Welcome to My Story

On June 29th, 2009 I was a victim of a robbery and was shot in the chest. The doctors are calling me a miracle as the bullet missed my heart by 1 cm. My esophagus was hit by the bullet and  severely damaged while fragments of the bullet hit both of my lungs. It took 8 hours of intense surgery to repair my esophagus. The doctors placed two tubes in my right lung and one in my left to drain them after they collapsed. My doctors and surgeons said I would spend at least two months in the hospital but thanks to the prayers from many around the world and by the Grace of God I was released only 10 days after the incident.  I spent a month and a half recovering in LA where I had been living and my friends took very good care of me. I have now flown home to west Michigan to stay with my family and am working my way to a full recovery, which will take about two years.

This blog follows my journey of recovery, the trial, whatever is going on in my life and whatever is on my mind. I hope you enjoy! Thank you for all of your prayers and support… they are greatly needed & appreciated!

God is Sovereign!

~Rosario Rodriguez

Happy 175th Birthday MICHIGAN!

“If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look around you.”

~The state motto

Today the state of Michigan turns 175 years old! While I was born in California and prefer the warmer temps of my birth state I have a lot of love and pride for the state where I grew up! I absolutely looove our Great Lakes and as a true Michigander I point to my hand to show people where I grew up and where I’ve lived. I love having the map of my state with me every where I go.

Here’s a promo video that was made for Michigan’s 150th birthday. I know, I know… it’s old and all ’80′s’ but to this day my sister and I still sing the song “Yes, Michigan the feeling is forever!” every time we cross the state line or are enjoying something wonderful about the state. Especially the gorgeous scenery it provides!

If you’d like to learn a little bit about our great state you can check out this site!

Here’s a recent commercial about the city I grew up in… Grand Rapids!

Happy 90th Birthday Deacon Bill Oleck!

Today is Uncle Bill’s 90th Birthday! I’m so blessed to know this very holy man. I’ve had the privilege to spend time with him since he made a very courageous move to Michigan from Tennessee.  He’s always willing to share his wisdom about life and the Catholic Church. I’m spoiled to receive spiritual direction from him when we’re hanging out drinking coffee, sitting on the back porch soaking in the sun or having dinner. I happens so naturally I almost don’t realize I’m receiving spiritual direction! lol It’s truly a gift!

He teaches me through his words and actions how to love all those around me! He brings Christ’s joy & peace to all who come in contact with him. He also shows me how to better love our Blessed Mother & The Holy Church!  He has served the Church that he so passionately loves for many, many years as a Deacon, a Knight of Columbus & a third order Carmelite. He is an incredible prayer warrior and spends hours a day in prayer before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. He’s always teaching me and encouraging me to grow in holiness…. and by his prayers & God’s Grace, I will! lol

I’m so grateful for the gift he is in my life! I love you Uncle Bill!!!

Theotokos

Happy Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God!

“The Blessed Virgin Mary is not just a surrogate mother. She co-operated with God in the Incarnation and is therefore rightly called the Mother of God.”

~Fr. Dwight Longenecker

“O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Virgin Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found wothry to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen”

Feliz Navidad!

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us!

Prayer to the Most Loving Infant Jesus

O most loving and blessed Infant Jesus! Great God and Lord of Heaven and earth, Thou hath hidden Thy Divine Majesty under the lovable semblance of a child before Whom the powers of the heavens tremble, the mighty kings of the earth bow, and the evil spirits under the earth must bend. Though Thou art the Almighty God, for love of us Thou didst become a little Child, so that we might love Thee more ardently, serve Thee more faithfully, and humbly follow Thine example in childlike purity and love.

I, a poor sinner, bow down humbly before the great God concealed in this lovable Child and adore Thee. I love Thee as the highest and most loving God. I entrust myself to Thine infinite Goodness. Oh teach me after Thine example to love humility and crush pride, to desire to grow in virtue and childlike trust. Direct and rule me and make me virtuous, that I may please Thee and be little in this world and great in the next. Amen.

A Live Nativity

This past Sunday I was honored to be Mary at a Live Nativity for “Instruments of Hope”.

The event began with a candlelight walk with the Three Kings through the St. Francis Sculpture Garden at Marywood to the manger scene where they came upon Mary, Joseph and the Infant Jesus surrounded by several live animals recreating that starry night in Bethlehem. After singing several Christmas Carols including Silent Night, Drummer Boy & Joy to The World the children had a chance to pet the animals and partake in donuts and warm beverages. It was truly a beautiful night and very honored & blessed to be a part of it!

Feliz Fiesta de Nuestra Virgen de Guadalupe!

La Virgen de Guadalupe

“Let not your heart be disturbed. Do not fear sickness or any other anguish. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my protection? Am I not your health? Are you not happily within my fold? What else do you wish? Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything.” -Our Lady of Guadalupe

With my beautiful mother at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, MX

My Birthday Trip to NYC

My sister writes & shares pictures of my trip to NYC to visit her and celebrate my 34th birthday the first week of December! Read the post here!

With The Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center December 2, 2011

Sweet Pea Potty Adventures!

Yesterday I traveled from Michigan to New York with two men and a car. During the long road trip we got stuck in an intense traffic jam in PA. After being at a stand still for over an hour I desperately needed a bathroom. About 45 min’s later we made it to what turned out to be a remote exit. A tree/ bushes, napkins from Panera and an umbrella on the side of the road were my only options until… a random port a potty was spotted!!! Thank you Lord for providing me with “Sweet Pea Potties”!!!

Thank you 'Sweet Pea Potties'!!!!

Not only was this Sweet Pea Potty fully equipped with toilet paper and hand sanitizer… we also found these  fancy, girly hand napkins! The two guys said the picture and the quote on the napkins couldn’t be more appropriate for me! I agree Ha ha…!!!!

"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." ~Coco Chanel

 

Thanking God for the Gift of My Life

In thanksgiving for the gift of my life and for my full recovery I wish to go on three pilgrimages. Some may think that’s excessive but one can never thank God enough! Not only are these pilgrimages my way of thanking God (as well as Our Blessed Mother & saints for their intercession) but it’s a way for me to see the beauty of this world and live my life to the full. The three pilgrimages I hope to make are to:

1. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City – I’ve always had a devotion to her and have been blessed by visiting her basilica before when I lived in Mexico. But I want to thank her for protecting me. I was wearing a beautiful medal of her the night I was shot and I know without a doubt she was there with me. And like every wonderful mother she hasn’t left my side!

2. Rome/St. Philomena – Visiting Rome is my way of thanking the Church both Militant and Triumphant for their intercessory pray that has poured an abundant of graces upon me these past two years. And while in Rome I definitely want to make a side trip to Mugnano and visit St. Philomena who too has been my constant companion. Someone brought a booklet of prayers to her to my hospital room and to this day I have no idea who. She has been a good friend to me from heaven and I want to thank her by visiting her Shrine.

3. El Camino de Santiago/The Way of St. James – It’s a very physical pilgrimage of 700 miles but very beautiful! I’ve had many friends make the camino and their powerful experiences and stories have planted a deep desire to make the camino for myself. After watching the movie The Way only increased my desire to make this pilgrimage. This pilgrimage would be one of thanksgiving to God but especially honoring Him and giving Him glory for my physical recovery.

If you have ever been to any of these locations and have some advice or someone I can contact please feel free to email!

God is Sovereign!

~Rosario Rodriguez

And So It Continues…

I heard from the district attorney and the sentencing hearing was delayed AGAIN!  Because of the defense’s late filing of their motion and the district attorney being in another trial, the new date for the sentencing hearing is Dec. 9th.  This will hopefully allow the district attorney enough time to prepare a written response to the defense’s fifty page motion and allow the judge enough time to review the documents and make a decision.

I am frustrated that there was no resolution this week, but I do see an end in sight.. providing the judge denies the defense’s motion.  The deputy district attorney is also frustrated but hopeful.

Thank you for all of your prayers; they are greatly appreciated.  Please continue to pray for all involved, especially for the coversion of the defendant that she will come to know the incredible love, mercy and forgiveness of Christ.

God is Sovereign!

~Rosario Rodriguez