the highs and the lows..."nothing is new under the sun"/The treasury of compassion inexhaustible

At 3 each day you can find us here praying our rosary and chaplet with cat and chickens and time to time cows and calves.  Truly a "Farm Monastery"

Now into our 6th month.  The days march by and we face what they hold with the help of our "Farm Monastery" work of prayer, and hospice to meet our every need and give us some answers to the questions that arise.  

The first reading today from Ecclesiastes 1 rings very true - "nothing is new under the sun."   Every problem that surfaces we take and deal with as best we can.  Being on hospice allows us to be less aggressive with trying to look really deeply inside.  Rather we ride the waves of the highs and the lows... maybe inching into the sunset for dad a few steps forward and then some back - the dance of the end of his life!

Climbing the mountain of the Lord and dwelling in His Holy Temple within our inner temple.  

Much of the morning prayer today was psalms relating to that Holy Place for which we strive - heaven forever with Jesus, Mary, the Saints and mother Nancy now there!

Dad is so alert and interested in the farm life all around him here.  He always says that he has seen many pictures from me over my 44 years here as a farmwife, but it is still a big deal for him to see it first hand.  

It was a morning with many issues from dad - BU, P, U, E, P... for me to know and not to share fully.  After a short night due to the pinnacle experience of my hour of Adoration at 4a... I always feel especially tired and kicked in the head, and less than gracefilled!  Hubby reminded me that I need to be patient and loving, and not make dad more embarrassed than he already is.  True but hard to do!  The words from the closing prayer of the chaplet come me like a bell ringing in my ear - "The treasury of compassion inexhaustible"  - Lord, may I tap into that treasure chest of compassion as each day holds "nothing new under the sun."  This too shall pass!

Alone with Jesus from 4a-5a... I place the 250+ from both of our families one by one in the monstrance with Jesus!  Since our family is in both families - I pray for us twice including all those that are in heaven praying for us!  my 7 children and 6 grandchildren!

https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

He who was seated on the throne said,

"I am making everything new!" 

Then he said, "Write this down, for these words

are trustworthy and true." - Rev 21:5

 

 

During a visit to the Philippines, Sister Gertrude from the Sacred Hearts Community

in Hawaii relayed this story (when she was over seventy) to Msgr Josefino (Pepe)

 Ramirez.  He passes it on in a Chapter of his book, Letters to a Brother Priest:

 

"When (Sr Gertrude) was a young nun, one of the old nuns was dying. The custom at that time was for the community to gather in prayer around the one dying. ... the nun was breathing her last breaths. Suddenly, she opened her eyes, stretched forth her arms and exclaimed: "O my Beloved."

Then she sat up and gazed lovingly at the Blessed Sacrament, which she had permission to have in her room since she had been too weak to go to the chapel. What happened next had never been told, until Sister Gertrude shared it with me. The old, wrinkled nun changed to a strikingly attractive young woman, radiantly aglow with a countenance that put the rest of the nuns into ecstasy just looking at her. After what seemed like a minute or two, the transformed nun went back against her pillow, turning old again and died. When the Sisters came out of their ecstasy, they were stunned to discover that this extraordinary event lasted for more than one or two minutes. The Sisters were in ecstasy for over thirteen hours! ...

If only we could see the change that takes place in us at each Holy Hour we make. We are made new in the Eternal Youth of Christ. We are made innocent, without blemish, as we are cleansed in His Precious Blood, in the folly of His surpassing love. "

 

Photo: University of Steubenville, Ohio

A story to accentuate how powerful is the presence of the Lord we are given in adoring and receiving his Body - the Bread of LIFE!

Some ways to help me dig deeply into the treasury of Compassion with a wonderful visit and joining us in prayer from my brother and his wonderful wife!  She called our home a "peaceful monastery".  She understands with us how important our "work of prayer" is!

A rare moment of my hard working husband around while we prayed for the farmers at this busy time of year!

Prayers constant and uplifting him to be safe and sane.  He is a sounding board for me with my father.  He reminds me daily of that inexhaustible treasury of compassion I need to treat him with the love and respect he needs and deserves.

Angela fell in love with my chickens and found a bounty of eggs!

Mother is interceding for dad and I!  Her presence is real and felt!  She died 6 1/2 months ago on March 13, and dad came here to live 5 1/2 months ago on April 13.  

Nothing can replace the family!  It truly was a most special uplifting time to have my brother make the trip with his smiling wife!  With the current situation of the world we are especially grateful that the doors of dad's assisted living closed on April 13, and the only other option was for him to come here.  

It has been disappointing at how few from the family have made it here.  Many reasons prevent them from coming here to see their father... some are hard to understand - but once again the treasury of compassion is inexhaustible, Barb!!!

I am a chicken farmer now... 13 free range chickens...

Up on the porch last evening by our prayer space.  One did join us the other day, and dad continues to be surprised by his life here.  He might disagree with the "nothing new under the sun" statement from the first reading.  

Pumpkins from the garden and chicken... It is an orange world these days.  Fall is upon us as of a few days ago now.  Dad and I watch the leaves turning and soon the combines will be taking out the corn fields all around us.

The 150 cows are now weaned off their calves and are on this pasture just down the road from our farm.  Quite the sight this morning to see them grazing on the dry grass .  That lone white cows sure stands out with all the blacks!

Cows as far as the eye can see...

Lord, help me to return the love and forgiveness and mercy I have been given to all those around me - most especially those the closest to me in my domestic Church/family.  May I die to self so that you may live in me and use me to your honor and glory.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Only 3 pictures can cover it!  Bless-bless, Barbara

Yes!  Lord!  

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Casting Crowns 

Danielle Rose