First day of Fall - rain delay of bean harvest/Canning 100 qts again with more to go!/"Hear the word of God and act on it" Mass with Joy - +JMJ+

Hubby is around more with the wonderful rains we have been blessed with in the last week.  The cool weather has allowed him to have some fires in his new woodstove on the mail level.  It was drippy on Sunday and the KC Chiefs were playing, so we had our campfire in the woodstove and roasted our hot dogs in the house.  The Chiefs did not disappoint!  

This man loves to burn wood! It was providential that the chimney fire made it possible for him to have his dream woodstove on the main level!  

Lots of special memories as it was our nun's 41st birthday on the 18th!   A year ago we had a surprise 40th birthday party for her - with most of us making the trip to Kansas City to surprise her!  Here she is with Jesus in the monstrance on the altar!  

Three little sisters that are all the same age within 7 months of each other!.  Hallel from America heard the call in Rome studying with Catholic Studies through St Thomas University, Marie John, who is from France and answered the call  a year ahead of Hallel, and finally Dorotha, who is from Poland.  They are now truly sisters and Brides of Christ!  

My 3rd and 4th daughters, Maria and Hallel, both went to the University of St Thomas in Catholic Studies and studied in Rome for their sophomore years!  Maria came home and entered the Poor Clares to discern her call to religious life.  She heard "No" and a few years later she met Joseph and they have been married 19 years with 7 children!  

Hallel's call was a "yes" to enter The Community of the Lamb shortly after they opened their first Foundation in KCK - Lumen Christi/LIGHT of Christ in 2008!  

Joy leading music at Mass at the Catholic School - the chapel has been remodeled over the summer!  

Love my Catholic corner in my newly renovated room after having a chimney fire at the end of January!  

LOVE this!  I am currently praying for 3 babies in the womb!  2 in Pat's family and one in mine!  How I love new LIFE! 

Another huge canning day over the weekend with the oldest, Ruth, and the youngest, John, along with family members and always willing hubby!  "I like these days!" said farmer Pat.  We had 70 quarts of Salsa, and 30 quarts of tomato juice.

Jude is always a willing helper - we had many tomato paste to get out of the cans.  Thanks Jude!  

John wearing gloves while we did the jalapenos.  All from Ruth's garden!   

Nancy supplied the tomatoes from the garden in Delano.  Our tomatoes were hurt by spray this year, so we appreciate the help.

Thanks Nancy!

Sunday was Simon's 22nd birthday!  He is in such a good place with a job that he loves and living with his family.  He is a very willing helper on the farm plus working at ADM full time rotating shifts.  We sure appreciate all that he does for the farm!  

Simon blessed our food before our brunch after sharing Mass together.  He prayed in gratitude for his life and all the blessings that he has received.  We love you, Simon!  

Nothing better than to have Simon pray on his birthday!  

The 5 grandkids that go shopping for all things sweet for our family celebration brunch after receiving Jesus - Body, Blood and Word!  Simon's birthday on top of that!  

After Mass getting ready to go shopping with the little ones!  

The family crew has canning down to a science called making food for family and why we do the work!  

A grandma tradition - a cute "why we do the work" picture of Gina in her princess dress.

She cleaned out her bowl - grandma made applesauce the old way with sugar and cinnamon after Bernadette said that she wanted the original applesauce.  Grandma likes to spoil!  

Joy at mass on Friday - she asked if she could go to Mass before school.  Grandma will never say "NO" to that request!  I love that she wants to go to Mass to the point of getting up an hour early!

Joy loving the applesauce- Why we do the work!  

Birthday buddies - grandpa Pat and Romeo!  September 15 - Our Lady of Sorrows, and 60 years apart!  

Hallel helping a blind homeless man out of the soup kitchen on her birthday.  The little sisters of the Lamb are the poor!  They eat with them in the soup kitchen and also go on mission by begging for their food from the poor!  

When we talked to Hallel on her birthday - she was going to go out on Mission after a Hispanic neighbor lady fed the sisters breakfast in honor of Hallel's birthday.  LOVE how she is loved by her family of the Lamb and community around them.  Thanks, Nora, for giving our Hallel a Mexican breakfast!  

3 years ago - little Evangaline in the little sister habit that Maria sewed for her older sister.  Next year Maggie can wear it!  I had to jump in with my little sister blue too!  

Farm girl Rose Again is swimming and diving!  

Heart-shaped prayer book with Joy at Mass on Friday which was Hallel's 41st birthday too!   

First year of diving plus swimming.  

Grandpa and Romeo with Birdie Barbara, who is now 6...

So cute!!!

I had a great and wonderful conversation with Therese - she is having her first year of college at University of Mary in Bismarck, ND!  Here she is with the scenic river bluffs behind her!  

It was so great to hear from her!  She is Maria's oldest and how they have depended upon her to care for her siblings, so I know it is a huge adjustment for them and her.  She shared that "there is too much grandma, and it is all so wonderful!"  She had just had a campout with the Catholic Studies kids last weekend.  There is perpetual adoration where she goes in when she has some time.  There is daily Mass too!  She is so excited by how Catholic it all is!  

All moved in and comfy in her dorm.

Saying goodbye to her wonderful dad - Major Joseph!  There were tears of course!  

Today the Gospel is where Jesus reminds us that we are "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."  Luke 8  

I asked Therese if there was something I could pray for her - "That I listen and follow the Lord's call to me."  I then asked her to pray for that for me also!  I am so blessed to have such a faith filled granddaughter!  This is reminding me that my Rosary is calling out to me, and with that I pray for our entire family - all 34 of us plus the 13 in heaven!  

Who ever said that the Catholic Church and our faith is boring?  

Hauling corn stalk bales is yet to do - hundreds of bales for feed and for bedding!  

The birthday girl getting spoiled by the little brothers!  

Hallel's final vows in Saint Pierre, France in August of 2018!  24 gathered thanks to Pat's mom's inheritance making it possible and 3 in the womb!  "I promise unto death."   The parable of moving the mountain with a mustard seed of Faith came to Truth!  

These babes in arms are now all 14!  John is now married and has 3 children!  

Lord and Lady, how I love you and pray for my family here and in heaven keeping my eyes on heaven!  May I die to self so that I may serve without counting the cost!  May we hear the word of God and act on it!  Jesus, I trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and the 33 

The Saint that is just me - Danielle Rose

Hillbilly Thomists - Good Tree

Zach Williams and Dolly Parton - there was Jesus!  

 

It's been a while- today is Pat and Romeo bday!/family canning and gathering - T to the U of Mary/Fake plans for Hallel -+JMJ+

Romeo is 12 today and he is the third of our group of 3 boys to join the other two - Luke and Dominic!  He is also a birthday buddy to his old grandpa Pat!  They are 60 years apart, so doing the math -Pat is 72 today!  

The two older brothers made a board game for Romeo, and so the 6 kids were all sharing in the fun!  Oldest sister, Therese is now away at college at the U of Mary in Bismarck!  

Up on the river bluffs of the Missouri River.  WE had both Ruth and Nancy go there, and we are so happy that our T has decided this wonderful Catholic College is a good fit for her!  She is going into nursing and Catholic Studies!  Her Aunt Ruth did nursing there too!  

All snuggled into her dorm room!  

Saying goodbye to her two youngest siblings - Hector and Maggie.  She was a mother figure to them, and probably changed more diapers than her mom.  Ruth has said that Maria would bring home a new baby and say; "Look Therese I have a new baby for you!"  

Hector is 7 and he was weeping as was T!

Pat celebrated his birthday on Sunday with the fair board appreciation.  Yes, he is 72!  

I rarely bake anymore as we don't need to eat it, but I made him a poke cake for the first time in many years!  He asked for it...

In 3 days it will be Hallel's birthday!  I remember that I thought I might have her on Pat's birthday, but I had to wait 3 days. She called with news that she will be going to France for this next year.  She is busy now in Kansas City with the construction of a gathering space, so she will leave when that is completed.  Then before she leaves for Saint Pierre, France - she will get a home visit!  

I am hoping that Maria and kids can drive her home to the farm so that we can all be together with her!  That is my favorite most beloved time - when my family can be together!  It is also hugely crazy with meals for 30+ people!  It looks like she will come during Advent in December, but at this point it is all Fake Plans, which is how we roll around here!  

Romeo and Therese - these kids are homeschooled as they move amost every year in the military!  They are so close!!!  

Today is also the Memorial of the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows!  With the Exultation of the Cross yesterday - all so deep and powerful!  

Romeo with his 2 older brothers, David and Patrick and Fr John Drees.  They would serve at each daily Mass in Taylors Falls, MN!  Now their 7 year old brother, Hector has started to serve since his First Holy Communion.  

The family job of weaning the calves happened on Labor Day weekend when everyone was home - Simon pushed them up from behind!  

Ruth and David working 

Ruth and Paul with shots and pour ons!  

Rose and Luke too!  Joy recorded!  Family jobs make it go as smoothly as possible!  How we love and appreciate our farm family!  

John's family came and helped in the big canning job!  

Also on Labor Day we had a huge family canning job - 75 quarts of Spaghetti sauce and 45 quarts of tomato soup!  The difference this year was that Nancy brought the tomatoes from her coop garden in Delano!  Ruth and I have next to none this year!  

Nancy with her two youngest daughters and the red sauce!  Both Bill and Nancy and their 6 kids came for our huge family canning day in my kitchen!  

Nancy's oldest Augustine says the sauce is very good!  This is why we do the work!  

Ruth and Nancy canning together.  We love our family canning days!  Nancy just called and she has another 2 pails of tomatoes to do - salsa this time maybe on Friday!  

Thumbs up from Birdie - why we do the work!  

5 canners = 15 quarts each and makes a total of 17 quarts!  

The "big square" holds 40 quarts and we fill it to the brim!  We got it at an auction at the Catholic School about 40 years ago.  It has been used every time we can since than!  

On Saturday we made a trip up to Delano to see 3 of Nancy's in Music Man!  Josepine was in the band and Joy came along to watch.  Such a good play!  

3 years ago little Tom with a baby kitten - Spring and Fall he has some more baby kittens! 

The group of cousins that are all just 6 months apart, and they are very happy to see each other while we were canning.  The military family stopped in for the night on their way back from dropping Therese off at the U of Mary and on their way back to Missouri!  So we had a house full overnight of 2 daughters with hubby and 12 grandkids!  

Tom with this year's fall kittens posing for grandma! 

Our new room with furniture!  Just in time for a house full for the night!  Beds and couches for the 16 that spent the night!  

Now with family!  LOVE!  

The 3 seven year old boys and Lucy!  

Tom and Maggie are so happy to see each other!  Probably won't see each other now for a few months until Hallel comes home for her home visit in December!  Fake plans and hopes!  

Jude helping on the calendar!  

Porch meals as the kitchen was very busy and crazy!  

Rose at Mass with her premier showman belt buckle!  

Two Saints of my lifetime!  St JPII and St Mother Teresa of Calcutta!  I know they are in heaven praying for LIFE and families and Marriages!  

My Christ tears plant/hoya is blooming!  This goes back to my single days 50 years ago!  

Yes!  Saints for us and praying for us!  

It was her feast day last week!  Bless-bless

Love this!  Above the altar in Holy Trinity in Mankato!  

With my St Barbara window in Fort Leavenworth 2 years ago!  

I am looking at another joint replacement coming up on November 20th - my right hip!  I am hobbling these days and distracted by the thought of going through this for the 4th time in my life!  Both knees and now both hips!  Aging is not easy or fun, and I tell Pat that he got a bad model since going downhill skiing when I was 16!  The one and only time - I fell on the bunny hill and tore my cartilage!  Sigh!  

Jude and Birdie go back to school!  

Delano kids back to St Maximilian Kolbe school!  

Maggie in the habit that Maria sewed for Therese probably 10 years ago.  LOVE!  

I know it has been a long time without sharing here.  I feel that there is a change inside of me.  I just seem to get busy, and don't find the same fire to share as I have in the past.  Please know that I continue to want to share my love and faith in Jesus, Mary, the Saints and The Church!  My heart is full of the Truth and I long to share it!  Faith/Family/Farm are what fills me with so much happiness and Joy!  Jesus, may I die to self so that I may serve without counting the cost. Jesus, I trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and the 33 plus 13 in heaven.

Family is so important for this world!  Lord, protect the family!  

Salve Regina/Hail Holy Queen  as sung by our Community of the Lamb!  Angels singing!