The Pat and Barb Verly family and their 5 children, in laws and grandkids along with many prayer warriors have been drawn together by John's cancer... sharing daily for 8 months started this blog- Family Soul Story - Our faith, family, farm and now our cancer journey called HEALING have colored and deepened our world. WE continue to share and depend on the support of our prayer warrior community, that has lowered us into the Lord's presence for His healing!
Blame facebook for causing me to look back at pictures from 2 years ago... today there are a flood of pictures revealing a big snow fall we had on this day 2 years ago. Looking at that album I found some wonderful pictures of newborn little Luke and his sister, Rose, who is just 18 months older. So precious to see her ponder this new baby brother as mom bathes him in the sink!
So precious is LIFE and how being open to LIFE calls us to die to self and give to those in our domestic Church/family! How precious is all LIFE from conception to natural death! Knowing that we come from God - I always say that once they are in the womb they are called by God to be here in this world. Yes, there are those that are called during their time in the womb... with my 7 losses including 2 stillborn, I know this very well, and how they keep our eyes focused on getting to heaven to meet them someday, but those that are born into the world are The Lord's and we are called to raise them as LIGHTS! They need to learn that they are God's, and are to love and follow him always!
The beauty of family gathered around a new miracle of a baby brother 2 years ago!
Do you think I had too much fun this morning coming across these? What a sweet gift are memories like this. I take so many pictures that they get forgotten as soon as I take the ones for the next day and the next and the next...
A adorable 1 1/2 year old with wings! No wonder I took so many pictures this day...
St Paul to the Romans today in Romans 14 gives us no way out of how we are called to be The Lord's! Living or dying we are His! That doesn't leave room for all these sins and taking the wrong turn or path or being selfish in how we live our lives and indulge ourselves in material and pleasureful ways. How I wish I could do better with this! How do we escape all of our distractions and things that get between us and our Lord? We are the Lord's!
Two years later they have this tractor out in the field plowing...
A mantle of snow - it is awfully pretty.
Well, this is today. Sitting here I noticed our cat very engrossed with the flock of birds that sit right on the other side of the picture window taunting him. Many pictures later and very distracted by the birds that sit in the red branches knowing that the glass is protecting them.
Talk about a picture of the work of a guardian angel.
Of course I had to take some of the beautiful red bushes covered with stunning snow from 2 years ago!
Each day of my life is recorded in pictures - thank goodness that they are now digital! I kept ShopKo afloat when I used film.
When I was doing Rose's hair the other day - I reminded her that I had 4 girls and so I loved doing hair, and it is a gift to be able to do little girl's hair now. How I ramble, but I will say that I am sharing my joy when I do.
I certainly am feeling less than righteous today... knowing how far I am from being totally the Lord's! But it seems that Jesus understands our frustrations and weaknesses and sinfulness and sickness when he preached today when those like us - "the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus." Luke 15 What does he teach them? The Lost sheep and the lost coin! How Jesus pursues us and loves us and forgives us and carries us on his shoulders when we have been off the track or as the wolf closes in because he sees that we are alone and weak! Turn to Jesus and bleat out to him that we are scared and lost and sick and weak! When I was a mess after my knee replacement I was talking to Hallel on the phone. "I am such a mess... I can't do anything." "Mom, when we are weak is when we turn to Jesus." "Well, than I want to be weak and sick all the time, because I want Jesus!" That is called being humble!
The picture that I shared on facebook 2 years ago and led me back to these super fun precious pictures!
Our lives are a masterpiece painted by the master. I love photography so much, because it is using LIGHT as your paintbrush and it doesn't hurt to have a string of adorable grandchildren coming behind the children that graced my life on the farm!
Rose discovering her first snow to stand in... November 5, 2013!
rosy cheeks and cows checking out the early snow 2 years ago.
Those wings again - the other picture window and white snow - the best!
A person wonders why I have my kids, kids in law and grandkids trained!
Lord, I do know that I allow pictures to get too big in my life. They do become a distraction for me and an obsession for me. It is so hard to change and moderate and take them or leave them. Life is a gift and I want to record and treasure and ponder every minute! May I die to self so that you may live in me! May I not take the easy way but look for the narrow path - may I live for the Lord and die for the Lord. Thank you for coming after me when I am lost, sick, weak, humble and sinful. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Light is a paintbrush - a masterpiece!
After spending the evening with them last night while mom and dad taught kids about Jesus... to see this taken 2 years ago... the best! Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
This speaks to me!
If you want to read something great to groan over how True it is... The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis! LOVE it!
Looking at my pictures from the last 2 days you would think that I am able to spend my days at church and in prayer! I have been so blessed this week with wonderful times at mass and prayer! While he was here on the weekend John invited me down to mass with him, and this morning just fell into place. How can I say "no" to my son and to Jesus? I can't, and it was every bit as glorious as this picture portrays. I love that John is standing in front of the windows of Jesus being baptized - the first luminous mystery, and finding Jesus in the temple at age 12 - the 5th joyful and the one I have prayed for John every Monday, and Saturday. He is my 5th child and every day I pray for each of my children on the mystery that is in their order of birth. John is #5 each day. Father Bob asked me what I thought of John's job as DRE for Tracy/Milroy/Walnut Grove...."It is a total answer to prayer! He tried numerous jobs in the world - no, no, and no."
I couldn't resist John in his yellow sweater and the yellow leaves clinging to the trees in this wind today. The beautiful bush at the bottom of the steps reminded me of The Burning Bush and how God revealed himself in this way - "I am!" John too has prayed along with his family for a door to open and this just seems so perfect for him. To get to mass each day, and eat with the school kids at the Catholic School at noon, and to share his story whenever he may... Praise God!
My inner temple is reflected in this beautiful peace and joy!
Today in the Gospel Jesus reminds us that we need to leave all to come to be his follower. Father, too, spoke of St Charles Borromeo and how he gave away all her owned and then ministered to those that were struck with the plague. "He truly left all to love and serve Jesus in all those around him." St Paul today to the Romans speaks of how our dying to self so that Jesus may live in us through his Holy Spirit/LOVE = Love does no evil to the neighbor; hence, love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10 In other words we will not hurt others by adultery, murder, lust, steal or covet if we are filled with his LOVE/The Holy Spirit!
John is calling me to get out of my home and spend more time at Church and with him sharing worship... mass each day is an amazing gift we are given! I will never forget one of John's fraternity brothers from Farmhouse Fraternity, who was a very on fire pentacostal Christian. He was saying; "Wouldn't it be amazing if you could go to Church and worship and praise God every day!" John and Brad Lanoue looked at each other and told him - "In the Catholic Church you can go to Church every day." Once again - Praise HIM!
I had a special time yesterday... I planned to go to Adoration and arrived at the church to see that the funeral was in the process. What should I do until I would pick up Rose from preschool? Go to the chapel at school and spend some time in prayer! Yes! After checking in at the office, I found my special island of peace and prayer. This statue of Our Lady has always been so special to me and our kids over our 30 years of attending mass here. Yes, 30 years ago Ruth started kindergarten here and then through John - now grandchildren are attending.
The soft LIGHT coming in warming my heart and soul...
Had to snap a few - all alone in prayer and with my camera. The sun on the fall décor and the tabernacle beckoned me.
I felt that I wanted to be close to Him in the tabernacle, so I pulled a chair at the base of the steps. With the years of adoration in the family room, where you are so close to the Monstrance... this just helped to be sitting at his feet. Jesus, I love you and long to be more and more totally yours!
Time at the feet of Jesus while I wait to pick up Rose from preschool. Such a gift in my day!
Psalm 112 from mass today He dawns through the darkness, a light for the upright; he is gracious and merciful and just. Well for the man who is gracious and merciful and lends, who conducts his affairs with justice. Blessed is the man who is gracious and lends to those in need.
Rose got her school pictures and they are great!
Jesus, we are asked to leave all behind and be attached only to you! You give us your Mother to be our mother and listen to us and care for our needs. You give us the wisdom and Truth of your Word and your Church to help us and guide us on our journey of Faith and Family and to become your LIGHT/LOVE/LIFE in this world of sin and darkness. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
71 degrees and able to have lunch out on the porch again in November 3rd! Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
A picture I have prayed for and warms my heart.
He better turn around and smile or there will be those from behind pictures!
The bush reminding us of God's presence in our world!
Stopped by Garvin County park - on August 4th, 1978 - the day after our wedding we had a reception for all those family down here at this pavilion. We had been married the day before at Basilica of St Mary in Minneapolis - my home parish! From that day forward I have been a farmwife to Patrick and been planted on a farm outside of Marshall, MN for 37 years and 3 months!
Sending some prayers for my marriage and all marriages - we know that this married life is a challenge each day, and talk about dying to self and serving another. This is where that happens! John gave me a St Dominic medal and I found the red maple leaf as I walked over to the bridge. See the wind in my "fluffy hair" as John told me this day.
Today Thomas Merton!
My inner temple!
Casting Crowns - Broken Together
The Afters - Broken Hallelujah
something about broken today - we are always loved and shown mercy so may we return it to those around us most especially those in our domestic Church/family!
Luke is s gem, but aren't they all! Each morning Pat and I try to share morning prayer and it just feels so good and right to have lifted up each one of our family to Jesus, and Mary, and all the Saints - St Martin de Porres today, and to ask their guardian angel to watch over them. Pat is very good about naming each one of our family of 22 with one in the womb. We have found The Magnificat to be a good and easy to follow morning prayer and after the intentions it says - personal intentions - where we each take the time to pray out loud for all the needs.
I am very excited to have going to Adoration on my schedule (fake plan) this morning and placing each member of our families in the monstrance with Jesus - 106 with 3 new ones in the womb on my side, and almost 90 on Pat's side. Does it get crowded in there? Never there is infinite room in His LOVE! I also name all the losses as they keep my eyes ever on heaven! It warmed my heart to hear Nancy and Bill pray for their little one by name - Peter- when they shared night prayers with their children.
A special gift from Son-in-law Billy... a blessed icon of Our Lady of Guadalupe from her shrine in Mexico, and a special thankyou note from grandson, Patrick. John and I counted the images of Our Lady and Jesus in our family room/kitchen - over 40 of each! Not much doubt of our LOVE for Jesus, Mary the Mother of God and The Church!
I am so excited! I just checked Maria's blog and there are pictures from NC! Here is a great family picture from a zoo trip recently! It is so good to see them as I recall this verse from my time with them in El Paso for the birth of Patrick... Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12 That so spoke to our experience of praying Patrick through his traumatic birth with HOPE...
This painting reminded us of St Paul's words that we were in the midst of living out! Our prayers were answered for our little Lamb, Patrick! With each day we are called upon to live out these words in our lives. There have been many reminders lately to look at all the good in our lives and not dwell on the negative.
Wonderful happy answer to Prayer - Patrick today! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-story-of-little-lamb-grandson.html
One more zoo picture with Patrick's classic squinty smile. I love it! If there ever was a role-model for the saying - love hurts...
Such a powerful first reading today from Romans12! Paul speaks about how we are all One Body in Christ with differing gifts. I really see this with my kids, and how we each help one another with our gifts. We are stronger and wiser and kinder and more generous and can teach and can minister with health problems and can pray one for the other and share His Word and His Saints... we are a better whole by sharing our pieces towards the Good! Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer... Bless those that persecute you. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another do not be haughty but associate with the lowly.
Jesus reminds us in the parable in the Gospel today that we need to not find excuses for coming to Him when he calls us! Our life is full of good reasons to get busy with ourselves and forget about those in our lives that look to us to join in their weeping and their rejoicing and their praying and their serving without counting the cost and all the ways we are asked to share one with the other in The Body of Christ/The Church most especially in our domestic Church/family! Stop what we are doing - they are only fake plans after all - and answer "yes" to those that call upon us!
Jesus, may we always look to you in all that we do. May we turn away from evil and selfishness and come into the LIGHT in our lives. May we always be hopeful and not become discouraged with those hard things we are called to face each day. May we endure in affliction and find our way down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross and following after you. How? By persevering in prayer at all times! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke and Bernadette Anna
Feeling nostalgic today - Thomas A Kempis was huge for me as a new Catholic - my nun years!
"This is how one loves." Maria places this beside a crucifix to remind us to LOVE like this... die to self so that LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT may reign in our lives!
Unspoken - Start a fire
Danielle Rose - True LOVE! The Cross!
She will be here in concert on Dec 5th! Can't wait!
Natalie Grant - Burn Bright
Patron Saint of reconciliation! Come and lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus and find true freedom to love and serve without counting the cost!
All Souls Day on the heels of All Saints Day! Ruth reported that Luke didn't miss a minute of his birthday..."he would just be happy and not tired all day, and did not miss any of his birthday due to sleep." This morning we are preg checking the cows, so I have Luke and Rose. Such a wonderful day! Luke went out and called Our Lady - "momma" - "Yes, she is our spiritual mama, who is in heaven helping us to get there." So appropriate on All Souls Day!
My icon from Billy when he was at her shrine in Mexico, and my thank you note from grandson, Patrick! LOVE, love, love!
At breakfast we recalled our 7 in heaven... "Imagine where we would be without their prayers." said John. They keep our eyes on heaven and our prayers rising like incense for all our dead. Yes, I do pray for them each day, too. It seems that they would surely be Saints looking into the Light, but it just feels right to remember them and pray for them as they help us along on our journey. I know that John is aware of them and close to his brothers and sisters in heaven, too. Yes, our lives would be a lot different without them and their prayers for us!
Jesus, we trust in you and long to come and dwell with you always. Bless-bless, Barb
A very busy day preg checking our 160 cows. I cooked and cleaned and cared for kids. My thermometer says 70 degrees... I have clothes on the line, windows open and they were working in t-shirts!
5 men including the vet, Ruth and two kids. Lots of food for our farm lunch!
The dogs and cats got their shots before they worked the cows. John asked about Lilly, who is limping when she gets up. The Vet told John to give her an adult aspirin each morning and night. The story goes that Lilly was deathly sick when John got brain cancer. Then John would take care of Lilly by giving her meds in a chunk of cheese morning and night. Now they are both on an adult aspirin a day. John for his SMART syndrome and Lilly for old age aches and pains.
Lilly after her aspirin from John. Be more comfortable old girl.
rosy cheeks and cows checking out the early snow 2 years ago.
