In Christ Renewed (Part 2)

I just didn’t think that it was realistic for me to take this trip, so I began to pray very often for discernment. That first week I woke up every night around 3am and started to pray. I had no idea why I was waking at this time of night. On the third night, as I was praying for God to tell me what I should do, I was overcome with a ‘burning’ sensation from head to toe. I was afraid and then must have fallen ‘asleep in the Spirit’, for that is all I remember. God was definitely answering my prayers!! I wanted to experience this again, but without fear, and I did feel it again a couple of nights later but not as intensely.

I guess this wasn’t enough for me so I continued to wake and pray every night, and several nights later I was again blessed… with the smell of roses… a gift from our Blessed Mother.

The following morning I asked my husband whether he had noticed this beautiful perfume, he said he hadn’t, but as I was asking him again this indescribable perfume swept over me, with it came a feeling of peace.

Now, you would think that I would be on my way, right? I was still doubting, and after talking to my neighbor about this (she thought this Mary stuff was crazy) I looked up into the sky and saw the most straight cross made of clouds. Our God is so very patient!

OK, so there was one more thing standing between me and going. Two of my boys were scheduled to attend a big formal dance at their high school at the time I would be gone. I knew, however, that it was time to say “yes” to Our Mother and let her take care of everything. Wouldn’t you know it; the dance was cancelled and rescheduled for a time when I would be there! Now theirs is a school of over 2000 kids and big events like this NEVER get rescheduled!! I was truly being called, and I felt so very blessed.

My journey has only begun, but I do believe that being in Medjugorje filled me with many blessings and graces. After being in apparition with Ivan (one of the visionaries), watching The Miracle of the Sun, worshipping like I have never done before with people from all over the world, I now have a new appreciation and love for my Catholic faith, for the Eucharist and for all that we have been given. I have no idea what Our Lord and Mother have in store for me, but I do know that I love them beyond measure. As time goes on I am finding myself so much more prayerful, loving, peaceful… and wanting to go wherever the Lord leads me.

I have had an interesting and wonderful year since my pilgrimage, and feel so very blessed. At a Marion conference that I attended I met a beautiful priest named Father Michael Dwyer, from Canada, who gave me a message that I believe was from God. I came away from that weekend feeling so very loved, like never before. I hope that I can spread even a small amount of that love to the world, for my God. Spreading the good news of this site through the media is a wonderful way to witness to others, and to share our own stories. I believe that if we can just say “yes” to Jesus and to our Blessed Mother, if we can invite the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, if we can make time that is dedicated only to God, and if we can love unconditionally for God then He will surely show us the way to eternal happiness with Him in heaven. And that is my goal. God bless you all in your journey.