Anticipating our many photos in France in a couple weeks! This was Christmas and what made it so special was that Pat requested this picture with his Susan/Hallel! A rarity and Hallel is glowing with great genuine JOY and happiness!
Today marks a landmark date for Pat and I... our 40th anniversary! My one wish for this day has happened!!! My husband and I got to mass and even were given a blessing! It just feels like the best start to our 41st year we could have ever hoped for.
With our only son, John, on his wedding day on June 2nd at the beginning of the summer... now we are gearing up to celebrate Hallel's wedding on August 15th in France ! No better more wonderful way to celebrate our 40 years!
I am just so happy that Pat was able to go to mass with me today! He is off now cutting hay which has to dry and get baled and picked up and covered before we leave here in 10 days! In there is the County Fair... Jesus, we trust in you! How we rely on our Lord to keep us safe and sane! The words from the Psalm today are so true!
"But I pray to you, O LORD,
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me."
for the time of your favor, O God!
In your great kindness answer me
with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me."
Psalm 69
It was a delight to have Pat suggest that we go back and talk to Father about putting something in the bulletin for Hallel's vows! Going back to talk to Father was great, and he so agreed that it would be good to share our joy and her happiness at this amazing option of being a Bride of Christ! I could also ask him for a special blessing on this day marking our 40th wedding anniversary!
I just talked to Pat's oldest sister on the phone, and her comment of this marriage being the Lord's amazing plan was so true! How special when you patiently wait and pray and trust for 10 long years! That look of JOY on Bobbi's face says it all!!!
I know that Grace was moved by this sharing by Bobbi at the reception!!
Bobbi's story she shared at the reception as well as with Hallel!
After being classmates for all 13 years for them to come together 10 years after graduating is kind of special. She shared to the 300 family and friends gathered at the reception in her sweet humble way about how John Verly popped into her head and heart when they were seniors in HS as her future husband. Time and time again the same answer came to her through prayer and roses from St Therese and opening her eyes to see him right in front of her at WYD in Australia... When we consider what John experienced over those 10 years... brain cancer, seminary, girl friends, ups and downs and how disheartening it probably was and how powerful her prayers were for him!!!! Amazing!!! And how patient and trusting and prayerful and waiting and praying for John, this sweet girl was!
Lord, how we need you and are overwhelmed by your great unconditional love and forgiveness! "With your constant help" we are able to go forward down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross and finding LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT eternal. May we always recognize you in all that we do each day and give over the control to you. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Hebrews 13:7-9a
Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you; consider how their lives ended, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.
"God always forgives when you are totally repentant and you desire to change. He forgives...and He never gets tired of forgiving. Never. You may get tired of asking. I hope not. He never, never tires of forgiving." Never.”
Mother Angelica
Loving Jesus Above All Things:
BLESSED is he who appreciates what it is to love Jesus and who despises himself for the sake of Jesus. Give up all other love for His, since He wishes to be loved alone above all things.
Affection for creatures is deceitful and inconstant, but the love of Jesus is true and enduring. He who clings to a creature will fall with its frailty, but he who gives himself to... Jesus will ever be strengthened.
Love Him, then; keep Him as a friend. He will not leave you as others do, or let you suffer lasting death. Sometime, whether you will or not, you will have to part with everything. Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to the glory of Him who alone can help you when all others fail.
Your Beloved is such that He will not accept what belongs to another -- He wants your heart for Himself alone, to be enthroned therein as King in His own right. If you but knew how to free yourself entirely from all creatures, Jesus would gladly dwell within you.
You will find, apart from Him, that nearly all the trust you place in men is a total loss. Therefore, neither confide in nor depend upon a wind-shaken reed, for "all flesh is grass" and all its glory, like the flower of grass, will fade away.
You will quickly be deceived if you look only to the outward appearance of men, and you will often be disappointed if you seek comfort and gain in them. If, however, you seek Jesus in all things, you will surely find Him. Likewise, if you seek yourself, you will find yourself -- to your own ruin. For the man who does not seek Jesus does himself much greater harm than the whole world and all his enemies could ever do.
Imitation of Christ, Book 2 Chapter 7.
BLESSED is he who appreciates what it is to love Jesus and who despises himself for the sake of Jesus. Give up all other love for His, since He wishes to be loved alone above all things.
Affection for creatures is deceitful and inconstant, but the love of Jesus is true and enduring. He who clings to a creature will fall with its frailty, but he who gives himself to... Jesus will ever be strengthened.
Love Him, then; keep Him as a friend. He will not leave you as others do, or let you suffer lasting death. Sometime, whether you will or not, you will have to part with everything. Cling, therefore, to Jesus in life and death; trust yourself to the glory of Him who alone can help you when all others fail.
Your Beloved is such that He will not accept what belongs to another -- He wants your heart for Himself alone, to be enthroned therein as King in His own right. If you but knew how to free yourself entirely from all creatures, Jesus would gladly dwell within you.
You will find, apart from Him, that nearly all the trust you place in men is a total loss. Therefore, neither confide in nor depend upon a wind-shaken reed, for "all flesh is grass" and all its glory, like the flower of grass, will fade away.
You will quickly be deceived if you look only to the outward appearance of men, and you will often be disappointed if you seek comfort and gain in them. If, however, you seek Jesus in all things, you will surely find Him. Likewise, if you seek yourself, you will find yourself -- to your own ruin. For the man who does not seek Jesus does himself much greater harm than the whole world and all his enemies could ever do.
Imitation of Christ, Book 2 Chapter 7.
Thomas A'Kempis!!!
“In trial or difficulty I have recourse to Mother Mary, whose glance alone is enough to dissipate every fear.”
-Saint Therese of Lisieux
-Saint Therese of Lisieux
University of Mary - Immaculate Mary Altar!!! Both Ruth and Nancy went there for their college!
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