- Sun Aug 27, 2006 2:56 pm
#12720
Praise be Jesus and Mary! I wanted to share with you my conversion story. I just got back from my second trip to Medjugorje and would like to share with you what happened to me 16 long years ago, after my first trip to Medjugorje. I believe that Medjugorje and our Blessed Mother have changed my life forever. Thanks for allowing me to share with you my witness.
How to begin? It all started about 16 years ago when I visited a small village in Bosnia. (it was then Yugoslavia) A place called Medjugorje. The very place where at the time I didn't realize, would be the beginning of a life change for me. My mother sent all of her 10 kids there. (not all at once) I went with my sister and her husband. My husband wanted nothing to do with it. He said to me "Mary, a miracle has already happened, you are only brining one suitcase" hee hee.
I was always a good catholic girl, but could have been better. For one, I didn't know how to say the rosary. I learned fast, because every time you turned around someone was suggesting we pray it. I wasn't too keen on the idea but never one to stir up the pot, I went along. At one point I said to myself "If I have to say one more Hail Mary......" you get the picture. LOL. You see I was 7 months pregnant at the time and quite a trooper I think. Climbing mountains. Hiking all over the village. Going to church every free second we had and freezing my butt off. I drew the line at fasting though, I rationalized I was pregnant and God would forgive me. (it was Nov early Dec. when I was there) Everyone decided to go to confession so I went along. How bad could it be. After waiting in line for 2 hours, it was finally my turn. The priest said to me. "No English" I said "that's OK" he still wouldn't hear my confession. so I figured I would go at another time. I had waited nearly 15 years already. Yikes! That evening a priest came to my room and said someone told him I wanted to go to confession. To this day I don't know who that priest was. Anyway, I ended up going to him (face to face) yikes! I was on a high after that and even stopped complaining about praying so much. hee hee.
We got home and things went back to normal, I knew I needed to get that wonderful feeling of prayer back again. So I decide to take Life in the Spirit. It was about a 2 month course. On one evening they had some guy from Ireland come and speak to us about his life and the life changing things that happened to him. It was very touching. So much so that I (please don't think I am crazy) heard Jesus speak to me. I know it sounds crazy. (try typing it out) lol. woops let me back up. They were taking up a collection for this guy. he travels all over the country, sharing his story. I had not a dime on me. So this is when I heard a voice, which I discerned to be Jesus, tell me to give him my signet ring. I was like. What?, ya right. and I ignored the voice, (Jesus?). Then I heard it again. Well, then I thought OK what if it is Jesus speaking to me. I don't know why this guy would want my ring but OK I'll be obedient. So I dropped it in the basket. Later I saw a couple of the people who put the talk together looking at it. I said nothing and forgot about it. It was a big thing for me to give up that ring. My parents had given it to me as a graduation gift. It was very pretty. (gold with my initials on it) Whenever I looked down and saw that ringless finger, I decided if I had regrets about it I would just think how much I love Jesus, and everything would be OK.
Well, a couple of months went by and things of course went back to normal. On one particularly hectic day. My kids were literally driving me crazy. They had been fighting all day, messing up the house. Etc. (I worked the second shift so when my husband got home he took over for me) on and on. At that point in ours lives my husband wasn't into going to church or doing anything of the sort with the kids. Ages 4, 2, and 1.
I had had it!!!!! So I went into my bedroom and (I think I slammed the door) knelt in front of the Crucifix and prayed to Jesus to please help me. To show me that I was being a good mother, good wife, and basically doing everything I could to be a good Christian. In Medjugorje, I remember a priest telling us to go home and dust off our bibles. (mine was dusty!! lol) I opened up the bible at random and looked down and this is the first thing that I read. Sirach 17:17 "A man's goodness God cherishes like a signet ring, a man's virtue, like the apple of his eye."
The book of Sirach has held a close place in my heart ever since. When my son was sick we needed to make a decision on whether to operate of not. So I again prayed about it and got a word in Sirach (not me going to Sirach either) just opened up the bible. I came to Sirach 38: 1-8. Basically telling me to trust in the physicians ability to help us. God gave him that gift.
And finally, when my father past away. (Oct 16, 2002 one of the Feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.) after suffering with MS for 26 years. (He was only 65) The priest asked me to do the 1st reading. Yes, Sirach again. Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 It was particularly hard to read because at one point it talks about "even if his mind should fail, be considerate with him" He didn't know me when he died. MS is a very cruel disease. It affects everyone differently. But my consolation is that I am sure my Dad is in Heaven with all the Angels and saints looking out for us. May God Bless you all (especially after reading my ramblings) Feel free to share this story with anyone you feel may need it.
Your Sister in Jesus and Mary,
Mary
How to begin? It all started about 16 years ago when I visited a small village in Bosnia. (it was then Yugoslavia) A place called Medjugorje. The very place where at the time I didn't realize, would be the beginning of a life change for me. My mother sent all of her 10 kids there. (not all at once) I went with my sister and her husband. My husband wanted nothing to do with it. He said to me "Mary, a miracle has already happened, you are only brining one suitcase" hee hee.
I was always a good catholic girl, but could have been better. For one, I didn't know how to say the rosary. I learned fast, because every time you turned around someone was suggesting we pray it. I wasn't too keen on the idea but never one to stir up the pot, I went along. At one point I said to myself "If I have to say one more Hail Mary......" you get the picture. LOL. You see I was 7 months pregnant at the time and quite a trooper I think. Climbing mountains. Hiking all over the village. Going to church every free second we had and freezing my butt off. I drew the line at fasting though, I rationalized I was pregnant and God would forgive me. (it was Nov early Dec. when I was there) Everyone decided to go to confession so I went along. How bad could it be. After waiting in line for 2 hours, it was finally my turn. The priest said to me. "No English" I said "that's OK" he still wouldn't hear my confession. so I figured I would go at another time. I had waited nearly 15 years already. Yikes! That evening a priest came to my room and said someone told him I wanted to go to confession. To this day I don't know who that priest was. Anyway, I ended up going to him (face to face) yikes! I was on a high after that and even stopped complaining about praying so much. hee hee.
We got home and things went back to normal, I knew I needed to get that wonderful feeling of prayer back again. So I decide to take Life in the Spirit. It was about a 2 month course. On one evening they had some guy from Ireland come and speak to us about his life and the life changing things that happened to him. It was very touching. So much so that I (please don't think I am crazy) heard Jesus speak to me. I know it sounds crazy. (try typing it out) lol. woops let me back up. They were taking up a collection for this guy. he travels all over the country, sharing his story. I had not a dime on me. So this is when I heard a voice, which I discerned to be Jesus, tell me to give him my signet ring. I was like. What?, ya right. and I ignored the voice, (Jesus?). Then I heard it again. Well, then I thought OK what if it is Jesus speaking to me. I don't know why this guy would want my ring but OK I'll be obedient. So I dropped it in the basket. Later I saw a couple of the people who put the talk together looking at it. I said nothing and forgot about it. It was a big thing for me to give up that ring. My parents had given it to me as a graduation gift. It was very pretty. (gold with my initials on it) Whenever I looked down and saw that ringless finger, I decided if I had regrets about it I would just think how much I love Jesus, and everything would be OK.
Well, a couple of months went by and things of course went back to normal. On one particularly hectic day. My kids were literally driving me crazy. They had been fighting all day, messing up the house. Etc. (I worked the second shift so when my husband got home he took over for me) on and on. At that point in ours lives my husband wasn't into going to church or doing anything of the sort with the kids. Ages 4, 2, and 1.
I had had it!!!!! So I went into my bedroom and (I think I slammed the door) knelt in front of the Crucifix and prayed to Jesus to please help me. To show me that I was being a good mother, good wife, and basically doing everything I could to be a good Christian. In Medjugorje, I remember a priest telling us to go home and dust off our bibles. (mine was dusty!! lol) I opened up the bible at random and looked down and this is the first thing that I read. Sirach 17:17 "A man's goodness God cherishes like a signet ring, a man's virtue, like the apple of his eye."
The book of Sirach has held a close place in my heart ever since. When my son was sick we needed to make a decision on whether to operate of not. So I again prayed about it and got a word in Sirach (not me going to Sirach either) just opened up the bible. I came to Sirach 38: 1-8. Basically telling me to trust in the physicians ability to help us. God gave him that gift.
And finally, when my father past away. (Oct 16, 2002 one of the Feasts of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.) after suffering with MS for 26 years. (He was only 65) The priest asked me to do the 1st reading. Yes, Sirach again. Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 It was particularly hard to read because at one point it talks about "even if his mind should fail, be considerate with him" He didn't know me when he died. MS is a very cruel disease. It affects everyone differently. But my consolation is that I am sure my Dad is in Heaven with all the Angels and saints looking out for us. May God Bless you all (especially after reading my ramblings) Feel free to share this story with anyone you feel may need it.
Your Sister in Jesus and Mary,
Mary
...Thank you so much for sharing it with us!! And welcome to the forum...I hope you will share more with us!! Bless, Sharon
