put it on the intersection of state route 127 and state route 119. This would probably be one of the biggest intersections in our area for miles. He told me, “NO!” He said, “You are to put it where I told you. If I put it where you wanted it, it would belong to that particular community. You are to put it where I told you! Then it would belong to everyone. It would sit on the corner of four counties. It would be everyone’s and would be within a few miles of Darke, Shelby, Mercer, and Auglaize County.” (Osgood is within a few miles of each of the four counties.) He said, “Even within the small parish of Osgood, they had people from the towns of North Star, Versailles, Minster, Ft. Loramie, Osgood, and the Marion Community. It would belong to everyone. Then His word would go out to those counties and beyond.” I thanked Him for explaining this to me. It was my first lesson in obedience.

KAREN ASKS FOR A SIGN

As I was driving home from my daughter’s one day, the Holy Spirit said it was time to start. I was to go to Osgood and buy the Silver Spur. I said, “This is crazy. I want to do what you want Lord, but I need a sign to know this is from you.” The Holy Spirit said, “Look at the picture of the old Osgood State Bank.” He didn’t say anything else, just that I was to look at that picture. He said it many times. So, I drove to Osgood. I said a prayer and I went into the old Silver Spur Restaurant.

I said, “Hi, my name is Karen Homan and I think I'm supposed to buy your restaurant because the Holy Spirit told me to.” The Holy Spirit said I was to say it was from Him, and that I was not to be embarrassed or ashamed to say that it was from Him. I’m sure they thought I was crazy, and I can’t blame them, but it was for sale, and they gave me a price. The building was in bad repair, and I knew they did not have a lot of business, so for that amount, I wanted to say something smart, like, “Will that include all of your furniture, your liquor license, and your equipment?” But I had noticed on one wall, lots of old pictures of the town of Osgood. They were pictures from the late 1890’s or early 1900’s - pictures of classes of school children and the town’s grain elevator - things like that. So instead of asking something that made sense, I asked instead if the price could include those old pictures. I wanted those pictures included. The gentleman said, “Sure, you can have them.” I then asked if there was a picture of the old Osgood State Bank? He responded, “No, we don't have a picture of that.” I thought to myself, I am just going to go home now Lord because that is the only thing You said I should ask for. Just as quickly his wife said, “We do have a picture of that.” She said that someone had dropped one off a little while back. She said that she had it enlarged and put it in a frame. “It's over there.” I said, “Oh, could I see that please?” We walked over to see it. “Goodness, that’s me, I’m in the picture!” Then I told them I would be back to buy the restaurant.

I walked outside, looked up to the sky and I just said, “Lord are we supposed to sell our farm to buy this, because my husband is sure not going to like that.” The Spirit said, “No, we weren’t to sell our farm, but we were to be generous. He said many people will help. All the names I gave you are going to help you. They will volunteer, they will help build it, they will give you money.” He said that in this way, it would be everyone’s. It wasn’t to be just mine.

Then He said, “You will go and ask them.” I said, “NO, I'm not going to ask people for money! I’m not asking people if they want to work for free or help build this. I'm not doing that.” He said, “There are two reasons that I ask you to do so. One is if everyone helps, it will belong to everyone.” Once more He emphasized that it was to be communal, everyone’s, not just mine, and that He wanted many people to be a part of it. “The second reason,” He said, “Was that I was prideful, and it would humble me.” He said, “You cannot serve me unless you walk in full humility.” Then I cried. I didn’t think I was prideful, but God clearly thought differently.

SCARED, KAREN ASKS FOR ANOTHER SIGN

I had worked out a purchase agreement with the owners of the Silver Spur and the night before I was to sign the papers, I woke up with feelings of panic, anxiety, and such fear that I can’t describe them. I thought, “What are you doing? You don’t know how to do any of this!” It was like a feeling of terror.

Then suddenly I thought, “If God didn’t want me to do this, He would just tell me. He would not scare me like this,” and I thought, “This is from the Devil. The Devil is trying to scare me.” So, I started saying, “Jesus I trust in You, Jesus, I trust in You.” I said it three or four times and the fear went away, and I became peaceful. I sat there in my bed and I said, “Lord, I’m so scared. I’m just a little human. I want to do what you want, but I need to know this is from you because it will change my whole life.” I said, “Lord, I know you gave me a sign and I’m grateful for that, but I need one more.”

I had just finished reading a book called “My Gospel” by Henry Cordonnier. He is a local man who lives in our area and is about 70 years old now. He talked about how he met the Holy Spirit when he went to college and about the many signs and miracles that had occurred during his life. In the book he said, “You can ask God for a sign. That doesn’t offend him. If you really need to know if something is from God, ask for a specific sign so you would know without a doubt that it's Him.” He also said, “The devil can hear us, but he can't read our minds, so it is important to just think it, not to speak it.”

So, I told the Lord that I would just think my thoughts, not speak them.” I said, “I'm meeting a lady tomorrow. She is someone you asked me to talk to in the very beginning. She said they would love to help, that she would pray for me, and they would give a donation of several thousand dollars.

So, this is what I want to be my sign: I want her to spontaneously give me $10,000 tomorrow. Only her Lord, it won’t matter if a hundred other people come to my door and give me money. That won’t count, it can only be her. Oh, and I want her to do it before 12 o'clock noon because I’m going to sign these papers tomorrow afternoon.” Then I said, “Lord, if this happens, I promise I will do it.” I then laid my head back on my pillow and easily fell asleep.

After morning Mass, I met her. She said she had been praying for me and asked how things were going. A little while later as we were talking, she took an envelope out of her purse and slid it across the counter and said, “Here is the money we were going to give you. It’s a little bit more than what we talked about.” She said, “As I was trying to write this check out last night, I felt God wanted us to give more. She said she recalled some things she had heard at Mass in a homily about giving and felt strongly that they were to give a larger amount of money.” After she gave it to me, I went to open the envelope and she said, “Don’t open it now, do that later.” I thanked her and said, “You don’t have to give me a penny, so whatever it is I am grateful.” We continued talking about how she wanted to be involved, and different things about the restaurant. Later while I was driving home, I wanted to look in the envelope, but I told myself I should wait, that I didn’t want to be a distracted driver. But gosh darn, I was just so nosey, so I opened that envelope while I was driving, and I almost drove off the road. The check was for $10,000. I looked at the clock in my car and it was just a few minutes before 12 noon. I couldn’t believe it! The truth is, if I had waited to look until I got home, I would have said, “It’s past 12:00” and I wouldn’t have done it because I just wanted a way out.

 PART 2

READ the INTRODUCTION to the story, PART 2 in the Feb. 24, 2021 BLOG here => BLOG (Scroll down to Feb. 24 Blog)

The Trinity, Trust & Obedience

I’ve gone to daily Mass for years and have always prayed. But now I increased my prayer time and the frequency of Eucharistic Adoration. I prayed and fasted, and I fasted and prayed. I was so afraid… What would people think? How could I do this? My family was very against it. I prayed that I would do God’s will. I prayed for the courage and strength to do as He asked. I prayed for His grace.

Then the Lord said it was time to start. He had given me a sign and now I was to begin. He gave me four names and said I was to talk to them. He said that they would help me. Of the names he gave me, I knew two of them, but the other two I didn’t know. I Googled those two names to find addresses. He said I was to go see them and they would help me. I said, “They aren’t going to help me, they’re going to call the police and say there’s a crazy person walking around saying she hears God. They are going to lock me up.” And I cried.

I went to Mass on Monday morning and after Mass I stayed for Adoration and prayed. I just didn’t know if I could go and speak to these people. The Holy Spirit would say, “You must trust me. Do not to be afraid.” So, after a couple of hours I left church and drove to one of the people’s homes. That week I went to see those four people. Two of the people cried and said they knew they were to do something for God. It had something to do with food, and they would help me. I came home one evening after I had spoken with one of the people that I didn’t know, and my husband asked how it had gone. I said, “They want to give me $50,000.” He just looked at me and said, “I’ve always thought you were kind of holy, and I thought if you talked to someone you knew, they would believe you. But never a stranger! I never thought someone you didn’t know would believe you.” Then he said, “This is really from God, isn’t it?” And I said, “Yes Jay, this is really from God.” This helped him to believe what was happening.

MOVING FORWARD WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

I felt now we needed to move forward, and I said to the Lord, “Who is supposed to build this? It's Your idea.” Then He gave me the name of a man and a lady. I went to Google for their address. A few days later I drove to the home of Mr. & Mrs. Wells and knocked on their door. They were very kind and invited me in to talk. After a few minutes Mr. Wells said, “Do you know my wife hears the Holy Spirit?” I was just a little bit taken aback. I said, “No, I don't really know her.” His wife then said, “The Holy Spirit has been telling me about restaurants lately and I didn’t know why.” Then she said, “I believe we are to help you.” I just couldn’t believe it! They agreed to help and came the following week to look at the building and the property. After looking at the building, Mr. Wells said, “I think you should take it down. It’s in bad shape. It would probably save you $100,000 if you just started new.” I replied, “But the Holy Spirit keeps saying, ‘I can make all things new.’” Then his wife interjected, “Are you sure it’s not just the property, not necessarily the building?” A feeling of peace settled on me, and I told her I would take a week to pray about it.

THE PROJECT EXPANDS

Two days later I was at morning Mass and God showed me a lady's face. I knew I was to speak to her. I told the Lord I didn’t remember her name so I wouldn’t be able to talk to her. Then immediately her name came to mind. I kind of chuckled to myself and said, “Well, I guess I can.” I Googled her name and found an address. It took me a few days to build up some courage, but finally I drove there. She remembered me and agreed to talk. She had become very involved with exercise and was training and teaching exercise classes. As we talked, she said, “I’ve always wanted to build a gym, do you want to build a gym?” I said, “No, it’s a restaurant that He wants.” And I thought to myself, I don’t want to build a restaurant, so I certainly don’t want to build a gym! We talked some more, and I finally told her, “If you feel you're supposed to help in any way or want to be involved, you let me know.”

I got in my car to go home, and I was irritated with the Holy Spirit. I said, “Why did you send me here? She doesn’t want to help. She wants to build a gym!” Immediately the Spirit said, “What are you building?” I said I was building a restaurant like you asked. He said, “Is it just a restaurant?” I said, “No, it’s supposed to be many things.” I thought to myself, that’s right, many things, so I thought the Lord must want exercise classes, as odd as that seemed to me. Then I thought about a place that was a Holy Spirit inspired store. They did all kinds of ministries. They had a grieving ministry. There were also children’s activities, and I remembered that one winter they had an exercise class led with scripture. I wondered where I would put exercise classes in a restaurant. For the next two days I tried to think of a place where we could hold exercise classes. Perhaps we could move tables in the mornings, or add a banquet room and use that? As I folded clothes and pulled weeds, I tried to think of a place to have the class, but none of the ideas seemed like they would work. In frustration I said, “I just don’t know where I would put it!” Then the Spirit said, “Put it in your basement.” I said, “What a good idea! Yeah, put it in my basement!” Then I quickly thought, “But the restaurant does not have a basement.” And then I said, “You want a basement!!!” I was totally overwhelmed! The gentleman who looked at the building had told me that the cost would be at least $500,000 to $600,000 and a basement would obviously greatly increase the cost of the building. I felt completely defeated. I said, “Lord, I just can’t do this. I tried so hard, but I can’t. It’s too much!” Then I said, “I’m out.” But as I said before, He is persistent, and by the end of the evening I said, “OK, I’m back in, I’ll do it.” But the Lord waited for me to be obedient to His request. So, I finally said, “Yes, we will put in a basement.” He immediately showed me all the things I was to do, all the different ministries that would eventually be done in there. Then I said with a dawning realization, “Yes Lord, I’ll need a basement - and the building comes down, doesn’t it?”

DESIGNING THE BUILDING

With the decision made to take the Silver Spur down, the contractor said I would need an architect. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any money to pay an architect. I remembered one of my daughter’s college roommates worked at an architectural firm. So, I contacted her and asked if she would meet with me. She said yes. I told her what I was hearing and asked for her help. She quickly agreed and was excited to be a part of this. She said, “Let me talk to the guys in our company. Sometimes they will donate their services to a church.” I said, “But I’m not a church nor will I ever be a church.” I said, “I don’t want to misrepresent myself, and I don’t have any money to pay them.” She called me the next day and said she had approached them anyway, and they asked that she have me come in and tell them about it. If they thought it was of God, then they might donate their services. I went there a few days later. I was so nervous. They each had several degrees and I had my high school diploma and thought I was “hearing” God. They were very kind and very attentive during our meeting. I was to contact them in a couple of days. They said they did think this was of God, and they would donate the architectural services. They continued to help us and have probably donated close to $100,000 in services at this point.

I had several meetings with the contractors and architects. They took a lot of notes. We talked about what I thought the building was supposed to look like and what was to be in it. We then had a meeting, and they presented a blueprint and a quote.

They projected the cost would be at least one million dollars. I just sat there, stunned. Then I said, “A million dollars? A million dollars!” We talked and I told them I would have to pray about it. My prayers went something like this,

“Lord, I don't have $1,000,000. That is a lot of money! Lord, it’s just a building, you could do so much good with a million dollars. It could be given to people.” The Holy Spirit would answer, “Trust me it will save many souls. I will provide for you.” I prayed more, “Lord, that is SO much money! I don’t have that kind of money. What if I don’t have enough donations to finish and there would just be a half-finished building! That would be so awful to waste the money given by people. It would be a waste of their kindness and generosity.” The Holy Spirit continued to say, “Trust me and I will provide for you.” Finally, I said, “I do trust you. I will build it when You send the money.” And He answered, “You will build it, and I will provide for you as you need it.” I argued with Him for four or five days more. In retrospect, how very prideful of me.

THE CLOUD

One spring evening in 2018, I was putting laundry away. I had argued most of the day with the Holy Spirit concerning the funding of Do Good. It was now around 9:30 as it was dark out. My husband was still in the fields, and I was alone in the house. As I walked through my living area, I continued saying to the Holy Spirit, “It’s a lot of money,” and then I said, “I don’t have that kind of money!” Then my whole home, our living room, dining area, kitchen, everything just turned into a white cloud, and I was waiting to go into heaven. I was not afraid at all. I felt such happiness and a joyful anticipation. Then a voice spoke out loud. I’ve always thought this voice was God the Father as it was very powerful and full of authority. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. It was like the voice was joy, love, peace, happiness and goodness all bound together and spoken out loud. I could have listened to this voice for eternity and been absolutely enthralled. The voice then said, “Where are your charitable acts?” My body coursed with pure joy, and I thought, “I’m going to heaven,” - as I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty generous and kind person. (Now some people will say, “Oh those Catholics. They think they have to earn their way into heaven.”) The Lord gave me immediate understanding. He said, “It’s not like that.” He said, “If you know Me, acts will pour forth from you. If you were kind and generous, you will have many good things to show Me.” He said, “If you have no acts, then you didn’t really know Me, and you deceived yourself.”

I then told the Lord, every good thing I had ever done in my life. Somehow, I could easily and instantly remember everything I had ever done. I then thought He would say, “Welcome my child,” and invite me into heaven. But He didn’t say anything. I started to think that I wouldn't go to heaven. A horrifying fear tore through my body. I can never explain the absolute terror I experienced thinking that I would be condemned to hell. I understood that upon death you can change nothing! It is finished. Upon our death our choice of where we will spend eternity has been made. You cannot beg the Father, “No, No Lord, Please Lord!” and have it changed. He has given us a free will and an unspecified amount of time upon the earth for this decision to be made. Upon our death His divine love and His divine mercy are met by His divine justice and nothing can be changed!

He finally spoke again, and He said the exact same thing, but the tenor of His whole voice had changed. His question, “Where are your charitable acts?” now had a sound of sadness and disappointment in it, and there was a slight accusatory tone. I wanted to lie and make things up, but I knew that wouldn’t work because this was God, and He would know I was lying. So, I just said again what I had said before. Then He spoke, and He was angry. His voice thundered through my whole home - my whole body! He said, “It is OFFENSIVE to me! It is OFFENSIVE to me!” He then showed me the wealth of our farmland. We have a lot of acreage. He showed me our debt. We have a lot of debt. Then He showed me the difference between the two. He said, “Where am I in this?” I said, “We don’t use that money. My husband puts everything back into the farm. Our boys want to farm and then our grandsons. We don’t use it.” He said, “No, you are keeping it for yourselves!” He said, “That is pride and that is greed!” Then He said, “To whom much is given much is expected! We are to give in proportion to the wealth He gives us.” I then replied, “But my husband works so hard.” Instantly and with the power of a lightning strike, He said, “BECAUSE I GAVE HIM A STRONG HEALTHY BODY!” He said, “I could have put him in a woman's womb in the middle of the Appalachians, and he would have worked 1000 times harder and yet had nothing.”

The Lord continued, “If you are intelligent and run a company, I gave you your intelligence. If you are a surgeon, I gave you your hands.” He said, “ALL you have is from ME!” Then he showed me a little girl, and she could hardly breathe. (I have always wondered what was wrong with her lungs.) Then He showed me how easily I could breathe. He said, “Are you more deserving my child?” I said, “No, no Lord I am not,” and I cried. Then He said, “This is what offends me. People no longer acknowledge Me. They do not thank Me for all the gifts I have given them.” He said, “Why don’t you say, ‘By God’s grace I can work hard,’ or ‘we are so blessed to have this farm.’” He said, “We no longer acknowledge Him, we do not thank Him, and this greatly offends Him.”

Then I was just back in my house. I was scared, but I also was relieved. It was not because I wanted to live another second, honestly, I never even thought of that. However, I could change how I lived my life. I could be more generous. Although I thought I was generous in proportion to what God had given me, it truly appeared to be so little! I had felt great shame because what I had given back to Him was so tiny in comparison to the many, many gifts He had given me.

When my husband came home that night from planting, around 1 in the morning, I was still up. He asked, “Did the Holy Spirit tell you anything today?” I said, “Well, yes He did.” I told him everything. Originally, when I had first told my husband about what I was experiencing, he believed me, but didn’t want to have anything to do with the restaurant. He said, I couldn’t use any of the farm to pay for it. The farm has been in his family for four generations, and it means a lot to him. After I told him what I experienced that day, he said, “I thought you said we didn't have to sell the farm?” I said, “Selling a few acres isn’t selling the whole farm.” We talked for a long time and then decided that if there wasn’t enough money from donations, we would sell some property to finish it.

PART 4

READ the INTRODUCTION to the story, PART 4 in the Mar. 10, 2021 BLOG here => BLOG (Scroll down to Mar. 10 Blog)



GOD HAS NO LIMITS IF YOU TRUST HIM

I was on the back patio praying on Friday evening, when Jay came home from the milking and feeding. He came out to the patio and said, “Karen, I’ve been thinking about what you asked.” I said, “What do you think?” He said, “Well the truth is, God’s right. I never thought He helped me at all. I thought I had worked hard, that I had made all the right decisions, that I was this big farmer. The truth is, we’re very blessed. We got married young, we still really love each other, we have great kids and grandkids, we have a beautiful home. We have everything. So, tell God He can have whatever He wants.” I just stared at Jay. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. Jay repeated, “Tell Him, whatever He wants.” I said, “What about the boys?” He said, “They could still farm, but it would be different. We would have less equity and we would have to extend loans.” He said, “We won’t take it from them, but it definitely would be different.”

At that moment the evil things just disappeared, and all the feelings of anxiety vanished. (I had noticed at the beginning of the week that there were less of them each day.) I thought, “Wow, it would be easy if you had all the money you need.” I told Jay I had an appointment with Father the following morning. I would ask him if he still thought this would be from God, even if there was such division in our family.

The next day I spoke with Father. He assured me that despite the division that could occur in our family, this would still be from God. I asked him about all the evil things disappearing. He asked if it started to get better after I had chosen God over my children, and I said, “Yes it did.” He said I had loved my children more than God, and the devil had lost his power over me when I chose God over them. Then he said the devil could still get in through Jay because of his love of his property. But when Jay chose God over his land, the devil disappeared because he didn’t have anything left to scare either of us with. After leaving Father I went to the church to pray. It was SO peaceful. I asked God, “So, what would you like us to sell?” He said, “You don’t need to sell anything right now.  I’ll tell you when.”

Three or four weeks went by and suddenly I needed $200,000. I said, “Lord, this is really something. I think the devil is trying to scare me because I don’t have a penny. I’m not going to be afraid again, but you’ll have to take care of it.” Four days later, I went to church on the First Friday night for the Saturday Vigil of Two Hearts. When I got into my pew, the Spirit said, “Speak to the couple two seats behind you. They will help you.”

People come to our parish from more than our small town, even from different counties, so I may not know them. I pretended to scratch my back and looked behind me. I recognized the couple as people who had worked in the same building where I worked over 30 years ago. We didn’t work together, but we would walk in the same door. “Did you want me to speak to them?” He said, “Speak to them before you leave my church tonight.”

When Mass was over, but before the vigil part of the evening started, I went to their pew. I said something like, “I hear the Holy Spirit, and He has asked me to do something.” And she says, “Oh, that’s nice.” I continued, “Anyway, He said I should speak to you and your husband, and that you would help me somehow.” They said, “Oh.” They looked at each other and finally they said, “When the Holy Spirit talks to us, then we will talk to you.” They said they were going to stay a few more hours and I just said, “Well whenever you leave, I’ll follow. I’ll just look back every so often.” I kept asking the Spirit, “What am I supposed to tell them?” He replied, “Tell them everything. They will help you.”

So finally they left, and I followed. We went to the church basement. I just sat down, and I told them every single thing that the Spirit had shown me. When I was done speaking, she said, “How could we help you?” I told the Holy Spirit that I can’t just tell them I need thousands of dollars. That would seem like I just wanted their money. I don’t know if they have any idea. Finally, I said, “Well I do need about $200,000 in 10 days.” Then she said, “Well, I think we could give it to you.” I said, “What!”  I looked at her husband, and he was just smiling at me. I thought he had not heard what she said, because everyone was smiling. He said, “Do you have any questions?” I said, “No. Do you have any?” He said, “No.” I said, “How can you not have any questions?” As I said that, the Holy Spirit said, “He hears me.” The gentleman said, “When you were speaking, the Spirit was enlightening me.”

Not long after getting this $200,000, I needed another big chunk of money and was getting stressed. I said, “Lord I know that it is not You who is stressing me out. I know it’s the devil. I will trust You. It worked so easy last time.” He said, “No, you must always come to me in prayer.” So, every day I would pray, go to Mass, and thank Him. Now it is Wednesday, I mean basically I need $150,000 in the bank before it closes on Saturday. I don’t have any of it, not even a dollar. I’m praying and praying, and I thought he said two names, but he kept showing me a house just over and over for like two hours. He gave me a name.  I said, “Okay.” For the one name I thought I could get a house number easily on Google, but that left the vision of the house He had given me. I finally said, “If you want me to go to that house, show me the way.” I had to drive without even a name, and He directed me as I drove.

When I knocked on the door, I said, “Hi, my name is Karen Homan. I hear the Holy Spirit, or at least I think I do. The Spirit kept showing me this house, and He said I was to come here and ask you for help with a financial donation.” They told me to come back Friday afternoon and they’d make it work. Then I called the couple where he gave me the name, and they invited me over, and they gave me $10,000. On Friday I went back to the first couple and they gave me $10,000. But I still needed $126,266.22 more to deposit in the bank before it closed at noon the following day.

Then He gave me another name to contact. I went to see them, and they told me they had the means to help, but they just wanted to make sure. I thanked them, and I said, Lord, “I hope you have this because I don’t have enough.” They called me the next morning and said, “We’d like to help. God said to give you what you need, but nothing more.” The man said, “I thought I wrote that amount down, but I can’t find the paper. Could you give it to me?  I had received a text from his wife earlier and she wanted the exact amount. I texted her back $126,266.22, which was the amount left on the invoice.

He said, “Give us 1/2 hour and then come and pick up the check.” I waited the half hour, and then I went over there wanting to kiss their feet. I was just so grateful. I prayed, thank you Lord, thank you Lord. As he gave me the check, he said, “You need to get going to the bank before it closes.” Again and again, I said, thank you, thank you, thank you. As I got into my car, I thought, Karen, you need about $130,000 with bank closing fees. I will be honest, my husband does all our banking, and I hadn’t thought of that. I said, “That’s alright Lord, I can scrape together a few thousand.” And then I opened the envelope and they had given me a check for $130,000. I just cried because I was shameful.  I felt ashamed that I had doubted.

Learning To Trust Unconditionally

A little more time goes by and now it’s January. I said, “Heavenly Father the biggest payment is coming due. We have a good start, but how will we cover the next payment? He said, “Now is not the time to ask me for more.” I said, “Okay, so how do I pay for it? And He said, “You must trust me. I will provide for you.” I can do that, but I need to pay an architect and a contractor.

A week later the bill came, and it was $360,000. We committed to pay whatever could not be collected by donors by selling some of our land. He said to trust Him, but what if I heard wrong. Maybe my discernment was wrong because I wanted to hear Him deep in my heart. I didn’t want that division in my family.  I said, “Oh Lord, I’m so sorry if I didn’t hear right. We can sell property, but there would be a late payment. I said, “Lord help me.  I don’t want to serve myself.” But then I thought, what if I did want to serve myself rather than Him? After a few days, I said, “Lord, I’ll wait till Sunday at midnight. Then, if you don’t provide what I need, I’ll go to the bank and take out a great big loan the next week to pay it the following Friday.” With a late payment, it would put the contractor in a bind right away. So, I prayed every day at Mass, and nothing came. Then at Mass two days before I needed to take out the loan, I said, “You have to help me.” He said, “Wait two more days and then you will be amazed by my glory.” I started to cry during Mass, but I don’t know if it was because I would need every single day to raise that kind of money, or it was because He said I would be amazed.

Nothing happened that day, and the next morning I went to Mass, came home and literally put my keys in the drawer. I put my phone in the closet. I’m not calling anybody and am not going anywhere. I kept saying to myself, “You have to trust Him, you have to trust Him.” It was a very long day… and nothing. I got up the next morning, and I usually pray about an hour before I go to Mass. So, I started my morning prayers, and then He gave me a name. It was a name He told me about long before, but then He said to wait.

He said, “Speak to them now, and they will help you.” I said to myself, what if I heard wrong? I said, “I’ll tell you what, Lord, if I see him or her at Mass this morning, then I’ll speak to them.” They are not from my parish. (We have clusters where one pastor manages five parishes in a cluster.) Sure enough, at communion time the lady walked up. After Mass I approached her for financial help. She said, “We’d be happy to speak with you, but we’re very busy this week after which we will be gone for two weeks. Can we make it for after we get back? We will be happy to sit down with you then.” I thought well thank you, but that doesn’t help me at all God. I said, “I don’t want to be pushy, but the Lord said to ask you again. The truth is, that is what I keep hearing.” She said, “I’ll talk to my husband. Maybe we could make something work out.” So, she called me right around lunchtime and said, “We’ll just make it work. Come to our house tonight and we will talk to you then.” She gave me their address and I thanked her.

I spent the whole afternoon praying. That evening I went there, and we sat down and talked. Then the gentleman said, “Well how much money do you need?” I said, “It is a lot of money. It’s a huge amount of money.” He said, “Just tell me what you need.”  I said a fast prayer and then I said, “Well (and this was Tuesday evening) I need $360,000 by Friday. His eyes got very big and so did his wife’s. They were speechless. I stood up and said, “Thanks for letting me come.” and started to walk away. He said, “Just come back. Just sit down.” So, I sat down and he said, “Let me talk to my wife about something for a little bit.” So, I went into their living room. It wasn’t 10 minutes, and they invited me back. He said, “Come on in.” They had a check on their counter. I assumed that they were going to make a donation of some sort. He said, “If we wanted to donate, who would we write that to? Should I put that in your name.” I said, “Oh goodness no, not my name, it’s a non-profit.” So, he wrote the name in. Then he just handed me a check for $360,000. I said, “Maybe you should keep it for a couple days. You might change your mind.” He asked, “How do you get any money?” Then he said, “We have been blessed in so many ways.”

GOD’S WORD IN THE BIBLE HAS AN IMPACT

Now it is spring 2019, and we're pretty far along. I knew I would need more money to pay for the last of the construction. I prayed and asked how I was to do that. The Holy Spirit said that now I was to ask many of the people whose names He had given me. It would bear much fruit. He said, “Many people will help you now, for they can see My hand in it.” He continued, “If they don’t see my hand in it, it’s because they don’t want to.” I did as He directed, and contacted a few people, and we scheduled a group meeting for early Sunday evening.

Around 5 on the morning of the meeting, the Holy Spirit spoke out loud awakening me. He said this is what I was to say to the people when I ask for their help. He said, “I, your God, creator of heaven and earth, I ask for your generosity.” He continued, “Tell them all you have is from me and I would like some of it back now to be used for My glory.” I quickly sat up in bed and took the tablet and pen that I keep on my nightstand. I started writing down what He was saying and began to pray. Then He said, “Each will give according to their means.” He said, “Karen, you don’t know anyone’s means, but they do, and I do.”

I understand that we cannot hide anything from our Creator, He knows all. There are no secret thoughts that He does not know. I continued in prayer, and He led me to a scripture.

Behold, I am coming soon! I will give recompense to each, according to their deeds.  (Revelations 22: 12)

I questioned Him saying, “Lord that all sounds kind of threatening.” He said, “That is what you are to say.”

PART 5

READ the INTRODUCTION to the story, PART 5 in the Mar. 17, 2021 BLOG here => BLOG (Scroll down to Mar. 17 Blog)

THE HOLY SPIRIT, TRUST AND PATIENCE 

In March 2019, around 1 in the morning while I was trying to sleep, the Holy Spirit told me I was to buy the property next to me (to my west). “The Children’s Splash Park is bigger than you think. I want to see it from the road.” He said, “Darren, (the owner of Betty’s Natural Foods) would build across the street in the old Mueller lot, and then I would take that building down and put a parking lot there.” I said, “I thought I was to put a parking lot on the other side (east) of Do Good?” Then He showed me something additional I would put there. I felt completely overwhelmed and began to cry. I said, “Lord, I can’t do all this.” Gently He said, “I know, but I can.” I felt so very tired. I hesitated but then quietly said, “Alright.” I got up and went to my dining room to write down what He had said and tried to draw what He had shown me. I did not sleep most of that night. Early the next morning I said, “Lord, I know I’m not supposed to keep asking for signs, but I need a little one because this is a whole new thing and I’m not even finished building the Do Good restaurant.” I went to morning Mass and during Mass He showed it to me again saying, “What you see, so shall it be.” Immediately, I knew it was Him because I don’t speak that way or think that way.

A SENSE OF URGENCY AND OBEDIENCE

The Holy Spirit said I was to speak to Darren before I left for California. It seemed urgent that I was to speak to him before we left. (My husband and I were leaving for California in 12 days.) I didn’t want to speak to Darren, and I said, “I don’t want to.  I’ll look so foolish saying, hey, the Holy Spirit said you are supposed to sell me your property. I’ll look greedy.” Continuing I said, “Lord, he's not going to want to sell it. He has Winners Meats to the right, which is a highly successful business, and our new restaurant on his left. It would be a dumb business move for him to sell. You will have to tell him.

Each day the Holy Spirit said I was to speak to Darren before I left, and each day I would say, “I don’t want to. You tell him.” Now, it is Saturday morning. We are to leave on Tuesday, and I am at morning Mass. As I am walking up the aisle to receive the Eucharist, the Holy Spirit said, “You are to speak to Darren before you leave.” I quietly replied, “I don't want to.” He said, “I will bless him tenfold for putting My will above his own.” I said, “That's wonderful, but he might think I’m just making this up. YOU have to tell him.”

After Mass I stayed for the rosary and Eucharistic Adoration. At last, I said, “Fine, I’ll go there,” and I drove to Osgood hoping the whole time that Darren would not be there. I walked into the business and Darren was there. I asked him if he had a few minutes to talk saying, “It’s kind of a Holy Spirit thing.” Darren said, “Sure,” and we walked back to his office area. Still unsure of what to say, I finally said, “You hear the Holy Spirit don't you?” (I know he does, at least I had always heard that he did.) He said, “Well you know, a little.” I said, “Did he tell you anything lately, anything at all?” He just kind of smiled. He said, “Well, this is going to sound crazy, but I had a dream, not a dream, more like a vision. You need to buy my property. There is going to be a splash park on the back of the property. It will be bigger than you think. God wants to see it from the road. I'm supposed to build across the street on the old Mueller lot.” I looked at him in amazement and said, “Yes.” He said, “I knew it the moment you walked in the door.” Then he said, “I’m sure I’ll do it. I’ll talk to Kim (his wife,) and let you know.” Then we exchanged contact information.

While we were in California, Darren sent me a message saying, “Yes, we will sell it.”

We met a few days after I returned from California and agreed on a purchase price rather quickly. Darren said, “Karen, I know why you had to talk to me before you left.” I said, “Why?”  He said that after we spoke on Saturday, he had approached a few of the town council members the following Monday and had made a verbal agreement to purchase the property. A few days after he had made the agreement, a gentleman came to Osgood and wanted to buy that property. He wanted to put up some apartments. Darren said, “I couldn’t have sold my property to you if that property was gone.” I had thought about the urgency while I was on my trip and had been puzzled as to why I had to speak to Darren before I left, especially because Darren had known what God had wanted and had been agreeable. I now realized the importance of obedience. I did not know why it was important to talk with Darren before I left, but God certainly did!

Now it is January 2020. We have been open for only six weeks, and I heard the Holy Spirit say He would like to see the children here now. He had told me in the very beginning that there would be a splash park in memory of children who had passed away. The Holy Spirit told me that it would comfort those who had lost a child when they see other children laughing, splashing, playing, and having so much joy in their child’s memory. We had the agreement with Darren, but we always assumed this was something that would be done in the future. I said, “Are you kidding me!! I just opened the doors!”

But it was very clear that it was time to start. He gave me the names of three people that I was to speak to. Each had lost a child, and we worked together to help form a grieving group. We met many times and designed the Splash Park area. We met with our contractor and architect, and a company who designed and installed splash pads. We were pretty far along into the project when Covid came along and changed things. I assumed I would put this on hold. Several months later my contractor called me and asked “Do you want to go ahead with the Splash Park? I know you wanted it done this summer.” Then he said, “To get it done this year at all, we would have to file for the permits by this coming Monday.” I said, “I don’t know. It was so clear, but with all this Covid stuff I’m not sure. I’ll have to pray about it.” He said, “Okay, but let me know what you want to do by this coming Monday.” I told him I would definitely let him know by Monday.

I prayed that day, and finally in the evening said to the Lord, “I want to do what you want, but I’m not sure what that is. It was so clear that you wanted the splash park, but with all the confusion of Covid now, I’m not sure.” I continued, “Lord I have one payment left for Do Good and I don’t know if I should start something new if that isn’t finished. So, if you really want me to build the splash park, you will need to provide $220,000 by Monday.

The following day in prayer, the Spirit said a man’s name. He said this man and his brother would help me. I prayed each day asking the Spirit for guidance to what I was to do. Several days later the Holy Spirit said that I was to go there on Sunday. I said, “Sunday! That’s your day Lord,” and that particular Sunday was also Mother’s Day. I just could not imagine I was to go to someone’s home on Mother’s Day. So, I increased my prayers thinking that perhaps this was the devil, and he was trying to trick me. But each time I prayed, the Holy Spirit would say, “You are to go there, they will help you. You must trust Me.” Sunday came, and our children and grandchildren came over for brunch. After they left, I began praying again, and He continued to say I was to go there. They would help me, and I was to trust Him. Around 4 in the afternoon, as my husband was leaving to do the milking and feeding, I told him I believed I was to go to someone’s house. He said, “Okay,” and then left. As I was walking out the door to leave, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Don't go yet. You must wait a little bit.” So, I went back into the house, sat in a wooden rocker and waited and prayed. When my husband returned home around 6 he asked why I was home. I told him the Holy Spirit had asked me to wait a little, that I was not to go there yet. He showered and ate and then asked me if I was to go yet. Again, I said the Spirit said to wait a little bit. At 7. he asked again, and again I said, “Not yet.” At 7:30 he said, “Karen, this is silly” I said, “He says I can go in a little bit. I am to wait just a few more minutes.” I finally said, “Jay, if I’m wrong, I’ll be back soon, otherwise I’ll be gone most of the evening.” Seven or eight minutes went by, and I told my husband that I could now go. The Holy Spirit told me that I must tell them everything, and if they were willing to hear everything, then I was to give them a message. But if they would not listen to all of it, then I was not to tell them the message. As I drove there, I prayed the whole time. I prayed if this was not from God, then He should give me a flat tire, do not let them be home, or let them shut the door in my face.

When I got there, the lights were on and I knew they were home. I said a prayer, blessed myself with holy water, and then got out of my car and knocked on their door. The gentleman opened the door and said, “I know you. You’re that lady from Do Good,” and invited me in. His wife walked up and joined us.  I apologized to them for coming to their home on a Sunday evening, especially as it was Mother’s Day. Then his wife said, “Talk about perfect timing, our kids surprised us and came over, they just left about 10 minutes ago.” God’s timing is perfect. If I had gone earlier, their house would have been full of family, and I would have felt like an idiot. I certainly would not have gone back.”

They agreed to talk.  We sat down, and I told them all the Holy Spirit had said. After talking for a while, the gentleman said, “I’d love to help. I can make a big donation.” I thanked him, and we talked a little bit more.  He said, “I can make a big donation, how much do you need?” I said, “It’s a lot of money, but I need $220,000 by tomorrow.” He said, “I can give a lot, but I can’t give that much.” I said, “You don’t have to give me anything.” He said, “No, I can give a lot, just not that much.” Then he said, “I wish you could talk to my brother.  I think he would help.” I could not help but smile just a little, and then I told him the Holy Spirit had said he and his brother would help me. He said, “It’s too late to go to his house tonight.” I quickly agreed saying, “Yes, it’s too late.” It was around 9:40. Then he said, “But he’s leaving tomorrow morning and will be gone for several weeks.” I said, “That’s okay, if God wants it to work it will, otherwise I won’t worry about it.” I then told them the message. They both became tearful and must have known what it meant. I thanked them for giving me their time and they asked for my contact information. I gave it to them and then left.

I got home around 11 and went to bed. My phone rang at 7:04 the next morning. I answered it and said, “Hello.” A man said, “You talked to my brother last night?” I said, “Yes,” Then he said, “If you could come over right now, we will talk to you before we leave. We need to leave by 9 though.” I said “Okay,” and he gave me his address. I told him I would be there in about 30 minutes. I prayed all the way there. The Holy Spirit said, “Tell them everything. They will help you,” and then I was to give them a message.

When I got there, we introduced ourselves and sat down.  I told them everything. Then he said, “This is what we’re going to do.  I’m going to give you a check right now for $110,000 dollars and my brother will give you one for $110,000 too.” In wonder and gratitude, I thanked them many times. Then he said that they really had to go. After I got in my car, I sat for a few minutes in amazement. Then I said, “You want the Splash Park don’t you.” I was still in awe, as I realized he had provided $220,000 in 14 hours from two people that I really did not know.  

PEOPLE ASK WHAT WE DO AT DO GOOD  

We are a nonprofit organization, and we offer many different ministries that are Christian based and help spread God’s love and word. We offer exercise classes done with scripture three days a week. We have free tutoring for kids K-12, reminding them to pray, and asking the Lord to help them with their studies. We have a “Kids for Christ” program the third and fourth Saturdays of the month. We have an Honor meal every third Monday of each month, inviting local organizations and first responders for a free meal. At it we “honor” and thank those who give of themselves and help their fellow man. Our baby ministry gives a free blanket, cap, or bonnet to babies born in our four-county area. The items have a “Christ Covered Child” logo embroidered on them, with scripture encouraging the new parents to cover their children from head to toe in Christ. We had 150 participants in our first set of Bible Studies, and we continue to offer them several times a year. Every month all tips are given to a family in need. We call this our “Tip of the Month” ministry. This is something the Holy Spirit told me we were to do. The Spirit said, “Many people don’t want to give to charity anymore. They think they pay many taxes and people should just get a job.” But the Holy Spirit said, “We are to help our fellow man.” The Holy Spirit said, “People will leave a tip because it is customary, but when the person realizes they are helping someone, they would feel good about giving. Then charity would grow in their heart.”

PART 6

A nun called Karen, saying that God told her to send a set of 100-year old hand carved wood stations that she had in her possession to the Do Good. Karen said she did not know how the nun came to have the stations. The Holy Spirit gave Karen the custom design for the station boxes.

With the property secured for the parking lot, Karen moved forward with God’s plan for the rosary walk, stations, and the splash park. He wanted it finished by November, in time for “Holyween.” Christ’s answer to Halloween was to have 24 saints tell their stories to children and adults stationed on the rosary walk, after which they would hand out candy. I had seen them making costumes on my original visit to the restaurant. Here are a few pictures taken when we visited the restaurant for “Holyween.”

Upstairs there is a small banquet room which is often filled with restaurant guests.  The highlight of this room is the large hand painted mural of the Last Supper which spans the entire wall. It is situated so that the apostles appear to be sitting at a long banquet table. I later found out that it had been painted by the niece of a close friend of mine.

Large windows look down upon the main floor restaurant giving the room an open feeling.

As you descend the stairs to the main restaurant, your gaze becomes fixed upon a large painting of Jesus ascending into heaven.

The main floor seats about 50 guests plus counter service. When you check in at the main entrance, the hostess will seat you. The restaurant was busy even on weekdays during Covid. Reservations are suggested.

When you go down to the well-lit basement, you find a large open concept area, which makes it functional for many different activities.

The back patio has ample seating. The logo of the Do Good fish, designed by God, is cut into the back of the donated patio chairs. The beautiful, raised stone flower beds were built by local craftsmen to display seasonal flowers honoring Mary the Mother of God.

With all the chaos in the world today, God wanted, through this true story, to show that He is present and with us in this world, at this very moment in time.

All believers make up the church. Enlightened by the Holy Spirit, numerous people used their gifts of time, talent and treasure for God’s glory in the building of the Do Good restaurant.

This is a living story taking place today, that has biblical proportions. God says the restaurant will save souls. Karen asks how many? God doesn’t answer because the number will be based upon how many of us share this story with others. It is up to us to spread the good news that God is with us. Each of us will get something different out of this story. I, for one, have gotten a better understanding of the Trinity, and our interaction with each member.

Karen experienced the power of the Holy Spirit within herself and others as God carried out His will. She called on Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and in Adoration to find courage when God the Father came in a cloud to put her to the test.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  (John 16: 13)

I also felt that God emphasized obedience as what He desires above all else. Ask yourself, where does obedience to God rank compared to family or other interests in my life?

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in obedience to him.  (Psalm 128)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  

The Do Good and Karen’s story is finished for now, but who knows, there may be more chapters yet to come.

As I was leaving the restaurant in November, 2020, I noticed a large sign across the street which read, “Future Home of Betty’s Natural Foods.”

 Soon Darren and Betty’s previous building will become a gathering area for the children’s memorial park in front of the rosary walk, stations of the cross and splash park. God and all of us will see it’s peace and beauty from the road.

Click here for the Do Good Restaurant Website ==>  https://www.dogoodrm.com

(The End?)

If you have registered on this website with your email address, you will get email notifications of additions to the Do Good story, plus new, inspirational true stories the Holy Spirit wishes to be posted (No spam or junk).

If you have not registered, you may miss some Spirit of Truth stories (out of sight out of mind).  Please take a moment to subscribe at the bottom of this page now.

Clarence