"Accept the Kingdom of God like a child..." Mark 10

 11 year old Simon, grandson #1, was an altar server today.  I found myself filled with JOY and laughter watching him kind of do a little slap stick when he was supposed to bring the candle and process ahead of Father carrying Jesus in The Word for the reading of the Gospel.  I attempt to reflect the great JOY I watch my Little Sister Hallel show when the Word is brought forth in mass with The Community of the Lamb!  Her face is alight with great LOVE and beaming with a huge smile - showing her great love for Jesus' Word!  I am always reminded of this Truth and concentrate that this is Jesus, but today it was helped along by Simon's missteps and humble mistakes which made me smile and laugh.  Thank you, Simon. 

 Pat teaching 3 year old granddaughter, Rose Ida, how to genuflect - recognizing Jesus in the tabernacle as her brother Luke is busy following after dad and Mary.  It is up to the adults to teach the little ones, yet they share with us their innocence and humble ways when it comes to Faith.  Jesus reminds us today of how we are to be childlike in how we hold in our hearts the Truth and follow it trustingly!

 A family at home sharing time in our church... Mary was waiting to be trained as an altar server - now she can help on the altar along with Simon and some others. 

 Mary says the Cross is heavy, but being the biggest she gets to carry it!  She is a good sport, too.

I was very touched as we shared rolls in the Church basement.  The topic of abortion came up and how can anyone that has experienced the miracle of birth ever think that abortion is OK.  Simon started to talk about how sad it was that their lives were so short - "They are only a life for such a short time and then they have to leave and be a life in heaven.  They don't even get to be born.  It's so sad."  I asked him if her remembered that we prayed outside an abortion clinic 4 years ago.  "Yes.  Someday I want to be a construction worker and tear down all the abortion clinics and build a hospital there instead."  The words of Jesus in the Gospel today came to me as I listened to the tender heart of Simon answer the huge wrong of taking the life of the innocent in the womb...
Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.  Mark 10:16

Father instructing with hands on approach... Then he (Jesus) embraced them and blessed them, placing his hands on them.

Marriage is also a big part of the readings today, and we all know that it is a lot of hard work!  Father reminded us that we are sustained by The Eucharist and are called to strengthen one another's marriages.  I feel very humbled and weak in how poorly I have been giving without counting the cost in my marriage.  I feel very much like I am not in a place to strengthen others, but need some help.  I guess that is what the Lord asks of us - to be humble at all times.  I have sure learned that well lately. 

 My most Cherished Cross from which I have gained LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!

 We had a wonderful afternoon yesterday sharing harvest with Pat's mom.  It worked out for Pat to spend some great time with us, and he showed her the gluten feed he feeds his cattle along with all that goes on with harvest.  The wonderful matriarch/farm wife she has been all these years - she loved it!

 Corn just out of the field around our house!

Saying "hi" to the heifers and steers that we just born in March!

Following Brad in the grain cart...

 Watching it unload into the truck and then agered into the bin.

 Over to Ruth's house to see the kittens and chickens.

Just back from sharing the Eucharist with her, and sharing the readings/Jesus in his Word!  The Psalm for today certainly speaks of mom's life - open to LIFE!
Blessed are they who fear the Lord,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
 around your table.
May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

May you see your children's children.

Yes, and Happy Birthday!!!

 

Jesus, we thank you for making it quite clear to us that we need to be humble and small in our domestic Church/family.  That we are to look at the example of the young in our midst, for you did not hesitate to "taste death for everyone."  We are asked to follow after you and carry/drag our Most Cherished Cross... we are asked to die to self so that the Holy Spirit may work within us!  It is so hard to do, yet we ask that we may take some small baby steps today as a small child learning to walk - trusting in you always and listening to your beckoning to us - "Come on, you can do it!"  Jesus, we trust in  you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Farmlife has gotten fast!  Mom shared about picking and husking corn with her sister and throwing the cobs into a wagon.  "We were lucky to have a wagon full by noon."  To see the golden corn pouring out of the huge ager on the grain cart is amazing to her!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

 A well orchestrated dance in many ways!

Into the combine, then the graincart, then the truck and through the ager into the bin... Such a great harvest this year that this huge bin is full just from the field around our house!  So thankful for the rains this summer.  Pat is famous for saying; "Rain makes grain."

Today is St Francis feast day!  St. Francis, prophet of Creation and friend of Jesus, pray for us!
Mary is super excited to bring in her bunnies for the pet blessing this afternoon at church!

None better and so important for us to pray for in our lives!  Hear our prayers united with yours St Francis!

Danielle Rose - the Saint the is just me

Casting Crowns -- Glorious day!

Sitting in the car talking with Pat's mom while Ed unloads beans into the grain cart driven by his son, Brad. 

 A pic of Maria and Joseph lately with their Goddaughters!