"you try me with fire.... they were troubled and abandoned" Sometimes you just can't seem to do anything right?

 Maria carrying Hector and walking with Hallel as she sees the Grotto of the Nativity of Mary and Jesus for the first time in KC a few weeks back.

I talked briefly with Hallel a week ago and she expressed how tired she was getting ready to leave for France for 2 months on Friday.  They have now left the Monastery - Lumen Christi/Light of Christ in the hands of family and friends of the Community of the Lamb.  I was willing to take a week, but they found enough locally to care for it a week at a time.

 Simon came along and we all gathered at the Grotto after supper on our last night there in KC.

 Hallel read the Nativity story from Luke to us and pointed out the glorious images on the walls of the Grotto.  Evangeline shows her love for her Aunt nun, Little Sister Hallel.  She won Hallel's heart in the few short days we all had with her living with them in the monastery!

It was so special to be welcomed into their home now that Nancy has moved from Shawnee, KS.  It was a wonderful 3 years of being able to see both of our daughters - staying with Nancy and her growing family and then visiting Hallel and The Community for mass, adoration, or meals and visiting.

This new page of now staying with them and eating, praying, and sharing in their day to day lives much more is very special and we all feel very privileged to have this intimate time with our daughter and her Community, our family of the Lamb!

 This girl loves deeply and with great enthusiasm!

 Hallel had us each come up and give our needs and sorrows, and concerns to Mary and Jesus..."place your hands on hers and give her all that is on your heart."  Evangeline gave Mary and Jesus a kiss with the help of Aunt Hallel.

 The 13 of our family that gathered with Hallel and got some precious time with Maria and her 6... meeting Hector for the first time!

It seems that I am in a bit of a funk since returning from my parents.  One thing after another is pointed out to me as a fault or weakness.. and the mountain is getting large and disappointing for me to try to move or climb or even look up at.  A huge slice of humble pie to keep me down and small and weak and humble!  It hurts, but it gets me moving to be better and lots of apologies in the process.

So great to see these two together again.  Hallel got to meet #3 grandson of the 3 new ones born within 6 weeks of each other.  Hector went with Maria to France in womb along with Jude and George, but we all had to wait to meet them.  Hector was 4 months yesterday, so he didn't have to wait that long to meet his Aunt Nun!

The words that jumped out to me today in the readings are reflecting the way I am feeling about myself and the work that I need to do on myself... From the Psalm today; "you try me with fire..."
The rest of it sounds hopeful though..
"Though you test my heart, searching it in the night,
though you try me with fire, you shall find no malice in me."
Psalm 17
Yes!  I know that I am a piece of work, Lord, and thank you for correcting me!

School of the Word with the Community while we were there...
At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them
because they were troubled and abandoned,
like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples,
"The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;
so ask the master of the harvest
to send out laborers for his harvest." Matthew 9 - the Gospel today!

Yes, Lord, I need you to shepherd me so that I may serve better.  Humbly and dying to self so that you may work in me!  Bless-bless, Barb