I hesitate to write this as a description of the last few hours, but I feel like I was swept up in a storm called Family as waves after waves of sharing, and caring, and saying goodbye washed over me! I am aware also of the horrible tornado that hit the city just outside of Oklahoma City, and the many 3rd grade children that were killed and are missing along with many others killed and injured! So awful to see the pictures of the devastation, and to have those thoughts and prayers filling my consciousness at the same time that we gathered around Gus to celebrate his 2nd birthday that happens on the 25th. How precious these two little babies have become to me over the last couple weeks, and watching them leave left me feeling sad and knowing that I will miss their sweet LOVE for me and for each other! Today in the Gospel - Jesus "taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, He said to them, 'Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.' " Mark 9: 30-37 It is wonderful to "see" the beauty of a child in their wonder at the world around them... it truly is the life-breath that the Holy Spirit gives us to "see" with the eyes of Faith and great JOY the wonder of all that is good and right in this world!
Mary came this morning with this beautiful gift for grandma - "This is Heaven that I saw in the beautiful sunset last night! " I have it up so that I can look at it and remember the Truth of Heaven that dwells in our hearts, minds and souls if we center our lives on Christ and His Bride, The Church! We can experience a little slice of Heaven here on earth if we keep our heart on HIM! This morning with the hard parts- remembering all those that are suffering in Moore, OK, and the JOY of gathering for some family breakfast with lots of hugs and kisses and sharing food! That is what makes the masterpiece called Domestic Church/family so rich and glorious - the dark and the light and all the colors and shapes that make up our lives!
Birthday pancakes and a family together to sing- "God is blessing you now, Augustine!" and blow out the candles!
Lord, this is a day that is calling us to constant prayer as our hearts are breaking for the devastating loss and victims of the tornado. Lord, we ask that you be there comforting those that have lost life, health, or homes. We also ask that you comfort the family of Zach Sobiech - http://www.upworthy.com/this-kid-just-died-what-he-left-behind-is-wondtacular-rip who died so young yesterday from cancer after touching so many! Thank you for the Truth of YOU there in the midst of lifes' storms both good and hard! You are in control Jesus! In the midst of the storms of LIFE - You stand up and command the winds to "Be still!" And there is a great calm when we can give our lives over to YOU and Trust! There were many times in the last couple weeks that I found myself saying - "I'm sorry" to the kids when I would do something that bumped them or something accidental in handling the two little ones - they depended on me so much, and there were just times that things would happen. Thankfully never anything truly bad, but life is just that way... we cannot control every last thing and due to one reason or another things just happen. We try our best to keep them safe and healthy and happy, but... Yet, today when they drove happily away with their parents I felt a lonely sad feeling like I am truly going to miss their sweet happy ways and our adventures and our close family time together! They were so wonderful to have, and I will miss them very much! Jesus, with all these needs this day - I am glad that I can place all at your feet knowing that there is a plan for LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT! I would especially place John in your hands - he returns from a year in the seminary tomorrow and has decided to take a year off and work. He has found peace in this decision, and so we place him in your hands and Trust. Jesus, we Trust in YOU. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
The last page of Gus' Birthday Book... Mom and Dad - after this time with Gus, I do see that he pats his heart with LOVE for Jesus and his Mother! He is so loving towards his little sister, and to an old grandma and grandpa! He is truly loving as a child of God!
Bye little Birdie/Bernadette I am weeping looking at this last picture of you by the patio door... you stole my heart! You are the absolute sweetest baby ever!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtNzOpKvPfw If you want me to by a blind artist -Ginny Owens!
Another page from Gus' 2nd Birthday book - I am just feeling so sentimental today - Family will do that to you! Prayers for all those that are suffering a loss today!
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