Saturday, January 5, 2019

"Bless all those in the whole wide world and in our town." dad when he prayed with us kids

A bouquet of great beauty.. a Birthday Bouquet for our oldest Ruth on her 39th birthday!

As we gazed at the wall today mom and I recalled how Ruth and Paul had their marriage blessed by Saint John Paul II - "Bless us with a happy healthy family" was Paul's request of him.  The picture 15 years later is that exact answer to prayer!
LOVE!!!!  So beautiful inside and out!  My hero for family and LIFE and wonderful Ruth and Paul now parents of 6 beautiful LIGHTS in this world!

Mom and I also shared the family creed we live by in our family and now extended family as we share our faith in the One True Church... Being open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
I am in awe of how beautiful is our church, and stunning with Christmas to celebrate for another day!
 My delight sharing morning prayer in the Office of prayer with Deacon Robert Cross!  Speaking of many in need in our huge family and how there is not much to do for them other than prayer.  "I am responsible for them." says dad.  "We all know that you pray for us each and every day, dad, and that is huge for help for the journey."

My parents shared with me this beautiful card from an old family friend, Fr Rinaldo Custodio!  He gave us instruction before all 13 of us joined the Catholic Church almost exactly 47 years ago!  Receiving our first Communion on Christmas Eve Midnight mass at the Cenacle Convent!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

Father Custodio was our "family priest" over the years even coming to our family Christmas - Cross Christmas Camp about 7 years ago for our 40th anniversary of becoming Catholic!  He came and prayed healing over John during his battle against brain cancer 9 years ago!

I have joked with Fr Craig Timmerman that he is now our "family priest" as he is always there when we have huge needs or family occasions!  He came to France for Hallel's habiting, and Maria's entering the Poor Clares, John's brain cancer - taking him to Lourdes and through the healing waters, buried Nancy's Maximilian last Thanksgiving when he was stillborn at 20 weeks, marrying John and Bobbi in June, and the tears flow when I consider his support and being there for us!
Mom had written to their friends at Christmas a quote by her Uncle Joe about "aging is a ship wreck."  Father had responded with these kind words, and bringing hope to those struggling with all that comes with aging;
"Tis such sweet peace to know the Lord still lives in this old house."
 Chocolate chips make Ruth...

LOVE this 100th Psalm which begins each morning prayer!
R. Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
his courts with praise;
Give thanks to him; bless his name.

When I am here with my wonderful parenst much of our talk is about our faith, and I truly do feel the JOY of entering his courts and gates with Thanksgiving!  Tomorrow we will share mass and that is the best - Eucharist does mean Thanksgiving!
Dad knows that I love to do the prayer of the Church with him and he waits patiently for me - he gets up at around 5a and me is more like 7:30a!  Then he sweetly makes me too much breakfast with hums and love!  I am so spoiled with my precious time here, and I am so thankful to my husband for giving me this peaceful gift of time with them!
My sister, Paula, with her husband and granddaughter here to put away Christmas.  Thank you!  My brother, Dan, just left after helping with computer and other help my parents needed.  LOVE to see them being so lovingly cared for.  We are so blessed to still have them with us and together in their own home!

Dad was recalling the prayer he would pray with us kids.."Bless all those in the whole wide world and in our town."  Thank you, Lord, for the wonderful blessing I have been given through my wonderful parents listening to the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb
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Epiphany tomorrow marks the true end of Christmas.
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The Truth!
I have been blessed with Christian music on my many journeys!  This one is amazing!
His other song that came with me this summer in my chapel on wheels - Hills and Valleys!

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