St JPII..."Bless us with a happy healthy family"/Ruth and Paul celebrate 16 LIFE-giving years!

Ruth and Paul a year ago in France sunflower field surrounding Saint Pierre where Ruth's youngest sister, Little Sister Hallel, took her final vows as a nun.  "I promise unto death!" we heard loud and clear in the midst of a 2 hour French service in the Green Cathedral.

Today Ruth and Paul mark 16 years of marriage!  Ruth reminded me that we can expect a ice storm to mark the day as this was the case 16 years ago.  Although cold this morning... it looks to be a nice day later on with no precipitation only blue skies.

 Ruth's sunflowers from her amazing garden this year on her glorious porch.  Ruth and Paul have visions of beauty for the homes they live in and are willing and able to do a lot of work to make it special!

 Ruth stained and varnished this porch roof on scaffolding over days of hard work... the result is a thing of beauty!  How she loves and uses her porch in nice weather for all 3 meals!

 So beautiful!

Ruth will be joining Paul at Farm Bureau convention for a brief get away for their anniversary, so my house will be filling up with their 6 kids for an overnight at grandma's house!

The card I got together this morning for them.  A watercolor I made with inspiration from a children's book about 3 years ago in KC.  It seems appropriate for this young farm family living the life they both had on the farm and loving and honoring it so much that they are making  it now the life of their own family!

The model so beautifully for me the idea that we need to be life-giving in our marriage and family.  It can make such a difference in our day to day lives if we are not angry and negative even when frustrated and hurt by the ones closest to us... instead return loving and kind and self-giving response to them.  "Wounded, I will never cease to love."

A few days after their wedding kneeling in front of St JPII in Rome - Paul's request of this Saint in heaven now showering their family with..."Bless us with a Happy Healthy Family."  Yes, this continues to be answered to this day!

On their anniversary 5 years ago... they now have added Joy Jean!

Humoring this old lady with a family picture while we were picking up 700 corn stalk bales a few weeks ago.  Ruth had raked and Paul baled behind her days leading up to the big job of picking them all up.

Jesus, bless Ruth and Paul with continued happy and healthy family.  Thank you for their cheerful hard work on the farm.  Keep them all safe!  Their message of being LIFE-giving to each other is so important in our journey of dying to self so that you may live in us.  Jesus, hold them close to your heart burning with LOVE for them.  St Cecelia, pray for them.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

 #6 Joy says "thanks mom and dad for LIFE!"  Open to life and raising lights!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

Dad in the background picking up bales!!!  Bless-bless, Barb

Happy Anniversary Ruth! Can’t believe it’s been 16 years! Thanks for being a supportive wife working beside me, serving as Executive of Domestic Endeavors at home, being my stable rock, supporting my wild ideas and being a great listener. Love you! — with Ruth Lanoue.

 From Paul today on FB



St. Cecilia was an early Christian martyr. According to legend, her persecutors attempted to suffocate her with toxic oven fumes. Instead of choking, she began to sing. They also tried to behead her, but failed. She died three days later in her home.

Danielle Rose - Your bride

Danielle Rose = True Love/the Cross