"Sun and moon and stars adorn you,
Sinless Eve, triumphant sign;
You it is who crushed the serpant,
Mary, pledge of life divine." To be sung to the tune of Sing of Mary - Hymn from morning prayer... see http://www.magnificat.com/
There was a full moon that ushered in the night last evening as we arrived at Ruth's for a wonderful meal with Nancy before she headed back to her life in the Cities!
All of our girls have a deep appreciation of the farm and all that their dad and uncle do... especially Nancy, who moved back here to work as a teacher in her own high school for 3 years... open to the thought of meeting someone and settling down here, but it was not to be. She is happily married, but looks to be now a country girl gone to the city, while I was a city girl come to the country!
As a teacher... she had MEA off and her wish was to come back and get to be with her dad as he worked on getting the crop out... Her wish came true as she rode along with him on the last few loads of corn that went to the elevator... the crop was out by noon! Then she got to help her dad fix the baler and hang out with the neice and nephews, and yes the ever present dogs! 
Nancy's 6 year old Godson, Simon... loves equipment and being a farmboy! This was the first time that he could help grandpa work on equipment and pull out the spacers that he had loosened. Simon was excited and proud to be helping his amazing farmer grandpa! Nancy found great joy watching her precious Godson show his growing up and embracing a good life! The life on the farm!
It was a wonderful scene with my two girls and the grandkids and grandpa there working with the help of Nancy and Simon... How he loves to have that "hive of activity" around him... especially after all these weeks of sitting alone in the truck day after day taking load after load out of the field. He is so hungry for company and especially his kids and grandkids give him much joy! Now to look across and see his Simon there willingly and excitedly help him! He has big thoughts of his little farm boy growing up into a big boy that loves the farm and all there is about it!
I had to leave the family scene and go get a nap before work, but it was heartwarming to watch the love and support that was evident as one helped the other and showed their support for Pat and all the long hard hours that he puts in at this time of year!
Later Nancy described how she helped dad all afternoon with torches and heating hard metal so that dad could pound it into shape... not exactly her comfort zone, but helping dad and spending time with dad, which was her goal for coming for the day. She certainly accomplished that and was very tired as dad went out to bale with the "all fixed up baler." She sure was happy that she could help her dad for a day, and remind herself of the life she always loved and appreciated!
With a baby on the way... Nancy was talking about how as a teacher, with the summer off that she wants to get down here with her famiy so that they can have a taste of the "good life in God's country" as her dad calls it! I know that I would take the kids and spend a wonderful week with my parents when they lived in Taylors Falls when the kids were small... How they love those memories and it truly does allow you to have that special taste of who they are and the life they live! I know that this will certainly be true for the kids that are not just 3 miles down the road... they will always carve out those memories of time spent on the farm...
And they will have big cousins that live here and are comfortable with all that life holds here on the farm! We even talked about some of the city kids coming and being involved with 4H and doing projects here on the farm! WE had a nephew come for the summer of his senior year and join 4H, show cattle and pigs, make a metal project and learn how to weld from joining FFA at the high school with Paul too...So we certainly see that this can happen and would be a great thing for our grandkids and how we would get to know that grandchild if they lived with us and dove into our life like that! Sam is a most special nephew, who continues to come often and love our life! There is something really amazing about someone, who appreciates the life you live... through their eyes you see it and it takes on such wonderful dimensions that you really don't see it from within! Thanks, Sam for showing us how good we really do have it!
Looking at the life we are blessed with through the eyes of the three that live close by and consider themselves "lucky farmkids." I am taken back to my wonderful "nest years" with my little ones and my wonderful "hunky husband." How I loved to just watch him do the many jobs that he is called upon to do! He continues to amaze me with all of his hard work and understanding of so many different things from high finance to working on so many complicated pieces of equipment! Too mind boggling for words, and then there are always the constant need to hold him up in prayer for safety in the midst of all the craziness of spinning PTOs and everything else.
With so much space and so much going on... yes, it requires constant state of prayer and vigilance to keep everyone safe, but we also enjoy endless "adventures" that we can find at every turn... no matter the season and no matter the weather...
This is what I woke to today... A MacDonald's commercial on the back of the pickup! The kids had just helped dad fix fence and grandpa had gone to town to get a part and pick up some quick lunch! They had planned to eat outside on a warm mild day in order to not bother grandma, who worked all night and needed to sleep... But seeing this fun scene... grandma stumbled outside to take it all in... Mom is working a 12 hour weekend shift as a nurse, so the kids get to hang with dad and grandpa, and now grandma... It can be a group effort around here... especially with Pat appreciating the man power that Paul can give him with all that has to be done day in and day out!
Once again the dogs are in the mix, and Davey is surprised when Lilly eats his pickle! It was next to the meat, I guess! Once again one of those crazy "family scenes" that make life interesting and fun and yes... "an adventure." There is never a lack of those around here! As I describe my marriage with a lot of happiness for the most part... "Never a dull moment!" I think that some people that lead boring lives would think that is a great thing, and for the most part it is! I do carve out my quiet time sitting at His feet even when I am driving... if nothing else! I rarely have the radio on.. I love to have that quiet prayerful time!
A meal that everyone likes and eats with gusto - Thanks MacDonalds! The dogs wish they were getting more than the pickles! We did go to the shed and fill up their pan with dogfood as we had an adventure playing in the round bales in the shed... "Lets play hide and seek!" Simon said ( maybe he should have said "Simon Said") and instantly they were all laughing and playing a fun game in the bales! Life is good!
Awaking midday to family and all that that means - the ups and the downs... the ups wouldn't be very exciting if we were always up... it takes the downs to make them soar like eagles to the highest heaven! This psalm from morning prayer is truly an "Hallel" psalm of praise to our God for all that He does in our lives!
Psalm 57: 8-12
My heart is ready, O God,
my heart is ready.
I will sing, I will sing your praise.
Awake, my soul,
awake, lyre and harp,
I will awake the dawn.
I will thank you, Lord, among the peoples,
among the nations I will praise you
for your love reaches to the heavens
and your truth to the skies.
"O God rise above the heavens;
may your glory shine of earth!" Psalm 57
I am feeling the need to lay down with my two year old grandson and my rosary... we will see how this adventure is going to work out!
Blessed Mother on this day set aside for you along with your Son... we ask that you allow us to follow in the way of Truth and Life and Light... may we see you in all that surrounds us... the beauty of nature, our family, who sometimes seem too close and demanding... help us to love and serve those that we "love" the most - those in our families! We also thank you for the gift of prayer and the importance of that as we fill each day with You and Your life of love and service. Allow us to grow always with you in our hearts! Life is a gift and may we embrace the "adventures" that come our way, and even go out to find some in all the amazing world that surrounds us! May we fill our hearts, minds and souls with all that is good and uplifting! Jesus, we trust in you! Amen and Halleluia!
Bless-bless, Barb"He who shall have suffered and fought for his God will shine like a beautfiul sun." St John Mary Vianney
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