Mother and child

I borrowed this from Nancy and Maria's new blog.  They are both blessed with being stay at home moms and are combining their input and sharing about how to keep a Catholic home, and do those small things with great love that is required of mothers.

http://dosmallthingswithlove.blogspot.com/  It is just at the beginning stages at this point, but they have vowed to start doing entries once a week, so that should add up to 2/week!  You can go there and check it out, but I just wanted to share how they described the mission of their blog - "The motto and title of our blog comes from St. Therese who reminds us that we are not called to do great things, but to do small things with great love. The life of an at-home mom, or the life of any parent for that matter, is composed of a million little things, and very few big things. We have a long ways to go, but through prayer and support we strive to change every diaper, make every meal, fold every shirt and sweep every floor with great love. For, as St. Therese reminds us, "Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing."  This is what I had so hoped would come from these two of my daughters, and Ruth too for that matter!  It would really be complete if Hallel could add to it from France and add the element of someone, who has been called to chasitity and giving up her actual family for a spiritual family!  She speaks often of the children that she encounters and plays and shares with.  We know how much Hallel loves little ones, and that the Lord continues to put them in her path, so that she may surround them with the love she has within her for them.  I have no doubt that when she is somewhere on "mission"- begging for their food from the poor - that the children come to her, and are touched by her love and concern for them.  Yes, she has given up having her own children, but that makes her able to give so much more to all children that she comes in contact with.  Her highlight of calling home is to hear with great joy and laughter the latest about all her cherished nieces and nephews!  We had better have some Simon, Mary and David stories for her... and they don't disappoint!  I am sure that Maria is expected to keep her up on Therese and David too, and Nancy had better start giving her regular Gus updates too!  The day Maria called to tell us that she was expecting #5 - we had to call France that day to have the security and power of Little Sister Hallel's prayers along with her Community of the Lamb - our new and expanded family!  It has grown much faster and larger than if Hallel had been called to marriage... with all the amazing little sisters and brothers that we now call family!  Especially those in Kansas City - look to us for family visits and how we love to go there! 

Lord, the gift of motherhood is such a lifechanging and powerful one - it never leaves us!  The nest years are so small and daily and love is what makes it all a slice of heaven here on earth - how I loved them!  Yet, now to watch them take wing and fly into their own nests with their little ones gathered around them - looking to them with such need for being fed the Truth and surrounded by unconditionaly LOVE! I have no doubt that they are learning the Truth of LIFE and LOVE, and will carry that forth into their school and everywhere they go!  We are humbled by the graces and blessings that are present when we give all of our small selves to you within our domestic Church - our family!  May we leave our selfish desires and wishes behind and look to the example of Your Most Holy Mother in all that she said "yes" to in her difficult world - a world that had none of the modern conveniences.  To raise a child required so much time and energy - they are now eased by all the things that we have to do so much of that "work."  Yet, as the girls say on their blog - we need to be productive and to do all those small things for husband and children with LOVE!  Show us the way to serve and love you and carry you forth into our lives and our families!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb  Our Lady of Guadelupe - pregnant with Christ - watch out for all pregnant women, especially Ruth and Maria!

"The Lord will give you the bread you need and the water for which you thirst.  No longer will your Teacher hide himself, but with your own eyes you shall see your Teacher, while from behind, a voice shall sound in your ears: 'This is the way; walk in it,' when you would turn to the right or to the left." 

Isaiah 30: 20-21