So often I think of my daughter, Little Sister Hallel, who is so far away, and really out of our reach in an ability to see her and and touch her! We were discussing last night how it is also the case for our daughter, Maria. Her husband is in the , and they are now stationed in El Paso, Texas! But both Pat and John differed on this, in the fact that, without an large amount of money we can get a plane ticket to go and see them, and that her and her family, including our two precious grandchildren, are there asking us to come with open arms! With Hallel that is not the case... we are welcome to come from time to time, but we are not begged and encouraged by her... as she has followed through with her call..."To give it all away, and to leave it all behind." She arrived home after a year of discernment saying that this is what the Lord was telling her, and to that I asked; "Does that mean your family?" and she answered without hesitation - "Yes!"
I love these pictures of her precious Simon, finding a comforting peaceful place under her scapular. How Hallel adores her neices and nephews, and we know that when we call her... that we had better have some stories for her, and that she will laugh long and hard at their special times! Times that I know she would love to see with her own eyes, but she finds joy in seeing them with the eyes of her heart, while she goes through her days of prayer in His Presence! Lately I could tell her about little 3 1/2 year old David coming down the hall from his preschool room at Holy Redeemer... he passes Simon's first grade class and Mary's kindergarten class getting ready to go to lunch. Nancy and Gus picked him up one day, and watched him go down the row of Simon's class giving them each a big hug! "I want one!" They all seemed to say, and then comments about how he "gives good hugs!" So sweet! As David just gives one after the other a huge hug! Then he comes to Simon, who is slowly getting on his boots and his winter clothes as the others go ahead of him. He gives Simon his hug and then starts pushing him along, saying; "Hurry Simon, catch up!" It was a super cute time, and we all smile when we picture it in our hearts and minds... it got a laugh out of Hallel, and we love to hear that!
Simon and Susan/Hallel have birthdays just 3 days apart, and they shared a party before she headed off to Rome for a year of study in 2006. Hallel is always asking about Simon... he is very close to her heart! Last night saying evening prayers... this verse happened to be shared, and it was exactly what I had thought of when I looked at this picture.."In the shadow of your wings I take refuge till the storm of destruction passes by." Psalm 57:2b Knowing how much comfort, and love, and resulting peace that Simon gets from knowing how much Hallel loves him, cares for him, and lifts him up in prayer... it is no wonder that going into this place of dark quiet... in which he hears her voice as she shares and visits, and the beat of her heart, her heart that is for HIM alone... that Simon feels safe, and content, and protected! It is quite clear to me that the ways that Simon is a light to the world, in spite of the fact that he has been placed in the Autism spectrum... has much to do with the prayers of Hallel and his family, and the socialization that he received at a young age from the preschool for special needs. We were also saying that his having a crazy household with younger siblings... he is overjoyed and excited to be expecting a new brother or sister in April, and is counting the days...that he is forced out of himself in a good way, and not allowed to become so overly focused on things that get his attention! But over and above all that... both teachers from Kindergarten and from 1st grade report that Simon is on a much deeper place spiritually, and takes them to a level of Mary and Jesus that is truly due to the PRAYERS! I have no doubt that the prayers that Simon gets daily are HUGE in him being who he is in the sight of God! In that way Little Sister Hallel is truly with us in the way that really matters - Faith Matters!
When we visited Susan/Hallel in Kansas City to say goodbye to her a year and a half ago... Simon entertained and talked so sweetly at meals... he felt totally at home, and shared at length of what was on his heart and mind. He continues to sing the blessing song before meals with his sweet voice and heart filled with gratitude to our Lord and His Mother... we have gotten to know Jesus and Mary so much more deeply through our time with Hallel and her Community of the Lamb! 
Jesus, yes I am missing Hallel, and that is why I started writing this today... but you have helped me to see that the prayer life of Hallel is by far more important, and is lifechanging for our family to KNOW that she is lifting up her family every day! She is your lovely and precious Bride, and we know that you are listening with LOVE and TRUTH to all that she says to you and asks of you! We "see" the results of her loving prayer life, and know that we have been changed by our sacrifice - giving her to you, and realizing that the time with her in person is not to be there for us as we would like! We see that she needs to be with you daily in the Eucharist, and in Adoration, and in times of prayer and mendication of the WORD... so often I picture her hands raised and her face aglow with such love and JOY when your Word is processed in at mass! Sometimes I just cannot control myself, and I find myself lifting my hands to you as the Gospel is announced... I think - "It's God and I am going to hear HIS amazing Words of LIFE and LOVE!" Thank you for Hallel's call, and her sharing of YOUR LOVE with us! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb.. Proudly wearing BLUE!"The Lord's is the earth and its fullness,
the world and all its peoples.
It is he who set it on the seas;
on the waters he made if firm.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart,
who desires not worthless things,
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord
and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him,
seek the face of the God of Jacob."
Psalm 24: 1-6
We are lifted up! Lord, help us to remember the ways we are with our sweet wonderful beautiful Little Sister Hallel in your Spirit! She is such a LIGHT in the our world!
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