Part Two of "On my way to EWTN"

Yesterday, I shared part of a story of a recent encounter I had with a young women who sat next to me on a plane en route to Alabama. You can see that post here: http://viewdomesticchurch.blogspot.com/2011/07/on-my-way-to-ewtn.html

And now to continue with my story...As the woman put the blessed Miraculous medal on her necklace she told me, "Oh! You have no idea how much this means to me!"

After telling me that she was a Methodist (and still welcoming the blessed medal), she said that about a month and a  half earlier something very scary and profound had happened to her.

She was in her kitchen in Alabama on what would seem like an ordinary morning, making her sandwich to bring to work for lunch. Her two housemates had just left for work and she would be leaving soon.

This was at the time of the fierce and awful killer tornadoes that were ruthlessly hitting that area. The sirens were wailing and Nancy was listening intently to the radio in between the roars of wind to know what she should do with regards to the storms.

The wind seemed to be knocking fiercely at her door for she heard some thudding sounds right near her at the back door of the kitchen. Before she could react in any way, the door came crashing in!

What she did not expect to see was the hoodlum who had broken down her door. He grabbed her and started to pound on her head. After what seemed like an eternity of brutal pounding to her head, the intruder told her to head for the bedroom. He pushed her small frame towards her bedroom.

Nancy cried out from the depths of her heart, "JESUS! In the name of Jesus, LEAVE!" Over and over again, she cried out her mantra. Suddenly, an idea struck her.

Jewelry! She thought.

"I have jewelry!" she shouted.

"Where?" he wanted to know.

She showed him her jewelry box in her room. As he reached for it, she managed to escape and ran all the way to her neighbors house, pounding on the door to get in. She told them hat happened and her neighbor grabbed his shot gun and fired away a few shots towards the robber who was now running away with her jewelry box.

Nancy didn't care if he got away with her things, she was just so relieved that she was able to escape and that God had spared her further harm.

The gun shots startled the man and he dropped the jewelry box and fled. So, Nancy never lost her jewelry which was a bonus.

As Nancy told me the story, she put her hand to her heart and softly let the words come out, seeming to be feeling it all over again. I told her that she need not recount such a frightening and painful experience. But, she told me that it was okay. She wanted to. She said she was doing well and it was okay to talk about it.

Nancy showed me the scar on her forehead and pointed to the back of her head where she had had numerous staple sutures. She explained that the experience somehow miraculously brought her even closer to God. She said she had been searching and praying more prior to that incident. She carefully pulled out her Bible that was in the pocket of the seat in front of her and let it set on her lap as she spoke to me. She said she forgave the man for what he did and it was hard for her family to understand how she could.

After expressing my sorrow to her that she had to go through that awful beating and frightul experience, I told her that I was so thankful to God that she was okay now and that God was blessing her, (more than she could imagine) and that we had met and could talk and share our Faith. I said I just love how God sets these encounters up and that I give all glory to Him. She agreed. I shared with her that I pray when I travel and ask the good Lord to place me where He wants me to be and use me for His glory. She told me that she wants to start praying about her seating now. And I told her, that even if we don't ask Him, we need not worry, He'll do it anyway! He's in control.

Our beautiful conversation continued and we were so very thankful to God for His mysterious ways and His great love for us all. We decided to have our photo taken on my IPhone after we got out of the plane. We'd find someone there at the airport to snap it. We exchanged contact information and parted with a big hug. God is so very good to us!

I hope I hear from Nancy again. If not, that's okay, she'll remain in my heart and in my prayers. And, by the way, she gave me permission to retell the story on my blog.

"O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."
[words on the Miraculous medal]

Please keep Nancy in your prayers as well as the man who assaulted her

who will be serving in prison for a long time.

Thank you and God bless!