SALISBURY POST

Evelyn Jordan Ballard of Mitchell Avenue in China Grove e-mailed us this story, titled “My $20 Miracle.”

 The frightening wind had finally ceased.

All night, it had blown the ever-present sand through the loosely connected boards of the barracks-style buildings. They had been put together hurriedly to provide housing for soldiers and their families.

Many sacrifices were made to be able to be with or near husbands during the Korean Conflict. Curtis, my husband of two years, had been drafted. Our son, Michael, was 10 days old when his father had to leave us.

When his basic training was over and an apartment was available, we went to join him at Fort Hood in Texas. Our desire to be together overpowered any thought of hardship.

We were happy that a peace agreement had been signed in July. But so far, there had not been a change in our lifestyle.

We were still 1,400 miles away from home. Our combined “over-the-board” allotment was still $141.50. It was almost Christmas. It would be our first Christmas away from home and our families.

But these were not my primary thoughts as I made my way across the playground to the post office. The anticipation of receiving mail from home was usually the highlight of my day. But not today.

I had been praying earnestly, but my faith was having as much trouble fighting its way through my dark spirit as the sun was having trying to fight its way through the dark storm clouds.

It was 10 days until payday. The total inventory of our cupboard was one can of green beans and a half box of grits. Michael had eaten the last bit of baby food and drunk the last drop of milk for breakfast.

So low was my disposition that I didn’t bother to look up. It’s a wonder that I ever noticed the crumpled piece of paper directly in my path. I bent to pick it up, trying to imagine how far the wind had blown it.

What a surprise! It was a twenty dollar bill. I immediately began to thank the Lord for such a miracle.

But almost at the same time, a sad thought came to mind. What if the person that lost the money was having to go without food for 10 days because of the loss. What must I do?

I continued my walk to the post office. Connected to the post office was a day room. It was used by military people and their dependents for recreation.

Usually there was a group of people there all day. I asked everyone present if they had lost anything. Everyone answered negatively.

Next, I put a notice on the bulletin board, stating that some money had been found, our apartment number and the need for giving information on the amount that had been lost.

Somehow I knew it would not be claimed. Even at such a young age, I knew the scripture in Psalms 37:25-26: I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

Now almost 50 years later, God still provides. Even if he has to perform a miracle.

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Miriam P. Keller of West Miller Street faxed us this amazing story.

Back around 1979, I was living in West Germany when I gave birth to my third child.

After giving birth, I was told, since I had O-negative blood, because of the Rh-negative factor, if Ihad another child there would be something seriously wrong with it (ie: mental retardation, stillborn of physical handicaps).

I was told before I left the hospital that they would give me a shot that would help counter that. Well, ironically, I left the hospital without receiving the shot due to someone’s oversight.

After leaving West Germany in 1980, we were stationed in Louisiana. I remember attending a revival meeting in a small town in Texas.

The prophet there asked me to stand up. He told me God was going to give me a voice like angels and that I also had a condition in my body God was healing.

I remember clearly thinking I hadn’t been sick or had health problems, but I knew he was a man of God, so I began to praise God for my deliverance.

The Lord led me to a scripture in Psalms 127 that said:Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Shortly thereafter, I went to the doctor to find I was pregnant.

I delivered a beautiful, healthy boy on Nov. 24, 1981. He is very intelligent and attends the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he is an history English major. He also is a licensed minister with the COGIC (Church of God in Christ)at the age of 19.

I gave birth to another child after him, and as I walked out of the doctor’s office, he gave me a card that had my personal information on it. I went to glance at it and in total shock and amazement, it read “Blood type: A positive.”

God had given me a supernatural blood transfusion, I thought. When man failed to give me that shot for precaution early in 1979 for my blood, he stepped in and showed up and showed out. I have a total of six healthy children.

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Mrs. Roger D. Hall of Graham mailed us this miracle story.

I know that only God works miracles. Recently, he has shown us a miracle through one of his miracle workers.

This miracle happened to my husband’s aunt. She had broken a hip in July, been admitted to a nursing home for rehab and returned home. Although we had a full staff with her, she continued to decline.

Staff would not show up when scheduled, and I was at desperation driving from Advance to Burlington trying to look after her and coordinate medicine, doctor appointments, etc. We didn’t give her much hope.

My husband and I were calling trying to find placement for her. God led me to call Magnolia Place in Mocksville and talk to Grace. She could not help me with placement, but was so concerned she assured me she would try to assist me.

Within a few minutes of our conversation, my phone rang. The soft, Southern voice of a woman named Susan was on the other end. I talked. She listened. She asked many questions.I could tell she was very concerned. She agreed to meet me in Graham that same day.

To make a very long story short, Susan took my aunt with her that afternoon. She went beyond the call in obtaining and preparing records, doctors’ orders, clothes, medicine, even her walker and wheelchair, before she left. We visited the next day and were very pleased with the way our aunt looked.

Each day this week, we have visited, and each day, our aunt is more alert and much improved. She is talking more, eating better, getting around in her wheelchair and even walking some. Her eyes are brighter, and she is remembering things better.

At home, she was confined to her hospital bed. We can’t wait to visit to see how much she improves each day.

Bethany Retirement Center is not an ordinary home. It is cozy and clean. The food is better than home cooking. Everyone there looks cared for and is happy and smiling.

Even the staff seem to be happy. There are flowers, birds and a puppy. As we left late Saturday afternoon, we told Susan how happy and pleased we were, how thrilled we were to see such a dramatic change in just one week.

She agreed, but tried to give all of the credit to her staff and praised our aunt for being such a sweet and kind person.

Miracles happen, but they sometimes have to be directed. We just wanted Rowan County residents to know that they have a miracle director. Her name is Susan Morris.