I think that Hallel wanted the adults to come and see her... just to get "my kids" there for her to get some time with... How she loves them, and it pulls on my heartstrings the most to think of how she can only be an occassional part of their lives and not get to spend time with them as she would "in the world."
Today is the feast day of Blessed Kateri, who in 1980 JP2 beatified her - the first native American to be declared "blessed." She was the daughter of a Mohawk warrior, and was baptized on Easter Sunday at the age of 20. "She devoted her life to prayer, penitential practices, and the care of the sick and aged near Montreal. She incurred the hostility of her tribe because of her faith. She was devoted to the Eucharist, and to Jesus Crucified, and was called the 'Lily of the Mohawks.'"
Something grabbed my attention this morning as Pat, John and I shared morning prayer - see http://www.magnificat.com/ -In the closing prayer..." O God of all nations, you called Blessed Kateri to a life of prayer and to witness to the intensity of love committed to Jesus Christ. Through her intercession and example, inspire young men and women to follow your Son even when he leads them away from the familiar surroundings by the beauty of the Gospel." 
In the Gospel for today is also the wondrous words from Christ to us...."I give praise to you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike." Matt 11:25-27
A game that the little ones played while in KC with Hallel and the community was Duck, Duck, Goose... Some of the neighborhood kids are around a lot and the Little Sisters take the time out of their days to be with them and model a life of faith for them, by probably playing duck-duck-goose when they would rather be doing most anything else. Here Hallel and Paul joined the game to encourage Simon to join the circle and have fun with other kids!
It is no secret to me...that the grandkids are forever touched by their fairly often encounters with the community! They look at them with joy and interest and take it all in a child is able to do... with openness and curiosity! It is a gift that a child has!
With no distractions of TV or internet...the kids show interest in the day to day things that make up their lives! Helping in the kitchen and putting on that blue apron was fun for Mary to join in with her Auntie Sue/Hallel. 
Helping in the kitchen joyfully and willingly? Yes, it is true!
They are a family of 6 little sisters in KC and when 6 Verlys come to visit for 2 days - that makes a family of 12 and there is a lot of food and a lot of dishes for a family of 12... just ask my mother, who had 13 to feed. And Pat's mom, who had 13 also when she had to feed Uncle Pete as well as her 10 kids! 
Heating water on the stove - living in poverty...they do not use the water heater except for guests -washing by hand, drying and putting away... many hands make light work. Mary in her blue apron seemed to love to stand by Hallel and do her job of taking out of the rinse water and putting in the dish rack! Simon had stood there and helped the week before when he was there! The feeling of community and helping together is good for them to experience, and they seem to genuinely like it!
"However clever and learned a man may be, whatever knowledge he may possess, even in the highest things, if he does not humble himself and become as a child, if he is not poor and detached in spirit, he cannot attain to the secrets of that wisdom which God only can teach. Hence, our Savior, exulting in spirit, said to the Father: "I confess to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to the little ones." Fr Francois-Louis Blois (1566)
It would be a wondrous thing...for us to embrace all that life holds like little children! Hear our earnest prayer dear Lord!
I arrived at Adoration yesterday... being greeted by a single rose on the bush outside the door... I sat down and noticed a girl.. about my son's age and a boy about 13 in front of the church practicing singing... "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path"... Their voices raised in innocent youthful harmony was a delight, and gave me continued hope for the youth of our church!
I looked over and noticed three young Hispanic women come in and go immediately over to Our Lady of Guadelupe shrine on that side of the church... One was kneeling on the floor in front of the shrine and the other two younger girls sat in the pew and watched her intently... looking between her and Our Lady!
I was the only one sitting in the front of church and was aware that the young woman on her knees started weeping loudly as she looked up at Our Lady with total despair! No one else knew that this was going on... with the loud singing of the youth and the fact that they were too far back to even know that they were there. I felt as though I should go and comfort her, but just then the other two went over and hugged and knelt by her to give her comfort... It all spoke of LOSS of some monumental kind... parent, child, mischarriage, husband in divorce....?
The whole experience brought tears to my eyes... and as they carefully lit a candle with Our Lady of Guadelupe and put it in front of her... I joined my prayers with them... Lord and your amazing Mother... hold them close in your loving mother's arms and give them comfort! 
I was the only one aware of the woman's agony, and if she had been alone...I would have bridged the language gap and given her the universal comfort of a hand on her shoulder and a look of concern in the eye... As it was... my heart and soul went out to her as she wept at the feet of our Lady! Knowing that her prayers were heard and that Our Lady is holding her close... 
Today as we contemplate the feast day of a young girl, who followed the Lord and loved him with her life... at the loss and anger of her community....it brings to mind Hallel, of course, even though we support her...she had to leave behind her world... I think part of what she likes about St Pierre is that it is in the middle of the French countryside in Southern France, and she can see cows (her favorite) out in the neighboring pastures as she walks the paths from one place to another...
She has to leave behind her "kids", but she carries them along in her heart and her recent memory of special time spent and love shared! They are forever touched by having an aunt that has willingly said "yes" to be the spouce of our Lord.
Two weeks ago,when we were visiting Hallel... she took the time to be with us and most times one of the kids would be in her lap! They were relaxed and comfotable and handled with love by their dear Auntie! They find the Little Sisters special "family" and know that they are always welcomed with open arms!
The kids feel that they will always be close to Hallel's heart and there is no secret that she loves them dearly... It is so cute the way Simon likes to be under her scapular... I am sure there is a feeling of closeness and safety and fun as he "hides" under the front of her habit... there is a special closenss shared that is truly there for the both of them in thier hearts!
Hallel loves her "little kids" and is so much like the "Old Sue" in her lighthearted approach to life and to her family. As John says; "She's the same old Sue."
Loving Lord and your most loving and caring, Mother of heaven and earth... we love you and praise you and give you the glory for all the children that are here in our midst to teach us how to be as "little children" and those that are childlike in their hearts and souls... humble and caring and loving and obedient to your call!
Blessed Kateri pray for us! May your intercession touch many youth and allow them to listen to the call of our Lord. Jesus we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia! Bless-bless, Barb
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