It was a delight to be walking through the woods behind the cabin...where my parents have a stations of the cross on trees along the path.... Suddenly Mary and Simon stopped and looked up at the Station of Simon helping Jesus carry his cross... recognizing Simon's name. They stood and pondered for a while and asked about it. It is so powerful for Simon to have these connections with our faith life and the way that he can grow and learn from the Simons of the Bible, and I am discovering that there are many!Every Sunday that I am gifted with the experience of sharing mass with the little ones along with their parents, as well as my 21 year old son - now free from cancer, as well as my husband, Pat and his amazing mother... I am filled with joy and appreciation! Today I was aware of sharing with Hallel in France..... knowing that we are sharing in the banquet of the Lamb together as it is celebrated around the world! 
I caused a stir as I stopped by to visit my daughter at the hospital today... she is working on the floor and I am working for hospice... When she works 12 hour shifts... she is unable to get to mass... I was saying that this is wrong for all of the staff to not be able to attend services... They told me that they are serving the ill and the Lord will forgive them... I mentioned that a priest friend said that Ruth should be allowed to get to church, but I know that it would not be possible for her to leave her patients and be gone for over an hour.... There is no answer at this point, but now they are aware that this is something we do not take lightly! One nurse joined the conversation and said that; "We are caring for the sick and the Lord understands that and forgives." Yes, but He is God and nothing comes before that!
After a week spent in close quarters with the "little families" of my daughters... I am filled with the wonder of each one of them and how they are so filled with love for their parents... and the more they get to know us... their grandparents! The verse from Galations today in Morning prayer... "As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba,Father!' So you are no longer a slave but a child then also an heir, through God." Gal 4:4-7
I caused a stir as I stopped by to visit my daughter at the hospital today... she is working on the floor and I am working for hospice... When she works 12 hour shifts... she is unable to get to mass... I was saying that this is wrong for all of the staff to not be able to attend services... They told me that they are serving the ill and the Lord will forgive them... I mentioned that a priest friend said that Ruth should be allowed to get to church, but I know that it would not be possible for her to leave her patients and be gone for over an hour.... There is no answer at this point, but now they are aware that this is something we do not take lightly! One nurse joined the conversation and said that; "We are caring for the sick and the Lord understands that and forgives." Yes, but He is God and nothing comes before that!
After a week spent in close quarters with the "little families" of my daughters... I am filled with the wonder of each one of them and how they are so filled with love for their parents... and the more they get to know us... their grandparents! The verse from Galations today in Morning prayer... "As proof that you are children, God sent the spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba,Father!' So you are no longer a slave but a child then also an heir, through God." Gal 4:4-7
A lot of what attracted Nancy and Bill to each other was the way that they both are wonderful with children! Bill watched Nancy interact with her neices and nephews and was smitten, and Nancy likewise saw how Bill adored little ones and they him in return! They ask the Lord to bless them with family and when they shared the things that they want as a couple having a family, and sharing their faith is number one! Children are a gift and so many couples pray and yearn for that. For all those that stuggle in this area... we lift them up to you, dear Lord. They are what the family is built around, and empty arms are aching for those litte ones to hold and to cherish! 
The long table at the cabin was full each meal as 12 of us would gather to share food with the view of the lake out the huge widows that rise to the cieling... After all of us had just been to Kansas City with the Little Sisters... saying goodbye to Hallel... we all knew the "Bless the Lord, O my soul" song... the meal blessing song we all learned from them....we would sing out loud and clear with the little ones' voices joining with ours! It took us back to the times 4 carloads of Verlys had gone down in the week before to share in the life of Hallel and her community! 
As the first ones had to return to work after the 4th holiday...we gathered around them and sang another blessing song that we have learned while working retreats... Hands raised and blessing given along with individual prayers of petition for safety as they head back to life and all it holds!
The bond of love and closeness is an ongoing thing that we all need to cherish and put hard work into... In our marriage relatinoships that can certainly be a most enjoyable thing... working on that closeness!
As our children grow and develope... so do we relate to them in more mature ways... but it is so important to keep the communication lines always open... My husband has always been very interested in all the kids are doing, thinking and any other part of their lives... At times it is a bit much, but it has made them also never doubt that their dad loves them and cares about everything down to the smallest detail!
"I give my heart, I give my life, I give my all to you..... As I look upon your cross, so too must I die with you. And with the death of my own desires, I'll rise with you." From the hymn I will Choose Christ by Tom Booth... it is never too often to be reminded of the need we have to give up of our own wills and follow Him!
Today the Gospel that is proclaimed in every Catholic Church around the world... Luke 10:25-37 or the Good Samaritan! A great and touching story..... that is touching us close to home.... in that we need to be "neighbors" to all those in our lives, and those closest to us are sometimes the hardest to be loving neighbors to... caring for their wounds and helping them to heal with our time and energy!
Pope Benedict, who is a super brainiac when it comes to anything having to do with the Church and the Word of God explains... "The Gospel uses the word that in Hebrew originally referred to the mother's womb and maternal care. Seeing this man in such a state is a blow that strikes him "viscerally," touching his soul... Struck in his soul by the lightening flash of mercy, he himself now becomes a neighbor, heedless of any question or danger."
When our kids are hurt...we suffer with them and there isn't anything we leave undone to help them get bettter and heal...to realize that the meaning of the "compassion" the Good Samaritan felt for the man hurt on the road....It makes you realize that the translation gets less than what it is meant to give us... There is true power and deep meaning in words...
I am so enjoying sharing the amazing pictures of our time in Michigan...that the sharing goes on and on... the internet just quit for about 3 hours.. so I am continuing to tag on the bottom.
The long table at the cabin was full each meal as 12 of us would gather to share food with the view of the lake out the huge widows that rise to the cieling... After all of us had just been to Kansas City with the Little Sisters... saying goodbye to Hallel... we all knew the "Bless the Lord, O my soul" song... the meal blessing song we all learned from them....we would sing out loud and clear with the little ones' voices joining with ours! It took us back to the times 4 carloads of Verlys had gone down in the week before to share in the life of Hallel and her community! 
As the first ones had to return to work after the 4th holiday...we gathered around them and sang another blessing song that we have learned while working retreats... Hands raised and blessing given along with individual prayers of petition for safety as they head back to life and all it holds!
The bond of love and closeness is an ongoing thing that we all need to cherish and put hard work into... In our marriage relatinoships that can certainly be a most enjoyable thing... working on that closeness!
As our children grow and develope... so do we relate to them in more mature ways... but it is so important to keep the communication lines always open... My husband has always been very interested in all the kids are doing, thinking and any other part of their lives... At times it is a bit much, but it has made them also never doubt that their dad loves them and cares about everything down to the smallest detail!
"I give my heart, I give my life, I give my all to you..... As I look upon your cross, so too must I die with you. And with the death of my own desires, I'll rise with you." From the hymn I will Choose Christ by Tom Booth... it is never too often to be reminded of the need we have to give up of our own wills and follow Him!
Today the Gospel that is proclaimed in every Catholic Church around the world... Luke 10:25-37 or the Good Samaritan! A great and touching story..... that is touching us close to home.... in that we need to be "neighbors" to all those in our lives, and those closest to us are sometimes the hardest to be loving neighbors to... caring for their wounds and helping them to heal with our time and energy!
Pope Benedict, who is a super brainiac when it comes to anything having to do with the Church and the Word of God explains... "The Gospel uses the word that in Hebrew originally referred to the mother's womb and maternal care. Seeing this man in such a state is a blow that strikes him "viscerally," touching his soul... Struck in his soul by the lightening flash of mercy, he himself now becomes a neighbor, heedless of any question or danger."
When our kids are hurt...we suffer with them and there isn't anything we leave undone to help them get bettter and heal...to realize that the meaning of the "compassion" the Good Samaritan felt for the man hurt on the road....It makes you realize that the translation gets less than what it is meant to give us... There is true power and deep meaning in words...
I am so enjoying sharing the amazing pictures of our time in Michigan...that the sharing goes on and on... the internet just quit for about 3 hours.. so I am continuing to tag on the bottom. We received rain overnight here, so once again the Blessed Mother answered my prayers of years ago... that Sunday could truly be a day of rest on the farm!
On this sultry day after the rain... the memory of the cool breezes and sparkling water of lake Michigan fill me with wonder and awe of the blessing we had last week... sharing as a family the beauty of family and nature.. .forming a cherished memory to put in our mental and pictoral scrapbooks!
Sweet Lord... Sundays are a gift, yet we remember those that are doing those jobs that need to be done no matter what day of the week it is. For them we are grateful and lift them up to you this day... set apart as a day to give you the glory!
May families come together and gain strength and joy and peace... to be armed with You as we enter another week with all that it will hold for us!
As small children... may we call to you with total love..."Abba, Father!" and with the deepest compassion come upon our "neighbor" in need and serve him without counting the cost!
JESUS WE TRUST IN YOU! Help us to not be all concerned about ourselves... may our minds and hearts be "big, objective, clever and loving." Amen and Halleluia! Bless-bless, Barb
Patrick Gerard Joseph Verly - he makes my heart go pitty pat! Thank you Lord, and bless him and keep him ever close to you. I know that you are a dad just like him... interested in every tiny thing about us!
On this sultry day after the rain... the memory of the cool breezes and sparkling water of lake Michigan fill me with wonder and awe of the blessing we had last week... sharing as a family the beauty of family and nature.. .forming a cherished memory to put in our mental and pictoral scrapbooks!
Sweet Lord... Sundays are a gift, yet we remember those that are doing those jobs that need to be done no matter what day of the week it is. For them we are grateful and lift them up to you this day... set apart as a day to give you the glory!
May families come together and gain strength and joy and peace... to be armed with You as we enter another week with all that it will hold for us!
As small children... may we call to you with total love..."Abba, Father!" and with the deepest compassion come upon our "neighbor" in need and serve him without counting the cost!
JESUS WE TRUST IN YOU! Help us to not be all concerned about ourselves... may our minds and hearts be "big, objective, clever and loving." Amen and Halleluia! Bless-bless, Barb
Patrick Gerard Joseph Verly - he makes my heart go pitty pat! Thank you Lord, and bless him and keep him ever close to you. I know that you are a dad just like him... interested in every tiny thing about us!
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