Just up after working overnight... I read morning prayer and the readings for today. There is not much in the Bible that surprises me after studying, reading the readings for each day many times, and growing up Protestant and spending lots of time reading and studying The Word... but it really was the first time I have ever read this - At Cenchreac he had shaved his head because he had taken an oath. Acts 18:18 St Paul shaved his head! He had taken a oath in the Lord and as a sign of this he had shaved his head! How this speaks to me of Hallel and all religious that don the habit to show the world of their oath to Jesus as his brides - they have said "yes" to the call! They also many times shave their heads under that veil! An outward sign of giving their all for Jesus. They do this in a radical way, but there are many times that I feel that striving for the perfection this world asks for in having the perfect body, clothes, nails, face, forever young colored hair... it all is just too much time spent away from The Lord! I thought the idea of shaving my head to take all that concern for appearance out of the picture, yet announcing to the world that I belong to Jesus and have taken that oath! Imagine a man with a shaven head back in the days of long shoulder length hair and facial hair of Jesus?!? It would truly be shocking to see and make you stand out, and St Paul did this!
Hallel washing up little Luke. Yes, I had to get pictures of most everything that happened while we were with Hallel for the fist time in 1 1/2 years!
The Gospel I had heard before and pondered before, but it is the gift that keeps on giving! John 16
When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world. Just as in our day to day lives - the pain we experience makes the good times that much more wonderful. Life would grow boring and dull if it were always smooth and filled with only the happiness/good stuff. Suffering through the birth process makes the relief of holding your healthy child that much more wonderful! We need to remember that Jesus never leaves us, but carries us when we are weak and sick and suffering pain and death and all The Cross in our lives!
Some pictures from when we first arrive in Kansas City and see Hallel, and she us! Getting no hugs for 1 1/2 years makes these much more precious!
Mary and David know and love their Aunt Hallel, but...
Luke is meeting her for the first time, and discovering that Aunt Hallel loves and plays with little ones!
Bernadette and Nancy get a group hug!
The sweetness of those little arms around our necks! Those little hands touching that veil which represents that Christ is her head/her spouse for always!
Jesus, once again we are reminded that each day is unique and filled with YOU! You give so much each day - your Word, your Sacraments, The rosary/prayer with every breath that I take and with every beat of my heart, The Saints and today that is the patron saint of farmers - St Isidore, Mary, your Mother Most Holy and she brings you into the world and us to you! Today is special because, in the entire history of the universe, there has never been another day like today. What's more, there will never be another day exactly like today again. Today is the day to which all your preceding days have been leading up to. And today is the day from which the rest of your life will flow. If you were aware of how precious this day is, your certainly would not waste it, nor would you be able to restrain your joy and gratitude. Sr Melannie Svoboda, SND Lord, it is not hard to see that with all that you give us each day of the journey will allow us to say "yes" more easily and to find a small slice of heaven here on earth as we take up/drag our Most Cherished Cross and follow after you down the narrow path to LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT/Jesus Christ and His Bride, The Church! Jesus is heaven and dwelling in Him as we die to self will bring us that JOY of new LIFE after the labor pains of dying to self! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
We are never alone on the journey! Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Here dies another day during which I have had eyes, ears, hands and the great world around me, and with tomorrow begins another. Why am I allowed two? G.K.Chesterton
Another great man to quote! G.K. Chesterton!
Wow! WE are loved!
Danielle Rose - Pursue Me
Holy Now - Peter Mayer
Some great ones of Grandpa Dave with Maria and Joeys kids on 1st Communion weekend!
now with the adults - so good to see them healthy and happy!
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