"longing to be like the Saints:happy to live near God..."/Luke and Evie's birthdays and Hallel's Feast Day!

 A picture of Evangeline under her birthday sign this morning wearing a dress that older sister, Therese made for her day from her mother's bridesmaid dress!  She is fabulous 3 today!

Three years ago I rushed to Children's Hospital in St Louis as she was airlifted there from the Fort Leonard wood base Hospital where she was born.  They felt she wasn't breathing quite right so they sent her there while mom was recovering from her C-section.  I drove the 10 hours to be there with my new granddaughter and a day later Maria and Therese joined me.  She was the healthiest baby in there and in short order - about 3 days we brought her home for her baptism day.

Fruit loops for breakfast on her birthday is a rare special treat! We love you Evie and wish we could be there to celebrate with you!

 This funny and sweet boy is also having a birthday today!  Luke Paul is 6 and started Kindergarten this fall.  He keeps a smile on our faces with his stories and love of gab!

 Ruth had her theme this year of cereal characters... Joy the Honey nut bumblebee, Luke is Tony the Tiger, Rose is the Trix bunny, David is a Wheeties athlete, Mary is the cookie Crisp fox, and Simon is the Corn flakes chicken, and Ruth is the Lucky Charms leprechaun.

 The face paint was super cold for the Trix bunny rabbit, so she had a bit of a pained face.

Bales as far as the eyes can see... we have 600 to pick up in the next 2 days!  This was one of the first Halloweens that their dad , Paul, missed as he baled until 2a.  Such a crazy fall this is!  Praying for safety for the farmers and the bale haulers and loaders and unloaders...

The cutest little honey bee!!

 We are all impressed and amazed at 11 year old Therese's sewing abilities!  Such a wonderful thoughtful gift this is for her little sister.  Maria says that Therese works wonders with a sewing machine!

 The Saint crew in Delano for All Saints Day at St Maximilian School!
Dominic is Juan Diego, Josephine is St Gianna, Gus is St Maximilian Kolbe, Bernadette is St Kateri, and George is St George the Dragon slayer... It looks like he got one under his thumb!

Sharing mass with Pat last night at the college, praying for Fr Todd during a Latin mass at noon going on with the readings read and preached again, Reading the Office of readings about how we are longing to be like the Saints - Happy to live near God... These words of Truth from Pope Benedict XVI...
"To become saints means to fulfill completely what we already are, raised to the dignity of God's adopted children in Christ Jesus...” … “This, then, is the meaning of today’s Solemnity:  looking at the shining example of the Saints to reawaken within us the great longing to be like them:  happy to live near God, in His light, in the great family of God’s friends.  Being a Saint means living close to God, to live in His family…” Pope Benedict XVI

Paul is s speck behind them baling corn stalk bales for bedding over the winter.

Yes, my entire being longs to be close to my Lord now and always and for all that separates me from being totally his to vanish!
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Everyone who has this hope based on him makes himself pure,
as he is pure.
I John 3 from the second reading today at mass

 Joy had on a cow costume for part of the day with her baby kitty...

When Hallel chose her name meaning total praise of God, what better feast day than all Saints Day when the Saints in heaven are all gathered together giving their God total praise and worship?  Yes, this is her feast day and rightfully so!

Now she is adorable smiling bumble bee!

Jesus, I want to be all yours and my only goal is to be in heaven forever with you, Mary, the Saints and Angels.  I am eternally grateful to your glorious Bride, The Church for helping me on the narrow path carrying/dragging my Most Cherished Cross.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

"Saints of God, perfected in love and victorious

over sin, who now enjoy the reward of adoring Our Lord face to face in everlasting JOY and GLORY:

            Be gracious to remember us, flawed and failing, who still struggle on earth, who kneel here adoring Our Lord hidden in the tabernacle, who long for the day when we too will be made like Him and will see Him as He is.

              Gather around us here in His Eucharistic Presence to strengthen us with your prayers and to enrich our feeble worship with the mighty chorus of your praise.  Teach us by your example to love Him above all things, so that we too may become the pure in heart to see God, who enjoy with you the eternal blessed fellowship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

From Jesus, We Adore You,

Prayers Before the Blessed Sacrament

Paul Thigpen

Danielle Rose - The saint that is just me