The Pat and Barb Verly family and their 5 children, in laws and grandkids along with many prayer warriors have been drawn together by John's cancer... sharing daily for 8 months started this blog- Family Soul Story - Our faith, family, farm and now our cancer journey called HEALING have colored and deepened our world. WE continue to share and depend on the support of our prayer warrior community, that has lowered us into the Lord's presence for His healing!
"What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door?" - Priest Feast!
It feels good to see my first jars of canning on the counter this morning along with the small shrine I made in honor of our anniversary yesterday. Hallel called Pat on his cell phone and he brought the phone to me just as I was going to put clothes on the line -"I have 2 minutes before I have prayer in the green Cathedral." she told me as I heard her sweet voice wishing us a happy anniversary. Yes, I started to cry and wept through putting clothes on the line... tears of joy and deep emotion knowing of her distant love and prayers for us!
Looking for pictures of the Green Cathedral - an outside Cathedral with the trees and branches for a roof and walls on the hillside in Saint Pierre, France in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains... I came across these of our time in France almost exactly 4 years ago for Hallel's taking of her first vows. It is so special to remember the special blessing of going to Lourdes with Pat and John and Hallel and Pat's mother.
Before Hallel took her first vows - Pat was able to see 6 girls take their habits and change their names. He was unable to attend two years before and watch Hallel do this, so it was a very powerful experience for him! The transformation is very powerful and visual as they leave and return dressed as a Little Sister of the Lamb!
John two years after his cancer battle - sharing this with Hallel!
World travelers there to support our Little Sister Hallel and share a once in a lifetime experience!
Saint Pierre was surrounded by sunflower fields in full bloom! Reminding me today of driving home with Pat from our anniversary celebration and hearing him praising God for his vocation of farming and the bountiful crops as we drove home from Redwood Falls... Psalm 65 from Lauds I shared with John this morning really rang this bell loudly on this special feast of St John Vianney/the patron of priests!
Psalm 65 The ends of the earth stand in awe at the sight of your wonders. The lands of sunrise and sunset you fill with your joy.
You care for the earth, give it water; you fill it with riches. Your river in heaven brims over to provide its grain.
You crown the year with your goodness. Abundance flows in your steps, in the pastures of the wilderness it flows.
The hills are girded with joy, the meadows covered with flocks, the valleys are decked with wheat. They shout for joy, yes they sing.
Tears at the clothesline - a wave of rivers from heaven drenching me with the powerful experiences with Hallel and her joyful answering of her call to love and follow Jesus and no other! May I follow him somewhere near to this within the sacrament of marriage and family I have been given to rub off my rough edges!
The Gospel today is Peter walking on the water to Jesus! Looking at this situation I can totally see the fear and anxiety causing him to sink, yet there is so much to learn and gain confidence in following after Jesus in how he reaches out and immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him. His words to Peter we need to take to heart, too! O you of little faith, why did you doubt. Matthew 14 Jesus is always there for us, and all we need do is trust and believe and have faith no matter what we face!
Picking our first bountiful harvest of tomatoes!
A large pumpkin yet to grow larger and more orange! Watching your garden grow as well as the crops that surround our farm is a lesson in the abundance and blessing of our life feeding the world!
Prayers for priests this day of St John Vianney... how we need to continue to pray for vocations. John knows many that are at different stages in the seminary... special young men that give us great HOPE for the future of The Church!
Ruth and I combined for a pail of tomatoes...
Now our first 10 jars - it feels good to begin our season of canning for 6 families!
Jesus, I am finding time to time that anxiety and fear and feeling down about myself... It is a spiritual battle waging and how I long to grasp your hand reaching out to me - immediately you are there for me! Why am I sinking when I know in my heart and mind that I can do all things... including walking on water in the midst of the wind and waves buffeting me! I can and I will if I only die to self so that you may live and work in me, because you are leading and guiding me always and without hesitation. Jesus, I trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Our green/cloud Cathedral! Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
So true!
With every breath that I take and every beat of my heart - "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!"
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