The Pat and Barb Verly family and their 5 children, in laws and grandkids along with many prayer warriors have been drawn together by John's cancer... sharing daily for 8 months started this blog- Family Soul Story - Our faith, family, farm and now our cancer journey called HEALING have colored and deepened our world. WE continue to share and depend on the support of our prayer warrior community, that has lowered us into the Lord's presence for His healing!
It is precious to see Luke being a thoughtful big brother to his baby sister, Joy! On Sunday I think there was an audible sigh of sweetness to see him helping Joy up and down the steps to put her offering envelope in the basket on the altar. There is nothing better to give your kids than siblings... stuff is a far cry from the blessings of many siblings!
They will always be united by family sharing their faith with JOY on the farm! Nothing better!!!
Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD? or who may stand in his holy place? He whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain. R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Psalm 24 from mass today says just this... sharing our journey with others in our families - open to life and raising lights... is how we can strive to be holy and not desire after vain selfish things which have no value in comparison and lead us away from dying to self so that Christ can live and work though us as we share the LOVE he has given to us!
It is such a gift to raise those little ones as LIGHTS! Our Catholic faith is so rich and amazing and there is no end to what we are given each day for this journey!
Today in the Gospel Jesus speaks to us about putting our light on the lampstand to give light to all around us! Why hide our sins and darkness as it will all be brought to the light and if only we admit them and lay them at the feet of Jesus in the confessional and hear him forgive us through the priest... we are washed clean and bask in the LIGHT of Truth!
Soon this picture will add another baby boy in just a month! LOVE!
John and Bobbi's precious feet are just a month and a half away from joining our big growing family - their first!!! So very excited to welcome our 3 new members over the next month!
News from Nancy, who took her 4 to adoration yesterday at Lumen Christi/LIGHT of Christ Monastery in KC. Hallel is now off her crutches - Bernadette said; "She doesn't need britches any more!" Yeah!!!
Ruth's 2 youngest are in the tub playing this morning, and their sibs actually got to school for the first time all week!
I am soon to be leaving on an adventure with hubby to see my parents and then to attend a funeral for our niece's grandpa. The daughter of my sister, Mary, who died of cancer 33 years ago. When she died at 28 and Audrey was only 20 months... those grandparents helped out her widower dad to raise her on the dairy farm in Wisconsin. Pat milked cows with them and has shared with them over the years, so he is willing and able to make the effort to attend her grandpa's funeral. The roots of family go deep and are very important to share our support and faith! https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
St John Bosco today!
Jesus, we are so overwhelmed by all that comes to help us on the journey each day! Jesus,Mary, the Saints, Sacraments, prayer... each beat of my heart and breath that I take! Jesus, I trust in you. Bless-bless, Barb
Beautiful Truth! Boiling water freeze in air.
9 years ago... our family brought together to fight the battle for John's life against brain cancer! Today is John's 9th birthday when his seeds/stem cells were transplanted, and he was cancer free which has continued to this day! https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html
Anointed by Father Craig before his brain biopsy at Mayo! We always put our faith first and foremost... It was how we got through it all and we know that John's healing came from that uplifting in prayer and the Sacraments, and the Saints... most especially Blessed Solanus Casey and Mary the Mother of God and Queen of the Saints!
The Gospel today of the parable of the sower and the seeds from Mark 4:1-20 was the reading on the day that John's stem cells were planted in his rich and fertile soil. So powerful, and very poignant as in the last few days we have been working on applying for his speaking at next year's NCYC!
Miraculously we arrive in France for Hallel's taking of her habit!
Today is one of the coldest days in history! So the thought of planting seeds in January is especially crazy to consider. I recall our times in our little yellow house in Rochester 9 years ago for John's stem cell transplant - 5 weeks - as cold and snowy as we expect in Minnesota. Yes, it was January in Minnesota when John's stem cells/seeds were planted, and they grew a hundred fold and beyond... probably a million fold the beautiful miraculous way our bodies are created by our God! I am in awe!!!
John coming out of the baths of Lourdes with the help of Father Craig! He still has the beads of miraculous water on his head as he asked them to pour water over his head..."That is where I need the healing."
John and I just shared morning prayer on the phone from the iBreviary in celebration of how we love to share prayer and put Jesus first! These words from a Psalm prayer after the first Psalm 86 which John leads... "WE already know the affection you have for us, fill us with a greater love for you and we will proclaim you more boldly before men and happily lead them to celebrate your glory."
This is exactly what John burns to do more than anything else!
We have been working on a bio and session intro for applying to speak at NCYC!
I was typical 20-year-old college student, going through the
motions of my faith, never owning my faith as my own. I was a great actor in my
faith always trying to appear more faithful than I was. This all changed when I
said one simple prayer for faith. God answered my prayer by allowing me to
fight brain cancer. That battle for my life drew me to prayer, brought me much
needed humility and brought my faith to life.
During my cancer journey I felt like I had nothing to live
for, then I bathed in the waters at Lourdes and felt the love of Our Lady and Knew
in that moment that I needed to share the love I received with the world. This is
now my new journey to share Christ through the love of Our Lady with all I meet.
--
Respectfully,
John P. Verly
Carrying the Cross...
John's Session
Through my Cancer I often
felt like I was the paralytic lowered in front of Jesus by all those who prayed
for me. With that I always start my talks with prayer. After we pray, I share
my story of how I beat cancer and now yearn to share both my journey and new-found
faith. I have a lot of experience in acting and speech which allows me to speak
in a confident and a self-deprecating style this makes me very approachable as
a speaker. Humor is important to me and comes through in my talks. To end my talks, I always ask the audience for
petitions which we as a group pray for. My
talks are applicable to all age groups, powerfully enough to touch anyone’s
heart and filled with enough joy and humility to leave everyone feeling
blessed.
--
Respectfully,
John P. Verly
In Lourdes... so in LOVE with Our Mother of heaven and earth to this day!
Jesus, your Spirit is filling us with your LOVE, and it grows more when we selflessly share it and give it away to those around us... most especially those the closest to us in our domestic church/family. May the seeds of Faith take deep and solid root in us and bear much fruit. Jesus, we trust in you. Bless-bless, Barb
A friend's kids out displaying how the water freezes immediately when it is 50 below zero outside!
Out to get the mail... tomorrow Pat and I head to a funeral 4 hours away and some time with my parents... keep all the farmers and animals safe and all those that have to work outside this day.
Just minutes after he went out...What happened?
The sun looked warm, but it fooled me! Please let me in!!!!
Danielle Rose - If I touch him
Casting Crowns - Praise him in the storm
When we called France to tell Susan/Hallel that John had brain cancer on Father's Day/Sunday... "Mom, did you hear the Gospel today?" "Yes, it was Jesus calming the storm." "This is the storm and Jesus is in control."
Grandma will still be coming to hold my new grandson and make meals to help out, but there is not much doubt that Therese will be caring much for her new baby brother much as she did for the last 3 or 4 siblings. Evangeline has a very strong love and attachment to her big loving caring sister, who has cared for her every need.
There is not much doubt that they are dressed alike because Therese did the dressing and picked out their clothes for the day...
This was a photo shoot grandma did 2 years ago when Evie was just a few days old! How I loved to see the two sisters together after "T" had 3 brothers in between them! Now brother #4 is coming and welcomed with LOVE... a new baby is something to celebrate with great JOY!
It was super fun to find this on Maria's blog today as Jesus is telling us in the Gospel what we must do to be in His Family! "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." Mark 3:35
How we long to be part of the Family of heaven and earth/the Church and the domestic Church/family is where we share that Faith with JOY!
David staying warm on the heating vent in Washington, and sharing it with Evie! Yes, it is so cold today here in Minnesota that school is called off for the first 3 days of the week. Catholic Schools week has taken a hit, but the kids are thrilled to have school called off!
Mother Mary is so important to all of our homes as we share our Faith as a family! As Jesus gave her to us to be our Mother of Heaven and earth at the foot of the Cross... we have brought her into our homes and as a result there is much love and caring one for the other! Our continual prayers to her through The Rosary brings to mind and heart and soul the life of her Son and how we are given newness of LIFE to share in our homes!
The Lord's plan was one of embracing the Cross to find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT! We have 5 with us and 7 in heaven keeping our eyes focused on getting there forever with Jesus, Mary and the Saints! We now have 5 grandchildren there and 15... soon to be 18 here with us to raise as LIGHTS with the help of our Mother of heaven and earth!
All but Hallel at John and Bobbi's wedding at the beginning of the summer! Soon Nancy will welcome #5, Maria #6, and John and Bobbi #1! The picture is never complete and always room for more!
At the end of the summer the wedding of our daughter to Jesus - Hallel's final vows in France! We moved the mountain to France - all her siblings and spouses, all of her nieces and nephews except the younger 7, who stayed with their respective grandparents across the U.S. Her vows; "I promise unto death." filled us with wonder and awe! Family is where Faith is lived out with each new day/a small slice of heaven here on earth!
Hallel's home visit 2 years ago... when she comes home the others come from all corners of the country to spend those precious days united as family! Soon there will be 3 new little ones in arms!
My picture of LOVE!
My Most Cherished Cross - Patrick! Our eyes reflect the glow of encountering Jesus after an hour of adoration in the Trinity Cathedral in France! A small slice of heaven on earth indeed! We are so blessed as our children take us deeper in our journey of Faith/Family/Farm!
Sharing the powerful mass in the Green Cathedral in the foothills of the Pyranees Mountains in Saint Pierre, France. "She made her way in haste to the Hill Country!"
Jesus, I am overwhelmed by your amazing love for us and how trusting in you leads us to find the Spirit alive in us, and the fruits of the Spirit to bear fruit in our domestic church/family. May we die to self so that you may live and move and breath in us! Jesus, we long to be forever in heaven with you and your Mother/our spiritual mother, and all the angels and Saints! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Susan had left to join them in France, and these 6 came up from Kansas City to see the farm and meet us... 4 year old Simon knew the Truth! "We are all family!" Simon sharing pancakes with our Community/family of the Lamb!
My family 2018 at CCC... we are over 120+ with 4 new ones on the way..."how can you say there are too many children? It is like saying there are too many flowers." Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke
Lord, protect ALL LIFE!
Mary is with me throughout my days!
Jesus today..."whoever does the will of God."
"The Eucharist is the sacrament of love:
it signifies love, it produces love."- St Thomas Aquinas
"St Thomas Aquinas' greatest love was the Blessed Sacrament,of which he was to be the world's greatest witness. He would spend hours at a time, day and night, before the altar in adoration and meditation. Here was his great school. The Eucharistic Lord Himself was his Master. When he celebrated Mass, he was in raptures and often in tears. After saying his own Mass he would serve another - or at least hear one.
In December 1273, when he was forty-seven, he laid down his pen, determined to study and write no more, so that he might give himself to God entirely in meditation and prayer. He was ordered by Pope Gregory X to go to Lyons to assist at the General Council. Taken ill on the way, he was obliged to stop at the Cistercial Abbey of Fossa-Nouva. His first visit was to the Blessed Sacrament. At Fossa-Nouva he lay seriously ill for a month. He made his general confession.
While Viaticum was being brought to him, he had himself taken from the bed and laid upon ashes on the floor. The tears came to his eyes as he beheld the Host in the hand of the priest. He made his profession of faith:
"I firmly believe that Jesus Christ, true God and true man, is present in this august Sacrament. I adore You, my God and my Redemption, the Viaticum of my pilgrimage, for whose honor I have studied, labored, preached and taught."
From: Witnesses to the Eucharist, Fr Hugh F Blunt, LLD
St Thomas Aquinas
Italy ~ 1225-1274
Dominican monk
Theologian, philosopher, professor
Prolific writer, Hymn composer
Doctor of the Church
Feast Day - January 28
(Happy confirmation namesake day, Fr Howe!)
John burns to share the healing he has been given in LOVE and prayer!
Our 4 grandchildren in Kansas City celebrating Catholic Schools week!!! What Joy to know that we are all valuing our Catholic Faith, and teaching in our homes and at school our Faith with JOY!
Love the uniforms, which are not here in Marshall Holy Redeemer although we have tried over the years. Nancy and Bill are looking at St Maximilian Kolbe Catholic school for their move to the Cities in the next year. LOVE!
Maria's are in the and so she does Catholic home school for her 5 going on 6. Treats are rare and therefore very special and appreciated in their home filled with faith and a daily family rosary. Pat and I were so impressed by their knowledge and involvement in the rosary each day.
I talked to both Maria and Nancy today as their little boys are due in the next month possibly within days of each other. We have faith that the Lord's plan will be perfect and our prayers for healthy moms and babies here in their arms will be answered according to his perfect timing allowing grandma to be there for each of them in their need. Maria's were in the midst of their "chores" and she needed to go and make sure that "they were moving forward." They are being taught the value of learning, faith, work and play... well rounded and ready to face all that life has in store for them!
Maria's little boy sucking on his hand in a 3D ultrasound last week. Exciting times right around the corner now. So many prayers from the moment we knew he was in the womb. Nancy, Maria and Bobbi all brought their little ones to France for Hallel's final vows! We say that the mountain of 21 went to France, but in truth is was 24!
John and Bobbi were classmates at HRS all 9 years! Yesterday we bought some gift cards and put the proceeds towards their little one's tuition at Holy Redeemer School. Plans for their baby to attend HRS as they did!
It is such a special gift to have Ruth and Paul's 6 either going there as Simon, Mary, David and Rose are. Or in Preschool as Luke is. And then we are sure that Joy will be there, too, as Ruth and Paul are planted on the farm 3 miles outside of Marshall, MN! They mark the 3rd generation attending Catholic School as Pat and his 9 siblings attended there ahead of them, then our 5 and now two of our kids will have their children attending. United in sharing our values of Faith/Family/Farm!
The kids on the farm are having a snowday today! It is very cold and we got a lot of snow yesterday and overnight! Lots of prayers for the farmers and their livestock out in the elements as we feed the world. Grandpa probably has the kids out helping him... working in the heated shop, we hope!
Beautiful but very cold!!!
As I ponder all the little ones in our family of 15 going on 18... how we share our faith in KC, Marshall, and Washington State... the words of the Psalm 98 today... R. Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation by our God. Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands; break into song; sing praise.
Psalm 98 from mass today!
United in our Faith is what brings a song of great JOY in my inner chapel filled with LIGHT/LOVE/LIFE and the Holy Spirit uniting us as we share our Faith! The Best and most heartfelt wish that fills my prayers each day.
Evangeline was 2 on All Saints Day and soon she will be able to snuggle with her baby brother for real! LOVE!
Lord, thank you for the gift of sharing our faith as a family! May your Truth which comes to us through your Holy Spirit fill us with all we need to face the struggles and ups and downs of life! May we share the Love we have been given with those the closest to us in our domestic Church/family. May we give without counting the cost and be life-giving in all we say and do to each other. May we go forth down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross after you. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Hallel with Dominic as they just live 20 minutes apart for these last few years! Her love and example of living her faith with Jesus, her spouse, is so powerful for her neices and nephews!
Mary and David visiting KC and The Community! Mary has been considering her call as maybe including being a nun since her trip to Rome this summer after Hallel's vows! My prayer is that each of my grandchildren will consider this amazing option for themselves. Asking the Lord to show them the plan He has for each of them! Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke
The 21 in France... really 24!!! We love LIFE from conception to natural death!
St Thomas Aquinas pray for us!
That attachment to the heart has been severed... How and Why?
So true!!! Jesus, you are my all!!! “Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving [them] better” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
