Before Jesus took up his cross.. he was telling us to take up ours!!! He shows us how and gives us help!

Singing Pat happy birthday and God is blessing you now surrounded by many of his blessings!!!  Ruth and Paul's 6 and John and Bobbi on the path to parenthood in March!  We had just shared mass, and came to our fall decorated porch to celebrate Pat's birthday a day late.

While reading over the readings for mass today last night with Pat before bed after sharing evening prayer... it struck me that in the Gospel Jesus is talking to the disciples about the cross we must take up and follow after him even before he actually had been put there himself!  Wow!  The Cross is a stumbling block indeed knowing of the horrible death that Jesus suffered for us now after the fact, but imagine his words shocking and hurting them before he was called to embrace the Tree of LIFE/the Cross for us!
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me. 
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it."
Mark 8/the Gospel from mass today!

Some talk of starting bean harvest any time now!  Yes, Lord, give us harvest blessings!

James reminds us of how our faith is supposed to materialize in our lives, our families/domestic Church, our day to day lives, our every activity, our work... by works!
"...faith of itself,
if it does not have works, is dead."  James 2
I am not the best at this, and I know that I need to do better in giving without counting the cost and when there is a need meet it in every way I can.  When I am at Ruth's house with the kids there are times I could be helping out more around the house instead of being on my computer or phone, or I could be reading to the kids or playing with them... Lord, help me to be better about not always wanting to do what I want to do.

Pat got home late last night and we sat out on the porch for his birthday supper.  It was special to use a cup from our village in France, Fanjeaux!   While we were there for the week was their town festival and Pat would go out into the square where the rock band would play night after night from 11p-4a!  He would get a glass of orange flavored beer in these cups that we now have to remind us of our adventure in France!  

"It was an experience like none other, and like most won't get to experience in that ancient town on a hill in rural France!  Those streets were crazy and probably 500 years old as was the Church at the top of the hill and our house just a block away!"  from Pat!

A family heirloom was presented to the Lanoue family after mass... a tiny rosary that is part of a bracelet on the Thooft  side of the family!

Mary models it... It was special to sit behind Ruth and Paul with their six at mass.  They were very reverent and well behaved!

 Joy started walking a month ago while we were in France!  She is very at home in church, as she has been there most every Sunday since her birth about 18 months ago.  Unless they were out of town... every Sunday.  It is hard to keep her shoes on... I imagine  that tile feels cool and smooth on her feet!

She can reach the Holy water and came back time and again.  It reminded me of Father Gerry, who encouraged us to play in the Holy Water at the Easter Vigil.  It reminds me of this great song..."taking a bath in it..."

Peter Mayer - Holy Now

 There is nothing better than to share mass with our extended family!  To see how comfortable and peaceful and engaged they are to the most important part of their week... receiving Jesus in His Word, Body and Blood!

Happy busy girl while...

The family is visiting in our beautiful church bathed in sunlight, and aglow on the inside after receiving Christ!

Rose was so cute during the creed... looking up at her dad with a glowing smile when we said her name - "rose again."  It is her special connection she discovered when she was about 3, and prefers to be called, Rose Again!

I had a lot of fun making a harvest table with corn from the fields and soybeans along with squash from the garden and apples from the tree!

 It looks like sweet corn, but that one is for the cows, livestock, oil, and many other products Joy!  Farmers feeding the world is about to kick into high gear any day now!

Apple fresh off the tree is much better right?

Lord, you promise us that no matter the difficulties we face that you will be our help!  I am so weak and poor at being a good servant, but I can do better with your help!  May I give without counting the cost, and live the motto of The Community of the Lamb..."Wounded, I will not cease to love."  Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

My champion for LIFE showing his happiness at being surrounded by family!  Pat's wisdom/the Holy Spirit speaking through him after our engagement weekend... we wanted a large family and no one else did!  "Are we being selfish to want a lot of kids?"  Pat's answer with no hesitation..."The world needs lights!"  Yes!!!   3 new grandchildren coming in March!  Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

Family time supreme!!!  Fall looking fields and a hot breezy morning spent with family!

John's video if you missed it...

How I love, love, love The Church!!!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

I love this idea... who will I ask to join me today?  I am thinking St Patrick maybe or St Augustine, or St Bernadette, or St Agnes... I love the Saints!!!