Wednesday September 17, 2003

Hurricane Isabel

 

I have found that the best way for me to try to describe something is for me to go back and include the sequence of the entire day, especially when there is a day like today when the occurrences of 13, 33 and 333 is extremely high.

The day started after I finished getting dressed. I sat down and said a few prayers and like always I asked God to help me with what I am currently going through and I also told Him “Yes” to whatever He wants from me. I finished praying and again was struck with a strong sense of peace. The time was 8:13.

I attended daily mass at "Parish Church" and then I went to work in "hometown". While I was working I ran into a co-worker who I seldom have contact with. I ran into him in Manassas several weeks ago and we had a discussion at that time about the problems in the Episcopal Church which he has stopped attending.

He told me that he joined a newly formed Baptist church and so far is pretty happy with it. The conversation turned to the Catholic Church and I told him that I would get him some information to read. I also told him that we have a non commitment RCIA program that could answer a lot of questions for him better than I could. He said he would like to have the information.

I ran into him this morning for the first time since that conversation several weeks ago and he said “You still have not given me the information about the Catholic Church you promised” I told him that was because I had not run into him and that I had it in my truck and I would give it to him later today. After we finished talking in the hall and I started walking back to my desk I suddenly felt the peaceful feeling hit and I knew to look at my watch. The time was 10:33.

I was pretty busy the rest of the morning and when I took my lunch break I was going to ride to OLBR and pray my rosary before the Blessed Sacrament because they have adoration on Wednesday’s. When I got in my truck I noticed that the package I had put together for my co-worker was in my other truck. I thought about just giving it to him the next day but SUDDENLY I felt like I should go home and get it NOW. At that very instant a dump truck turned in front of me with a huge 13 on the front of it.

I drove home, got the package and then rode to OLBR to pray my rosary before the Blessed Sacrament and when I arrived there the time was 12:33. I prayed the Glorious and Luminous mysteries. When I finished and was walking out the door to go back to work I glanced at my watch and the time was 1:13. I arrived back at work at 1:33.

Later in the day after I caught up all my work I called my co-worker and told him that I had the information he wanted . I just happened to notice when we hung the phone up the time was 3:33. I then delivered the package to his desk.

Later in the afternoon I was sitting at my desk and suddenly recalled in my mind a very vivid memory of the last trip to Medjugorje. It was the dream I had where Gianna was seeing the Blessed Mother in St. Joseph’s and received what appeared to be bad news and went running out of the church crying. This unprovoked, instant and almost visual recount of this dream was so strong that I knew to look at my watch. The time was 4:13.

When I got off from work I rode back to OLBR to finish my rosary before the Blessed Sacrament. I arrived at 5:33 and prayed the Joyful and Sorrowful mysteries. When I finished the rosary I glanced at my watch and the time was 6:13:59. I wanted to stay for benediction but decided that I needed to go home and cut grass, so I left. As I was pulling out of the parking lot I suddenly felt like I should go back in the church and continue to pray until benediction. At that very instant the odometer switched to 33.3. I resisted and started driving home to cut grass. I had been about a mile when I felt another urge to go back. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13.

I turned around and went back and when I entered the church I glanced at my watch just as I blessed myself with holy water. Again it said XX:XX:13. I just sat in church and talked to Jesus in prayer and again told Him that I was willing to do His will. I had only been there about 5 minutes or so before Fr. Orlowsky came in the church and we had benediction.

I then left and started driving home. I noticed my gas gauge was nearing the half way mark which means that it can run out of gas at any time because it is not accurate. I stopped for gas and the pump stopped at $20.33. I drove home and glanced at my watch as I pulled in the driveway and the time was 7:33:33.

There was still some light so I started cutting grass and when it became dark I turned on the head lights on the lawn tractor. They were bright enough that I could continue cutting grass. I completed the front yard and most of the side before the mower ran out of gas. I walked in the house and asked S.C.C. if she would hold the flashlight while I put more gas in the mower. S.C.C. and I walked out to the garage and when I picked up the gas can it was empty. At that time I just happened to notice that the time on my watch was 8:33.

I told S.C.C. that I was going to ride in town and get gas and I would be back in a little while. While I was driving to town I had a sudden and urgent desire to go to St. Joseph’s and pray for people who would be affected by the upcoming hurricane, Isabel. It was extremely strong and I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. I resisted and a few minutes later the same exact thing happened and again I glanced at my watch because it was so strong. Again it said XX:XX:13.

At this point I suddenly realized that I was now driving to Emmitsburg to pray for something that had not even as much as crossed my mind. I stopped at the Sheetz station in Opal and filled up the gas can. I knew I needed to call S.C.C. and tell her. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. I told S.C.C. that “It’s happened again” and she knew exactly what I was referring to. She told me to be careful.

I continued driving to Emmitsburg and was delayed at the intersection of Rts. 29 & 15 because of a night time road paving crew. I arrived at St. Joseph’s at 11:13 and the odometer was 33. I prayed the entire rosary for people affected by Isabel and the intentions of Mary. I finished the rosary and got in my truck to go home and the time was 12:13. I drove home and pulled in my driveway at 2:13.

R_____ C___

Sep 21, 2003

11:33:13