How the prayers are amping up to fever pitch for the storm to miss us or be much less than predicted! We have a big TEC retreat starting on Friday and with so much prayer and hopes for this closer walk with Jesus... we are putting it in the Lord's hands, and also pleading for good roads and safety!
Jesus taking off down the road today with the need to spread The Truth and drive out demons... After all our travels of late... heading down the road to share Jesus and His Bride, The Church, is very much where we have been and where we are headed with this upcoming Together Encounter Christ retreat!
Rising very early before dawn,
he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.
Simon and those who were with him pursued him
and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”
He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages
that I may preach there also.
For this purpose have I come.”
So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons
throughout the whole of Galilee.
I love how Jesus goes off the that deserted place to pray and is armed with The Spirit as he travels down the narrow path. In many ways my home is that these days after all the time on the road to Maria's and then to my parents. Very quiet days filled with chores around the house, prayer, and sharing here...
How I love this and how it truly expresses the peace that I encounter with each "Hail Mary!"
Pat and I made our first TEC back in 1999 and 2000 after 3 of our girls had all gone and each one came home inviting us to attend a retreat. It seemed that the third one, Maria, was the last straw and finally I threw my hands up and said "yes." It was a very big step for me in my prayer life! I had felt that I was in an alright place with my faith, but discovered that prayer came alive for me! It was no longer something vague and distant... PRAYER was REAL and powerful!
There were so many times that coming to this place of Truth in prayer has brought to me healings and truths along those 20 years since we made our retreats! I worked so many over the years, and have been blessed each time with a closer walk! One very precious time, and her letter is taped inside my Bible, involves Maria a few years later... She had left for college at St Thomas with the intention of leaving The Church much to my deep sadness and constant prayers for her to recognize The Truth...
Here is the letter I received while working for Susan, who was making her first TEC... Ruth and Nancy were also working for her! This was January of 2002
Mom,
I love you! I am sorry if I have been stubborn lately about this statement, but it is true. You have always loved me, even when I totally turned against you and all that you believe in. Well, now you know that your prayers are definitely answered, because I know that my faith filled a lot of your prayer time in the last 2 years. My relationships at college have really helped me. I have definitely renewed my love of the Catholic Church and everything in it, but I am still in need of prayers for me to continue to grow in this faith.
I don't think I've ever told you this, but you and dad are amazing. You raised us all in the Church and built us a faith foundation on which we can now grow on. Thank you!
Maria Theresa
How I wept and laughed with great joy at the same time when I read that letter! Not a pretty sight, but such a powerful answer to my prayers for Maria to come to love The Church as I did and do with each new day! I think she has passed me up and I learn at her feet so much about how to love The Church and evangelize it to our domestic Church/Family! How humbling and amazing to learn at the feet of my children!
Maria embraced Catholic Studies, studied in Rome for her sophomore year, came home and discerned with the Poor Clares for 5 months, discerned out with some sadness "I thought I was called and am sad to not be," met Joseph, who had been in pre-seminary in high school and then a year or so in seminary in college which he discerned out, is now married to Joseph and homeschools her 6 children - daily family rosary, much of the Saints, morning and evening prayer, mass often even daily. Wow! The Lord doesn't mess around! Maria truly took to heart the words of Eli to Samuel today when the Lord calls out to him over and over -
Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth.
So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’”
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the LORD came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
I Samuel 3
The first reading from mass read all around the world this day! How we need to answer Him and listen in prayer!
Another huge time of prayer that involved our TEC family and ALL the prayers of so many was John's brain cancer starting the summer of 2009! It brought our family together and our TEC family surrounded us with so many prayers including a week of prayer - all 168 hours had someone praying for John's healing right when we faced his cancer growing back through the chemo and whole brain radiation! We credit his healing today much to the prayers, the sacraments - he was anointed 4 times -, Blessed Solanus Casey, St JPII, and Our Lady of Lourdes!
Fr Craig anointing John just before he had his brain biopsy...
Taking John through the baths in Lourdes! Yesterday Fr Craig reached out to tell us that he was going through the baths in Lourdes and praying for John! We have been told that the new John could be more susceptible to cancer in the future so we pray and watch and so appreciate those that continue to pray for him!
Such a powerful truth! Yes, we can feel that kiss when we share in His Cross! I think not only of John, but the losses I have had in our wanting to have a large family... definitely were we brought together to LOVE all life and each other in sharing that pain and suffering! A kiss from Jesus as we are sharing in His Cross!
Yes, Lord, we pray that the storm will be much less than they are predicting and that this weekend may happen so that many may come closer to you. How we trust in you to keep all safe as they travel down the road sharing your Truth and healing as we all lift them up in prayer! It is not just words - "we are praying for you." No, it is power and Truth and REAL! Each day we yearn for that quiet deserted place where we may listen to you and follow you as we carry/drag our Most Cherished Cross down the narrow path sharing your Truth! For this purpose you have come close enough to us to kiss us when we are in need of your healing! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Yet, another time where the world saw the power of prayer - Little Lamb, grandson Patrick in October of 2012! Born dead and brought back to life! Many can say; "I prayed for him and now he is an active healthy boy! Prayer really works and Jesus is listening and answering our prayers!
The whole town was gathered at the door.
He cured many who were sick with various diseases,
and he drove out many demons...
Mark 1 from the Gospel today! Jesus continues to cure/heal to this very day!
The prayers answered! My life so full of answered prayers and kisses from the Cross!
Another precious miracle baby - baby George this morning. Nancy lost her Maximilian at 20 weeks and then Catherine at 12 weeks after coming back from Fatima. Much fear as this pregnancy began, and now her arms are full with this sweet boy! He went to France with us along with Hector and Jude in the wombs of their mothers! Bless-bless, Barb
Our Spiritual Mother, Mary the Mother of God, is such a gift to us as we walk the narrow path - she brings us to Jesus so that he can kiss us!
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