My name is Marie Therese Shelly and I am fondly referred toas Sister Mary Theresa by some, which I find hilarious, because my spiritualityis disguised by a sense of humour and a grounded earthiness. I am a child ofthe seventies which makes me young enough to appreciate the stresses andstrains of modern living and old enough to remember the spiritual healing waysof my Irish childhood.

Ireland is also a country full of wise men and women, whoseknowledge and deep understanding of life is not outwardly expressed, butwhispered softly with the wind or included in some practical advice, remedy orcure. Throughout my life it has been my privilege to meet many of these Learned Ones. Some, Imet unexpectedly a chance meeting, while others I met through the formalchannels of education in psychology, nursing, midwifery, reality therapy and reflexology.

Now, I am starting to accumulate all the ideas, theoriespractical advice, remedies and cures that I have acquired over the years.

I was a child when I had my first encounter with one of the Learned Ones. Theperson in question was my aunt, carer and friend. Everyone called her AuntieMother Mary.

Auntie Mother Mary was a small round woman with a big heart,hardworking hands, a full larder and a happy smile. When she married myfather’s brother Bennie, she moved into his family home, known locally as ‘Dunmore House.’ Itwas the custom at the time and still is today in many parts of rural Ireland,for a young bride to leave her home on her wedding day and move in with thein-laws for better or worse. My aunt was no exception! When she married shewent to live in a large, rambling, nineteenth century farmhouse which sheshared with her husband Bennie, his sister Mary and his aunt Ellen. My parents,three brothers, two sisters and I stayed there so often that we believed it tobe our home as well.

My aunt had no servants to help her and as a result shenever stopped cleaning and cooking. All were welcome, given nourishment,support, encouragement and guidance. As children we were unaware of howdifficult this must have been for her and instinctively we knew when AuntieMother Mary was around, we were warm, our bellies were full and we felt safe.

I was ten when I first became aware of her special powers.On the day in question, I called out to my aunt to come and look at a baby birdwhich lay flapping its tiny wings at my feet. When my aunt saw the tiny bird,she eased her big frame slowly down beside it and gently encased it in her heavilylined worn palms. ‘This little mite is just like you and I’ she said, ‘sometimeswe fall out of the nest and we are lost. We feel frightened and do not knowwhat to do.

Remember pet’ she said with great tenderness ‘ you willalways find your way home, if you eat well, think clearly, and let go of fear’.

Some forty year later and I’m still trying to eat well,think clearly and let go of fear. There are times I do not succeed and I getlost.

I stumble and fall.

And, with GraceI start once more tofind a way home.

I am documenting this journey in a blog called miraculoussearch.com

My trials, tribulations, excitement and joy is taking me farand wide. I am traveling inwards to examine my core values and beliefs and outwardsto other countries to learn about theirs

In 2014 I travel toIndia and in 2015 its Vietnam and Cambodia

On departure to Vietnam, have no expectations, preconceived ideas,ideologies or beliefs.

My search at the beginning of the blog in 2014 is to find God.

Now I am traveling to a country whom, if I am to believe whathistorians tell me, has turned its back on God.

We shall see.

I have tons of photographs, so at times I will let the pictures dothe talking for me, thus providing useful as Travel Guide to Vietnam andCambodia.

I started with nothing andended up with so much more.

I invite you to travel withme as I share my story with you.

Thanks a million for listening to my story as it unfolds before us.