The Pat and Barb Verly family and their 5 children, in laws and grandkids along with many prayer warriors have been drawn together by John's cancer... sharing daily for 8 months started this blog- Family Soul Story - Our faith, family, farm and now our cancer journey called HEALING have colored and deepened our world. WE continue to share and depend on the support of our prayer warrior community, that has lowered us into the Lord's presence for His healing!
Unspoken love and thanks/Their eyes on the hands of their master...helping Pat in the cattle yard/Praying for #20
Fr Denny anointing dad 10 days before he died. Healing oils are placed on his forehead and his hands with beautiful prayers. So much peace knowing that dad was able to receive two Sacraments just days before his peaceful natural death at age 95 1/2 years old!
Dad was a man of Faith, and how we loved to share that Faith while he was here with me! He held his well worn prayer book and prayed with me right up until his last days. Yes, they were shaky and he used a wavering flashlight to read the words, but still he prayed without ceasing!
The healing oils applied to his forehead...
Father Denny laying hands on dad and praying for him to be healed spiritually for his final journey!
Anointing of the Sick is the sacrament that is administered to bring spiritual and even physical strength during an illness, especially near the time of death. The effects of the sacrament include a special grace of healing and comfort to the Christian suffering the infirmities and the forgiveness of the person’s sins.
When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is given, the hoped-for effect is that, if it be God’s will, the person be physically healed of illness. But even if there is no physical healing, the primary effect of the Sacrament is a spiritual healing by which the sick person receives the Holy Spirit’s gift of peace and courage to deal with the difficulties that accompany serious illness or the frailty of old age.
When this sacrament is administered, the priest lays his hands on the head of the sick, silently prays for them, and then anoints the person with the oil of the sick, one of the three blessed oils used sacramentally, on their forehead and hands.
Dad and I shared a host - Jesus as part of the prayer for strength and courage for the journey ahead. We had no idea that we were less than 2 weeks away from his passing. We were taking one day at a time and when dad was unable to join me in prayer - he listened to me read and pray the Rosary or chaplet!
In my heart's mind... I wondered if there would be that movie like ending for dad and I - that he would speak words of gratitude and love to me for our time together. Not likely to happen with the increasing sleepiness, and some confusion, and slowly leaving this world with weakness and lethargy.
No, it didn't happen with words! Yet, it seemed that at the time of helping him to bed or preparing him for bed.. that we would part with words of love when able, and later those last few weeks when I was too worried to allow him to get himself to bed... I would get him into bed, tucked in, took out his cochlear where he then was totally in the silence... I would grasp his hand to show my love and care, and he would take my hand up to his lips for a kiss! Unspoken love and thanks, which meant so much, and brings tears to my eyes now.
I took dad around the block to see the farming in the first week of October. We visited Pat by the bins and he held in his huge hands the corn he was putting in the bins from the truck.
My husband loved to share his life with my father, and dad had many questions for Pat. We also prayed mightily for "Pat and all the farmers" daily. Dad was well aware of the concerns for safety in this crazy busy time of year!
Watching the golden bumper crop flow from the truck to the auger to the bin...
Dad heaping words of praise on 12 year old David, who was raking ahead of his dad for our 700+ corn stalk bales. Dad also knew that his prayers were needed for safety for all!
Dad sharing some time with Pat and the grandkids after they called up the cows and calves to eat the grass around our barn! He is sharing his licorice with them... he always wanted to share his treats with them. He even gave Joy one of his candy bars the day before he died!
Never too many pictures of dad interested in the farm and my family as we share our Faith! At the time we were going through it... it seemed to be along time, but now too short!
Dad would watch the grass growing up to my shoulders around our red barn and wonder when the cows and calves would come to eat it. Well, this day in July it finally happened and he watched for a couple hours!
Dad with his licorice and Ruth's afghan around his shoulders!
Pat loved to share his life and dad was very interested to learn and share in the life he had watched me share on my blog...
Another word from the Gospels that spoke so loudly to dad at the time of mom's funeral mass... he asked Angela to make this large and loud to proclaim the Truth!!! He and mother believed in Jesus and His Bride, The Church, and therefore they are now with Him!
Another miracle that I am thankful for while dad was here! In the middle of the Covid lock down Pat and I were able to go to KC and visit Hallel and The Community of the Lamb! Dad even considered going with us!
We were surprised to be told that we could bring Hallel home for her every 3 year home visit! She was able to see and pray with my father for the first time in 12 years!
Sharing their wisdom and LOVE of Jesus, Mary and The Church! My dad especially loved to hear Hallel sing beautifully and lovingly The Angelus!
The Angelus
LOVE Hallel's bare feet - a sign that she is at home with her family!
Out towards sunset with hubby as he mended the feed bunks with some cement. The calves were just on the other side eating and watching with great curiosity the man, who was there to help their mother's bring them into this world, watched over them and cared for them, feeds them and allowed them a idyllic summer on green pastures with their mothers... yes, if an animal can love and appreciate... they have that for this man with his huge hands working for them.
Cuteness in the setting sunlight!
"That man is our master and we love him! He is always looking out for us!"
A trio of white faces with bushy bangs...
Using his huge hands to mix the cement... I enjoy watching him work and putting the puzzles together to fix up his farm. It is always quite a procedure and he sees how to accomplish it step by step. Those calves are quite spoiled to have a man like, Patrick Verly, to care for all their needs! He is passing that on to the wonderful farm family Ruth and Paul are raising and also modeling how to feed the world!
Mending a bunk...
Filling in with cement to make it strong for many years to come! He reported that when he took off the boards today that it "looked good."
Watched with love and appreciation for the care they are given by this man, Paul and family!
St Augustine!
LOVE these from Nancy today at St Maximilian School in Delano - All Saints Day a bit later!
At Dominic!
St Dymphna!
St Rose of Lima suffering before school...
Embraced her Cross and smiled for the Saint Parade!
St Thomas and St Augustine! I am overjoyed that my grandchildren are in such wonderful Catholic Schools! How we love and share our Faith!!!!
What JOY! This from Maria - our 20th grandchild the most beautiful sight there is in this world! New LIFE is precious and to be cherished and protected from conception to natural death! Maria is a daughter after my own heart, who shares right away knowing that prayers are a wonderful way to have her baby grow in LOVE/LIFE/LIGHT always! It is a life no matter how small!!!
Words from my wonderful father this day from his beloved fellow "companion of the Lord" - Brother Victor Antione! How dad saw Jesus as The Word! With us so deeply and personally each and every day!
Lord, you and your Mother, Mary Most Holy, and all the Saints are all around us this day as we go forward down the narrow path, dragging our Most Cherished Cross with our eyes on heaven forever with you! May we die to self and serve without counting the cost. Be with our divided country and may the culture of LIFE win over the culture of death. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
John meeting at this time about his hope for disability - many prayers from my parents, Blessed Solanus, Our Lady - the best mother of ALL! Her Lourdes water which poured over John many times in France and since... washing away his anxiety and giving him HOPE in the Lord's plan! Jesus, is in control! Jesus, we trust in you. Bless-bless, Barbara The story/journey continues and we trust in the Lord's plan!
These prayers are very close with both my parents gone so recently! I know they are on their way to heaven and that gives me JOY!
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