"They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength..." Isaiah 40

 Rose sure loves little ones and Dominic is special to her!

It has been a busy morning with family, so this will thankfully be short today due to LIFE!  There is no better intrusion into my time and I think that making this sharing short usually is appreciated more than my longwinded going on and on.  It was one of those mornings where Pat and I turn on the light first thing and share morning prayer and readings, because we know that there will be a huge wave or LIFE flowing over and around us as we leave our bedroom.  Actually little Augustine came into our room in the midst of our prayers...

 This was breakfast with little Dominic in his boppy as a centerpiece, and all gathered around him eating Ruth's wonderful fresh eggs!  This gives you a visual of how we gather together with all the laughter and sharing of little ones, John, Nancy and Pat!  Then we had to get the kittens out of the Christmas tree, and call Ruth about some crafts at her house, and on and on!  Life shared is such a blessing as our house fills and empties over and over. 

 Gus stuffed his pockets with his tools - knowing that he wants to go out and help grandpa in his new shop!  Grandpa asked Gus if Dominic, age 6 months, could come out and help too.  "No, grandpa, he doesn't have tools to help." 

The first reading today is the words to the song, or visa versa..."They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar with eagles' wings, they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint."  Isaiah 40  How glorious is it to imagine soaring above the earth with eagles' wings? Amazing to find that place of peace and overcoming all that holds us down!

 Gus gets a lesson on tools from grandma?  "Gus, that is a wrench and grandpa has a lot of them and uses them all the time!"

The Gospel today is short and filled with that Hope and promise that Jesus is there to help us though the good and the bad!  "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.  For my yoke is easy and my burden light."  Matthew 11: 28-30

 Part of the confusion and distraction today was searching for this grey kitten.  I had put them out in the garage because they were climbing in the Christmas tree while we were gathered for breakfast.  The garage door went up and then I couldn't find it, so it was going around the outside calling for it!  Finally it was on the top step in the garage from its hiding place from the dogs.  Now they are getting ready for a nap on my bed after the fright of their lives.  I think they now appreciate more of how nice they have it in the house.  Don't we all realize our blessings when we have a hard experience?  John just returned home after a job in the Cities turned ugly... it makes many of the other options look wonderful.  As someone put on FB today - "The bad days make me appreciate the good ones more." 

 I had the fun of doing the 2 year old girls' hair in a braid down the back this morning.  Doing little girls' hair is pure joy for me, and a step back into my nest years with my 4 little girls! 

Jesus, may we cling to your promise of HOPE no matter what we face in LIFE.  You will give us the strength we need to persevere, just as all the Saints we know and love each day of our journey.  I just googled today and discovered that today is devoted to Blessed Adolph Kolping, a priest in the 1800s who worked to promote the sanctification of family life and dignity of labor.  Two important aspects of our lives that need to be protected and encouraged.  Blessed Adolph we ask that you intercede for families and for the value of work and for those seeking to find their place in the workforce.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Luke thinks the girls look pretty with their braids!
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

“Adolph Kolping gathered skilled workers and factory laborers together. Thus he overcame their isolation and defeatism. A faith society gave them the strength to go out into their everyday lives as Christ’s witnesses before God and the world. To come together, to become strengthened in the assembly, and thus to scatter again is and still remains our duty today. We are not Christians for ourselves alone, but always for others too” (Pope John Paul II, beatification homily). Beatified by Saint JPII in 1991

Supper at Ruth's last night...

Breakfast this morning - much to share at meals - always beginning with prayer led by Gus!

This was the heartwarming scene as the kids were getting dressed this morning.  Augustine would come running up to hug his baby brother, Dominic , with so many hugs!  Dominic would laugh with glee! 

I found this today  - so amazing !!!!  Don't you feel this at times when we receive Jesus in the Eucharist? 

Casting Crowns - Broken Together

Casting Crowns - East to the West

I just found this on Maria's blog - Therese donated her hair to Locks of LOVE!  You look so glowing and Beautiful Therese!!!  Here are Maria's words from today:
Locks of Love

"The time had come for T to get a hair cut. At first I was just going to trim a few inches off. However, recently Joe and I had noticed that T had fallen more and more in love with her hair. She spent increasing amounts of time looking at it in the mirror, and almost seemed to be waiting on compliments when we saw family friends. Vanity had struck our sweet T! So... Joe had an amazing idea that would both deal with the luscious locks and hopefully encourage T to give of herself in a way that was a bit difficult: Locks of Love! And, after much deliberation, she accepted the challenge and said goodbye to her hair. She now has a super cute hair cut, but hopefully the fact that it will take a lot less time to manage will keep it out of her mind more. 

We are proud of you, T! This may become our tradition of giving to others while killing pride every couple years." 

As you can see these parents take very seriously getting their kids on the narrow path to LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!  Wow!