As I was blogging at Nancy's the other night, this is the sight that captured my attention. Playing peek a boo with Dominic as he sat in his sister's princess tent, playing with a book that talked to him, and smiled at me out the window! Such a precious time we shared, and it caused us to bond more as we shared this game...
With 12 grandchildren in 9 years this sight is precious and not all that uncommon for me. Our home is often shared with one of our girls and their children, and then Ruth and her 5 live just 3 miles away from us and are involved in the farmlife we share. I love to capture the sharing and the activity and the joy (until one gets hurt feelings or falls or something to break in with tears). I love to listen to their interactions with each other and with me. They are very sweet in the words that they share with me like little Dave talking about the "holy door" - the patio door with Mary and St Francis outside.
I have a great story related to St Francis - John was out helping Pat all day yesterday and asked me to come to the to the stairs to share a story with me. "We were working on this steer and about an hour passed with no results. I was praying to Mary and Jesus and many saints and then I thought which Saint should I pray to? I thought St Francis as he always has animals around him and I think he is the patron Saint of animals. In 20 seconds we finally helped the steer and it was all done! St Francis helped us!" How I love to hear these stories of Faith that helps us on the farm! It proves to me that we are never alone and have so much help on this journey of LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!
Such a precious little boy! I am so excited to think that Hallel will get to meet her 3 new nephews!
Today in the Gospel Jesus tells us about how we are to depend upon him and not we ourselves! Self-sufficiency is so stressed here in the U.S. - we had better have everything so that we don't have to bother anyone else or ask them for help. This is very contrary to the Gospel in which Jesus tells us to deny ourselves and place all our needs before him. "I don't want to be a bother." Where does this come from? A state of pride in not wanting to be weak and helpless and need the help of others? We are learning through our hospice experience of the special place that weakened state puts us - it allows others to serve us and to return the love they have been given. Being ministered to and cared for is a beautiful gift for the one giving it as well as the one receiving that gift of service without counting the cost!
So sweet! I have learned first hand how difficult yet powerful that place of humility/relying on God to provide is. My daughter, Little Sister Hallel, and her Community of the Lamb beg for their food from the poor and rely totally on divine providence to provide for all their needs beginning with the food that they eat, then the building of their little monasteries the world over, and all they need to humbly love and serve Jesus and His Bride, The Church!
My JOY is doing the hair of my granddaughters - I have 4, and I had 4 little girls and did their hair each day - on down the line! It allows me to step back into those days of my "nest years."
Hallel has many stories to share of begging for her food from the poor and how difficult it is to do. Yet they go armed with the Gospel in their hearts, minds and souls and share Jesus in His Word with those they encounter. They ask for their prayer requests and lift those up at mass shared each day. The food they receive they sit down and share. The first time Hallel went begging with them, they were given a can of tuna to eat... as they sat down they realized that they couldn't open it and had to go and knock on a door to get the can opened. So hard and such a lesson of humility and asking for help - not being self-sufficient but relying on others and giving them a chance to minister to the weak and lowly and those without!
Nancy's family sharing mass with me on Sunday. The best time of each week! Nancy is starting to sit up front and notices that the children are much more involved and better behaved when they can see and share in the beautiful mystery of Faith!
Dad teaching them how to genuflect to Jesus!
Jesus, you care for our every needs. If we think we have all we need and don't have anything to ask for - how can you give to us? We long to get all the distractions out of our way and to come to you weak and sick and lowly and in need and only having one loaf of bread to feed so many. You remind us that you fed the 5,000 with only 5 loaves and the 4,000 with only 7 loaves. We are not to depend upon ourselves, but to die to self so that you may live in us! We are not able to accomplish your will without allowing you to work within us, and unless we place you first in our lives... we will falter and fail under our own steam. We give our all to you, and if that means that we are cared for by others in our weakened state... may we accept it and know that this is allowing others to find that special place of service. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Mom was sharing that Benedict XVI is getting them ready for Lent beginning tomorrow - this is a good start!
Just about got the 6 in this - all with smiles!
God listens to our needs - humbly asked for because we are written on his loving heart!
Dave is a great servant and comfortable in the kitchen - stirring two pots at once!
Cow TV is back on! Such a gift to be able to sit by the woodstove on the couch throughout the night to watch the cows close to calving! Such a gift!
Ready, set, go... Lord, give us a good calving season. We are needing you to walk with us.
The Litany of humility by Danielle Rose - try praying for this! Hard, but we are called to do this over and over by our Lord.
Third Day - Cry out to Jesus
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