Share motherhood... Prayers without ceasing..."In my distress I called upon the Lord,my rock, my fortress, my deliverer"

I planned for this more updated version of my 5 when Hallel came home for the first time in 4 years almost a year ago now!

There was some grumbling among them and heavy sighs, but I was gifted with this and it now resides on my wall of FAMILY!  It came to me today as I am finally able to sit down and share after a tidal wave of family experiences and the gift of reading a special article by Nancy...

http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2015/09/the-sisterhood-of-mothers.html

April of 2013... these 3 babies are now 5 years old! 

Nancy used this picture of her and her sisters holding their babies... and had me in tears with her sharing... take the time to read the entire post!!!

"My sister Ruth has taught me to be a mother–but even more than that, on that day I was so grateful to share motherhood with her.  In those small moments as we rinse dishes or nurse babies, in the moments between big moments, when we have a chance to laugh about all of the craziness, I have learned to live this life and love it.  When the kids are screaming, pots boiling over and the baby’s dirty, I look over at her and she smiles.  Yup, this is our life, she seems to say.  This is what we both do, every day.  It’s rough, but we are willing to keep going because we know it’s worth it."

It was so special to read her words of "happiness" at the life they live and share, along with their sister, Maria, as they are open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS!  How blessed was I with the words of the Holy Spirit through my husband before our marriage and now into the next generation! 

http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

Love!!!

And there is the tabernacle/Jesus, who gives us the strength to love and give without counting the cost which is what motherhood to many is all about!

Lots of gratitude for guardian angels in many forms helping out dad after a fall while out yesterday..."I am made of rubber."  No, not really, but so many prayers always a part of each day seem to be a protective bubble around you!


We know that life could change in an instant of any of us!   All we can do is start and end day with prayer and all the times in between!  We are humbled by life and give all our trust to Jesus, who is in control of our lives.  We see his works on our left and on our right and in the midst of our huge family with all the many needs that keeps us on our knees!  With over 120+ now in my extended family there is no lack for needs! 

One of my favorite things about my visits to my parents is sharing morning prayer with them from the Office!  I now have it on my phone and dad leads with mom and I sharing the response.  Then on to prayers for the family.  How we love The Church built upon the Rock of Peter!

This made me smile and rejoice!!! The Grotto to Our Lady at The University of Mary in Bismarck, ND!  We donated to it, and it is an answer to prayer from our daughters!  Nancy even went to the Sister, who was the President and asked her where Mary was as she was the namesake of the college... she got no real answer, but now Bishop Shae has brought it to reality in a wonderful way!  There is now a Catholic Studies program that goes to Rome for a semester, too!  He has transformed the place!

Now it truly is The University of Mary with this in the heart of the campus!  She will be at work in their lives of those attending and then into their lives and homes and FAMILIES!


Jesus, how we long to love and serve you with our ALL!  We are forever grateful to have your Mother, Mary Most Holy, with us in our homes and allowing us to find a small slice of heaven/happiness in the midst of our domestic Church/families.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

A bracelet dad bought me about 10 years ago when they lived in South Dakota... just an hour and a half from our door to theirs!  Those were special 3 years for me!

I look for it for St Patrick's Day, of course, and that is a connection always to my sister, Mary, whose 60th birthday would have been last week on St Patrick's Day!  She died at age 28 from cancer... this rug was made by my mother for Mary and was returned to her on the event of her death!  A fond memory of Mary!  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke


http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

A beautiful home filled with peace and Faith! 

Saint Teresa of Calcutta is my hero for LIFE and family, and doing great work from heaven I am sure!

give it up!!! He is in control!

"The road is narrow. He who wishes to travel it more easily must cast off all things and use the cross as his cane. In other words, he must be truly resolved to suffer willingly for the love of God in all things."
– St. John of the Cross

Both my parents use canes - the cross as a cane!!!

“God does not inspire us to do what cannot be done.”
– St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Wow!!!