‘Wings in the Water’ A Divine Fatima Rosary Experience

Welcome to my first post about the travels of the Fatima rosary beads. Ten rosaries have been sent out to people all over the country by requests I received. Each week I hope to bring to you personal experiences of individuals who pray on a Fatima rosary (as part of the Blessings Go Round initiative to make the world a more blessed place through prayer.) I am honored to bring this to you and hope you enjoy reading about real people’s experiences and their spiritual journey with a Fatima rosary. Information is at the bottom of this post on how you can pray on one of the rosaries and pass on to another person. 

 

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I would like to introduce you to from Cat in WI. Some of you may already be familiar with her, knowing her as CatCanPaint.  http://www.etsy.com/shop/catcanpaint I was so honored that Cat was a part of Blessings Go Round the rosary and prayer initiative. Not only because of her deep spiritual beliefs in miracles, but her openness and turning to this opportunity for seeking more guidance as she worked through some complicated issues in her life. Please enjoy viewing her original artwork as you read her story.

  

 This is Cat. She is radient

 

I asked Cat for a brief ‘Who Am I’ bio: I have always loved animals, and because of that became a vegetarian many decades ago. I am in my 50′s, and am experiencing what I would call a “return to who I am” or a “re-discovery” or a genuine understanding of my inner nature, the paths I have taken, and those I have not, and maybe why…

 

Being a vegetarian, I got little support and felt that my individual efforts didn’t matter much in making changes for the animals. Then in a Rip Van Winkle moment, my oldest daughter announced that she was going vegan, and I was transported back all those decades, feeling those same strong feelings again.

 

I also dropped dairy and egg from my diet. And much to my total surprise, several serious health conditions that I had cleared up completely, including the pain of osteoarthritis.

 

So now I am vegan, and somewhat of an armchair activist for the animals. And though I became vegan for ethical reasons, I am learning about the nutritional advantages.

 

And the veterinarian thing… I had at one time wondered if I had messed up and had missed my calling, but I now realize that this desire sprung from my love and connection to animals, and that the business aspect of such a career would have made working in this capacity impossible for me. At the vet I overheard a conversation about a dog that had to be turned away because the owner could not afford to pay… If I were a veterinarian I could never turn anyone away for lack of money… so had I become one, I would undoubtedly been a bankrupt one…

 

And, at least for myself, I can see that all the gifts that I was given by God, were all there in the early years… the person that I am today, is who I have always been, though my soul has grown in understanding, and my compassion widened, through all the experiences and trials along the way.

 

I believe in non-violence, am a great admirer of the writings of Fr. John Dear (Jesuit priest) Here is my favorite quote of Fr. Dear’s:

 

“If we care for the earth, we must end both corporate greed and extreme poverty. As we make these connections, we will deepen our spiritual understanding of reality and see everything as a spiritual issue, a life-and-death issue. We are not allowed to destroy the Creator’s creation; we are not allowed to wreak such havoc on the earth or on God’s children. We are called to practice nonviolence in every aspect of life.”  ~Fr. John Dear “Put Down Your Sword”

 

I am also a mother (of five), an artist, and a volunteer raptor handler. I do believe that one day everything will be restored as God created it, and the lion will lie down with the lamb… and I can’t wait for this wonderful day…

 

Now that you have gotten to know the woman, here is the story of her experience with the Fatima rosary in her own words: 

 

I have been struggling with what to write… I am currently experiencing a very rough patch in my life right now, very rough, probably the roughest so far… struggling with a lot of things… but the personal details (because it would take a lot of explaining and background) are probably not as significant (to others) as the results of my spiritual discoveries, after receiving the Fatima rosary.

 

I don’t recall if the tsunami in Japan hit just before I got the rosary or shortly after… but that whole scenario certainly dwarfs my personal troubles… and I cried every time I turned on the TV, powerless too help, other than sending love and prayers to all affected by this disaster…

 

And some people may wonder how God lets things like this happen, but I do know that all who struggle and suffer are blessed with growth in spirit, and they do find God’s arms wrapping around them. And I was so touched and amazed at the strength of the Japanese people… waiting in line for hours to get food rations without complaining, selflessly helping each other and the ones most in need of attention. There was a Japanese couple highlighted on one of the news programs–they were hurriedly repairing  their damaged home so that they could then move on to help their neighbors…

 

I remember Anna asking me which rosary I wanted, and I knew that it did not matter, and that any one that she sent would be wonderful. Secretly, I was hoping for the dark blue one, though (I don’t know why, other than I liked the depth of it’s color).

 

As I opened the package I felt a chill, like a flu-like chill throughout my body. It was very real, and very odd, because I was sitting right by a heating vent in my home that was blowing warm air on me at that very moment.

 

The rosary was light blue, and beautiful…

 

I held it in my hands and inspected it… Inscribed on the little medallion was “terra de fatima”… earth of Fatima…

 

My sick kitty was sleeping at the windowsill, and I pressed the earth of Fatima on the bare skin of his back where the fur had been shaved off months before, but had not grown back (the place where his pain patch had been placed after a lifesaving surgery). He began to purr loudly… God has placed this beautiful, but sick animal in my care, and I have learned so much from him about love, hope, and the fragility of life…

 

One of Cat’s original works of art.

 

The gray light of day streaming through the window, suddenly became infused with sun, and lit up the cat’s white fur, and made the rosary sparkle. There was a clear glass bowl of water on the floor nearby, and it became animated in the brilliant light. The colors of the peach flowers and deep green of the rug reflected vibrantly in the water, and I could see the moving branches of trees outside of the window, mirrored and dancing in the water too.

 

There were also some white shapes in the water, reflected from something in the room, and they almost looked like wings, white wings hugging the clear glass dish. 

 

Ok, so I have a creative imagination… maybe…

 

I then put my new rosary in my pocket… the dog needed to be walked, so I set out to do that…

 

I was a half a block from home when I ran into a friend who lives a few blocks away, who I had not seen in awhile. She was walking her two little Chihuahuas, and was actually on her way to my house with a gift for me. It was a book and meditation CD that she found helpful,l and thought I might too. I showed her the Fatima rosary, and told her about the Blessings Go Round. And she told me that she had just sent me an email before she had left the house, and that I should check my email inbox when I got home.

 

So when I got home with my new rosary, and the gift from my friend, I went to check my email. My friend had sent the email at exactly at the same time that I was contemplating the reflections and wing-like shapes in the water bowl. The email was entitled “Blessings” and it said “You have received this angel because you at some point in life have been an angel. No one saw your wings but they felt your love.”  There is a drawing of 2 white wings accompanying the email…

 

And one thing led to another… the meditation book/cd from my friend helped me tremendously, as did some music cds that I stumbled upon. I began listening to “Revelation Song” by Kari Jobe every time I went anywhere in my car, as well as 3 other tracts from another album, “Painted Red” by JJ Heller. ( “Save Me,” “Your Hands,” and “Painted Red”)

 

The words from “Your Hands” highlight my recent spiritual journey:

    

I have unanswered prayers

I have trouble I wish wasn’t there

And I have asked a thousand ways

That you take my pain away…

 

I am trying to understand

How to walk this weary land

Make straight the paths that crooked lie

Oh Lord, before these feet of mine…

 

When my world is shaking, heaven stands

When my heart is breaking

I never leave your hands

 

When you walked upon the earth

You healed the broken, lost and hurt

I know you hate to see me cry

One day you will set all things right

Yeah, one day you will set all things right

 

Your hands that shaped the world

Are holding me

They hold me still

 

And since I have had and prayed with the rosary, I have received comfort and enlightenment that have strengthened me. I have had many lessons in this short time. I have learned to be the receiver of help, prayers, and love… to be vulnerable and in need… and as I gain strength and move forward and reclaim my ability to stand without aid, I will not forget my pain and desperation… I will not forget the crushing weight… And I am so glad for relief… My heart has grown and I can offer help, prayers, and love to others facing the challenges of life. My compassion springs from that place of knowing, of having lived there myself…

 

During my time with the rosary a friend was diagnosed with cancer, and many people around me struggled with their own challenges… We may not understand fully why we must endure these trials, and people without faith may just view them as the cruelty of life, but I do believe that our souls expand and grow through all of the pain… When each of us is vulnerable and hurting, those of us who are strong can offer tremendous aid through gesture and through prayer. We all take turns in both of these roles… being the supporter, and being in need of support… we ARE all connected… I can feel it, and it is real…

 

I intuitively knew when it was time to pass on the rosary… And a note to the person who is receiving my rosary: I wrapped the rosary with my business card because the photo on the card is of a little owl friend of mine who died while I had the rosary. He still has wings, but now he is an angel…

 

And I thank God for the great gift of connection with animals and nature. Your hand is so evident in these beautiful, living works… But I am sad that for many, the beauty and perfection go unnoticed… You speak to me through nature and I wish that everyone could hear what I hear… 

 

Note cards featuring Cat’s original art.

 

I wanted to mention that Cat emailed me privately with more information that she rather keep private … but I assure you her story as told was not the end.

 

~~~~Thank you Cat for your dedication to this initiative and allowing miracles to manifest through your belief. God bless you and yours. I too prayed on that rosary before I sent it to you requesting the most benevolent blessings to manifest for you. You have received divine enlightenment and miracles indeed.~~~~

 

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http://blessingsgoround.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/introduction-to-blessings-go-round-how-to-receive-a-rosary-from-fatima/

Thank you for stopping by and sharing in Cat’s personal experience. Have a most blessed day!

 

 

Ding! Your Miracle Is Ready, Hot Out The Oven

I baked a cake yesterday. I mixed my batter, poured it in the pan and popped it in the oven. As soon as I closed the door it was done … Like I waved a magic wand! Do you believe me? Of course not.

As with most posts I like to include a little something to look at, usually that I made. Here were my 2010 Christmas cookies A challenge to make in Portugal. Note to self – Bring more cookie cutters from NJ

This applies to our prayers and miracles. Miracles move at the speed of … well, miracles! Sometime you are answered right away sometimes they take time.

I can assure you if you pray on something long enough there will be resolve. During your time of prayer you will have obstacles, questions and answers. This process will be leading to the miracles manifesting. We have to go through changes to live the miracle we seek. Just like the cake needs to bake. Changes are happening … liquid turning to fluffy solid … oozy batter becoming yummy cake.

You are becoming what you want by praying for it. You may kick and scream and not understand sometimes. Like physically working out, it hurts when you are out of shape but once you arrive to a healthy body, working out feels awesome. Your spirit is the same…. (which reminds me .. I need to get on that! Thanks Christmas cookies!)

Unfortunately for us, we have worldly desires that guide us to what we think we want, however it may not always be the best. Did you ever hear the phrase ’Thank God for unanswered prayers?’ I’m sure if you look back on your life so many things have changed what you want to have, be, live like … and some of what you thought you wanted you may be super thankful that you never received. (Word up! I am proof of this.)

You are a constant project for God and the universe. He wants you to be the best you can be. You must sometimes be broken to learn the value of something or learn some other lessons before you are where you want to be. Have faith, because God wants you to be happy and have miracles manifest. Keep believing in yourself, and have faith that anything is possible.

After years and years of praying for what I thought I wanted … boy oh boy it was a lot of praying … One day I was inspired to give up my ‘ideas’ of what I wanted and pray for the most benevolent circumstances to have love, success and happiness. Pure happiness.

My heart knows what makes me happy. In fact, the base of who you as a person are, is your passion and your desires, right? So if I can’t find the words, or if my heart knows better than me what makes me happy, I asked it be delivered… and guess what … it was. In magnificent, glorious abundance. *So Blessed*

No I didn’t hit the mega millions ;) But I did hit the lottery of life. Only one being out there for me and we were guided to each other. He, in his space was looking for the same. I opened my mind and spirit up to receiving the miracles and blessings as God wanted me to have the happiness I sought … without my specifics attached. The miracles manifested. Now my husband and I have the lives we both sought … It truly is nothing short of amazing.

If you can open your mind to putting what you truly ‘desire’  into your heart and spirit asking for your miracles, they will happen. Don’t be surprised if the miracles are more magnificent than you could have imagined! After all, this is the point … be limitless in what you ask. You will receive. When you ask for *specific blessings you limit yourself. God will work out the details. Focus on the big picture. Happiness? Love? Health? *What I mean about ‘specific’ is asking for  a man/woman with ‘x’ colored hair ‘x’ tall’ in ‘x’ shape with ‘x’ bank account ‘x’ education etc. Just ask for ‘your true love.’

Me and my Prince

To sum it up I asked > No one fulfilled > I asked why no one was giving me what I wanted > I was told what I was asking for was not good for me > I was redirected through enlightenment to request the bare bones, deepest desire of pure happiness and love.  No expectations, no fine print > Miracles manifested in more abundance than I could have asked for with my prior ‘small minded’ thinking. I brought to me through the divine my blessings. I had to be guided to him and him to me once I gave up the specifics.

The power of prayer is amazing. Pray for you, pray for your loved ones, pray for the world. Blessings Go Round has an initiative of praying on a rosary and passing it on to another person. Would you like to join Blessings Go Round the initiative? If you have gratitude for your blessing or need a little guidance on your path, you will benefit. If today is the day that YOU felt you needed to do something positive for your spirit, maybe it was no coincidence you read this Please see this post (link below) to get the details. Ten rosary beads are out and about as soon as someone is done praying on it, and you are on the list, you will be sent a rosary. After you are done, send it to the next person … The power of prayer!

http://blessingsgoround.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/introduction-to-blessings-go-round-how-to-receive-a-rosary-from-fatima/

Thank you for stopping by and sharing in my blog. Have a most blessed day!

I Was Never Alone… HE Was & Will Be There. My Meditation

I had a deep meditation once. In fact it was my very first attempt at meditation on my own. I have always been the type of person to have a wandering mind, that’s why I normally don’t find the joy in reading other’s do since I can’t stay focused. Because of this I always thought I would never be able to meditate and clear my mind of everything… I thought it would be impossible since I am always thinking creatively and my mind doesn’t stop.

Fashion and art meet. My signature design 'Blessed'. Enjoy my handpainted tank top as you read my inspiring post. Thank you

A friend of mine had given me a tip to envision myself filling up with water and that would put me in a state of calm and relaxation. I tried this technique and it didn’t work. I had to imagine something tangible… For me, what did the trick, was to imagine an all white room with white furniture and a big glass window where all you could see was blue sky and a hallway … I guess this is the hall way that led to my visions.

I have only told a few people of this meditation I had some five or more years ago. It actually was my first real, concentrated attempt at meditating. After so much prayer work (prayer being meditative in itself) I wanted to move to the next level and really get divine messages and a clear path.

I didn’t go into my meditation with any expectation, just to know what lied ahead of me and my purpose … Was that generally specific enough? LOL You know, nothing major Well anyway, I lied down on my couch and got comfortable and I think my hands were at my sides, legs straight. So it began…

Once (and almost immediately) I began to relax and let go, like a movie, it started in my mind. It was more vivid than a thought, more like a dream. Very intense like you are actually there… for those of you who have dreams that feel like they are really happening, this is exactly like how it felt, but I was not asleep. It was like an in between dream and waking state.

The vision started with me in a room. It was blacker than black. The room was a shack that looked like a one room rustic old cottage in the middle of the woods that had been there forever.

My senses were shut off from receiving anything. I realized I had a blindfold on and I must remove it. Once I removed the blindfold, the room was pitch black and I wandered in circles looking for a way out . Not frantically, more so like when you know where you are and looking for a light switch, like I was milling about in the room. The truly extraordinary thing that happened to me was that I knew, I felt, that I was not alone in this room. I felt that some entity was shadowing my steps. In circles I went and there was someone, something, there following me silently but keeping distance.  I finally found a door and stepped out.

It seemed to be 4 or 5am in the middle of barren woods.  Imposing trees without leaves bowed into each other, like a scene from a scary fairy tale. Without a clear path I walked through the woods. This entity followed me some steps behind.

A path began in front of me as there began to be some dawn in the woods. This beginning of a path was covered with boulders and down trees. Like a really rough path in the woods. I had to hurdle and go around all of these ‘obsicles’. The entity followed. The obstacles got smaller and less frequent.

As the path became more cleared of these obstacles and began to become more of a straighter path, now with rocks and smaller debris on it, the trees also became more full of life with leaves and the sun was out like early to mid morning. This entity walked behind me still and closer and closer it got.

The trees and forest became bushes and hedges, the path was now dirt and clear of troublesome rocks, twigs and was clean underfoot with the exception of pebbles. The entity was walking next to me … I felt it.

I had this feeling to look back as now I was out of the woods. I wanted to look back but also felt that it didn’t matter at the same time. I felt like ‘Why look back?’ But at the same time I felt I needed to. I looked behind me and saw nothing. A wall of black and at my heels, nothing. I was standing on the edge of absolutely nothing behind me. Nothing above me. Nothing below me. nothing behind me. The spot I stood in was the beginning on my path and with each step more path developed, but only as much as I was being shown. I could not see ahead of me toa great distance, I was being shownjust enough. I felt the entity was no longer there next to me but maybe, in me? It had disappeared. This was all so surreal … yet felt very real.

I looked forward again and began to walk. The path still dirt and clear with just what you’d expect to see on a dirt road, little pebbles and such. On either side of me was tall grasses that became shorter and shorter until they were about three feet high. At this point a paved path was laid before me and it felt like late morning. This path was made of brick paving stones with that criss-cross pattern (as in real life I love tile and stone floors with the different shapes and patterns).

This paved path was divine. I felt so good walking on it. Both sides as far as I can see was this tall grass blowing in the breeze. The grass began to get shorter. After being on this path a while, a snake slithered out in front of me … I had to stomp on it and kill it … it’s what I had to do. I killed the snake picked it up and cast it aside.

I walked some more and a bunny hopped out in front of me. I bent down, picked it up, and helped it to the other side. I felt that (this is crazy, but this is what I felt) ‘In life you will encounter obstacles and you must deal with some in one way and others in another way. ’ This is what I felt once I opened my eyes about this encounter.

After I put the bunny aside and he happily hopped into the grass, I started to walk and looked up in front of me. The most magnificent rainbow was in the distance. Glorious and colorful with the sun in perhaps the eleven o’clock position in the sky.

That’s it.

I opened my eyes and tears were streaming down my face. I didn’t know I was crying until I opened my eyes or how long this vision was going on during the time of having it.

This was my life.

My entire life in a vision. Maybe the rainbow will be my 2 pm moment? Maybe the end of my life? I did not know. The rainbow was a promise that all will be joyous and my life will be enraptured in magnificence . I know this for sure. 

As for the entity. Was it Jesus? Was it God himself? All I can tell you is that I knew this entity was the source of all purpose, calm and guidance; and I had to find myself before anyone could help me. I have to find my own strength and path before I could receive assistance or a ‘reinforcemnt ‘ from any other source. I am connected now. I found my way. This spiritual enlightenment was beyond words.

It took me a few years to digest this and rationalize this meditation and vision. It still teaches me things as I look back and recollect it.

I never had heard of anything like this before or read about it. One day when I was visiting a friend in a store called ‘Angel’s Touch’ in NJ (now it is closed) a very spiritual lady and dear friend M’Linda Kula showed me this book with a drawing of Jesus standing in front of a black wall, like in my vision. I was like ‘OMG!!’ as you can imagine. I shuddered to see MY vision in print … This was exactly what I saw, the wall of blackness … nothingness…emptiness. He was showing people to go to him, he was the way or that (the black wall)was the alternative. Nothingness. Not hell, with fire and demons. Just nothing …. Wow. This was weird.

So, friends I know this was a really long post and I left out details because my vision was so radiant and detailed it could be a book. It lasted about forty five minutes I recall.

You can conclude what you will … but this is what happened. And by the way, I did go back to this vision few weeks ago as I was being challenged with issues and knew that the only place to find answers was on this path… on MY path. And the rainbow was not the end of my life. I will tell you about that vision in another post.

Join the mission to pass blessings around the world. This is for you, if you are grateful and know you are blessed or are seeking some guidance to arrive at a spiritual place of positivity. My first post explain how to receive a rosary from Fatima Portugal (I sent 10 out and they are making their way from person to person) Join this initiative and find your path. http://blessingsgoround.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/introduction-to-blessings-go-round-how-to-receive-a-rosary-from-fatima/

Have a most blessed day. Thank you for visiting. Some of my posts are hard for me to share such intimate encounters, so I really hope they benefit you as this is the time I’m being told to share them. God bless.

 

Angelic Intercession Almost Missed

I met an Angel … It was an Angelic intercession almost missed …

Enjoy another one of my Art Belt Buckles ... It's obvious where my inspiration comes from

I met an angel who delivered a message to me one day but didn’t realize it … until two or more years later. Here’s what happened; I used to work at a night club and this guy comes up to me and hands me something. I was very busy and never saw him before or recognized him from that evening. So he comes up to me and hands me something directly into the palm of my hand, I thought it was a tip so I was just like ‘Thanks’ and not to be rude I didn’t look at it right away. When I looked at what the guy gave me it was a little black prayer book and inside was written “Anna time for a career change – JC”  Did you just read that? You get it – right? I didn’t. I was like who the hell is JC and what right does he have to tell me what to do? (Terrible right?) At that time I was so far away from any type of faithfully inspired ritual like prayer or giving thanks or talking to God I didn’t even REALIZE what just happened.

A few years later around 2004, I was on the phone with a girlfriend of mine and we discussed religion and faith and spiritually regularly.  Although at the time I received this prayer book I didn’t know what it meant, I kept it – in my kitchen junk drawer… nice right? BUT I know where it was and it hit me like a hammer when I was talking to her on the phone! ‘OMG I have this book this guy gave me … be right back…’ I retrieved it and opened it. DUH it was SO OBVIOUS! All the hair on my body stood on end… JC; Jesus Christ. Weird right? I know …. Very strange. ‘That guy was an Angel delivering a message’ she said… and I knew it.

By this time I had already started praying several months before and as I flipped through the book I added a few more prayers to my daily routine. Now, I don’t know what I did with that book because I carried it with me everywhere. I think I left it in China on a business trip along with a dress… I need to remember to check the closet and drawers better… LOL. I miss that book. Maybe it was left to inspire someone else?? I would like to think that anyway.

So that’s my story, I was visited by an Angel and my point was, we all have a time when things come into our lives for a reason. I wasn’t ready back then, but when I was, it was waiting… my faith, my belief, my hope, my thanks and my blessings. They all came and will continue to come because I am ready. BTW, the story is true. I wish I still had the prayer book. It blows my mind … I have a few more stories I will post those soon that will blow your mind too.

Have a blessed day! Please join my initiative to spread love and blessings around the world… Read my first post and join us! The waiting list has started… Click this to go to the first post..

http://blessingsgoround.wordpress.com/2011/02/23/introduction-to-blessings-go-round-how-to-receive-a-rosary-from-fatima/

The Rosary Beads & A report of a small blessing

Here are the rosaries! As this being my second post there are two things I wanted to include; First, a close up of the 10 rosaries that I have and will send out; Second, … We have swallows!

Okay, I’ll tell you about my magnificent little creatures first. In our community here in Portugal, there are a few properties for sale and not maintained. Aside from uncut grass, debris and a poorly maintained vacant property, the big deal is the half full swimming pools. A haven for mosquitoes. I hate mosquitoes … and flies. I don’t like getting bit, nor do I like the fact that they carry diseases for us and our pets. I really, really was dreading them on a walk the other day with my husband and dog. The next day I woke up to find swallows nesting on the side of my house! What a splendid blessing we received! Just another way He has solved one of my problems in His own way. I complain about bugs, I get bug catchers! See how blessings work? It’s not what you ask for it’s how what you ask for gets delivered to you and you realizing the magnificence in the blessing. Here is a photo of my swallow working on his nest:

Here are the ten rosaries. Nothing fancy, but they are all pretty and each different. A side note; I have received only 1 request so far. I am a bit surprised that this is going slowly. Maybe people don’t need blessings? Maybe people don’t know who other than themselves to pray for so they are blessed? Maybe there is a lack of faith out there?? (I really hope not) I’m not sure … I would have jumped at the opportunity myself if I had seen this proposition somewhere. Well, as You who read this and really do ‘believe’ and have faith, you are the ones I am speaking too. I know you will step forward and be a part of this and share your miraculous stories as they happen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will you join us in Blessings Go Round? I hope you do

Please visit first post of my blog for more information on receiving a rosary and being part of Blessings Go Round.