After my trip to Colorado, my interest in visiting Medjugorje increased. I hoped for a richer, deeper understanding of the messages and a clearer understanding of my life’s true direction. Steve and I had briefly discussed the possibility of going there together, but now we were ready to secure a spot with a tour group.

Steve and I asked our parents if they wanted to take the trip with us. Everyone agreed that a pilgrimage to Medjugorje was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I call- ed a woman named Rena, who not only was a tour guide but also happened to be the woman who had been translating for the visionary, Ivanka, when my mother saw her speak at St. Joseph’s Church in Maine. Her voice when she greeted me on the phone was soft and gentle. I immediately sensed that she was the right person to travel with, and after later receiving more detailed information on the pilgrimage by mail, we all decided that we wanted Rena as our guide. Within a few days, we were booked for an April pilgrimage to Medjugorje.

About a week after we secured our reservations, my mother called Rena to ask her advice about clothes and other items to bring on the trip. She also asked her the name of the hotel where we’d be staying—and she almost faint- ed when she heard the answer. As it turned out, we wouldn’t be going to a hotel, instead we were staying at Ivanka’s house—one of the six visionaries!

Ivanka and me outside of her home.