Prayers with husband and son/Dad in same day surgery/prayers on the mountain and walking on water

Maria titled this Christmas Cards!

"Our main forms of entertainment this Christmas were card games.

Many hours of enjoyment and hearty laughs were had over Hearts and Pinochle.

Even the Littles joined the fun in their own ways."

How I loved to hear the laughter night after night as Pat joined Maria, Joseph, Therese and David in cards... yes, Christmas Cards!  With no television in the home and minimal screen time joining together in games and sharing with long conversations are good and made our short visit very special indeed.

Another one of their family gift and two day project of putting together a lego Saturn V rocket that was gifted to them by Aunt T.  

It has been a morning of prayer starting with morning prayer with Pat and then the office on the phone with John.. each time when we come to the petitions on our hearts the needs pour forth.  As usual when I pray with John I find myself in tears here and there.  As we started to lift up my dad, who is in same day surgery at Vets hospital this morning.  John asked to lead the prayer, but shortly I had tears clogging me as I recalled how he has always listened to the Holy Spirit in his life and how that has led us to The Church!  John then jumped in and prayed mightily for the man that is our spiritual head of our huge Cross Clan of over 120 strong.  

 Sitting at the feet of my father on Epiphany Sunday... he had just shown me that he had on his Epiphany tie with the wise men and star on it, and he was sharing some wonderful pearls that brought a smile to his face.  How we love to share The Church and never tire of finding joy and wisdom in all that Jesus and His Bride have to share with us!  I am lifted up!

Just off the phone with my sister, who updated me on dad and on one hand things went well with the changing of stints and catheters and how clean and healthy she found everything.  Some new decisions have to be made now with the ongoing health issues that have come to him in his old age.  It is wonderful to see his positive attitude and perseverance in taking all in stride.  Relying on his Faith and family to help when he needs.  Much he is able to handle for himself for now.  His prayers for us and ours for him are constant and keeps the love of Our Lord always close and foremost!

I can see this in Truth in my dad's situation from I John in the first reading today;
"God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
In this is love brought to perfection among us,
that we have confidence on the day of judgment
because as he is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love,
but perfect love drives out fear..."  I John 4

Dad does not fear death or the path that will lead him there... he is always ready for his end of days as we are all called to be ready at all times for we know not when.

 Love this of Dad with his Epiphay tie on Sunday... I was pleasantly surprised today doing the office that we continue with Christmas hymns and theme throughout the prayers and reponces.  "It came upon a midnight clear"  "We have seen his star in the East and have come with gifts to worship the Lord."

Today is called Wednesday after Epiphany, which seems to mean that we continue to kneel before the Christ child and adore him and bring our gifts to Him!

 Love this parting gift from Maria of her growing family after we shared New Years Day mass/Mary the Mother of God... 5 going on 6 in two months.  I will return to meet our new grandson and lend a hand!

Sharing last night with Pat's sisters... reminded me of how wonderful it is to share our Faith as a family!  Nothing can compare to Faith/Family/Farm as farming is a life we live and not just a job!

I am thinking a lot about Hallel today as her 6 weeks off her leg ends today.  How I pray that her leg may be as good as new for her after getting her meniscus repaired.

 One last time sitting around the counter at my mother-in-law's home last evening as the house will soon be sold.  How we laughed and shared... feeling her presence which was real and so cherished by her daughtes and in laws!

Sharing a meal, wine and love we have been given in great measure from a most wonderful woman.  We miss her a lot, but are happy for her to be now at peace and with dad and Don.

The Gospel today was amazing with Jesus both going up on the mountain to pray alone and then walking on water to the boat being tossed by the waves.  The prayer of Jesus with his Father is mind blowingly wonderful to consider the depth and maybe tears and clarity of their connection of total LOVE!

These words of St John come to Truth and LIFE in the realization of PRAYER between Father and Son;

"Beloved, if God so loved us,
we also must love one another.
No one has ever seen God.
Yet, if we love one another, God remains in us,
and his love is brought to perfection in us."

Jesus did see God and is God and that is out of this world amazing!  Jesus and The Spirit that he sends to us is how we can also come into the presence of The Father in our inner temple and in The Word, Body and Blood at mass!  Mountaintop experience indeed!  Thank you , Lord!

Such JOY of giving a Hallel cookie to Aunt Little Sister Hallel!

I cannot leave off the rest of the Gospel as Jesus tells us in the midst of our storms of life that instill fear into our days..."Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!" 

He is in the storms and many times we are to gain from the pain and suffering and the fears that overtake us … we place our worries and fears in his hands and trust that Jesus is in control in the storm.  Believe me... He is!

Jesus, I am filled with Trust that you are in every part of this day.  We are given your peace and contentment as we place our needs with you and know that you are in control.  Jesus, may we give without counting the cost.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

Able to walk on her leg now after 6 weeks on crutches!  Thank you, Lord!

Danielle Rose - the Saint that is just me