"You can't have cake grandpa... you are in mom's phone!" Dominic/"Your rod and your staff they give me courage" Psalm 23

Nancy just shared this.... Love on so many levels!
"A calmer moment snapped during our adoration hour this morning. I’ve been taking the kids to a weekly adoration hour for a year now, and although it isn’t easy (surprise, they’re still kids) it is getting better. 
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They understand it’s Jesus up there, they look for the sweet Laotian man who brings us treats every week (he brought durian flavored crackers this week 🤷🏻‍♀️) and I am able to actually pray, which feels a bit like a miracle.
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Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of adoration!"
Nancy

Grandpa and Dominic sharing prayer time a month ago in Lumen Christi during Nancy's weekly hour!  Our Holy and special place with our Community of the Lamb!

Last night Nancy face timed us as the kids were eating their birthday cake and ice cream for Bernadette's 6th birthday.  Grandpa was into the scene and asked Dominic if he could have a piece next.  "You can't have cake, grandpa, you are in mom's phone."  Pat and I both had a great laugh, and first thing this morning after a somewhat challenging night Pat poked his head in the bedroom smiling...."Don't forget: "You can't have cake grandpa.  You are in mom's phone!"  The little things that cheer me up and give me courage to face this and go forward!

I am feeling better after a slow achy start to my day.  These two stopped in and Ruth had put a new outfit on Joy just for grandma to snap a few I am sure!  She came over with her other grandma today, who is holding down the fort while Ruth, Paul and Pat are checking the 180 cows for being pregnant.  Phyllis reports that it is going smoothly and soon she will feed everyone including the Vet.

The 23rd Psalm is always amazing, but today the middle portion from mass today really spoke to me.  
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

This past week has been rough, and the frosting was put on the cake when my physical therapist walked in the door and she was who I had hoped I would see... the wife of my dear nephew, who recently returned to work after maternity leave.  She was wonderful and already I am reaping benefits from her kind input!  The rod and the staff really do give me courage as she told me to do the exercises 3 times a day and get up every hour!  Her "rod" with a loving smile is giving me the courage I need, and I am leaning on the staff pretty hard,with daily improvements!  Thank you, Lord, for giving me wonderful kind help that I can share from the heart with!

Joy putting away her toys before they go home to make dinner for the farm workers after a busy morning.

All the readings today are full of so much!!!
..."because of his mercy,
he saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life."
I Titus 3

Courage gained and HOPE for eternal life at the end of this narrow hard path, from time to time.  Working hard for a better future.  There was no time to do this before John's wedding or between John's wedding and Hallel's final vows in France.  I managed, but now better for the future!

Only 3 pictures taken while they were here... Joy taught me yesterday that I need to be looking at her with my eyes and my heart and not with my camera lens.  

Yes, i was humbled and i saw myself... your right Joy.  Who needs all those pictures of each moment with you?  You are so cute and adorable though!

And then there is the glorious Gospel from Luke 17 of the healing of the 10 lepers!  Only one returns to thank him by falling at his feet in Thanksgiving!  I feel that I have fallen at his feet right now... weak and a mess of a human being, yet just as the leper was one minute a mess of a human being and then made whole... I do see that this new knee will give me a better life with hubby, kids, and grandkids.  I am thankful Lord, and soon I will be able to do as you command... "Stand up and go;
your faith has saved you."  Luke 17:19

Getting up is hard, but I will do the work and become a better me to love and serve you, Lord, without counting the cost!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb