"To serve not to be served"

After communion Joy came back in her grandpa's big arms to sit on his lap and rest her head on his broad shoulders.  How they adore time together.

 Her brother, David, up ahead is motioning for her to come back with her family, and she smiles at him, and after the final blessing and a closing song by The Sisters of Mary Morning Star of the Hail Mary in angelic voices... she goes up to be with mom, dad and her 5 other siblings! 

Her finger in his huge strong hands... sharing the :LIGHT of Christ all around them. 

Sitting there with my spouse of 40 years and aware of our oldest daughter with her beautiful family up in the front pew and our youngest child, John with his new wife and soon to be parents in March... I recalled the stage Pat set for us to worship always as a family no matter how young our baby was or how early the mass was after milking cows first and getting 4 girls ready in their Sunday best "with ribbons in their hair, and then you had that boy!"  I have heard that so many times over the years... there was an audible sigh when we walked in with that blue bundle the first time, and he was just days old no doubt! 

Like angels as the Sisters shared the prayer to Our Lady closing mass!!!

I giggled when during the creed Rose joyfully jumped when we said..."Rose again."  Ruth looked at her with Love and understanding how Rose has found a special relation to her faith in such a personal and sweet way!

I see the results of Pat wanting us there as a family and sharing our Faith with JOY each week.  There would be a happy and kidding attitude in the car going home after mass each week among the kids and never was there fault finding or negative things said about any part of our family worship.  Rather positive things were shared and mass was looked forward to and positive and there are only good memories of the best family times of our week.  We would always share the breakfasts or things going on after church.  Church was our home and continues to be for ALL of our family now numbering 26 going on 29!  Each day I thank the Lord for sharing our Faith as a family... there is nothing more wonderful in my book!

Sr Ode of Sisters of Mary Morning Star is a great friend of Bobbi and her mom , Lila!  She also has a connection to our Community of the Lamb as she was classmates in France to Little Brother Francis Savior. 

I love the look of love on John's face for his beautiful bride, and how she and her mom serve the sisters in Ghent!  Father Denny preached today about how the 3 readings were all speaking about how we are called "to serve and not be served."  There was a beautiful picture of that exact thing lived out during the banquet of LIFE on the altar... the young altar boy forgot about the handwashing and Fr Mark went with him holding the towel for father Denny to dry his hands... "serving" and the Gospel comes to life!
"Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant;
whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. 
For the Son of Man did not come to be served
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."  Mark 10:45

A warm moment between friends!

Joy with the cane I will be using... getting my right knee replaced on Nov 7th... worried and scared to go through this again, but hopeful for a new Barb more able to be active and healthier.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

John wants to return the love and mercy he has been given!!
"For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin. 
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help."
Hebrews 4

Danielle Rose - the Saint that is just me

Dear lovely sisters: Children are very susceptible to the "thought influence" of their mothers. This means that you should be guarding your thoughts and your actions, as far as they are concerned. You should also be praying for GOD's grace and guidance as a mother, and be praying for your children daily.

If you would like to facilitate in your children a calm, quiet and loving disposition, work to exhibit the same disposition yourself. Look to Mary, the Queen of Peace, as your model to emulate. Then your attitude of thought, and your behavior, will have a stronger influence on them. (This applies to influencing our husbands as well.) 

Try not to exhibit toward your children any feeling of impatience. Try not to be fearful or anxious regarding them. Just be patient, loving and kind. Trust that GOD's Spirit is always working in you and helping you to exhibit the qualities you would like to see in your children, and knowing that they are in your little ones, ready for unfoldment.

A prayer: 

"Heavenly FATHER, help me and my children to be agents of Your Love. Fill our entire beings with Your love, and enfold us always in Your everlasting arms of peace. 

Grant that the peace and harmony of the Holy Spirit will live in us forever more. May it continue to work in our hearts, minds, and bodies, so that we will always be peaceful, harmonious and loving, and so we can be saints and carry out Your Will.

In the Name of the FATHER, SON and the HOLY SPIRIT. Amen."

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