Living in the Realm of Miracles and Angel Encounters

Copyright © 2012 by Brigitte A. Murchison.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011961012

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4653-0695-1

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4653-0694-4

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4653-0696-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise noted, Bible scripture quotations (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Copyright 1973,1978,1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.

Bible scripture quotations noted as (TLB) are from THE LIVING BIBLE copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. All rights reserved.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to all those who supported and encouraged me

along the way especially the Lord and His Angels.

O Lord, I will praise you with all my heart,

and tell everyone about the marvelous things you do.

Psalms 9:1 The Living Bible

I do not feel worthy to witness such miracles . . .

I am merely your servant and instrument Lord.

Thanks

Elizabeth G. Almond, Darla Foley, Danette King, Lauren Pacaccio,

Author Photo: Jeffery Puissegur, Photo Jesus Statue: Daniel K. Almond

CONTENTS

Introduction  Discovering God In A Rainbow

Chapter 1

Angel Encounters

Walk With An Angel

Angels Marched In Texas

Water From Angels

An Angel To Catch Her

Helping Arm Of An Angel

Angel Grabs Steering Wheel

Highway Angel

Angels In Athens

Message Of Encouragement

Altar Call Angel

Angels To Hold Her

Credit Card Angel

Unseen Visitor

An Urging To Pray

Understanding Angels

Chapter 2

Stories Of Faith

In God We Trust

A Turtle’s Pace

Humble Hero

Best Friends

Saving A Lost Child

Light As A Feather

God Never Forgets

Dog Who Loved Too Much

Amazing Grace

Grandfather’s Touch

Space Shuttle Columbia

Extinct Woodpeckers

Light In The Dark

Chapter 3

Insight

Warning Of Deception

Almost Kidnapped

Protection From Snakes

Birth Of Understanding

Urgent Message

A Warning To Pray

Returning What Was Lost

Before The Oklahoma City Bombing

Mother Teresa And Princess Diana

Breakfast With A Terrorist

Chapter 4

Stories Of Miracles

A Dog’s Healing

Ski Trip To Remember

Mitzy’s Miracle

Grandma’s Visit

Fishing Trip

Power Of Prayer

A Tale Of Two Dogs

Movie Theater Miracle

Hurricane Katrina Miracle

One Door Closed Another Opened

Steel Magnolia

Alpha And Omega Tree

Chapter 5

Finding Your Miracles…

How To Find Your Own Miracles In Your Life

Without Pain Poem

INTRODUCTION

Discovering God in a Rainbow

As a small child, I had an incisive belief in God and never doubted his existence. I honestly can say, I don’t remember a time in my life that I didn’t feel God’s presence with me. We are all aware of God’s presence at one time or another in our life’s journey. Some people experience a born again feeling and relationship with Jesus for the first time late in their life. I feel fortunate that I had this experience at a very early age.

One of my earliest experiences was when I was a very small child about five years old. I was playing outside in my front yard. I always found a sense of joy and peace in observing nature and God’s creation. I can remember clearly my mother letting me help plant marigold flowers in our front bed. She placed a squirmy moist creature on the palm of my hand and told me it was a worm. I was fascinated that there was life even under the dirt which provided nutrients to the living plants. I was hooked on the mysteries of nature and life from that point forward. Spending time in God’s natural creation made me feel close to him and reaffirmed the miracles of His creations surrounding me.

"For the truth about God is known to them instinctively; God has put this knowledge in their hearts. Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of his existence and great eternal power. So they will have no excuse [when they stand before God at Judgment Day.]" Romans 1:19-20 The Living Bible

It was on one of these explorations of my outside world that I felt the presence of God. I was playing outside on my driveway. It was an incandescent spring day with a slightly overcast sky. While playing carefree and soaking up nature’s enchanting gifts, it gently began to rain. I ran inside and got my mom’s umbrella out of the closet. It was silky and had large brightly colored dots all over it. I opened it and skipped outside into the fresh moist air. I remember feeling exhilarated over the miracle of water falling from the sky and splashing on my feet as it hit the pavement. Soon the rain began to pour down harder and faster. While looking down at my wet pink toes, I noticed the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

An iridescent rainbow river began to flow down the driveway into the street. It was the most beautiful liquid rainbow river I had ever seen. The colors were so bright and intense. It made an ordinary gray driveway look magical. I followed it back to its source. There at the commencement of this colored river was a foreboding black spot on the driveway. I crouched down under the protection of my umbrella watching a rainbow come out of a horrid, smelly, black spot. At that moment I felt a great awe for the Creator of this world who could make something beautiful out of an ugly, oily, dark spot. Later in life, I would learn that God used other dark spots in my life to show me his awesome presence… What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. You can be sure that the more we undergo suffering for Christ, the more he will shower us with his comfort and encouragement. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-5 (TLB)

CHAPTER 1

Angel Encounters

The word angel defined: n 1: a spiritual being superior to man

2: an attendant spirit. 3: a winged figure of human form in art

4: MESSANGER, HARBINGER. The Merriam

Webster Dictionary,

copyright 1997 Merriam Webster Incorporated.

Bless the LORD, you angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

Psalm 103:20-21 (NIV)

WALK WITH AN ANGEL

At about the age of ten, I encountered my first guardian angel while at Girl Scout camp in Oklahoma. During free time at camp, we were allowed to explore the area around our cabin and play games. I played a little while with the other girls, and then decided to check out the wildlife around me. I was drawn to the magnificent trees and abundant natural beauty surrounding our camp.

I started off down a path north of our group cabin. The air was so fresh, and fields of tall grass and wildflowers seemed to beckon me to come and play in them. I studied each treasure of nature intensely and saw beauty in everything around me. I looked up and marveled at the height and glory of the tall green trees towering above. I heard the lonely cry of the mourning dove calling me to walk farther and farther into the woods. It’s lonely call echoing in the distance was mesmerizing… and beckoned me deep into the woods.

I felt the most amazing peace inside my heart and all around me. I felt closer to God when walking through His creation. The plants, trees, and wildlife seemed to emanate the very heart, presence, and peace of its Creator. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 (NIV)

I was so caught up in the magnificent nature around me, that I hadn’t noticed how far I had hiked from our camp. I stopped still, and looked around me. The silence was deafening. It was so quiet, you could hear the unheard sounds of the trees breathing, and the flowers humming a secret sound of rejoicing.

For the first time, I realized that I was totally alone in the middle of the wilderness. I had no idea how to find my way back to my camp. I began to realize how vulnerable and alone I was. I was standing in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the stillness of untouched wilderness, with no trace of man’s interruption.

I said a silent prayer, Oh Lord please help me; I am lost. Immediately, I felt a comforting peace enclosed around me, like a warm, fuzzy, and safe blanket. All fear had subsided as I felt a part of this grand creation. I no longer felt afraid of the unfamiliar surroundings and felt a familiar encouragement of a silent friend. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41: 10 (NIV)

I began to notice the loveliness around me again and walked confidently down numerous dirt and foliage covered paths, through meadows of bright crimson and yellow wildflowers. I noticed the pretty fluttering butterflies going from flower to flower. Their delicate wings fluttered in a private dance with nature. They didn’t seem to be bothered that they didn’t know where they were going.

Nature beckoned me onward without a care in my heart or soul. I felt a heavenly presence walking beside me, as if I were on a stroll through the woods with my best and trusted friend. I even turned my head to the side, almost expecting to see my new found friend walking beside me. When I turned my head, no one was visible, but I knew someone was there reassuring me that I was not alone and would guide me. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Psalm 91:11 (NIV)

I was getting used to this new invisible friend when I came around a clearing of trees that led to an open meadow of wildflowers. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. Psalm 18:19 (NIV) I looked up and saw my group cabin in the distance. The brown wooden logs topped with curling smoke out of the rock chimney was a welcoming sight.

Suddenly, I was surrounded by other Girl Scouts shouting excitedly and asking me where I had been. I was astonished by their concern because I had never realized that I had been lost, and others were looking for me.

It wasn’t until I got back to the cabin that I realized how dark it was getting, and it was past dinnertime. When I had started out on my hike, it was just past lunchtime. I had been lost perhaps for several hours and had been brought out of the dark woods by a silent friend.

Stunned by how long I had been gone, I turned around and glanced back at the woods from which I came. I no longer felt the presence of my new found friend and realized… I had just taken a stroll through the woods with an angel, and had even felt the warm protecting softness of his wings. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91: 4 (NIV)

ANGELS MARCHED IN TEXAS

The buses hummed quietly as we eagerly boarded. My high school band, Putnam City West, was going to San Antonio, Texas to march in the Parade of Flowers. Three commercial buses full of very excited teenagers were parked in the circle drive in front of the Oklahoma City school. Over the roar of happy chatter, I managed to squeeze down the aisle and find the perfect seat.

It was a long drive from Oklahoma City to San Antonio and for most of us, it was our first trip away from home without our parents. After everyone got settled in their seats, the buses slowly pulled away from the school. We sang songs, laughed, and played games to pass the time, typical teenager stuff. After our long, but, entertaining bus ride we arrived at our hotel in San Antonio. The dry warm air of the city and excited anticipation was electrifying as students murmured, gazing out the smudge windows of the buses. Room assignments were handed out as we squirmed in our seats, waiting to burst out of the bus door.

After getting settled into our hotel rooms, we boarded the buses to go to dinner. When we arrived back to our hotel, our band instructor Mr. Todd warned us about staying up too late, because we would have to get up early the next morning. We were all very hyper that evening but we somehow managed to eventually fall asleep.

With starched and clean blue and white uniforms, we ran up the steps of the bus the next morning. The excitement level on the bus was very loud as we all found a seat. The bus dropped us off as close to the start of the parade as possible. We walked the rest of the way to line up with all the other marching bands that had come from all over the U.S. to participate. To avoid the sizzling heat, the parade organizers had all the bands lined up under a huge concrete interstate overpass. We were all amazed at the enormous number of high school bands participating in the parade. As we stood together we felt school pride as we looked around at the mass sea of brightly colored band uniforms.

The groups of matching colorful uniforms all pressed together resembled a patchwork quilt of humanity on the brink of adulthood. Our band leader tried shouting over the roar of the crowd through his megaphone. We could barely hear his instructions when… we heard fireworks going off at the starting point of the parade. No one thought much about it because fireworks and parades seem to go together. Suddenly the standing sea of uniforms began bending down like the wind blowing over a field of tall grass. Next we heard our astounded band instructor yelling an alarming request over his megaphone. Get down! Everyone lay on the ground. Stay calm!

We soon realized that it wasn’t fireworks we had heard but… gunshots ringing in the chaotic morning air. We could not tell where the bullets were coming from. They were hitting spectators lined up at the beginning of the parade. Next, bullets were being fired directly at the sea of band members who were now lying on the ground fearfully breathing in hot asphalt. Band members lay there trembling helplessly, with tears of terror streaming down their faces. I laid there barely able to breathe as my heart was beating rapidly. I gazed around at the surreal scene. One moment we were all smiling and happily looking forward to performing in front of a crowd of cheering spectators. Now we faced the horror of realizing this could be our last second of life. Thousands of panic stricken teenagers were screaming and running in tremulous fear and confusion, not knowing which way to go. Some band members fled the scene and began running behind buildings and parked cars to get away from the shooting. I prayed for help. Answer quickly when I cry to you; bend low and hear my whispered plea. Be for me a great Rock of safety from my foes. Yes you are my Rock and my fortress; honor your name by leading me out of this peril. Psalms 31: 2-3 (TLB)

Spectators lined along the parade route began scattering chaotically tipping over chairs, and knocking people over in the precarious scene. Panic stricken parents clutched small children under their arms, perilously running between bullets flying through the air. One woman jumped on top of her child to shield her from the bullets. Blood soaked through her shirt, as she lay motionless on the ground. A frightened child crawled out from under her. A bystander grabbed the child to safety. The dead mother had sacrificed her life for her child, and now lay face down in the grimy street, while blood continued to pool around her body. I had never been so terrified in all of my life. While lying there in profound shock, I began to pray, Oh Lord, please help me stay calm, protect all of us!

A few of our band members had been standing in front of the sea of bands, and had come running towards our huddled group lying spread eagle on the ground. Their uniforms and Flag Corp flags were splattered with drops of blood from victims standing close to them. Sobbing teenagers, who just moments earlier stood in pride were now sprawled all over the ground clutching their instruments and flags writhing in terror.

Soon our courageous bandleader, Mr. Todd came crouched down in front of us apprehensively yelling instructions for us to begin running in small groups to the buildings behind us. He was very calm and in control of the situation. A horrid situation no high school teacher ever thought they would ever have to deal with, especially when he had almost two hundred students to get to safety. Once he had gathered all of us safely behind a building, he wiped the sweat off of his brow and began counting. Immensely relieved that all were accounted for, he began assessing who needed medical help. Some of the band students were hyperventilating in emotional shock, and some had bloody skin abrasions from dropping to the ground. Other than blood splattered uniforms and flags, miraculously not one band member, or parent volunteer had been hit by the spray of unbiased bullets fired into the mass of teenagers. He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted him, and he helped me. Psalms 28:7 (TLB)

We were all so thankful to be alive. Those students needing medical or psychiatric help were ushered into a small office building a block from the tragedy, and medical personnel began showing up to help. I was not injured but I accompanied a friend who was hysterical, into the makeshift medical station. I tried to calm her down by assuring her that the horrifying ordeal was over and help was on the way. Someone sat her down in a desk chair with wheels and rolled her into a smaller room until she could be transferred to the hospital. When the ambulance arrived, I was asked to leave and join my other band members waiting outside.

We were transported by bus back to our hotel, and everyone gladly retreated to his or her rooms. We took turns using the hotel phones to call our parents and tell them we were okay. This took a long time because phone lines all over the city were being used at the same time and we had to wait to get an open line. Our parents were greatly relieved to hear our trembling voices on the other end of the phone.

Later that day, we assembled on the interior grassy court of the hotel to listen to what our bandleader had to say. The mood was somber as we sat cross-legged in the grass. It was the quietest moment we had ever experienced together since the beginning of our trip. Our leader, Mr. Todd, announced that some of our band members were still in the hospital because of traumatic emotional shock, but would be fine. He told us how proud he was of us for following directions during a stressful tragedy. We all sat there wondering how we had changed from playful innocent teens in the morning to victims of violence all in a single day. He thanked God for helping us to escape safely. He explained that the sniper who had opened fire at the beginning of the parade route was hiding in a parked trailer, and was shooting out of a window at parade patrons and band members. The trailer was parked directly across the street from where the bands were lined up. The sniper had been apprehended, and was obviously mentally ill. Mr. Todd was very thankful that none of us had been seriously injured, and felt that we had definitely been watched over from God. The Lord protects his people . . . Psalms 28:8 (TLB)

Then, he told us that the parade had been rescheduled for later in the day. He asked us if we wanted to still participate? With his calmness and courage displayed we voted unanimously to stay and march in the parade. We all wanted to demonstrate that we could boldly march on in triumph over violence even if some of our band members were still in the hospital. We were all a little shaky while we marched down the street in front of the cheering crowds that awaited all the bands that afternoon. I was in Flag Corps and proudly carried my school colors as I marched boldly holding my flag up high with shaking hands doing flag routines to the music.

That evening, we returned to our hotel rooms to rest up for tomorrow’s day of site seeing. Our parent volunteers told us that after breakfast, we could meet with one of them at the bus stop in front of our hotel for sightseeing. Someone would be there every half hour and it was up to us to decide when we departed. We were to stay in groups of two or more, and could walk around historic downtown San Antonio until 4:00 P.M. when our bus would be leaving.

The next morning, my friend Barry and I decided we would go sightseeing together. As we walked to breakfast, we saw a group of band members boarding the bus. We couldn’t wait to go do something fun after all the stress. This trip had seemed more like a horror show so far. We quickly ate breakfast in the hotel restaurant and looked at our watches to make sure we didn’t miss the next bus. We finished in plenty of time to catch the next bus. While we waited for the bus, we noticed that no one else from our band was around. We looked back in the restaurant and some of the other rooms. No one from our band was there. We figured that everyone else had already boarded a bus and were gone sightseeing. We came back to the bus stop and waited. When we saw the bus pull up, we decided we would go ahead and board, since we had thought we had been left behind. Barry and I both agreed that we could find our group in the tourist area that the bus was going to, even though, we didn’t even have a map of the downtown. The bus doors sprung opened, and we turned to looked at each other and said, Okay, here we go. We boarded and were thankful we had the right change for the fare. Neither of us knew what adventures were yet to come.

Once on the bus we looked over a bus schedule we had gotten from the hotel. We were nervous and uncertain about figuring out the routes and how to find our way around San Antonio by ourselves. I prayed for the Lord to help us find our way. We decided where we should start, and asked a rider on the bus to help us find the right street leading to the historical district, and tell us when to get off. Neither of us had ever ridden a public bus before, and didn’t know anything about the bus schedule or routes. We were glad that the bus riders were friendly and spoke English. Thank goodness I had prayed for guidance. The Lord will guide you always . . . Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

With the help from other riders on the bus, we got off at the right place and began walking and enjoying the sites that the city had to offer. The broiling sun beat down on us as we investigated what interesting stores and sites we had time to see. While walking around, we saw other band members that we knew, and talked with them along the way.

There was a downtown fair going on at the same time, and there was much to see and do in this sultry city. When we stopped to talk to some band friends, they warned us that some strange men were going around asking people for a cigarette lighter. When the people didn’t have one, they stabbed them! Well, this was all we needed, more violence and fear to worry about! It was scary enough walking around an unfamiliar city, with thoughts of the sniper in the back of our minds. I said a silent prayer of protection.

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me. Psalm 17: 6-9 (NIV)

We were covered with sweat and about to run out of energy to see anything else. We then decided to walk to the other end of the tourist district to see the historic Alamo. Before we headed that way, I wanted to stop at one of the fair booths and get a custom dog tag engraved to remember our trip. The only thing I could think of to put on it was, Survivor of the San Antonio Sniper. The lady at the booth was very sad that I wanted that put on a dog tag necklace but she agreed to do it. She said it was a terrible tragedy and her city wasn’t usually this violent.

After paying for my souvenir, we headed toward the Alamo Fort where many brave frontiersmen prayed to God for protection during that fateful battle. By the time we got there, we realized that it was a about an hour and half before our bus was to leave from the hotel, and we best get headed back. We wondered if we should pay for a tour or just absorb the history of the place from the outside of the building.

We decided to call the hotel from the pay phone in front of the Alamo instead. I dialed the number and a hotel personnel answered. I asked to talk to the bandleader or someone from our band that was staying there. I was bewildered and surprised when she told me that our band had already checked out of the hotel hours ago. I assured her that they were still there, and I asked if she would ring one of the rooms for me. She said, I am sorry miss, but I personally saw the buses pull away about two hours ago. I asked if she knew where they had gone. She told me she didn’t know. I hung up the phone, and felt like the whole world had just crashed down on me.

My friend Barry couldn’t believe what I had just told her. She decided to call the hotel herself just to make sure we had dialed the right number. She was given the same information I had been given. We had been terrified the day before after being shot at, but began feeling this was much worse. We both felt more alone and helpless than we had ever been before.

I prayed out loud, Dear God help us find our band! I turned to Barry and asked, What are we going to do now? How will we find our band in this big scary, unfamiliar city? Why would they leave early? Why did they leave us here all alone? Didn’t any one notice we were missing? We had passed other band members on the street and talked to them. They had not told us that the buses were leaving early!

Neither of us had any answers. We thought about finding a police officer but, I had this distinct feeling that we should sit on a bench in front of