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!
Looking back - only a month left with dad last year/"take nothing for the journey"
Dad watching the bean harvest from the van last year. He remained sharp and interested in the farm work.
Looking back now that I know he only had one month left til his death on hospice... I am interested in what our days were like together. We continued to do the work of prayer morning and evening with our time on the porch at 3p for our rosary and chaplet. I do recall that there were some health issues cropping up and his appetite was fading. How we loved to have hospice with us and assisting us on our journey down the narrow path as we carried our Cross.
I also appreciate this man! How he told me that dad needed to come here in the midst of the pandemic, with dad not welcomed back into his Assisted Living. Yes! Those 6 months were such a gift to me!
He is hearing dad and I pray for the farmers as we did each day... Dad not only was interested, but he lifted them up in prayer. This year from heaven dad is lifting us all up more perfectly, as it will be a challenging year with the drought and less hands on deck. Pat also is dealing with his shoulder not quite back to normal. So many prayers and the way we are kept on our knees!
Red chicken with little red haired girl a year ago... Protect LIFE!
I am pondering the words of Jesus to us in the Gospel today...He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. Luke 9
Yet, Jesus asks us to take up our Cross and follow him on our journey to heaven forever? He will carry it with us or drag it with us... It is his yoke that is easy and light. Jesus is asking us to TRUST totally for all that we need for the journey as we are "proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere." How? By sharing his Truth and the unconditional LOVE and forgiveness He has given to us. We are called to share that with all around us - most especially those in our domestic Church/family!
No tomato soup this year! This was last year - 7 canners!!! Not once in our 43 years of marriage have we not canned tomato soup! I received a canner for a wedding present from Pat's siblings so the handwriting was on the wall, and my mother-in-law taught me with great patience and well my first year as a farm wife.
Yes, we had 2 big canning days this year, but have run out without getting our soup made! Add to that no apples on the trees, so no sauce this year either. I am very sad as we can for 7 families and share our work with our family with great JOY! Such a sad year due to the drought and life in general.
Pat and his Rose Again out by the weaned calves 5 years ago.
Joy is in preschool today and loves to come over to see her kittens at grandmas and "get spoiled by grandma."
9 years ago - John was in seminary and was home to help with harvest. He spent a year discerning his call and came home after a year. He is now married 3 years and has 2 little ones that he cares for.
9 years ago in the huge track tractor...
Pat in France 10 years ago - how he loved to use his muscles to help do the work!
We are excited to know that our Little Sisters are back from France! I know that when we get through this harvest like no other that we have fake plans to go to visit our Family of the Lamb in Lumen Christi/LIGHT of Christ Monastery in the heart of the poor in Kansas City, KS! Even though our Hallel is not there this year... we still love to be with them in prayer and love. We depend on their prayers for our family.
Ruth when this was her kitchen and she had done all the work to make this house as wonderful as it is! All we did was put in 3 new bathrooms to make it perfect home for our huge family that comes and goes and fills it up on a regular basis.
Nancy and Bill's wonderful home in Shawnee, KS - just half an hour from The Community of the Lamb in Kansas City! We had 3 amazing years of being able to see two daughters when we visited them. So blessed!
They just went down and back for the funeral of George's Godmother, Emily Smart. Such a sad loss of a wonderful kind and loving woman to all!
So blessed to have dad here on the farm monastery! Knowing that the anniversary of his death is just a month away... makes me so grateful for the 6 months he was here and we did the work of prayer. Now I am lifted up by his prayer books left behind also daily living in the monastery with Brother Victor! Also mom's daily prayer with Pope Benedict XVI!
I guess it seems like I am dwelling on my parents a lot after losing them both 7 months apart last year... but they are truly with me daily still, and for that I am most grateful and helped as I drag my Cross down the narrow path! I truly take nothing for the journey and must depend upon ALL the help I can get! Bless-bless, Barbara
Grandma time coming tomorrow...
Bejeweled by the best gift giver - my Johnny! Help of the weak and lowly as we stagger forward and a few steps back in the dance of LIFE - Mary, Queen of heaven and earth!
4 year old Joy in my mom's chair and my mother's painting on the wall...
They are now together and bless each day and my home! I love you mom and dad, and miss you so very much. Yet, I know that you are with me and are helping me on my way. I long to be united with you and all my 7 children, and 6 grandchildren... They keep our eyes and hearts and minds and spirits focused on heaven forever!
The Lamb shows us how to humbly accept all that comes our way!
May we break the cycle of hurt... LOVE and forgive!Danielle Rose - True love/The Cross!
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