Joy visiting grandma and having a snack in her new chairs from my mom... She had just had lunch, played in the hot tub, and watercolored… her usual routine at grandma's house!
How this man loves LIFE and answered my worries at our engagement weekend as all the other couples were against large families as we voiced our desire to have a dozen kids... they shared that with the mess the world was in they only wanted to have 2 kids at the most and some none. "Are we being selfish to have a large family?" "The world needs lights" he unhesitatingly answered and all the world was set aright! This is the motto that our family which is reaching 30 has taken to heart and lived by!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
The Gospel today is coinciding with an experience during the night with my own husband having a dream about bringing a wife into his home. He woke up with a huge sigh of relief during the night after dreaming that he was 65 and never married. "I felt so sad and lonely, and to wake up and realize that it was all a dream... I DO HAVE A FAMILY after all!!!" Even when we prayed morning prayer by the Advent wreath this morning he prayed that he would appreciate more what he has and he thought in his dream that he was alone, but instead so richly blessed with Faith/Family/Farm!
A year ago after her final vows in France in August! "I promise unto death."
A wonderful gift surprise to find as I was emptying some boxes that came from my mother! May we all say "yes" to what we are asked to do! Mary modeled that for us so beautifully trusting that the Lord would work out the problem that a pregnant virgin would present to dear Joseph!
Today in the Gospel... Matthew 1
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.
Listening to Pat's words of happiness for his family today, which was heightened by his dream during the night - a lot like the loss George Bailey experienced as he had the angel show him what the world would be like without him. Not quite the same but very similar results with the appreciation after experiencing the void of being alone!
Praying for many marriages including my own each day... the words of the angel telling Joseph not to be afraid to bring his wife into his home speaks a lot of the trust we need with one another and the dying to self that is necessary... as we put aside our own thoughts and needs and preconceptions about each other. We think we are in the right as Joseph thought he knew that Mary had been unfaithful, yet he was going to quietly divorce her. But miracles can happen when we place it all in the Lord's hands and leave our selfish notions behind and TRUST in Him! Putting Jesus first and always looking to HIM!
Peace on earth over my shoulder, and hopefully in my heart!
Jesus, be with all marriages, and may we all die to self so that you may live in us, and we may return the unconditional love and forgiveness we have been given by you. May we take up our Most Cherished Cross and follow after you down the narrow path with eternal LIFE at the end with our loved ones, our losses, Jesus, Mary, the Saints and Angels. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
That light in front of the barn is Jesus, Mary and Joseph... though my wreath on the door in the cold. May the Holy Family show us the way to find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT as we share Faith/Family/Farm!
Bless-bless, Barb
So sweet and beautiful for these young ones to ask the Lord to use them to His honor and glory!
Missionary priest...
Yes!!
Amy Grant - Breath of heaven
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