I got to go over with Pat as he pushed out the huge drifts from Ruth and Paul's yard this morning. The kids were all out checking out the huge piles of hard snow...
I saw a lot of slipping and falling out there as there is now a coat of ice over the top of everything! Sitting in the house yesterday - looking out at the piling snow they were very excited to get out there in the now north wind to check it out!
They came in with very rosy cheeks and big smiles too!
I have shared in the past that Little sister Hallel showed me to go to the psalm for the birthday you are celebrating and find there some words for the day/year! Psalm 34 is a wonderful one! "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me; he freed me from all my fears... Come, my young friends, and listen to me, and I will teach you to honor the Lord. Would you like to enjoy life? Do you want long life and Happiness? Turn away from evil and do good, strive for Peace with all your heart."
This just seems to be true words that Ruth could speak to others... it is there for all to see in the life she is living, and the message her family, and work with LIFE, and as a nurse gives to all the world around her! Her faithful following of the narrow path of Faith led to her finding a wonderful husband and father for their family! Although told after her second that she should have no more children - she has trusted and had 3 miracle babies since! How important it is to have young mothers like Ruth to model for the misled world that Family is a path to happiness and holiness - showing the LIGHT that can enter this world with each new child - expanding the LOVE within the family not stretching it more thin!
Little growing happy and healthy Luke is the picture of LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT which is a gift - the best Gift that Ruth could ask for this day as he will be always her precious son with her on her journey of LIFE down the narrow path carrying her Most Cherished Cross!
Another specialness in this day is the wonderful story of the Saint for today - St Elizabeth Ann Seton. She is reminding me of Ruth in that she had 5 children, and then was founded the Sisters of Charity of St Joseph and started the Catholic School system in the US! Ruth, although the mother of 5 also, continues to teach couples the Creighton Model system of natural family planning in line with the teachings/Truth of the Church! It was funny to hear the other day that she did an introductory session at home with the 5 all there! It went well, she shared later, although Rose got up from her nap just as they were arriving to her house... I think they got a real and hopefully beautiful picture of what a great life it is to have a large family by today's standards!
Jesus, today in the Gospel St John the Baptist revealed that you are the Christ, and Andrew and St Peter listened and followed after YOU. "What are you looking for?" You ask us as we come to You in times of weakness and confusion. May we answer wholeheartedly that we long to follow YOU no matter what the cost! Although St Elizabeth Seton faced struggles and persecution - "And do I realize it - the protecting presence, the consoling grace of my Redeemer and my God. He raises me from the dust to feel that I am near him..." St Elizabeth Ann Seton Yes, Lord, when we are weak and lowly- humbled by all that comes to us in our lives and within our domestic Church/family - that is when we turn to YOU and need YOU to hold us in your shepherd's arms! May I always be weak and lowly and may pride be banished from my heart, mind, and soul! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
For the 3rd day in the row the Psalm used around the world in mass has been Psalm 98 - a grand Hallel Psalm!
"All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
Let the sea and what fills it resound,
the world and those who dwell in it;
Let the rivers clap their hands,
and the mountains shout for joy before the Lord.
All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God."
I feel like with the arctic blast setting upon us with a vengeance that I should help King David expand this psalm to include Minnesota! I was telling Pat that as a new resident of Minneapolis, after moving with my family from much milder Michigan, in 1970 - getting on the bus on the bus stop of Hennipen and Lyndale to go down to General Hospital to work in the lab charting lab results throughout the hospital - I was shocked by the -50 windchill I encountered. "Where am I living? The arctic?!?"
So here is another verse for this glorious Psalm 98 in keeping with our time and place...
Let the winter winds swirling down upon us,
remind us of the Power and Might of the Lord.
May we always know that He will keep us safe,
and be filled with the warmth of His LOVE!
"There's my mommy that I love!" Little Luke with his new eyes and sweet smile!
Starting each morning at CCC with family prayer/rosary and wisdom from my dad! Ruth's family gathers every night to pray together - a beautiful family tradition! One night Mary was spending the night with her great Aunt and great grandmother, and reminded them that they needed to pray before bed! Such a beautiful instilling of the Truth on the path of raising LIGHTS for the world! We love you, Ruth Ida, and Happy Birthday and wonderful year ahead!
Loving her time to create beautiful things!
If you want me to by Ginny Owens
The song Ruth used when she gave a talk at TEC at Susan's first TEC! I was gifted with being a resource and hearing the entire sharing! So wonderful- Sue and I both wept through the whole thing!
Just had to borrow this from Maria's blog today... better believe I was driving very slowly!
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