I had the strangest experience with this kitten from Ruth's spring litters... he chose me to love! He purrs and rubs on my legs and climbs in my lap to get petted and as Ruth said; "He doesn't do that to me or the kids." So... he came home to live with Pat, I, and the other cat, Johosephat/Fatty for short. Pat says that he is one lucky kitten as his days were numbered at the farm with a dog and equipment. He is settling in nicely and is a companion to me while Pat is away for his long work days. I think my guardian angel is instrumental in sending this purry sweet kitty to me.
Discovering the back of the couch view of the yard with the sun setting in the West so early already. I currently have him on my keyboard and then playing with my toes in the socks . Where I am he is soon to follow... Now I have a purry head rest behind me on the back of the couch. No longer alone and happy to have a loving companion... although he is learning to know the porch from time to time.
His name... the kids named him Cookie after a female cat they had while they lived here. She had many kittens and got her name because when David got her for his 6th birthday she ate a cookie at the party! It will be fun for the kids to come over and see their cat grow big and nice and spoiled by grandma!
I got a kick out of this sign on the door of the bathroom in our shop... yes, family is what we love to promote and is what we are all about! I think of the wonderful parties we had there this summer... John's groom supper with all 15 of our grandkids having a wonderful time and many other families brought their children to be a part of the family celebration.
We also had a neighborhood party for families there a few weeks later and Ruth and Paul used the clean decorated shop to host their Teams of Our Lady family party for a couple that was moving away. How we love to share our wonderful farm life and our love of family along with the Faith that we share as a domestic Church/family!
The readings today are amazing... the first one reminds me of Nancy and Bill's wedding as they used this for their second reading! They had just gone through Theology of the Body and it spoke so powerfully to them of how we are to be loving in a marriage!
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ loved the Church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the Church,
because we are members of his Body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
even as Christ loved the Church
and handed himself over for her to sanctify her,
cleansing her by the bath of water with the word,
that he might present to himself the Church in splendor,
without spot or wrinkle or any such thing,
that she might be holy and without blemish.
So also husbands should love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one hates his own flesh
but rather nourishes and cherishes it,
even as Christ does the Church,
because we are members of his Body.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
Ephesians 5:21-33
Nancy and Bills wedding day - The Feast of St Augustine/August 28,2010!
Nancy has become my girl that Loves Our Lady!!! She is promoting her daily now with her planner...
Nearly every day I get an email from one of you lovely ladies wondering when the Marian Themed Liturgical Planners (December '18-December '19) will be available.
The answer: ALL SAINT'S DAY! Yup, in just a few days!
The beautiful Marian Planner to has been updated to run through the entire calendar year of 2019 and will be ready for you on November 1st!
The planner will be available on the very same day as the Jesse Tree Booklet. I did this deliberately so that if you want both books, you can pay less in shipping by combining your order.
ALSO, just like I did with the Academic version of the planner, I will be offering a FREE GOSPEL REFLECTION COLORING JOURNAL for those that grab a planner on the first day they are available--November 1st!
The Gospel Reflection Coloring Journal is a simple booklet with a verse taken from each week's Sunday Gospel reading. I designed it so that you can color the verses as well as some floral elements around the verse. For each verse there is also an opposing page with lines so that you can take homily notes, keep a prayer journal or rewrite the verse to aid in memorization.
This book, once again, is FREE and included with your planner as long as you are able to purchase your planner on November 1st!
After that date, the Gospel Reflection Coloring Journal will be available for $7...so mark your calendars!
I have been using the Marian Themed Planner since August and I can't wait to share it with more of you. The designer did a really great job this year, and it is such an easy, beautiful way to get to know Mary.
Look for an email from me with links to grab a planner once they are live!
Your sister in the small things,
Nancy
Archbishop Naumann is who I have to thank for bringing The Community of the Lamb to the U.S. and that Hallel lived there last year and now this year!
He will be officiating at the dedication of The Little Brother's monastery this next weekend in KC just down the hill from Lumen Christi/Light of Christ which is the Little Sister's monastery! I am either driving down there alone or with Pat if he can get away! The Little Brother's Monastery is devoted to Mary, the Mother of God! Love that!
Nancy met Our Lady when she was suffering the loss of her 20 week Maximilian!
https://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2018/02/mary-is-real-and-she-loves-you-2.html
The hours we spent waiting for Maximilian to be delivered were some of the darkest I have experienced. I wept until I was completely dehydrated and numb, and yet, in those moments I also received one of the most profound gifts of my life.
I was allowed to experience Mary.
Thanks to all I had been taught growing up Catholic, I knew to call on Mary in my pain. I began to pray the ‘Hail Mary’, aloud and silently, and when that seemed too much, I fell into simply saying her name. “Mary, Mary, Mary,” and as I did, I could feel her presence in that room. She did not come gradually, but suddenly and all at once, as if she had been just waiting for me to call.
Thinking back on those moments I can visualize exactly where she was standing in the room, just to the right of my bed, looking directly at me. I never doubted that she was really there, right there. But more than anything I remember feeling a deep stillness emanating from where she stood. I knew she was there gazing on me with love.
My experience of Mary was really quite simple. There were no bright lights or premonitions or words from heaven. Just a feeling of peace and love, and the comfort of knowing that she was there and she loved me.
The weeks and months following the loss of our little Maximilian have been difficult, and I expect more struggles as we attempt to get pregnant and once more open ourselves up to the pain of loss. But the gift Mary gave me in that hospital room has endured. I no longer feel her presence as strongly as I did that day, but I am left with the knowledge of who she is.
And I can honestly say that I know Mary now. I tasted her love for me. I was able to touch, for just a few minutes, her tender hand and I know now that those same hands are holding my little Maximilian up in heaven.
The knowledge that Mary is really there has changed everything. I cling to my Rosary and attempt to carry her with me everywhere.
And not just that, it has set me on a mission.
It breaks my heart to think that so many people face pain and suffering without Mary at their side, especially when she is so willing to fly to their side, if only they call. So, I am on a mission to increase Marian devotion through the Rosary.
The mission has begun with me. I have committed to a daily Rosary for the rest of my life.
Next, I’m working to build Marian devotion in my family. This will be a central focus for us during Lent.
Nancy
Learning at the feet of my daughters is beyond amazing! Yesterday I mentioned that Ruth and Paul model for me how to be life-giving in their marriage. Nancy and Bill also are sharing their light they have found through St JPII and his Theology of the Body, and much more including Nancy's love of Mary and how she is with us daily and is so wonderful to have sharing our journeys! Hallel and her Community are such a lesson on humility and prayer and dishes! Maria and
Joseph share how important it is to be a faithfilled Catholic family in the ! John shares how we find Faith through The Cross... i am one lucky mom to share my faith with my children and they TEACH me!
Our 5 that we share this journey with at Ruth's wedding in 2003 November... Maria entered the Poor Clares 2 months later on Jan 1st!
Yes, Pat and I thought we would have 12 kids! We do but 7 are in heaven keeping our eyes focused on meeting them someday in heaven forever with Jesus, Mary and all the Saints and now we have added 5 grandchildren to their number.
Jesus, we love you and long to follow you down the narrow path with heaven/eternal life at the end. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Just back from a glorious hour of Adoration! The best hour that I spend all week! Jesus, Mary and Joseph save souls! Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke
https://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2015/07/the-blessing-of-family-affirmation.html?fbclid=IwAR0KhjarrnezVAvAfNzJYEyw2YyccypYKOUFi9pXUVGVBv1JPoJBwrAWPMs
A great read! Another lesson learned from my girls!
John burns to share what he has been given!
Casting Crowns - If we are the body
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