Mystery Woman Gives $500 Cash to Mother of Nine: True Story

It is exactly one year now since Alex Campbell began traveling to and from work for four hours each day. He is employed in an architectural woodworking firm with extensive business in Charlotte, North Carolina. With nine children to support, it has been a struggle to find a house within his reach in Charlotte.

Alex Campbell wakes up at 4 am, hits the snooze and finally gets up at 4:30 am. He tries to get out of Greenville, South Carolina, before 5 am. He starts work at 7 am and works until 5 pm. He arrives home around 7 pm.

Other men would probably be too tired to do anything with all that driving. Most men would sit on their couch and watch TV to help them relax at night. Others might tinkle with the computer keyboard and go online. But, Alex Campbell would rather troubleshoot all the problems of each child rather than let his wife be stressed out. Rallying each kid to accomplish their nightly chores, he will also try to bond with the children. He patiently listens to their day. Then, he gathers his family around the altar and kneels down to pray the Rosary, Catholic Marian devotion.

In October, Alex was driving his company container van to work to bring some materials to their job site along I-85. A truck behind him swerved, lost control and hit his truck's rear. His truck flipped three times in the air. Everyone stopped their car to help him get out of his truck. The witnesses to the accident were very surprised to see him alive. Since then, his wife, Joy Campbell, realized that they must find a home near his workplace as soon as possible. The risks in driving with minimal sleep are too high.

Alex is like a "walking zombie". His wife worries that his health cannot take the constant lack of sleep. She was sure that the fatigue will eventually affect his work performance. Heaven forbids if he loses the family's main source of income.

In January this year, the Campbell couple told their Realtor to start searching for a house for their family. They were aiming to move in five months. In this way, the children can finish the school year. Also, it will be enough time to look for a second income to augment their finances.

The Realtor scheduled three houses that Saturday afternoon. The first two houses were very nice but there were some issues. One house did not have enough rooms for the nine children. The other has a yard with a cliff behind it. They view this as unsafe for their children under twelve years old. Both houses were located in an awful school district.

They went to the third house. They were surprised that it was a new construction. They looked at the model home and the square footage was just the right size for their family. It appeared like their dream house. Furthermore, the school district was rated excellent. The lot was flat and in a children-friendly area. Both Alex and his wife were sold on this house. Just like any new construction, the builder wants them to pay $500 to reserve the house.

Unfortunately, that week, his wife paid a lot of their bills that she had put off for awhile. She was pretty sure that their money in the bank will be short. When she checked on her online banking Saturday morning, many of their paid bills have not reflected yet on their account. She thought that if she gave the check that weekend, by Tuesday or Wednesday, she was almost certain that they will have insufficient funds in their account. She thought for hours on where she can get $500. She just doesn't feel good issuing a check that weekend.

She told her husband her reservations. He asked her to trust in God. She argued that God created her brains to tell him that miracles don't happen this way.

Seeing there is no point to discourage her husband, she remembered the "performance bonus" Alex got in the mail recently. She can probably return some of her husband's Christmas gifts that she never came around to use.

"Honey, can I return the diamond earrings you gave me for Christmas?"

"Yup", he said.

"Honey, the Victoria Secret lingerie and perfume need to go too, huh?"

He hesitated. "Hmmm. You're sure to return the Victoria Secret?" Silence.

The next afternoon, they went through the hour and half ordeal of paperwork in the builder's office the next afternoon. She issued a $500 check. Then, she began to be anxious.

She remembers how much the bank charges in interest penalty for insufficient funds and return checks. Each transaction that enters the account, whether it is $1 or $100 will carry a $30 fee. She recalls one time when two transactions at a DVD rental kiosk at Bilo supermarket costing $1.05 each and a McDonald Value Meal generated $105 in interest fees. Since that time, Joy was very careful in balancing their checking account.

It's too late and embarrassing to even think about driving back to the builder's office. They took the children to see the house and everyone was excited. Besides, they were already heading home to attend mass.

The Campbell family just arrived a few minutes before the scheduled 7 pm mass. Some of the children stayed with the couple in the "Crying Room". The other children, finding the Crying Room to be crowded, sat on the pews at the left side of the altar.

When the "Peace be with you" portion of the mass came, the children went all inside the "Crying Room" to kiss and greet the couple. This is a tradition that their family cherishes since their blended family was formed. The children seek them out from their seats to hug and kiss their parents. Alex and Joy Campbell always look forward to this moment. Many church-goers are amazed at their family size as each kid approaches the couple.

In Consecration, Joy told our Lord, "I want to offer up our family's trial in looking for a house. I am unsure of where to get $500 in the next day or so. I am very anxious, my Lord. How can I come up with $500? Calm my fears, O Lord, for it is not good to be worried. I just want to ease the sacrifices of my husband. I trust You know what is best for our family, Lord and I accept Your will."

When she went out of the Crying Room to line up for Communion, a woman from a distance caught her eye. She was standing at the back of the Church with her hands clasped together in a praying position. She had a very beautiful smile. The oddest thing is the woman was smiling at her. Joy glanced at her thinking that she knows her from somewhere. But she was not familiar at all. The woman never removed her eyes on her. Joy just waited to be a little bit closer to find out if they know each other. Joy looked behind her to make sure if there was another person that this woman was smiling at. It was only their 6 and 9 year old boys who were tagging behind her. So, she quickly let them line up in front of her. As she looked up again, the woman's gaze was fixed on her. As she passed the lady on her right, Joy's eyes were drawn to her purple and white shirt. Still, Joy did not recognize her at all. Joy smiled back at her. And, the lady had this captivating and engaging smile on her face. Joy remarked to herself if only this lady know what peace her smiles bring.

When the mass was over, the couple waited for the rest of the children at the back of the Church. They greeted the priest. Soon enough, their 12-year old daughter was running towards them.

"Mom, Mom." said Cierra.

"Mom, a woman beside me handed me this. She told me " Give this to your mother". Cierra handed her Mom a sealed, white envelope.

Without opening the envelope, Joy told Cierra to help her look for the woman. Their other 14-year old son, James, helped them to look for her. James said that he sat beside Cierra and also shook the hands of the lady during the "Peace Be with You." James was sure she had blue eyes.

When the three of them cannot find her, the family went to their car at the parking lot. Joy opened the envelope. Joy found inside the envelope a bunch of twenty dollar bills. She counted it. It was $500. An unexplainable overwhelming feeling engulfed her. She was in awe. She cried like a baby. It was unreal.

Who was this woman? What compelled her to give her exactly $500? They knew no one in this parish. No one knew that they were buying a house that day. How can this be a coincidence?

Joy asked James, "What color was her shirt? Can you recognize her when you see her again?"

James said, "It looked purple and white. And, she had the most beautiful smile."