Happy Feastday of the Baptism of our Lord! I guess that it is time to put down the Christmas tree and decoration, but I am still filled with such JOY as the result of gathering with family- the fact that we had Maria, Joseph and their three here for over a week! That is all I really wanted for Christmas! And then to have some precious days with Hallel and get some real hugs! Well, that was the answer to so many prayers from her mom - "Lord, I want a real hug soon, please!" So powerful to get to Kansas City and see and touch and share with her - and for her to meet two new neices and a nephew. Yes, Maria and her family couldn't make it, but maybe next year if she makes it back for her first ever family visit! More to Hope and pray for! I am sharing this amazing picture with you as I share today about the talk I have been asked to give tomorrow night to the Catholic Daughters about ProLife... it all started with the family I was raised in... we are up to over 90 now with 3 new additions just from our family as well as 3 more marriages in the last year too! With 11 children to start with - such a model of LOVE of LIFE came from my parents!
All except Hallel! I will also share how from the beginning of our marriage - I decided that I wanted to do more than just say I was ProLIFE - I wanted to do something about it! I joined Birthright just months after we were married and learning to do a pregnancy test - I discovered that I was pregnant with our first daughter, Ruth! It took us a few months to get pregnant, so I was overjoyed wtih the news. We had always been open to LIFE, and my dream was to get pregnant on our honeymoon - all 3 of our girls practically had this JOY/surprise, but I did not. It carried forth from there for me to work a night in the office every month. I had one girl come in, who was thinking that abortion was her only option. After sharing with her a letter that I wrote as if to her mother... she left and I didn't see her for months. Thinking the worst - I got a phone call from her telling me that she was back and ready to have her baby. Amanda Hope was born and she married the father... every Christmas I hear from them and get pictures of Amanda and her brother. I got a very specail plaque when her graduated from high school and with deep joy at her saying YES to LIFE had allowed her to have this LIGHT to the world! Amanda Hope was heading into nursing so that she could help those little ones that needed nursing/healing. I sat in the car and wept when I opened that package and thought about all the LIGHTS that have been extinguished by those that did not know the Truth - every LIFE is from God and is a gift! How can they be ended so thoughtlessly?
Grandpa Pat with his grandson, Patrick and my dad with Bernadette! Two men that have been open to LIFE and the call to bring LIGHTS into the world! I must share tomorrow night the work of the Spirit in our marriage as Pat so wisely answered my question if we were being selfish to have a large family in the mess the world is in these days... "The world needs LIGHTS!"
Yes, Lord, on this day of your Baptism and the world hearing from your Father that you are his beloved Son! Mary said Yes and LIFE came into the world through an innocent baby - Lamb of God! We long to share with the world your Truth about LIFE and LOVE - the Cross! Through the Cross we find eternal LIFE and happiness in YOU. May we always be open to LIFE and take the effort we need to raise LIGHTS - sharing with great JOY the Truth of your Bride, the Church! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
The two that have been healed through prayer!
"And a voice came from heaven, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." Luke 3
http://www.myspace.com/danielleroseofficial/music I am listening to her song for The wedding of Cana...I was looking for True LOVE by Danielle Rose
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