I got my dad dressed in his Sunday shirt with the keepsake pictures in mind of Hallel with her grandfather for the first time in 12 years! How dad, Hallel and I prayed together over these 4 days we were gifted with! The words from the Psalm today described our shared time of prayer..."I pray to you, O Lord." Psalm 69
When Little Sister Judith was led by the Holy Spirit that we should bring Hallel home for her home visit in a matter of hours... she mentioned that it would allow her to see my dad, and also John, who is facing the loss of a job once again.
Such a blessing to have my Deacon father here at 95 with his new lease on hearing due to his cochlear implant and as sharp as a tack. He really appreciated his time with his nun granddaughter, Little Sister Hallel!
He loved how Hallel sings "the angelus" and had her sing it for him numerous times for him... I am attempting to put it here, so we will see. One day on the porch a few days ago, Hallel, Bill and Nancy joined us for our rosary and our chaplet, and after we all sang the Angelus together...
We had a marvelous wonderful time sharing authentic Mexican food from a restaurant in town - Mariachi Fiesta! It has now become a family tradition and we hope that in 3 years it will still be going strong for us to do Cinco de Mayo in July!
Gathered around my dad, who is the King of the castle in some ways... thanks honey for allowing my father to come and share his Faith and wisdom and work of prayer with our family!
We are so blessed with our daughter's vocation of prayer and loving Jesus daily in sacrament and Word!
My dad has been here since Birdie was born and has watched her grow over these last 3 months. She is such a special wonderful good baby girl, and it was fun for Hallel to meet her and spend time with her, John and Bobbi, and Jude!
Yes, I have shed tears last evening and at 6a when I got my last hug for a while. I will have to go to KC probably in 6months to get another one. She is going to France for at least 2 months Sept and October with an American girl, Little Sister Joyce, who is taking her first vows with The Community of the Lamb!
http://www.communityofthelamb.org/
Love you so much Hallel, and it is a JOY to share our family life with you on the farm for a few wonderful blessed days!
Rose was very excited that she and Birdie had matching outfits!
Rose and Susan/Hallel are called each other's names by my husband. They are each the 4th child in their families and Rose gets used to being called Susan all the time. She looks a lot like Susan did as a girl and Birdie looks a lot like Rose and my girls including Susan/Hallel!
Hallel with Jude, who really was happy to meet and spend time with his aunt, Hallel!
The weather could not have been better! I asked Hallel is she enjoyed the cooler weather we have had this week..."yes."
Dad joined us for dessert and pictures. He knew that the Sunday shirt had a purpose...
With John's family. John and Susan/Hallel are very close and this was good timing for her to be here and give him support as he is between jobs now. Lots of prayers and Hallel reminded him that the Lord is in control and we need to trust in his plan and providence in this!
Nancy's family, who used to live in KC and see Nancy weekly. This was a treat for them to relax on the farm as they have big events ahead of them with a huge competition of Innovation through Our Sunday Visitor coming up in a month. So exciting and talk about Trusting in Him!
How they love to come to the farm and see cousins! The 3 older beg to be on the farm and stay with Ruth in their newly remodeled farm house! Nancy and Bill with the younger two are here, so it is peaceful for them with all the meeting they are in the midst of on line. Early morning this morning with a 6a meeting just as Hallel was leaving for her return trip meeting with some friends on the way!
13 of the nieces and nephews - missing Maria's 6!
With 13 we need many attempts and someone is moving or closing their eyes!
The sun was setting... a bit dark, but still a treasure
Half of Josephine, and Birdie has had it... still a treasure!
The girls...
Birdie is sad or mad... the others are used to crying siblings so they smile through it.
Ruth drives her tribe home, and calls out the window; "I love you Hallel." Mom melts into tears.
"I love you, Ruth." Hallel
We have been surprised to find that yesterday was Blessed Solanus Casey's feast day, who was so huge for us since and during John's brain cancer. Then today is another huge one - St Ignatius of Loyola, whose Ignatian retreat led to our conversion into The Church. Dad and I are saying that they are a tag team!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html
Josephine is so happy to be able to spend time with her Aunt Hallel!
Hallel was really looking forward to seeing her family Bandzuch! They had been very much in her weekly life in KC up until a year ago. Josephine knows Hallel and the Sisters very well, and they miss her and her family!
It was such a wonderful evening - touched by grace and our cup overflowed with a mix of JOY and sadness at her time coming to an end!
Hallel, who is allergic to cats, did not appreciate our cat saying goodbye as we enjoyed the perfect evening on the porch. Thank you, Lord, for this surprise amazing gift of having our nun home for the first time in 3 years. To share this time with my father, who is 95 and on hospice was such a special time. We are so blessed by your love for us and may we return that to all those around us without counting the cost. Give Hallel safe travels back to her family of the Lamb! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and hallelujah
Love the family time on the farm and sharing our Faith as a family is our greatest JOY! Bless-bless, Barbara and our farm family!
