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!
When I say, “My foot is slipping,” your mercy, O LORD, sustains me./A year ago day of prayer before dad's funeral mass
At the foot of the Cross a year ago! Dear Angela hearing from her doctor after we had prayed the sorrowful mysteries together as my dad taught me during his 6 month stay here in our farm monastery, including the 7 last words of Christ for The Crucifixion, and 10 stations of the Cross for carrying the cross! Dad you fill me with so much for the journey!!!
Recalling this powerful time with my brother and sister-in-law the day before our family gathered for dad's funeral mass - All 10 of his kids in the midst of covid!!!
My father did the impossible - he gathered all of his children around him in death! The 10 of his surviving children together in the midst of still plenty of covid restrictions! We even had an outside reception together by the St Croix River!
My brother taking off his mask that he forgot was on... I am marveling at this as we are attempting to gather for our family Christmas - Cross Christmas Camp, and there are still those that are choosing to not come due to the current covid 19 situation in the country. Dad overcame the divisions and that is a wonderful gift to this very day!
Masking was still going on, and that is much less now as we yearn to get back to normal!
Dad in his deacon robe after being a permanent deacon in The Catholic Church for 44 years after bringing the 13 into The Church 50 years ago! Thank you, dad, for the greatest gift with each new day since!
Fr Drees assisted by our dear friend, Fr Custodio! Jesus comes to us in Body and Blood and The Word as we bid our wonderful father farewell until we see you again in heaven forever! We knew of the prayers for our family by dad and mom each day - every Monday they would do the litany of first and middle names of 34 grandkids and 58 now 60 great-grandkids!!! So amazing!
As dad reminded us shortly after mom died in a day on March 16th..."Your mother is praying more perfectly now for our needs from heaven." And 7 months later dad joined her - only apart for 7 months after 70 years of marriage!
Sweet Angela and Fr Custodio - they go way back even further than us! He was a priest at Basilica where she went to Catholic School. Fr came and gave us instruction for coming into The Church 50 years ago - all 13 of us! We than entered taking our First Communion at Christmas midnight mass at The Cenacle Convent!
My brother had this made to celebrate the prayer of my father!!! How we depended upon his prayers for us and our families, and know that they continue! I smile each hour of my Adoration as it is the first hour of Monday - 12m-1a and Mondays was when dad would pray first and middle names for the many even up to his last week here! He was such a man of deep prayer and Faith, which we shared 100%!
As dad would pray for the family he would "put a hedge of protection" around this family unit of that one. Here is the spiritual explanation of this most important part of his prayer over his family! How we need to have this protection around our hearts, minds and souls as the wolves are all around us with evil at the click of the mouse or every where we look!
A stunning morning on the farm as we have been doing a lot of driving and spending time in the car together - 13 year old David has been going for gun safety training 45 minutes away. Time to visit and pray and make a quick trip to Sam's in Sioux Falls. Time with hubby is rare and cherished. Thanks, Dave for giving us this opportunity and time to share with you too!
8 years ago - John with his Beloved Lady, Queen of heaven and earth in Jackson where he was starting a new job... He continues to love her, and his life now includes his wife, Bobbi, and 2 little ones... Jude and Birdie Barbara.
The pink Barbaras a year ago... LOVE to have a namesake now, and she is so wonderful and smart!
Today in the Gospel Jesus tells us to seek the lowest and most humble place, which is so true for me - I am a weak sinful mess! But what really grabbed me today as I read the readings last night before bed and again this morning with morning prayer on the road with hubby and David...
Were not the LORD my help, my soul would soon dwell in the silent grave. When I say, “My foot is slipping,” your mercy, O LORD, sustains me. R. The Lord will not abandon his people. Psalm 94
Lord, I am truly a mess and a piece of work! How I need you and long to die to self so that you may live in me. I do know that I will "slip" often as I stumble down the narrow path dragging/carrying from time to time my Most Cherished Cross. Yet, your unconditional LOVE and Forgiveness and Mercy keeps me from totally wiping out and staying down! Jesus, I am eternally grateful, and pray that I may in turn return that love and forgiveness to all those around me - most especially those the closest to me in my domestic Church/family. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
My two kittens that love me and look to me - "where is she going now?"
Always need two to give the memory justice for the ages! Barb and her pictures... Bless-bless, Barbara
Dad's man, Brother Victor, today is quite something. His mixture of France close to Lourdes where our daughter is living in Saint Pierre, France in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, and his life as a monk in New York living on the fruit of the land = wonderful sharings that makes me smile!
Thanks dad, for Brother Victor - Apple and pear trees, peach and plum trees, all trees, bless the Lord!
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