I am borrowing pictures from Ruth's Blog this morning - please go there and read her beautiful words describing how our life on the farm is tied to our Faith never to be separated, and of course the family part is what brings it together there. http://familyfarmexperience.blogspot.com/2014/04/faith-and-farm.html?spref=fb This one is so special as that huge rough farmer's hand gently lovingly gives his precious granddaughter the precious Blood of Christ for the first time. Beyond words beautiful as Heaven comes down to touch earth. It is as if the angels are all around them as well as the Saints - most prominent the new Pope Saints of this day - St John XXIII and St John Paul II!
Lately I have come across articles about those that choose not to have kids due to the amount of time and money they take.... Willfully Childless by William Murchison. And on how the Catholic Church in the West - us - have lost their faith hand in hand with the destruction of the Family. How the West Really Lost God; A New Theory of Secularization by Mary Eberstadt is reviewed in the Catholic Servant we get. "Children drive people to Church." How often have we seen this in those in our family? Once the kids come they start to think about going to Church to have them baptized and brought up with some kind of faith. I have been disappointed that there is a lack of understanding that our faith has to be taught in the home. "I drop them off at religion and they don't learn much there, what is wrong?" "You need to be the first teachers of your kids in your home!" "Well, we aren't very good at that." Please share prayer and the Bible and the lives of the Saints and attend mass every Sunday and Holy days and more if possible and share it all with the greatest of JOY! The Joy factor is what attracts and brings the family together in HIM and together we love and respect all His Bride, The Church, has to give us!
" Faith is what keeps life together. On the farm there are so many things that are out of our control: weather, prices of products, and sometimes health of animals. Faith is needed to know that things may seem to be out of our control but there is a God who always has our best interests in mind and knows the bigger picture in life and is always in control. Every night during prayer time with the kids we pray for favorable weather for the crops, fair prices, and health of the animals. Our children are learning that we need to place our life in God's hands and have faith that he will provide for us. Faith and farming go hand in hand." Ruth Lanoue from her blog post I thought this was so wonderful that I had to borrow and share here. This is a prefect example of sharing Faith within our family - called Domestic Church by Saint John Paul II. So true!!!! Our home is where the church takes root and grows into a Faith to be carried forth a LIGHT to the world. We are called to be open to LIFE and to raise all those we are blessed with to be LIGHTS to the world in our domestic Church/family!
Mary and Naomi were baptized together and now both received their first Holy Eucharist together. Their dad was saying that they should enter the convent together and take each other's names. Both girls are being raised in families that look to Jesus and His Bride, The Church... asking what God wants for them and their children.
Jesus, we thank you for the wondrous gift of family and how the children bring us to Faith. We share and grow and marvel at all the wonders of LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT we encounter as we share life on the farm and surrounded by family sharing faith! The rain is falling outside - please protect all the animals, crops, and those without protection out in the elements today. Rain is always welcome around here, so we thank you, Lord, and trust in your divine providence in watching out for our needs here on the farm. You are in control of all, O Lord. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah!
Sharing a joyous celebration!
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
"The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Jesus to us today in the Gospel - John 3:1-8
This requires much meditation as we are truly filled with the Spirit and used directed down His Path in Life carrying our Most Cherished Cross. Lead me, Lord!
Mary and her dad reading the beautiful words of grace received in her cards. Parents teach your kids the Truth and Faith!
Danielle Rose - Pursue me, Lord
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