Wednesday, November 29, 2017

"Stars of heaven bless the Lord; Praise and exalt him above all forever." Daniel 3

A precious keepsake for baby Maximilian arrived yesterday!  Thank you friends, Scott and Alix! 


Just as we feel the presence of Max with us... he was here listening to the fun family times after supper.  Music, of course, for dancing from 6 year old, Augustine, to 1 1/2 year old, Josephine, the laughter, wrestling, dancing, talking, smiling, no screens with total sharing of warm close family time supreme.  It just seemed so special to have this reminder of baby Max... "A loved one who has passed away, doesn't go away...they walk beside us every day,unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear!"  came to us and is so true!
Many times John and I have done the office/morning prayer that includes the highest of praise from Daniel 3... "Praise and exalt him above all forever!"  All the earth is included and beyond!  Today the "stars of heaven bless the Lord" rang close to our hearts here as we mourn the loss of a life.


 Nancy was just sharing her sadness and fears of going through that difficult first trimester "when your life is not your own" due to fatigue and being sick, and to face that again soon is hard!  Yes, those childbearing years are so hard, but the life that results from our sacrifice is a gift that gives for our lifetime!  Little Max will keep our eyes on the highest heavenly reward of being with him and Jesus and Mary forever in heaven!
Lots of snuggly hugs... the kids are aware of the loss, too.  Both Berna and Gus have told their teachers at school that there will not be a new baby at Easter.  Life can change in an instant and there is quite a bit of shock and sadness that comes with a loss.


All that surrounds us in this world will bless the Lord!  Our lives and living out the hard and beautiful makes it all a work of art!
Given the time to watercolor with the kids is one of my most favorite grandma things!  Looking at these give me comfort and will be special in my home to recall this powerful time with Nancy and family - Thanksgiving 2017 will be forever held close to our hearts as we remember Maximilian!
A morning project of making beads bracelet and stringing them= lots to get off the floor!


The Gospel today speaks of perseverance in our faith journey no matter the obstacles and hardships we face as we follow down the narrow path after Jesus!  Yes, there will be those if we place Jesus first in our lives. We are not only asked to follow after Jesus, but take up our Cross and follow after him!  That Cross has become the Tree of LIFE and through it we find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT.  Yes, the LIFE of our Max is now in heaven, and that is sad and hard and we miss him... yet, it keeps our sights set on heaven and meeting him there someday!
Beautiful flowers from friends... we were just talking about placing some with Max on Saturday while we have the special prayer service at his graveside in Marshall.  "See you in heaven" Nancy and the kids put on this...  Yes!
Josephine has the mop to help (?) too!
But a horsey is even better!


Our hearts are full and our time is filled with the needs and joys and ups and downs of the little ones all around us!  The knowledge of being surrounded by family this weekend on the farm and having a place on earth to visit little Max at the Calvary Cemetery in Marshall in the section set apart for infant loss... and a special service/send off for our newest family member... comfort and peace fill our hearts!
A picture of life and sharing family time with a house full of little ones. 


Jesus, no matter what comes to us as we look to the Truth and live it out in our day to day lives... we know that it is according to your plan and that you are in control and we are called to trust in you and to persevere running the race to the finish line!  It calls for us to die to self and allow the Holy Spirit to live in us and to become the hands and feet of Christ!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah
Maximilian has a tiny precious crucifix around his neck... so true of how we are called to embrace the Cross of death of our 20 week old grandson/son/nephew/hoped for new life.  The cross is what brought us our salvation and it is a part of our journey no matter how much we wish it weren't so painful.  It is a reminder that we need to give our all without counting the cost.  Max joined William and Robert (my two 20 week boys) in leaving us sad and early.  Yet, there is comfort knowing that they are no longer called upon to suffer here, and as a dear friend shared, who had also experienced a still born granddaughter..."Jesus being what he first saw when he opened his eyes."  Yes!  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke

Nancy has marveled numerous times about how healing and amazing it is to have Hallel here in KC and able to come and share prayer and comfort with her sister in the hospital!  Coporal works of mercy lived out and a lesson that it is not too early to share our love and concern with those sick in the hospital!  There was also a priest that came and prayed over Maximilian in the hospital this first evening after his birth!  We are so blessed with so much we are given through our amazing Catholic Church... Jesus and His Bride, The Church give us more than we can ever want with each new day and with each new Cross in our journey!
Max will be buried close to the angel in this special section for loss in the Catholic Cemetery in Marshall!  Fr Craig will be with us to lead us in prayers for him and our family. 
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Nancy has been known to say this; "if we really believed that it was Jesus on the altar we would be crawling up there on our knees!"  Yes!
The Gospel - Ryan Stevenson
Danielle Rose - True LOVE/the Cross













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