Mary Escovedo and members of her family traveled to Midland July 22 to view what some in the area have dubbed a miracle — a portion of a tree that bears a striking resemblance to the Virgin Mary — and while Escovedo had to leave Mother Nature's portrait behind, she said she came home with something just as miraculous.

“I had been given this camera phone, and while we were there I just started taking pictures of everything. I took a lot of pictures that afternoon,” said Escovedo. “When I got home, it was a little after 10 p.m. before i had a chance to look at the pictures I had taken. That's when I saw it.”

Escovedo claims to have captured an image in one of the windows near the Midland tree, an image that filled her with faith and reassurance.

“You can see the face of God,” said Escovedo, pointing to the photograph on her cell phone. “He's there, watching the people that have come to see the Virgin Mary.”

Escovedo said the picture has changed her life.

“Ever since I saw it, I've just been filled with such a joy,” said Escovedo. “It's just amazing.”