How we love our 4H in our family! It was huge for our kids and now grandkids on the farm! Ruth and Paul's kids show goats, pigs, and cattle! They also do many projects like making things from wood or photography! 4H, along with getting up in front of people at Catholic school, has allowed them to be able to present themselves with confidence.
A memory from a year ago - the shutdown brought us together on zoom! Now we have fake plans to have a traditional Pat Verly Easter - going to Easter Vigil as a family, while granddaughter Mary serves on the altar, and then going to celebrate at Applebees afterwards.
Yes, we had to get our places reserved and I had to call and see if Applebees was open to in dining... Yes! And open till 11p! It is a go! Very close to normal only we still have to wear those stupid masks and keep the tape on the pews! Even with the vaccine we are to keep that distance! We plan to stuff our pews full with family, and in order to do that we need to get there early!
Susan is on my heart today with the readings from mass chiming in like a bell. Over her growing up years Susan would ask me where to find her in the Bible - I would point out the Susanna in the OT, which is the first reading at mass today from Daniel. I would also point out the Susanna, who was one of the holy women who followed Jesus along with his mother, Mary the Mother of God, and Mary Magdalene.
Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: Susan Angela Agnes/Little Sister Hallel - the story of a Call
Hay beard and little one thinking about nursing... cute!
Today's reading about a beautiful inside and out Susanna... is one of Trust! She faces a dilemma of giving to the evil desires of these men, or be faithful and face their false accusations of adultery. Just as she is to be put to death , wise Daniel intervenes and catches the two men in their lies. She is vindicated and shines as a glowing example of goodness for her husband and family - by quietly trusting in the Lord.
This is the first reading followed by the powerful Gospel from John 8 - the woman taken in Adultery, who comes before Jesus! I recall other years that one follows the other! The first woman innocent and proven so to preserve her life. And then this sinful woman reminding all that we are not without sin ourselves and therefore we cannot cast the first stone! Jesus words to her and to us, sinners that we are....Then Jesus straightened up and said to her,
“Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” John 8
Watching the gate at the horse barn a mile away where we have put our first 40 pairs. How grateful we are to have this big open barn for them to be out of the weather with the rain that is forecasted over the next few days. Lots of prayers and Pat, Paul, Ruth and kids put in the work!
Pat in an ocean of cows and calves... Lots of work to feed the world!
A perfect pose of mother and baby calf! Celebrating the gift of new life all around us! LIFE is a gift!
“Woman, where are they?
Has no one condemned you?”
She replied, “No one, sir.”
Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more.” John 8
It was special today to read the following meditation in The Magnificat by Blessed Concepcion (1937)
Caught by Divine Mercy
"Go and sin no more." This is what Jesus says to me every time I go to confession. How great is the goodness of heart of my Beloved, and I wish to respond to his delicacy towards me with a pure soul and the heart of an angel! These words of our Lord touch me to the quick. How delicate is the heart of Jesus. Such love and such tenderness could proceed only from God!... And when my soul is flooded and filled with consolation, and peace, and happiness reign in my heart, to whom shall I go, if not to you. O my Jesus, that I may share my joy and happiness with you. On every occasion, O my beloved, it is you that I wish to go; it is upon your loving Heart that I wish to lean, both now and through Eternity.
Blessed Concepcion was know as "Conchita" was a wife, mother, and mystical writer. She was the first Mexican laywoman to be beatified.
It is beautiful to consider these words coming from the heart of the woman in today's Gospel as she had indeed faced Jesus - Divine Mercy! That she was sent forth transformed and healed and cleansed and transformed! May we leave the confessional in like state of healing as we have faced Jesus in his unconditional LOVE and forgiveness!
Brother Victor and dad today! Humility!!!
Also Blessed Charles de Faucauld - LOVE "Dear last place". As Brother Victor pointed out a few days ago that in this last place that no one is wanting to have but us - we find a deep personal communion with Our Lord Jesus, The Lamb with no blemish that was sacrificed for us!
With the addition of Maria's 2 losses due to miscarriage - As Therese said after losing a sibling in the womb - "When we get to heaven mom, we will have to have a big van for all those kids!" Therese understands the Truth about LIFE being from conception to natural death. There will be a huge crowd to welcome me into heaven - not only mom, dad, Mary and brother Lincoln, but 7 of my children and 6 of my grandchildren! We will need a bus, Therese!
Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: Our marriage stories - "The world needs LIGHTS!"
Our 5 children together for Hallel's final vows in July 2018! What JOY to see my kids together in such a holy and special place as we share this huge step for Hallel with her spouse, Jesus!
So very blessed and enriched by the 7 books I am reading thanks to mom and dad and Lent! This is meditations from the teachings of ST Mother Teresa of Calcutta!
We need to focus on the person of Jesus, who is fastened to that Cross! We find our peace there!
So very much each day of this journey - I am filled to overflowing by His Mercy and LOVE! How I love, love, love Jesus, Mary and The Church! There is so much with each new day! Every day since all 13 of us came into The Church 50 years ago has been abounding with more than I can ever fathom! Bless-bless, Barbara
Every life is precious. Everyone has a purpose. Everyone is worthy of life and love. #WorldDownSyndromeDay
Danielle Rose
Zach Williams
It was an unexpected home visit we were blessed with last summer while my dad was living with us... very wonderful to have Hallel and my dad praying together in person after not seeing each other since Hallel left for France 12 years before. Yet, we were unable to get our military family here in such short notice!
The mountain moved to France by Faith and Trust and I still am amazed that we were able to share the beauty of Saint Pierre, France with all our kids, their spouses and their older children! Not only how pretty the foothills of the Pyrenees is, but also the deep prayer and worship that makes up their lives as they live out their motto of the Lamb of God: "Wounded, I will never cease to love."
Hallel receiving the Body of Christ from the Pope/Descendent of St Peter the first Pope!
In the sunshine after just emerging from the womb of it's mother. Must be very bright and fill this little guy with wonder and awe of his new world!
Jesus, thank you for your unconditional LOVE and forgiveness which your Mercy pours upon us. May we then return that to all around us as we die to self so that you may live in us. May we love and serve without counting the cost and although wounded may we never cease to LOVE! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen
Danielle Rose
Zach Williams
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