Really we have 4 babies in the family as little Gus is only 1 1/2years old! This adorable picture of Uncle Paul with his Godson looking over his shoulder with the 3 new ones in his lap including his daughter, Rose Ida... really is the one that shows the 4 babies in the family. So precious! I am so overwhelmed this day after spending the weekend with my extended family that reaches over 70 young and old now. But more wonderful by far was sharing the weekend with all of my own family minus little Sister Hallel! I am a river of tears today as I am so thrilled with the finger of God upon us, yet in the background I have the gut wrenching news of the killings in an elementary school to remind me of the evil that lurks in the darkness.
This beautiful nativity scene graced our camp this year!!! Such a glorious reminder of the day being very near for Christ to enter the world in a powerful and real way! He does with each and every day in our amazing True Church through the Eucharist and His Word! Through the Saints and the liturgical seasons and through Our Lady and the legions of Angels and Saints that are adoring the Christ - LIFE, LOVE and LIGHT! I had such a glorious time making a little book for each of my grandchildren for our family Christmas - Simon, A light of Christ
Mary, A Light of Christ
Therese, A Light of Christ
David, A Light of Christ
David, A Light of Christ
Augustine, A Light of Christ
Rose, A Light of Christ
Patrick, A Light of Christ
Bernadette, A Light of Christ!
So wonderful to be able to tell them the Truth - I see Jesus in you - He is your LIFE and LOVE! Jesus within you is the LIGHT that shines for all the world to see! The end of each book I was able to make one of my watercolors of the nativity, and each child there with the Holy Family! The tiny new grandchildren were held by Mary in her arms while Joseph with his shepherd's crook held a tiny lamb in his arms overlooking the LIGHT of the world in the manger! The first page of each book was my husband holding all 9 grandchildren out by the lighthouse in Michigan - I had to create it with the new ones added...
Can you spot the changes to add all 9 with their wonderful grandfather?
The first page of each of their books stated - In the beginning of our family, your grandfather Patrick heard the Holy Spirit tell him in his heart and his soul this Truth - "The world needs Lights."
From this was our openness to family always upheld and the raising of our children as LIGHTS for the world was always in our hearts and minds and souls! Now to see the families that our children are raising in similar fashion and with a like minded FAITH!
I can become a bit crazy when I want to accomplish a photo of all 9 of my grandchildren together! The pressure of getting them each dressed in their coordinated finery and ready for mass at 4p - the priest that was to come to camp and do mass for our 41st anniversary of becoming Catholic was prevented by the weather. But we were able to get them all dressed and to mass and sat with my parents and a brother and his wife! It was a sight to behold and a sound too, with Nancy having her two babies to try to keep quiet as they were awakened from a nap, and even with the two that are cying in this... I love it and cherish it as it represents our shared FAITH and determination to raise LIGHTS to shine in the darkness of this world!
Beautiful raised-to-new-life Patrick was a shining beacon for all those that prayed so long and hard for him to be alive and healthy - answered PRAYERS! 
Just returning last week from news of John's continued healing and seeing him praying and sharing about his seminary growth!!! Patrick and John were beacons on the hill for all of our family this year - Healed as they were both lowered into the presence of Jesus! It is quite powerful to witness how my extended family are filled with awe and wonder at the True and Real work of God in our lives and family! We are humbled and grateful! I just had to have John and Patrick together at last for me to cherish! John called often for updates on Patrick when he was in the midst of his battle for LIFE and healing... early in the battle John shared that he was going to pass on to Patrick all that he had been given for his battle against brain cancer! They were so connected as both were healed in their brains - the crucial source of LIFE and LIGHT!
Patrick the Lamb that showed us how to rely on God totally and without reservation! A helpless little Lamb come to save the world and to die on the Cross! Patrick started carrying his Cross from before he was born - 20 minutes without oxygen in the womb - "he was born dead!"
Lord Jesus, the knowledge of your LOVE for us is just so huge this day! Pat and I both were wiping tears at the enormity of YOUR LOVE shining forth from our children, their spouses and children! We are forever blessed by having my parents still with us! As little Therese said that her favorite part of the weekend with my family is having great grandma and great grandpa with us... for from them this all came to be! The listening to the Holy Spirit started with my father as he was called to leave the Protestant ministry and become Catholic 41 years ago! And then to my husband and his hearing the Truth about raising LIGHTS for the world! So much fills me to overflowing this day! Jesus, we love you with our lives and that of our family. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
All but Hallel!!
"Rejoice in the Lord always!" Phil 4:4
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