NANCY BROEDLOW
Hi, my name is Nancy Broedlow. I was born into a strong
Catholic family and was educated in a Catholic grade school where I became
very close to a teacher (a Daughter of Charity). I spent a lot of time helping out in the
convent and in class. I spent as much time with her as I did with
my friends. I thought at one time I would become a nun;
UNTIL I became a cheerleader (the outfits were better!).
I attended LaSalle-Peru Public High School. I had a lot of
girlfriends but no boyfriends or dating. I then attended Creighton
University, a Jesuit school (where I majored in boys my freshman year).
Really, I began the nursing program. My interest in boys
overrode my studies and due to bad graces in Chemistry and biology I had
to switch to a degree in teaching.
In November of 1966 I met Jim Broedlow and (according to my roommate) I
just never stopped smiling. In August of 1967 we married. We
began our family. 3 children in 3 years - Max, Mary and Ted.
In 1973 I made Cursillio. I came away with a good feeling,
but I can't really say I met Jesus.
I was a stay-at home mom (busy with diapers) for 3 years before
embarking on my teaching career. In 1976, I was substitute
teaching at Streator High School. I found myself tripping up the
school steps. I would also eave down the hallway. I had no
idea what was happening. It was so intermittent, I didn't worry
about it at first.
It just seemed strange.
But in the summer of 1977 while on a bike ride, I became so weak I
couldn't peddle a bike. I HAD to find out what was wrong. I
was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) in September 1977.
Teaching became too challenging so I became wire editor for the Streator
Times Press. My BEST headline was when I connected a major airline
crash to the FFA (Future Farmers of America) and not the FAA. Even
Paul Harvey put it in his news commentary.
Because of worsening symptoms I took a desk job at St. Mary's Hospital.
In October of 1993 I attended my mom and dad's 50th wedding anniversary
in a wheelchair with a broken leg. My aunt had brought a woman to
the party. She was from the Philippines. She took me aside
and prayed over me. She also gave me prayers and a Novena to pray.
It included a lot of "Hail Mary's." I faithfully followed her
instructions.
The miracle I receives from this WASN'T the one I was asking for - a
cure. It was SO much better. It wasn't something I
knew or that happened instantly. But my life would soon change.
In January I asked a friend if we could start a Bible study in my home.
I realized sometime after that the miracle I received was so much
better. I finally KNEW Jesus and the PEACE and JOY that flooded my
life surpassed anything I'd ever known.
James 1:2-3 says "My brothers, consider yourselves fortunate when all
kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith
succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure."
I realized that during my life before MS and all of its events, I knew a
lot about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I knew about my
religion; but I didn't know Jesus in my heard.
I came to thank God for my Multiple Sclerosis because that is what
brought me to my knees.
Romans 5:3-5 says, "We also boast of our troubles, because we know that
trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God's approval, and his
approval creates HOPE. This HOPE does not disappoint us, for God
has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit who
is God's GIFT to us."
I may not be able to walk, but I'm sure going to fly to heaven and dance
when I get there. (And if there's a team, I'll do a cheer).
Thank you all!
