Asking Jesus for directions - Our path lies ahead!

The 12 minus me, the photographer, in front of a memorial for the unborn.
Such a wonderful weekend we had filled with celebrating the next step for family members.... 3 of them graduating from high school and looking forward to what the future holds.  How I pray that they are asking the Lord for His direction and placing their Faith foremost in their lives... then all the rest will fall into place.  Of that I am totally sure and confident.  I can write on each of their cards without hesitation that the Lord has a path laid out for each of them, and although it will more than likely involve some difficulties that by embracing those crosses we find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT! 

Sharing a gloriously beautiful mass on the Feast of the Pentecost in a small town church in Hamel just on the edge of the Big City of Plymouth with our extended family of 13 all total... minus John, Hallel and Maria's Texas family.  I was overwhelmed by the realization of all the Holy Spirit has led me to in my lifetime, after having the gift of sharing my story/journey with a group this last week!  All those times that the Holy Spirit has led me through my parents, through my passing through doors that open, through the Divine Providence of meeting Marge at the U of M and through her meeting Patrick at her wedding about 6 years later and then the Holy Spirit speaking through Patrick's experience/wisdom - "The world needs LIGHTs!"   Putting myself back at the point of graduating high school - that summer my entire family of 13 moved from Flint, Michigan to Minneapolis!  Looking at the least expensive place to go to college in this new city of ours - I thought the U of M, but realized that if I waited for a year I could become a resident of the state of MN and go much cheaper.  So it made sense to work a year and earn money for college - I had no idea what I would got to study either.  My dad was working at General Hospital - opening a Chemical Dependency unit after years of working with alcoholics while a Presbyterian minister.  So when there was a job at General Hospital in the lab charting lab results on patient's charts - I got it and started a job there.  The old General hospital was a lot like the ones you see in movies with the old wards filled with beds separated by curtains and much drama there to witness as I moved throughout all the wards and floors and ICUs in my little white uniform and tape dispenser.  Once again the Spirit was leading me as I started to think that I might want to check out nursing as a possible job for me.  Never had that ever crossed my mind before, and soon I was trained as a nurses aide and working on the mens' medical ward... I fell in love with nursing - not only that but working with alcoholics - 90% of the patients are alcoholic!  How it ripped my heart out to get them patched up and then to see them stumbling down Hennepin Ave as I rode the bus to and from work.  Why go here today?  Because I was always asking God to show me the path He had for me? 

Such a gloriously beautiful Church, and then the chanting music, the Latin time to time, the Word read and making me once again "see" with the eyes of my heart The Holy Spirit at work throughout all of time in our Church and in my LIFE!  The tears could not be held within me at the JOY of the mass we shared surrounded by our wondrous family - Nancy so close to giving birth is making it that much more emotional and powerful! 
Looking back on the twisty turny, yet filled with spiritual direction from The Holy Spirit as I left high school and followed Christ down His Path for me... I am filled with excitement for our 3 new graduates from both sides of our family!  The Holy Spirit is with us, and when we allow Him to direct our lives it is amazing, filled with JOY and may we share that with all and catch others in that net of Faith and LOVE!

The first day of ordinary time as Easter ended after 50 days - yesterday with Pentecost... but as reminded by my amazing friends on Facebook - each new day in The Church is extraordinary.  There is nothing ordinary about it!  John and I just shared midday prayer together as the morning was busy and we were running in different directions... We were able to share prayers for the needs as well as reread the Gospel for today... the 3rd time for me - last night before bed, this morning with Pat and now with John!   Too amazing to share the Beatitudes over and over!  What jumps out to me?  The hungering and thirsting for Righteousness.... we will be satisfied!  The persecution that comes to us from both sides and how we need to rejoice in this and be glad... this will bring us to rest in Heaven with Jesus!  "For your reward will be great in heaven."  St Ephrem is the special saint for today, and as we were reading the Beatitudes John was saying that Danielle Rose should put The Beatitudes to music... then we launched into St Ephrem sharing on Living the Beatitudes...

Sweet Luke touching the head of his cousin, Luke, while we share Pentecost and he sits on his grandpa, Patrick's lap.... surrounded by many rosaries draped on each pew of the church made for some fascination for the little ones.  I was very touched when two year old Rose held out a rosary to me with a smile - saying to me with her eyes and her motions that she knows I usually have one of these in my hand and pray for all my needs.  Yes, Rose, grandma loves her rosary and takes every spare moment to pray hers throughout my day!

In the face of the Beatitudes - this is the bottom line of each challenge we meet in LIFE on our path laid out before us by Christ... God - The Holy Spirit -  is with us!
Jesus, so much this day of the benefits we have if we only listen to the Holy Spirit within and trust in His direction no matter what we face.  How do we do this?  By dying to self so that the Holy Spirit may breath life into these dry bones!  "O my people!  I will put my Spirit in you that you may live... thus you shall know that I am the Lord.  I have promised, and I will do it says the Lord."  Ezekiel 37
May we cast aside the selfish ambitions the world tells us to strive for, and look to YOU as we ask your plan for us!  It leads to great JOY and Faith to share through LOVE with all those in our domestic Church/family.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

My parents, sister with her graduate son, Alex.  Look to Jesus and ask him where he wants you, Alex, and you will find The Way.  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Living the Beatitudes by St Ephrem
"Blessed is he who in tears has become like unto a cloud, and daily uses them to extinguish the fiery flames of evil passions.
Blessed is he who like a fire is ablaze with love and has burned up in himself all impure thoughts and corruption of the soul.
Blessed is he who has found a choice heavenly pearl and, having sold all that he had on earth, has bought this one jewel.  ( I told John this was him with his finding the precious pearl -Faith- and wants only to share that with the world.  he is now looking at a possibility of NET team and the ability to evangelize for the next year throughout our country!)
Blessed is he who has found a treasure hidden in a field, rejoiced and cast aside all, and acquired this one piece of land. 
Blessed is he who ceaselessly remembers the day of his departure and strives to be ready and fearless in that hour..."

Rosaries and boys being lovingly close - no better sight to behold for this grandma!

Leeland - Holy Spirit have your way

Danielle Rose - Pursue me