"Catch hold of hands that flail in prayer" evening prayer hymn

This picture is such a gift that I am using it twice in a row!  Mom and dad just left to head back to their home in Wisconsin about 4 hours away.  I went out to pick the garden the humid early morning heat... to send along the vegetables I could find.  I was greeted with the squash blossoms in all their splendor. 

The joyful beautiful sight of lush plants, that we have watered throughout this hot drought, that is affecting the crops more and more each hot dry day!  The black plastic that we put down is keeping those always healthy and prolific weeds at bay! Wow!  That is something that I really need to help my poor gardening skills!  The evening prayers last night brought me to a place of deep rememberance with our little Sister Hallel - the reminder that no matter what - Jesus is in control in the midst of the storm!  I have been thinking a lot about her this past week in that it is the one year anniversary of our trip there to share in her first vows with the Community of the Lamb!  Pat, John, grandma Ann Verly and I went for this week in St Pierre, France.  It was a huge undertaking for this monumental step for Susan in her journey called Bride of Christ!  Evening prayer last night used the exact verse from Mark 4 - the calming of the storm!  It was the Gospel on Father's Day 2009, and when we called France to tell Susan that John had something in his brain after the CT Scan in Marshall... she said to me - "Mom, this is the storm and Jesus is in control."  It allowed us to let go and let God with each bend in this way of the Cross!

So realizing that we are in a special time in the life of our precious daugther, who models for us the wonder of following where He leads... Her brother told her just a few days ago of his decision to look into a call to the priesthood..."I am 50-50 percent surpised.  I know of many that have been praying for him to look at the priesthood here in our order."  Hallel told me on the phone.  This will be no surprise to many, and as a young priest from our diocese said - "Its about time that he realized that God is calling him."  I am getting the feeling that there will be a sigh of relief, and not a cry of surprise when John announces that he is entering seminary on CB and facebook!  There is that feeling that he was spared to carry forth the message of healing, and LIGHT, and Truth! 

All the amazing experiences we have been blessed with, as we are priviledged to have our daughter a little Sister... now we are equally blessed by the beginning of John's journey into the seminary.  His attending adoration and daily mass gets us going along, and that was also true of Hallel when she came home for the summer before entering the Community of the Lamb.  I had the deep experience of sitting in the Church with her for the hour before mass - gazing with love and prayer at the glowing tabernacle in the darkened Church!  It is so delightful and powerful to share the CALL with our children, and to sense the LOVE they are building their inner sacred place/temple for their loving and forgiving Savior, Jesus Christ!  Such a grace for their family as well as a profound humbling experience. 

Jesus, thank you for this anniversary of Hallel's first vows, and the beginning of John's answering your call to share YOUR LIGHT and TRUTH!  We are so blessed, as parents, as we are allowed to share some of the deep love and care that you have for them; and they, in turn, grow in LOVE for YOU!  To see the doors open ahead of them, as they walk down the path called - Call to be Yours!  To see the peace that fills them, and the excitement and joy at knowing you are LOVING them in this most personal and powerful way!  We rejoice!  We praise you, and we know that you are in control, and your plan is what gives us LIFE and LOVE!  Jesus, we give all to YOU, and you give us in return eternal life, and a little slice of heaven here on earth.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

"You care for the earth, give it water,

you fill it with riches.

Your river in heaven brims over

to provide its grain.

And thus you provide for the earth;

you drench its furrows,

you level it, soften it with showers,

you bless its growth

The hills are girded with joy,

the meadows covered with flocks,

the valleys are decked with wheat.

They shout for joy, yes, the sing."

Psalm 65

Lord, hear our prayer for rain!  St James on this your feastday intercede for us that our "furrows may be drenched!"