"Be patient with me..."

Luke playing with playdough while the newly white world outside the huge patio doors is a beautiful backdrop with the 3 inches of new snow that dropped overnight and blanketed our world.  Pat was up a lot of the night with 2 new calves and bedding so any new calf would be born on dry bedding.  It is a challenging time of year on the farm and the snow adds to the work. 

It was a special time with Pat's mom yesterday as we worked together to have a special welcoming surprise for caregiver, RaTerra, when she arrived home from a weekend away.  Pat's mom dried the dishes from her wheelchair, and got herself around the kitchen and office.  "I can do it." is her motto.  So nice to have her sharing the excitement and preparation. 

The morning prayer and readings today are about forgiveness... "The Gospel today is where Peter asks Jesus how often he should forgive 'as many as 7 times?'  What does Jesus say to him?"  "No, 70 times 7 times."  "I always think that too, but am surprised to read Jesus say; 'No, 77 times."  Either way it is more than we can ever imagine having to forgive over and over and over... I would say that in a marriage we are called to forgive that often each year!  Probably 70x7 times is closer to it!

A picture of service and LOVE!

Today in morning prayer this phrase, which we repeat numerous times daily in The Our Father was shared - Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.  This line above all others I slow down to really say and think about and mean with all my heart when I say The Our Father.  Yes, we are called to forgive as we have been forgiven and who better to remind us 77 times than Jesus?  Just ponder all that he has forgiven us for in the last few days, and all those big things that we are going to lay at his feet in the confessional on first Saturday this weekend!  That probably adds up to 7x70 times right there!

Coming down the steps where our computer table used to be Ruth has this sweet light fixture above where the kids will have a homework/craft table...

Now up and down with my camera setting in the dark...

Reading the parable of the King and the debtor, who was ordered to be sold along with his family to pay off his debt..."Be patient with me and I will pay you back in full." he begged on his knees... He was then forgiven all!  The debtor in turn beat and threw into jail a man who owed him a fraction, and we all know how it ends..."You wicked servant!  I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.  Should you not have pity on your fellow servant, as I had pity on you?"  How often do we think that we have been wrongly attacked and that if only the other person had some patience with our missteps, but are we patient with theirs?  Do we lose our patience at the drop of the hat, too?  If we could find that place where we recall our own sinfulness, failures and mistakes, wouldn't we be more patient and forgiving?  Help us Lord to find this place in us.

Aglow with LIGHT at last!  Now the flooring starting at noon, and then the cupboards and then the bathrooms will be put in and the counters and the sink and the stove and fridge... the end is in sight!  I am so ready to find a new normal.

Jesus, how we long to find more patience in our lives with those we come in contact with most especially those in our domestic Church/family.  It seems that those we spend our closest time with in our family- those that we love the most challenge our forgiveness and ability to be patient with them is pushed to the limits.   May we recall how often we are forgiven by you each moment of each day.  The picture would have been one of thanksgiving and JOY if only the debtor had payed it forward and in turn forgiven what the man owed him.  There would have been much healing and LIGHT rather than being cast into the dark prison and the tortures set to work on us.  What are the torturers?  The angers and resentments and hate that fills us when we treat others with revenge and do not forgive their trespasses against us.  Lord, free us from our chains in the confessional!  Thank you for the wisdom and Truth we find in your True Church!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen.

Learning to play in the new home on the farm!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

I love her insight into how we are to be childlike just as Jesus told us!

Yes, we need look to the Cross to remember how often he forgives us each day!

So much in this Truth!  How often do we feel that Satan is laughing at the lies he has made the world believe, and in turn think that The Truth is falsehood? 

Francesca Batistelli - Lead me to the Cross

Laura Daigle - Trust in you

After a month with them... it is fun to see them at home now in KC.

Berna definitely misses her braids by grandma...

Yep...

Good to see that green on your plate, Dom!

Yes, Gus is adjusting too.  He has even started preschool in KC!