"Your Word is Truth." John 17 Jesus to God then came the Holy Spirit!

I know that two days ago was Maria's anniversary #7, but after a friend shared that her daughter is in China due to her having a exchange student from China this past year... Well, it brought back the miraculous gift we received to have a foreign exchange student from Italy the year Ruth and Paul were married and because of that they were able to have their marriage blessed just a few days later by now Saint John Paul II!  What did Paul ask him for?  "Please bless us with a happy healthy family."  That prayer is being answered with each new day!

The beautiful answer to that prayer!  Each one of these children have a reason not to be here... yet look at their health, beauty, and LIGHT!  I will not go down the list, but when I mentioned to John that Ruth and Paul have 3 miracle children, after being told no more children when giving birth to Mary ruptured her uterus... "No, mom, they have 5 miracle children."  Yes, St John Paul II is truly answering their prayer as he reached out and blessed them in Rome in November 2003!  This picture could be very different without that amazing blessing that keeps on giving... they received over 10 years ago!  They are a poster picture of trusting his The Word, Christ, and His Bride, The Church!  Today's Gospel is from John 17 and it is Jesus at the Last Supper speaking to His Father..."Consecrate them to the Truth.  Your Word is Truth... I consecrate myself to them, so that they also may be consecrated to the Truth." 

I love the behind the scenes/getting ready pictures!  It is a big job to get all these little ones ready for a keepsake picture.   Are all faces clean?  Are all clothes presentable and most importantly are all of them making nice faces - not frowns or tongues out or underwear showing... much can go wrong with 5 kids to get presentable.  It makes for a lively active and never a dull moment job!
This morning I am overwhelmed by the goodness of Our God for our needs - when we are told to ask and receive by our Lord - it is so true!  We are given all we need to walk down the path of Truth!  This means taking to heart all that The Church teaches us and asks of us - not picking and choosing what we like and don't like.  We cannot be shopping cart Catholics!  When Ruth and Paul were told no more children they were first of all crushed by this news, but secondly they were wondering what they should do about it... sterilize, use artificial birth control.... No!  They prayed about it, got a second opinion from the Catholic surgeon, who saved her uterus, and when they were given a 90% chance for all to go well with time to heal and close monitoring... they learned a natural method - Creighton Model.  Not only did they learn it, but Ruth became a Creighton Model instructor and now works with other couples in following the Truth the Church has shared.  That LIFE is a gift and we are to open to LIFE in our marriages and allow God to be involved in the decisions about Family!  http://www.creightonmodel.com/  And if you want to contact Ruth - 507-532-1019

Dave came in the house with mismatched clothes and dirty feet and legs below his new shorts... "What are you doing today, Dave?"  "Dad is powerwashing off the manure spreader."  "He should powerwash off your legs too."  "I know."

Just filled to the brim with all that we are blessed with if we only put our lives in His hands and He will send His Holy Spirit to show us the Truth!  Many would have heard those words from their doctor here in Marshall, and taken drastic steps to prevent LIFE... misled and led down a wrong path out of fear and trust in the world!  But Ruth and Paul were filled with the blessing they were given by St John Paul II and also convicted by The Truth presented to us by Jesus, the living Word made flesh, as well as the Wisdom of His Body - The Catholic Church!  They could not go there, and asked the Spirit to show them the path to take... as a result this is the picture of their "happy healthy family" to this day!

A masterpiece called LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT as they share Faith/Family/Farm with their "happy healthy family!" 

Jesus, there is so much filling us each day if we will only remember all the ways we have been touched by YOU!   Your fingerprint is upon our lives in such powerful ways as we look upon the beauty of the LIVES we have been blessed with!  Each new life is a gift to be protected and cherished!  What anguish and desperation fills us as we realize the innocent lives in the womb that are in danger of being destroyed and killed this day through abortion!  Please, Lord, save lives this day!  Our Lady intervene in the thoughts and intentions of women, who are not aware that this is a precious LIGHT to be protected and cherished at all costs!  May they see in ultrasound that little beating heart and arms and legs and recognize the Truth - this is a LIFE!  End the horror of abortion!  How can this taking of the tiniest little ones continue, O Lord?  There is nothing more horrible than all the LIGHTS that have been extinguished!  This world could contain so much more of your Truth with so many more.  The stories of those that have escaped an abortion attempt with their lives fills us with the Truth - that LIFE is a gift!  May we listen ever with our hearts, minds and souls to your Word!  "Your Word is Truth... May we be consecrated ... solemnly dedicated to a special purpose... in Truth." Jesus, may we die to self so that the Truth may always live and work through us changing the world by bringing LIGHT into the darkness.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Ruth's adorable playhouse she made for her kids... I just called her and could hear the happy voices of her kids calling to her as she worked on the porch and they were inside happily playing.  As Pat says of Ruth - "She is a hard worker!"  For a farmer dad to say that about his oldest daughter is a tribute to her!

Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

"Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, My love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you."  Isaiah 54:10

So close to Isaiah 55:1-2 - used by the Holy Spirit to bring us 13 into the Church!

http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

Third Day - Trust in Jesus

Dave and dad powerwashing off the spreader. 

 

True total surrender!!! There is nothing left of her selfish desires!  Help us on our path of surrender St Therese!