You arrive in the gates and walk past the most beautiful basilica that comes to 3 chapels one on top of another. The art work is amazing, the sculptures of saints, breathtaking. You pass this and there it is, just RIGHT THERE, the grotto. Sometimes there is a long line and some times no one is there. I went through to run my hands along the walls and pray probably 4 or 5 times. The small pool (that pumps 17 thousand gallons of water, pure Pyranese mountain HOLY water) that Saint Bernadette dug with her hands is right there, and a statue of Mary as she appeared to St Bernadette is in the nitch with the original rose bush still in bloom at her feet. Candles are lit non stop. There are stations to fill up bottles with water as well as a stations of the cross face washing trail which I did.
Next to the grotto are the baths, men and women are separated and the Ave Maria is sung non stop. When you go in you turn around and they hold up a blue sheet for privacy for you to get undressed (you are in a room with about 7 other women). When you are naked they wrap you in the blue sheet. When it is your turn you go in to a stone bath where you step down in the Lourdes water, they pray with you, all your intentions and when you are done they take the blue sheet away, you step all the way to the end, sit and they lay you back holding your arms. You get up and they wrap you in a white sheet, ask for our lady to pray for us, St Bernadette pray for us, and you go back to get dressed. The first time was a bit confusing, so I did it a second time, this time I felt the holy spirit wrap me in it's arms, that's the only way I can describe it. It was so beautiful I cried. I cried a lot this trip and have already been granted many of my prayer requests, which I plan to keep to myself. One interesting thing, when you rise from the water, if you look down, you are not wet. Just maybe some drops on your feet.
We chose the grotto, right under Mary's feet, next to the candles with a Franciscan Priest to renew our vows, it was quick, but it was right. I could never have found a better man, I love you hubby.
We met amazing people, friends for life. Also, I have never prayed so much in my life, and it was so cleansing. I prayed for so many of you too, you know who you are, I don't feel I should name you all. I hope and pray you let me know when something happens you feel has come from my request for intercession.
I have felt a calling for some time, years actually, and while walking in town shopping there it was fluttering in the breeze outside a shop, a beautiful and simple mantilla. I now wear a prayer veil to mass. There, I said it. Now the girls want ones too. Yea!
Ok, one very quickly answered prayer, a better living situation. We got offered a NEW house in a new neighborhood 2 days after our return. So, for the past 2 weeks we have been settling in and now the twins are out of our closet and in their own room!
Health wise, I'm feeling stronger but have problems with joints now. Had a bone scan on Monday, Pet scan on the 26th. Waiting for the Dr. to call with test results, always waiting.
The only bad thing to come of this was my identity was stolen and someone went on a shopping spree in San Diego spending $1200. We got it back.
Special thanks to my parents who gave up so much time and put up with me and my crazy moods after my butcher shop hysterectomy. They came through, showed amazing patience and bonded wonderfully with the girls. I can't thank them enough. I love you Mom & Pop.
Special thanks to those who watched our kiddos while we were in France, especially Anne who was their surrogate mom, Lynda my baby lover, Kathy & Mike who fixed my pool, Pam and everyone else, thank you so much.
I have been sure to learn true humility and humbleness; a year ago I came to a new place, knowing nobody, a stranger with a big bag of real serious issues, and I was welcomed by the arms of Christ himself in the wonderful people I have met and who have helped me. Tearing up now.
Well, we are getting ready for our oldest niece to come out for a month and "mothers help", then my sil and more cousins, then our wonderful nanny, who has become my daughter, my friend, my rock, who saw me go from a normal woman through a mastectomy, chemo-bald and barely walking, radiation, tests after tests and helped raise my girls to love God, and nurture my premie twins all the way through it as I came back to life.
That's where Mrs. Murphy is now.
God bless you all.
btw, the "Song of Bernadette" is not near the true story.
Next to the grotto are the baths, men and women are separated and the Ave Maria is sung non stop. When you go in you turn around and they hold up a blue sheet for privacy for you to get undressed (you are in a room with about 7 other women). When you are naked they wrap you in the blue sheet. When it is your turn you go in to a stone bath where you step down in the Lourdes water, they pray with you, all your intentions and when you are done they take the blue sheet away, you step all the way to the end, sit and they lay you back holding your arms. You get up and they wrap you in a white sheet, ask for our lady to pray for us, St Bernadette pray for us, and you go back to get dressed. The first time was a bit confusing, so I did it a second time, this time I felt the holy spirit wrap me in it's arms, that's the only way I can describe it. It was so beautiful I cried. I cried a lot this trip and have already been granted many of my prayer requests, which I plan to keep to myself. One interesting thing, when you rise from the water, if you look down, you are not wet. Just maybe some drops on your feet.
We chose the grotto, right under Mary's feet, next to the candles with a Franciscan Priest to renew our vows, it was quick, but it was right. I could never have found a better man, I love you hubby.
We met amazing people, friends for life. Also, I have never prayed so much in my life, and it was so cleansing. I prayed for so many of you too, you know who you are, I don't feel I should name you all. I hope and pray you let me know when something happens you feel has come from my request for intercession.
I have felt a calling for some time, years actually, and while walking in town shopping there it was fluttering in the breeze outside a shop, a beautiful and simple mantilla. I now wear a prayer veil to mass. There, I said it. Now the girls want ones too. Yea!
Ok, one very quickly answered prayer, a better living situation. We got offered a NEW house in a new neighborhood 2 days after our return. So, for the past 2 weeks we have been settling in and now the twins are out of our closet and in their own room!
Health wise, I'm feeling stronger but have problems with joints now. Had a bone scan on Monday, Pet scan on the 26th. Waiting for the Dr. to call with test results, always waiting.
The only bad thing to come of this was my identity was stolen and someone went on a shopping spree in San Diego spending $1200. We got it back.
Special thanks to my parents who gave up so much time and put up with me and my crazy moods after my butcher shop hysterectomy. They came through, showed amazing patience and bonded wonderfully with the girls. I can't thank them enough. I love you Mom & Pop.
Special thanks to those who watched our kiddos while we were in France, especially Anne who was their surrogate mom, Lynda my baby lover, Kathy & Mike who fixed my pool, Pam and everyone else, thank you so much.
I have been sure to learn true humility and humbleness; a year ago I came to a new place, knowing nobody, a stranger with a big bag of real serious issues, and I was welcomed by the arms of Christ himself in the wonderful people I have met and who have helped me. Tearing up now.
Well, we are getting ready for our oldest niece to come out for a month and "mothers help", then my sil and more cousins, then our wonderful nanny, who has become my daughter, my friend, my rock, who saw me go from a normal woman through a mastectomy, chemo-bald and barely walking, radiation, tests after tests and helped raise my girls to love God, and nurture my premie twins all the way through it as I came back to life.
That's where Mrs. Murphy is now.
God bless you all.
btw, the "Song of Bernadette" is not near the true story.
