A calm Mary and calf seem to be enjoying the support of one another shortly before Mary entered the show ring this morning. On our trip in John and I prayed morning prayer from the Magnificat, and recalled all the many years of frantic getting ready for the beef show early in the morning. Today I just helped out with Rose, and sat and watched.
Simon and Mary give grandma a nervous smile just before the show. They both did wonderfully well. The thing about the beef project is that it is a lot of work and is a very real way of learning about the farm and caring for the animals that feed the world.
Today is the memorial of a very special Saint in my family history - St Ignatius of Loyola! My father's call into The Church began at an Ignation retreat my parents were attending, so that runs very deeply into the roots of our Faith journey. So true are these words - "Following Christ in obedience to God's will discerned in prayer was central to St Ignatius' spirituality." In reading Isaiah 55:1-2 my dad was told to leave his ministry in the Protestant Church and become Catholic along with the other 12 members of our family! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html This is the page I devoted to this story that laid the foundation for my LOVE for The Church!
Mary walks in the ring confident and beautiful!
In the last 24 years there are only a few we have not had kids and now grandkids showing beef in the ring! There is nothing more wonderful than to see Mary with that smile on her face and twinkle in her eye! Between 4H and attending the Catholic School - there is so much the kids gain in ability to present themselves and have that good self-concept that will follow them through the ups and downs of life. St Ignatius is so right in reminding us that we need to always be looking to Jesus' will and plan for us. If we put Him first... all the rest will fall into place.
Mary with her head high and joy in her heart!
Speaking of JOY!!!! Today is an Hallel Psalm for mass today - Psalm 146
How's this for the epitome of Praise?!
"Praise the Lord, O my soul;
I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob."
Mary answering the judge's questions.
Today the first reading is from Jeremiah 18 - the clay and the potter. Wouldn't it be wonderful for us and for all those around us if we could be molded by God into the wonderful vessel He has in mind for us? We would be so useful and happy!
"Indeed, like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand." Jeremiah 18:6
Rose had to go and see the goats, while we waited for the beef show to start, and they had to see her too!
Simon showing for the first time as a 4Her! He was worried after being kicked the night before, so an older 4Her held onto the end of his halter and gave him moral support. Thanks, Cal!!!
Jesus, there are those times we are afraid and worried with the challenges that come to us with life. The times we are weak and need help from you and from others... those times we are humble and small. We are blessed with those that reach out and help us as well as the times You direct us on our path through the prayers and obedience to your will.
Simon with his calf and a strong arm of support as he shows for his first year. He did wonderfully!
Jesus, we see over and over that there is no shame in being small and needing help! We are told over and over again that we need to be humble in our lives and look to You always. We are blessed so often by your wonderful LOVE for us and unconditional forgiveness no matter what we do. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Simon concentrating so hard on his first time!Leaving the ring after such a good job!
Simon and Mary were watched very closely by their 3 younger siblings - soon they will be showing too!
The hard things we do in life lead to a feeling of great accomplishment when we overcome our fears and go forward - doing our very best! You did it Simon!!!!
Rose watching her big brother.
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
"The human person is created to praise, reverence, and serve God our Lord, and by do doing to save his or her soul." St Ignatius of Loyola (1556)
Our Pope Francis is also a Jesuit - St Ignatius founded his order.
Matt Maher - Hold us together
No comments:
Post a Comment