I know that this is blurry, but think of it as impressionistic. It is a self protrait in front of our "farm" in Wisconsin. We moved to Minneapolis - inner city- the Bascilica was our parish, when we all coverted to Catholic. I was just 20 years old, and the 10 under me were within about 12 years - all 13 of us converted together! My parents had bought an abandoned building site for us to work on and get livable with windows, plaster on walls, sanding and varnishing the floors...we had a pump for water, and did have electricity. We had a large garden there and froze vegetables from that. We did not do the canning that I have learned to do here on the true farm in Southwest Minnesota. Seeing our farm through Pat's eyes truly showed me that we were a far cry from a true farm, but after we left there - they did once again milk cows in the barn.
How I smiled and let out a small cheer to read that the meditation for the day was written by Venerable Thomas A'Kempis! As a new Catholic... I have wonderful memories of diving into my ever growing, by the day, love for the Church. One of my early mentors was reading A'Kempis - The Imitation of Christ. I poured over his words and just groaned by his depth and Truth! Now to see that he has been venerated by the Church was just a delight to me! Well, I have a 4 year grandson here talking to me and I am not able to truly concentrate on this... plus I am groggy after working overnight!
Another impressionistic one of my sister Mary and I on the front stoop of an abandoned Church in Wisconsin farm country... now that my sister has been dead for 16 years - this takes on a very deep meaning for me, and it is too precious to delete. Venerable Thomas speaks about the Miracle of the Multiplication
"My soul longs for your body; my heart desires to be united with you. Give me yourself - it is enough; for without you there is no consolation. Without you I can not exist, without your visitation I cannot live. I must often come to you, therefore, and receive the strength of my salvation lest, deprived of this heavenly food , I grow weak on the way. Once, most merciful Jesus, while preaching to the people and healing their many ills, you said: 'I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint on the way.' Deal with me likewise, you who have left yourself in this Sacrament fo the consolation of the faithful. You are sweet refreshment to the soul, and he who eats you worthily will be a sharer in, and heir to, eternal glory."
The 13! Lord, the journey to you is one shared and nourished within my domestic Church/family. Your fingerprint is upon us, and we are forever filled with wonder and joy! So many paths we all have found laid out before us! Jesus, we love you and thank you for that last 40 years - each day has been a blessing within our True Church! May we all be together in heaven someday with all your angels and saints... Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Silly Dave - he found the scarf that Little Sister Hallel made me a few years back - I think you can see that I was distracted by cute silliness! Bless-bless, Barb
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