Mother- Grandmother care...

Rose has passed a milestone... Her mom has had her maternity leave, and is now back to work half time as a nurse.  So now her grandmothers are able to share time with her in a much more constant and personal way.  Even when we were busy with sweet corn on Thursday... I told Ruth that I would be the one to sit down with her and feed her a bottle when she needed to eat.  She had given the other grandma some long hours of walking her and trying to get her to take a bottle the day before, so I felt that we needed to continue to work on it even though her mother was there to nurse her.  It is very enjoyable to sit and hold and rock and feed her, and I am getting to know her much more.  In a way I feel sad that her special time with her mom is now hit or miss, and yet I am enjoying having her to myself.  The day I had her was really nice in that the other grandma took the other 3, so all I had to do was care for and enjoy little Rose Ida!

She got to know her grandpa too...when his huge hand holds her there is a calming sense of security and the talk of the farm seemed to be interesting to her too.  It comes from both sides for her - I wonder if she will have pet cows and calves like her older sister, Mary?  There will be unique things that are just Rose, and it will be super fun to see them start to come out.  She is so like our girls in appearance and that is already so much fun for us.  Our Lady on this her feastday - Saturday - did not have grandchildren in this world, but she is our Spiritual Mother and yes, Grandmother to all the little ones!  She is always there to bring us ever closer to her Son, Jesus Christ!  And he adores her and honors her as the Mother of God.  Whatever she asks of HIM, He responds to with LOVE and LIFE!  I can sense the same honor in my own son, John,towards me!  After sharing our year long battle and defeat of the enemy, cancer, there is a closeness and deep appreciation in all that we share now. 

Jesus, with your loving arm around your Mother's shoulders, how you honor her and give her your ever listening ear and heart to all the needs that she brings to you.  She intercedes for all of those that have recourse to her through the amazing devotion of the Rosary!  I lift up all those that are in my life needing prayers - my children, my husband, all those that we have met on this journey called cancer/healing, my Godchildren, all those that have asked me for prayers.  I "see" that these prayers are answered and carried to YOU!  Thank you dear Spiritual Mother, Mary Most Holy!  I sense the devotion of a son for his mother through the LOVE of my own sweet son, John.  We see your hand upon him, as he goes forth discerning your Call to him.  Thank you for this new and amazing journey in his path, and continue to guide and direct him.  Jesus we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

.THE PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE

"Lord Jesus Christ, Savior of the world! We humbly beg of Thee to manifest in Thy Church the Spirit Whom Thou didst so abundantly bestow upon Thy Apostles. Call, we pray Thee, very many to Thy priesthood and to the religious life. And may zeal for Thy glory and the salvation of souls inflame those whom Thou hast chosen; may they be saints in Thy likeness, and may Thy Spirit strengthen them. O Jesus, give us priests and religious according to Thine own Heart!

O Mary, Mother of Jesus! Obtain for fervent souls the grace to hear and the courage to follow thy Divine Son in the path of religious perfection.

Queen of Apostles, pray for us.

Queen of Virgins, pray for us."

Maria considering the Poor Clares - 2004

little Sister Hallel helping John walk shortly after his brain biospy - August 2009 - in Saint Pierre, France!