A flash mob Easter's us

Ruth, Paul and family drop in with Easter bunny cake and tombs.  They have helped with bottle feeding the orphan calves and are watching a crazy animated show on TV.  After another tough day at work it is nice to have the mob of LOVE and LIFE drop in. 

The sunset behind Our Lady and St Francis is special on this Easter Eve. 

Super cute, sweet and fun - the mob of LOVE and LIFE is a gift to the Verly grandparents and John.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

 

 

Easter JOY!!!!

Wishing all a happy and Joyous Easter this day!  John assisting Father as we are sprinkled with the waters of LIFE!  Pat is out in the barn assisting the birth of a new calf - new LIFE is all around us as we have close to 100 calves now born.  Jesus, we are forever grateful for the LIFE, LOVE and LIGHT we have been given!  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Halleluia

Light came to us from the darkness! 

Bless-bless, Barb and family

The risen Christ fills the world with JOY and HOPE!!!

Birthright - A Light in the Darkness

Birthright – A light in the darkness

As a newlywed, I felt strongly about working for LIFE. The year before, in January of 1978, a group of women in Marshall had established a chapter of Birthright. There I found a group of great lifelong and life-giving friends. I was trained to do pregnancy tests, and while doing that I discovered to my great joy that I was pregnant with my first daughter! I learned to be there for girls and women, who faced an unexpected pregnancy… to be their friend, and together we would look at all the problems they faced. With each problem we would see how we could find a way of solving it, so that having that baby would be the happy outcome for both mother and baby! I have always staffed the office on Monday nights once a month, and depending on the time of year – it is quite often dark in the building hallway, or on the street while I am working. It truly is symbolic of the LIGHT that we offer to those that are fearful, and feel that they are alone. One Monday night, in late winter, I was in the office and a very scared young girl came in. Her pregnancy test was positive! She was terrified of telling her parents! She felt that it would be impossible to disappoint her mother in this way. I tried to help her see that after getting over the shock, they would more than likely be more loving than she expects and support her. After we parted I felt so much for her situation, that I sat down and wrote a letter as if I were her writing her mother. When we met again a week later – I shared this with her, but she left with the feeling that the only answer would be to abort her baby. I was crushed and prayerful for those months. In October I received a call from her telling me that she was to have the baby – Amanda Hope was born!!! Over the years I have received cards at Christmas, and thanks in each one for helping them to see (she married the father the year Amanda was born) that Amanda needed to be given LIFE! One day a package was in the mailbox, and it was a beautiful frame with the graduation picture of Amanda! She shared that she was going into nursing, and wanted to work with children! How I wept to know that this LIGHT had not been extinguished, as so many have. What a difference this world could be with all those millions of lives/lights here!

A few other stories from our Marshall Birthright…The names have been changed.

Jane expressed her gratitude to the volunteer for helping her to see that abortion was not the answer. Jane gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. A few years later this client, Jane, began a Crisis Pregnancy Center in another city.

Martha had helped Sara to see that it was possible for her to carry her baby girl to term. When she turned 18, the mother invited Martha to her graduation. Later Martha was invited to her wedding!

Mary had spent time lots of time meeting with Jean about her pregnancy… after discussion, tears and sadness, it seemed that Jean would seek an abortion for her baby. Two years later, in the grocery store, Jean saw Mary and asked if she remembered her. “This is the baby you helped me save from abortion.” She said, as she put her 2 year old son in her arms.

A check came in the mail with a note attached: “Dear Birthright. Thank you for all you do. About 30 years ago, I called your organization and you helped me make a correct and informed decision. Please continue.” Yes! We are now open Monday6p-8p, Thursday3p-5p and Friday10a-noon… being a friend at a difficult time where that warm LIGHT of acceptance is always on for those in their time of need. Our office is now at 348 W Main Street – downtown Marshall. Life is a gift, and the world needs LIGHTS!

This is an article that I wrote for our local paper.  It appeared yesterday in the Faith section.  Since I am off to work this Easter weekend, and don't have the time to share much - I thought that I would share it with you. Life is a Gift, and the World needs LIGHTS!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

Embracing our Most Cherished Cross

It was so special to have John carrying the Cross in the procession for the Chrism mass!  He fooled with me by hiding behind it, but truly it gives me such pictures for material for my sharing today!  Today is the powerful day of our redemption - Good Friday.  The day that Christ embraced His Most Cherished Cross - the Tree of LIFE - and freed us from our sins.  Pat and I shared morning prayer in the Magnificat - see www.magnificat.com .  Then John and I shared the office for morning prayer together before we went out to bottle feed the two orphan calves.  It was great to get a double dose of power and reminder of the great suffering God did for me through His Son, Jesus Christ!  Psalm 22 - the Psalm that Christ prayed as he died on the Cross - "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"  As a parent and grandparent that has watched a son and grandson suffer - it is all you can do to make yourself sit there and hold their hands or sooth their brows!  You yearn to take their place to the point that you can hardly bear it!  I am thinking of Mary standing at the foot of the Cross this day, and looking into his eyes as he carried his Cross down the streets to Golgatha.  I am also thinking about God - the Father in Heaven - and how He must have also yearned that it would never have to come to this point.  To the point that He had to send His beloved Son into the world to save the world.  Starting back with the fall in the garden, and listening to the lies of Satan... we need to continually remember the suffeing Christ on the Cross and how we are forever on our knees in the presence of His Saving Grace - by embracing our Most Cherished Cross we find LIFE, LOVE and LIGHT!

Yes, we must always know that the Cross has now become the Tree of LIFE in the newness of our transformed lives.  The Verlys discovered that through the shared journey of John's cancer/healing/seminary!  We also found it through the born dead/traumatic birth/healing of our grandson, Patrick Joseph, in October!  And that amazing letter from Hallel to her sister Nancy on the occassion of her engagement - reminding her and all those married that our spouce is our Most Cherished Cross!  Not something to run away from but the Truth of LOVE and through which we find LIFE.  The Cross has now become the tree of LIFE!  I love to make the Cross with branches and leaves and fruit all over it, yet also the body of Our Lord on it.  From that body we are given our spiritual Food for LIFE - His Body and Blood!  We are fed and become more and more His as Heaven and Earth are joined in the banqet of Heaven! 

Jesus, we are on our knees in the humbling presence of YOU on that brutal Cross of suffering for us!  We feel so unworthy today and every day, and indeed we are nothing but dust!  May we turn to you and lay all our burdens at your loving and forgiving feet.  You bore all our sins - suffering beyond understanding.  May we cling to the Cross and embrace it willingly and without complaint - for it is there that we find LIFE and LOVE, O Lord!  Jesus, we want to die to self to be totally and without reservation YOURS!  May we bring your Truth and LIGHT into our domestic Church/homes/families.  May we find a small slice of heaven in the midst of family this day.  Just as YOU, O Lord, passed into the welcoming arms of God, Your Father, as you died for us.  He embraced YOU and forever raised YOU from death into eternal LIFE to show us the way to come and join YOU in Heaven.  May we follow after YOU, O Saving Lord through Your Cross and Your Bride, The Church!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

The Stations of the Cross by Blessed John Paul II (1991)

Tenth Station: Jesus is Crucified

Reader: When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."]

Luke 23: 33-34



Minister:

Lord,

grant us merciful hearts

that we may bring your reconciliation and forgiveness to all.





Eleventh Station: Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief



Reader: Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us." The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, "Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied to him, "Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."

Luke 23: 39-43



Minister:

Lord,

grant us perseverance

that we may never stop seeking you.





Twelfth Station: Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple



Reader: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, "Woman, behold, your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Behold, your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

John 19: 25-27



Minister:

Lord,

grant us constancy

that we may be willing to stand by those in need.





Thirteenth Station: Jesus Dies on the Cross



Reader: It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last.

Luke 23: 44-46



Minister:

Lord,

grant us trust in you

that when our time on earth in ended

our spirits may come to you without delay."

Finally a smile!
Danielle Rose - A Mother's Song
The Crucifixion from her Rosary Mysteries Album
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5npOxjWOhUI 

We continue to lift up John to you - show him your Path, O Lord, as he carries his Most Cherished Cross - cancer/healing/seminary.

The narrow path, or the wide road

This picture was found of FB this morning and just seemed appropriate for today, and food for thought too.  Yet, I find that those that are misled by the lies of Satan are not happy nor do their lives go smoothly down this big paved road.  They suffer so terribly with the results of their not knowing Christ!  I think that the people heading towards destruction should be on crutches and with great gaping wounds as they limp to the cliff!  They are so hurt and wounded and they don't realize that Christ took all of these upon Himself, and all they have to do is place their hurts and wounds at His feet.  "We had all gone astray like sheep, each following his own way; But the Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all."  Isaiah 53:6 Do those going down the wide road look like they are buried under a crushing burden of sins?  Maybe they are unaware of the damage and therefore oblivious to the effect of sin and darkness in their lives.  I think in a real version of this - they should be in darkness and blind and bumping into each other.  But, yes, there is artificial light caused by the glitter of false happiness due to riches, pleasures, and all those selfish desires that the world has lied to us that we need.  We see again and again in those celebrities who model for us the acquiring of wealth and celebrity... that this does not lead to lasting happiness at all!  The results of sin is death! 

This is another picture that I borrowed from fB today.  John, Pat and I just did morning prayer and read the Gospel from John 13 this morning.  The amazing Gospel which shares this picture in words for us... Jesus washing the feet of his disciples/Peter.  "Do you realize what I have done for you?  You call me teacher and master and rightly so, for indeed I am.  If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet.  I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do."  We are aware that our grandson, 8 year old Simon, will be getting his feet washed at Holy Thursday services tonight.  He will be representing the 2nd graders, who are getting their first communion in a month.  It will be quite something for him to experience - I am sure.  How wonderful that our Church has this beautiful intimate and humble sharing and example to view on this evening of the Tridium!  So powerful to experience on the receiving as well as the doing end!  I remember that once Pat was washing the feet of Ruth, and a lady sitting there watching this site had to write us a note telling us how powerful that was for her to see.  "A father washing the feet of his daughter."  And in so many ways my wonderful husband with his openness to LIFE and family at all costs, and then how wonderfully he provided for his family, and shared the experience of farming with his family.  He truly has washed their feet in action as well as in LIFE!

Pat has modeled such an amazing portrait of Christ in how he has brought all the LIFE given to us into this world or heaven, and then to LOVE them without counting the cost! 

Jesus, we are so aware of all that YOU gave to us with your suffering and death on the Cross.  May we carry our Most Cherished Cross coming to YOU down the narrow and winding road of LIFE, LOVE, and LIGHT!  Your Cross has become the Tree of LIFE filled with all the fruit of LIFE!  May we bear fruit in our lives to share with all those around us - most especially those in our domestic Church/family.  May we humbly serve and LOVE you in all that we say and do.  May we live the motto of the Lamb - "Wounded, I will not cease to LOVE."  Yes, it is so hard to do, but YOU showed us how by dying to self and embracing the Tree of LIFE/Most Cherished Cross.  May this Easter Triddium bring us ever closer to YOU and your Glorious Bride, The Church.  She - The Church- is there to help us get to Heaven, Lord!  We accept all that she in her wisdom shares with us.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/stations/stat10.htm  Mother Angelica's reflections on the 10th station - Jesus is stripped of his garments - the humility station

The Tenth Station:

Jesus is Stripped of His Garments

"It seems that every step to Calvary brought You fresh humiliation, my Jesus. How Your sensitive nature recoiled at being stripped before a crowd of people. You desired to leave this life as You entered it - completely detached from all the comforts of this world. You want me to know without a doubt that you loved me with an unselfish love. Your love for me caused You nothing but pain and sorrow. You gave everything and received nothing in return. Why do I find it so hard to be detached?


In your loving mind, dear Jesus, did You look up to the Father as You stood there on that windy hill, shivering from cold and shame and trembling from fear, and ask Him to have mercy on those who would violate their purity and make love a mockery? Did you ask forgiveness for those whose greed would make them lie, cheat and steal for a few pieces of cold silver?


Forgive us all, dear Jesus. Look upon the world with pity, for mankind has lost its way and the principles of this world make lust a fun game and luxury a necessity. Detachment has become merely another hardship of the poor and obedience the fault of the weak. Have mercy on us and grant the people of this day the courage to see and know themselves and the light to change."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHdcyue0bSw  Praise you in the storm by Casting Crowns

The Truth on being a Catholic gay!!!

http://lifeteen.com/gay-catholic-and-doing-fine/ 
I have longed for being able to read a sharing of someone, who is living their lives according to the Truth set forth by the Church in regards to a celibate prayerful LIFE with Christ, and his Bride the Church... if you are gay. Here it is!!! Take time to read and ponder - Yes!  We all have our Cross to pick up and follow after him.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

His MERCY is always and forever!

I feel that I am in a huge turmoil of emotions today.  There are many differing toughts that are coming into my mind, heart, and soul that are spinning around and around in a big soup!  I thought this picture of the grandkids out in the cold barn last weekend really expressed so much of what I am dealing with.  Gus worried and on the verge of tears, Bernadette crying full volumn, David wishing he were not there, Simon smiling saintly, and Mary stressed with the screaming baby in her lap.  Add the cold that will not let go of us, and it adds up to a fairly miserable time for all of us including the grandma and two mothers that were hoping for a great first time picture with the new calves... the calves are curled up in black balls and not really cute either mostly due to the cold and being newborns they have bellies full of warm milk- sleep is calling them.  I really started to get this feeling come over me when I read a obituary in the paper about a young man, who had died in a motorcycle accident.  Then there was an article about how he had a weapon, and a lot of prior run-ins with the law... then at the end he raced headon into the police car and died.  So sad!  Then I wondered about the family gathering at the funeral home and the preacher speaking about him at the services.  Most funerals good things are said about the people, and people grieve for them and miss them.  But what about something like this?  What about the young man, who shot all those kids at their school?  These young men need the prayers and loving mercy of our LORD... they truly are the men that were crucified on either side of Jesus.  It is our prayer that they were the repentent thief, who asked for Jesus to forgive him and allow him into his kingdom.  These are the lost souls, who Jesus came to save and to show the way to LIFE, LOVE and LIFE!

Cold and scared add up to misery for Gus!

So many do not know our Lord or his beautiful Bride, The Church.  It is so hard to want to share with those we come in contact with.  A young single mother with a 4 year old boy... Will you take your son to church on Easter?  "I have been meaning to do that, but I just don't get around to it.  I haven't gotten around to having him baptized either, how would I do that?"  I talked to her about the beauty of the Easter Vigil, and how I would love to invite her there.  But I am afraid that it would be too much for her to take in, and she did tell me that she is not Catholic.  In my mind, though, it seems that it is all there and a person invited to come and experience an Easter Vigil with all the glorious scripture readings, light service, baptismal waters that are so overflowing with great gushing LOVE and LIFE and LIGHT... It would be a true conversion experience for someone to come with new eyes of Faith!  I know that it would be a huge long thing for a 4 year old to sit through, but maybe it would have enough wow power to intice even a little boy, who has never been to church and is also not yet baptized!  How I love the great spectacle of the Easter Vigil and then to add those that are coming into the Church with all the sacraments for the first time.  There are always baptisms whether adults or infants or in between!  How I would love for this little guy to experience the Love and Forgiveness of Our LORD, as well as his mother!  She seems to be totally distracted by the values of the world as she then with pride told us that she was getting a used hot tub. 

Rose is older and has met a few calves now, but she still looks unsure of the big sleeping calf and needs to have mommy close!

Lord, I sense with you the deep longing YOU have to reach out to those that do not know YOU!  May I bravely invite those that are lost to look to YOU and Your Truth!  I pray for those that are have died with such hard deaths with sadness that surrounds them with their final acts in this world.  We pray that at that last moment they turned to you as you both hung on the Cross - and asked YOU for forgiveness and you brought them into your kingdom - "This day you will be with me in paradise."  May we truly be warriors in the battle for LIFE, LOVE and LIGHT!  May we embrace our Most Cherished Cross/Tree of LIFE and follow after YOU.  Jesus, we are weak and look to you in our most sad and desperate place in the darkness.  Your LIGHT is ahead of us... may we walk into the LIGHT and leave the darkness behind.  "O God, I will offer you praise for you rescued my soul from death, you kept my feet from stumbling that I may walk in the presence of God and enjoy the LIGHT of the Living."  Psalm 56  Hear our prayer, O Lord!  We are nothing without YOU!  Jesus, we trust in YOU!  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

"Christ, while we were still helpless, yet died at the appointed time for the ungodly.  Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die.  But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.  Indeed, if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through death of his Son, how much more, once reconciled, will we be saved by his life."  Romans 5:6-8,10

"Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things."  I Cor 13:7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjhxOv9YDag

Who am I?  by Casting Crowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbw4QuGksXA  You Tube of Chaplet of Divine Mercy as brought to us from St Faustina for all those that are dying.  Jesus, we pray this for all those that have no one to pray for them at their time of death! 

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm  For how to pray the chaplet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpzdB0G3TJU  Another beautiful music video in a Church in Rome... Wow!

"The whole world stands in awe..." Psalm 65

Yes!  The sun was shining brightly on the statues on the deck along with the glorious crystals of ice due to the unseasonal cold weather this morning!  John is talking to Hallel in Kansas City now.  We just called to see if she had arrived here safe and sound, and discovered that she has been in the U.S. for two weeks.  We teased her that we were heading down there for Holy Week with the community, but truly I am working the weekend at the nursing home.  They are discussing how much they like our new humble Pope Francis.  Hallel told John that he will have a mass at a prison for the prisoners on Holy Thursday rather than in a huge church as the two previous pope had done.  "She really likes Pope Francis - he is for the poor and so is the Community of the Lamb."  So true!  It really is good to look out in the cold frozen world and to see Mary, the Mother of God, with a shorter more humble Francis at her side with the blazing sun on them this morning!  So much a visual of the status of our amazing Church - Mary there as our Spiritual Mother and the amazing Christ-like St Francis alos interceding and showing us how to embrace poverty.  Because as Simon sees so clearly... God is better than money, and that is why Susan/Hallel is poor!  We all should embrace that!  John was saying that we will never have "nice" things in our home because of all the kids/now grandkids that fill it..."That is what we want... kids not stuff!"  What is truly important after all? 

Lord, we are filled with awe as we look at the ways that you are at work in this world of lies and darkness!  We see the bright LIGHT of YOU, O Lord.  It shines on all that is Truth and LIFE, LOVE, and LIGHT!  There is no doubt where YOU are to be found, as we look to the LIGHT.  The Cross, which you embraced as God made man, has now become the Tree of LIFE!  We see the fruit which comes to us from that Tree/Cross.  "By their fruits you will know them." Matthew 7:16  How often do we see this?  We see the fruits of a beautiful large family - those that are open to LIFE and their children are given siblings rather than stuff and things!  So beautiful to see!  On the other hand we see the sad lack of fruit in those that have listened to the lies of Satan.  So hard. Lord, help us to reach out to those around us and share your LIGHT.  As ST Francis said -"Share the Gospel and when necessary use words!"  May our living our lives in YOU share your LIGHT with all those in our lives, especially those in our domestic Church/family.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

"Who, being in very nature[a] God,

did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

he humbled himself

by becoming obedient to death—

even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:6-11

Permission to ask for prayers, and to share in our joy...

Ruth and Paul are expecting #5!!!  They are going to have the baby around Halloween, and we are all very excited.  We would ask for prayers to keep both Ruth and the baby healthy.  Simon says that according to the pattern - it will be a blue eyed boy.  All we care is that it is healthy.  We know that the Lord is in control!  Jesus, we ask that you surround Ruth and the baby with your protection.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

Life is a gift, and "a life is a life no matter how small. "

"the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil..."

One phrase that grabbed my imagination this morning from the Gospel was the aromatic nard with which Mary annointed the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair... and the entire house was filled with the fragrance of this costly oil!  How beautiful is this vision of devotion and LOVE!  And then to have the memory of that sustained throughout the house as the fragrance filled the house as incense does at the height of the mass!  Just having the joy of sharing the Chrism mass with all those many of those from all over our diocese... the incense was used at all the high points of the service and all of the oils and chrisms were blessed by the Bishop that will be used in all of our churches over the next year!  Ruth was there with her 4 to see John and to experience this Big Church experience with her kids.  She leaned over and told me that in the next year she will have another little one to be annointed with the aromatic oil/crism at Baptism!  It made me smile to remember that beautiful holy smell upon my 5 little newborn children, and then my grandchildren as I have been present at most of their baptisms!

The oils ready to be blessed, and the incense starts the procession the other night.  All the beauty and meaning that comes to us from our amazing Church!  And that smell on the babies after the baptism from the chrism is with them for days and on their blankets and bonnets that the girls wore over their heads afterwards.  It lingered with them and reminded us as parents that they have been washed clean and are now members of the Church!  As grandson Patrick was being taken by ambulance from the hospital to Providence Memorial in downtown El Paso after he was born dead and brought back to LIFE but in critical condition.  I was reminded by Ruth that he needed to be baptized.  I discovered that at 1a in the morning that the elderly priest would not be coming to my request, so I told the nurse that I would do it.  So in the midst of the NICU with nurses, ambulance personel, doctors and many tiny babies in their basinets - I baptized Patrick in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!  I did not have the aromatic chrism to annoint him, but the aroma of his innocent LIFE being given into the hands of the LOVING and Merciful LORD was accomplished along with constant prayers and many tears!  The Lord heard our plea and Patrick is now healed beyond what many could have ever thought possible.  Maria told me this morning that he rolls and rolls and rolls over and is now getting up on his hands and knees with visions of crawling soon!  He is thriving and is getting "huge!"

Patrick at one day old...newly baptized and now truly a little Lamb of God!  Jesus, the fragrance of LOVE is a beautiful aroma that fills our homes when we LOVE and SERVE YOU with all that we say, do and think.  May we sense Your LOVE for us in all that we do this day for those in our domestic Church/family.  We long to honor YOU and give you the gratitude YOU need for giving us LIFE as you embraced the Cross for us.  May we follow after You and take up our Most Cherished Cross and follow after YOU.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

"Thus says God, the Lord, who created heavens and stretched them out, who spreads out the earth with its crops, Who gives breath to its people, and spirit to those who walk on it: I, the Lord, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon,those who live in darkness."

Isaiah 42: 1-7 The first reading from mass today!

"the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.."John12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlh6_5znn7U  Francesca Batistelli  - Lead me to the Cross

A day with John to celebrate the Journey...

John and I started the day bottle feeding a couple orphan calves and waiting for a heifer as she was tied up to allow her calf to nurse. John launched into the talk he was to give at a confirmation retreat about his conversion story.  The heifer seemed to enjoy listening to the story as she stood still and seemed to be listening as were the dogs as they got their ears rubbed.  It was wonderful to hear the words come tumbling out as John shared how he viewed his life up to the point of him asking half-heartedly for the Lord to help him find Faith in HIM.  The next week brain cancer struck!  It was wondrous to share this time in the barn surrounded by nature and listening to John speak of how the Lord had worked.  What more could a mother hope for?  Sitting in the stillness away from the phone and computer and listening with the ears of JOY and FAITH to my son speak of how he has been transformed by the storm called cancer showing him that Jesus is in control. 

 

The leaves and lilacs are showing that all we need is a little warmth and spring will sprung!  Lord, we await your timing because you are in control.   Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

looking at hard things with eyes of Faith

Watercolor had to be a part of our day together today.  First I had to introduce the kids to the joy of sketching with sharp drawing pencils.  Then the paint...  Mary took an idea of mine and ran with it.  I wanted to have Hallel with some calves and the grandkids, but Mary just went with all the calves that she is feeding bottles to with a pretty cute Hallel in her blue jean colored habit.  Little Sister Marie said that back in the early 70s when she was encouraged to start her order that she truly made her first habit out of blue jeans!  While Mary was drawing her calves, she remembered that two of them hadn't survived, so she put wings on them as they are now in calf heaven.  She can still celebrate all her calves with little Sister Hallel, but two of them have wings.

David was working on a rainbow striped tractor with pretty green grass underneigth it.  We are dreaming of spring and warm weather! 

 To bed

Being a mom...

I would suggest reading over the sharing of 3 young mothers - including my daughter, Nancy Anna, about how motherhood changed them today.  http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/.  Reading it reminded me to keep my chin up and not complain today with the 4 grandkids coming so that Paul can help Pat outside.  As a grandma I have started to get time to read books, and blog, and do a few things that I like to do, but it still is good for me to help out and be loving and cheerful while I am at it!  This was the scene outside when I went out to take some pictures of the calf I named Brad - after my nephew whose birthday was the same day.  It was kind of fun... my son-in-law, Billy, brother,Bruce and nephew, Brad, all had birthdays on the 21st!  We had 3 bull calves that day, and now they are named Billy, Bruce, and Brad in honor of these three men in my life!  It will be fun when they come to meet them over the year, and watch them grow.  Well, I hear the sound of the welcoming committee - the two dogs - so I get to go and be grandma now.  Jesus, thank you for the little ones in our lives and how they show us how to give of ourselves without counting the cost.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

Johnny feeding the bottle calves..

Billy getting a lick from mom.  Cow mothers are the best most of the time!

Baby Bruce taking a nap with a full belly.  It was fun how they all 3 turned out so different.  They will be easy to spot and tell apart, and their blue eartags will read 68,69, and 70.  The only one that will kind of blend in will be Billy as we have many black claves out there, the other two are distinctly different.

Now this one is so cute, and that little attitude is adorable.  Well, have a good day with visions of little calves and babies in your head!  That is a picture of LIFE right there!

And here is Rose at the Chrism mass - so good and sweet!

It really made John happy for Ruth and her 4 to make the effort to come and share this beautiful occassion in our Church.  It really made us appreciate the men that have listened to HIS call and are in the process of listening to HIS Call. 

John and Grandma Verly