For the last 8 weeks I have been the middle of the week girl, and how I have loved my time with them! My time in my chapel on wheels coming and going 4 hours each way is a gift to me as I complete my 10 decades of the rosary and my chaplet as I come down the hill to Taylors Falls and then across the river to St Croix Falls, WI! It was nostalgic to think this could be one of my last times here as I drove down main street in the dark last night.
Keeping my parents in their own home for 2 months feels like a good thing now, and it is starting to sink in that it cannot continue on. Mom even is admitting that a change is on the doorstep!
Dad spoke with belief that she truly did love and care about them and did consider them a special favorite couple to visit. I see that she sees what I see... a married couple that have shared the ups and downs of 70 years together and continue to look to the Lord and His guidance - sharing that with all they encounter. Her last visit and farewell is a taste of what lies ahead for us with each step of the journey on to the next town.
Ruth's bunch love their pasta, and now grandma Lanoue has sauce to give them when she has them in her home, too!!!
Maria had an experience when she traveled to study in Rome for her sophomore year of college at St Thomas Catholic Studies - she read Story of a Soul by St Therese on the plane and felt the call to discern whether the Lord was calling her to enter a cloistered Monastery. She did return and join the Poor Claires for 5 months until she discerned out and met Joseph and married now with 6 children. Hence her first child is now named Therese Marie, and we wish her a special feast day today!
With John bringing his wonderful Bobbi into our family we also have a new connection to how St Therese, her patron Saint, led her over the 10 plus years to wait and hope for John being her husband! Her amazing story is so wonderful to share as she did share it with all the 250 friends and family gathered at their wedding reception over a year ago!
Bobbi's story ...
After being classmates for all 13 years for them to come together 10 years after graduating is kind of special. She shared to the 300 family and friends gathered at the reception in her sweet humble way about how John Verly popped into her head and heart when they were seniors in HS as her future husband. Time and time again the same answer came to her through prayer and roses from St Therese and opening her eyes to see him right in front of her at WYD in Australia... When we consider what John experienced over those 10 years... brain cancer, seminary, girl friends, ups and downs and how disheartening it probably was and how powerful her prayers were for him!!!! Amazing!!! And how patient and trusting and prayerful and waiting and praying for John, this sweet girl was!
St Therese kept her filled with HOPE with all the years of nothing happening!
The prayers of my parents for our family and their families is a powerful gift to all of us. It brings peace and trust in the Lord's control over our journeys!
I found the Gospel today a bit abrupt, but since I have appreciated it in light of mom and dad's move and always looking to Jesus and Trusting in His perfect plan for the two of them. The fact that they are still together is what I marvel at and cherish each moment I am given with them. I think that is a bit of what the nurse, Sarah, appreciated too... they are blessed with being a couple still!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
The small words of the Gospel today in Luke 9;
When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
“Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?”
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village...
That's the Gospel in its' entirety today... Yes, we are not called to call down judgement on anyone, but rather to just go on to another town. Their time here is now done, and there is a lot of peace in allowing them to have 2 months here to ask the Lord for his plan and now to proceed!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html
Lord, Jesus how we love you and want to proceed down the narrow path following you, but also walking with you as you help us in our weak and sicknesses. You are in control and we give it to you and Trust! Dad shared this prayer from his beloved St Ignatius, who brought us into The Church through his Ignation Exercises... Dad called it the Commitment to Jesus prayer, and I can see why!
,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
Dad was speaking about having Hope, and how we gain it through giving it all over to the Lord and trusting! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Sister with sister-in-laws and Goddaughter years ago. It will be good for mom and dad to be closer to more of the family in the Cities. When I mentioned to dad how I thought I might bring them to live with me a few months back... we both realize that would not have been a good answer for them or me. I do love my time with them and plan to continue to make that happen. Maybe not every week... but at least monthly I plan to sleep on their couch that makes into a bed! Bless-bless, Barb
Social hour with mom and dad each afternoon! The wonderful family times my parents carved out for us! LOVE!
Happy Feast Day
Saint Therese of Lisieux
Doctor of the Church
1873-1897
Feast Day: October 1
Patronage: Missions
St. Therese of Lisieux was a French Discalced Carmelite nun, popularly known as The Little Flower. She was a highly influential model of sanctity for others because of the "simplicity and practicality of her approach to the spiritual life." She entered Carmel at the early age of 15 and died of tuberculosis at the age of 24. Together with St. Francis of Assisi she is one of the most popular saints in the history of the Church. Pope Pius X called her "the greatest saint of modern times."
Saint Therese of Lisieux
Doctor of the Church
1873-1897
Feast Day: October 1
Patronage: Missions
St. Therese of Lisieux was a French Discalced Carmelite nun, popularly known as The Little Flower. She was a highly influential model of sanctity for others because of the "simplicity and practicality of her approach to the spiritual life." She entered Carmel at the early age of 15 and died of tuberculosis at the age of 24. Together with St. Francis of Assisi she is one of the most popular saints in the history of the Church. Pope Pius X called her "the greatest saint of modern times."
Danielle Rose - Small things with great love
Danielle Rose - Nothing compares to you
Danielle Rose - the Saint that is just me
John finding Faith through brain cancer
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