The connection between Emmitsburg and Medjugorje is strong. Our Lady first spoke to Gianna in Medjugorje while she was still living in Scottsdale. Our first trip to Medjugorje originated in the parish hall at St. Joseph’s in Emmitsburg. The same exact things that began to happen to me in Emmitsburg did not follow me from Emmitsburg to Medjugorje, they met me there, making it very clear to me that both were of the same origin.

I have been to Medjugorje four times and each time the connection between Emmitsburg becomes stronger and clearer to me. The papers I have written covering those trips 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th tell the story eliminating the need to tell it here. I will just say that each trip contained an experience that began in Emmitsburg, continued through Medjugorje and came to completion back in Emmitsburg.

Several months ago I received and email from a friend of mine, Jim Farrell in California saying he was going to Medjugorje on December 27, 06 through January, 5, 07. He asked if we would be interested. I told Jim I would consider it. Since then I have mentioned it to a few people around here and there are several people who say they would also like to go.

Over the past several months the desire to make this trip has become very strong, especially in S.C.C.. We have been praying about it and something happened today that has confirmed our plans to make this trip. This is what happened.

As I left the house to go to work this morning I was thinking about this trip to Medjugorje. I knew I needed to make a decision and I knew I needed to pray about it more. At the strongest and most intense point of this thought I just happened to look up as I pulled out of my driveway and the CD flashed 13.

I stopped at St. Joseph’s to pray about this before going to work. I arrived and walked up to the front of the church and the time was 6:33. I walked around the church and also prayed for all of the souls in Purgatory. I then left and drove to Manassas and attended mass at All Saint’s. There were two new priest there. Mass ended and I glanced at my watch as I walked out of the door and it said XX:XX:33. I started my car to leave and the CD flashed 133.

Shortly after I arrived at work my phone rang and it was Frank K. Frank said he we going to be late to work because of a doctors appointment. He asked if I would wait for him before going to All Saint’s for adoration. (All Saint’s has all day adoration on Wednesdays) I told Frank I would wait for him.

Later in the morning while I was sitting at my desk I saw a email arrive on my computer from Roberta Marziani. The title of the email said “Medjugorje”. At the instant I saw the word “Medjugorje” in the title I glanced down at my watch in what seemed like an involuntary reflex and the time was 11:13:13.

About a half hour later or so my supervisor, Venkat Narlapati asked if I would like to go to lunch with him. We went into the cafeteria and just about the time we were finishing eating Frank arrived and said he was ready to go to All Saint’s for adoration. I glanced at my watch as Frank and I left and it said XX:XX:13.

We rode across the street to All Saint’s and I prayed my Liturgy of the Hours morning prayers and both the Glorious and Joyful mysteries of the rosary before the Blessed Sacrament. During the rosary I prayed about going back to Medjugorje. At the instant I finished the rosary and kissed the crucifix I glanced at my watch and the time was 1:33:00.

We returned to work and I was fairly busy the rest of the day. When I got off work I started driving back to Emmitsburg. While I was driving I was struck with a thought and feeling of peace that the time was approaching that I needed to share some of the things that I have been experiencing with Gianna and Mike Sullivan. I have never mentioned this before but for a long time now I have been thinking about this and constantly being hit with a sudden, unexpected 13, 33 or 333 when the thought hits. Well it happened again while I was driving home and I glanced down and the odometer was 1.3. I made a mention of it on the digital voice recorder I use. When I finished talking I noticed the odometer was now 3.3.

I continued to drive and I was almost back to Emmitsburg when I suddenly thought I would like to stop by the Grotto of Lourdes and go to the Medjugorje shrine and pray about the trip. At the instant that thought CRASHED through my mind a pickup truck went past me with the license plate of 33. I pulled into the Grotto and arrived and the time was 7:33 and the odometer was 1.3

I walked straight to the Medjugorje shrine and at the instant I arrived I felt the peace. I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13. I prayed about the trip but was only able to stay for a minute because they were getting ready to lock the gates. I left and drove to St. Joseph’s so I could finish my Liturgy of the Hours evening prayers and at the instant I arrived and the car came to a complete stop I glanced at my watch and it said XX:XX:13 and the CD flashed 333.

Ray Sanders came and got in my car and asked for a ride to the apparition on Sunday. I finished my prayers and as I started the car to leave the CD track number flashed 13. I Then drove home and pulled in my driveway and the time on the dash was 8:13.