I foresee a future of great cousin friendship ahead for them along with Maggie Rose, who is 6 months older. I am so excited to think that the 3 will be together in a month!
2021 was a year of so much going on in our family, my extended family and the world.... In our family... it happened that Nancy had her baby girl the day before we were to gather in Camp Wapo in Amery, WI. Pat and I brought their 5 older kids with us, and hence I was allowed to step back in time to my own nest years! They were so good for Grandma and Grandpa! It was wonderful to hear they say - "Best Christmas Camp ever!"
How can that be? I think a lot of it was that we did not have one last year when the world closed down due to the pandemic. To have it this year was such a JOY!
Two of my brothers and a sister is small numbers - 4 of the 10, but we still can have a good number to share CCC! We make up about 1/3 of our 140, and Sam flew in from Maryland and our family from the farm 4 1/2 hours away, when you add in a trip to see the new baby girl in Delano, which requires traveling through the Cities.
SECOND READING
From a homily In Praise of the Virgin Mother by Saint Bernard, abbot
(Hom. 4:8-9; Opera omnia, Edit Cisterc 4. [1966], 53-54)
The whole world awaits Mary’s reply
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.
The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.
Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.
Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.
Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
This sweet picture of baby Jesus reminds me of my new grandchildren this year!
From a homily In Praise of the Virgin Mother by Saint Bernard, abbot
(Hom. 4:8-9; Opera omnia, Edit Cisterc 4. [1966], 53-54)
The whole world awaits Mary’s reply
You have heard, O Virgin, that you will conceive and bear a son; you have heard that it will not be by man but by the Holy Spirit. The angel awaits an answer; it is time for him to return to God who sent him. We too are waiting, O Lady, for your word of compassion; the sentence of condemnation weighs heavily upon us.
The price of our salvation is offered to you. We shall be set free at once if you consent. In the eternal Word of God we all came to be, and behold, we die. In your brief response we are to be remade in order to be recalled to life.
Tearful Adam with his sorrowing family begs this of you, O loving Virgin, in their exile from Paradise. Abraham begs it, David begs it. All the other holy patriarchs, your ancestors, ask it of you, as they dwell in the country of the shadow of death. This is what the whole earth waits for, prostrate at your feet. It is right in doing so, for on your word depends comfort for the wretched, ransom for the captive, freedom for the condemned, indeed, salvation for all the sons of Adam, the whole of your race.
Answer quickly, O Virgin. Reply in haste to the angel, or rather through the angel to the Lord. Answer with a word, receive the Word of God. Speak your own word, conceive the divine Word. Breathe a passing word, embrace the eternal Word.
Why do you delay, why are you afraid? Believe, give praise, and receive. Let humility be bold, let modesty be confident. This is no time for virginal simplicity to forget prudence. In this matter alone, O prudent Virgin, do not fear to be presumptuous. Though modest silence is pleasing, dutiful speech is now more necessary. Open your heart to faith, O blessed Virgin, your lips to praise, your womb to the Creator. See, the desired of all nations is at your door, knocking to enter. If he should pass by because of your delay, in sorrow you would begin to seek him afresh, the One whom your soul loves. Arise, hasten, open. Arise in faith, hasten in devotion, open in praise and thanksgiving. Behold the handmaid of the Lord, she says, be it done to me according to your word.
"in the defenseless weakness of a child that God wanted us to have our first encounter with saving mercy." Such a powerful way to see the coming of our Lord is 5 days! And being open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS truly does call upon us to die to self and serve without counting the cost as they are truly defenseless and helpless and need and require us to take total care of all their needs. It is a sacrifice of LOVE!
Santa so beautifully prayed with us and for us! He asked the baby Jesus to bring peace and healing to our world and family! Birdie was super cute and unafraid of this big man in a red suit!
Jude and George are 6 weeks apart with Hector in the middle! They are excited to play together and adore baby Jesus
As we sang Christmas Carols waiting for Santa - these two spontaneously danced and jumped to the music together! Our Charlie Brown Christmas tree adorned with the works of art created by the kids and an adult or 10!
Santa!!!!!!
He's here!!!
My kids for the weekend and their smiles tells is all!!!
The dance was a very fun time for all! The kids danced and danced and we sat and were thoroughly entertained!
We discovered the "the crab song." Birdie - "more Crab!" 
One more of the group minus 2 that had left, and Nancy and Bill, who had their baby suddenly the day before. We would have reached 50 and it was still a good number!
How 2 1/2 year old George liked to sleep touching grandpa!
My two brothers, Jim and Dan, who see eye to eye with me on Faith and Family!
Gathering for the rosary Saturday morning... A necklace for Birdie.
Mom and dad praying and the littles are there joining them...
Dad there with us in spirit. We discovered that with a year of no camp and mom and dad coming less - dad came alone for a brief visit 2019, and there were years that they would only come for a few hours... so they had eased themselves out of being there for the entire time. They were missed, but it was not a sad note. We still felt their presence in our 50th anniversary of being Catholic year!
Thanks mom and dad for bringing us into The Church 50 years ago Christmas eve! Every day since has been a total gift and this weekend of CCC 2021 was no exception!
Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: The amazing story of the 13 becoming Catholic!
So blessed by this most special tradition that they started in 1985! Thirty Six years of CCC! We now have this beautiful backdrop of Camp Wapogasset in Amery, WI!
Mom and dad both gone in the last year 7 months apart! We continue to know of their prayers!
Berna and George adoring Thomas after morning prayers and rosary.
Paul teaching how to make little stocking cap ornaments for the tree!
LIFE is a gift!
Thank you, Lord, for family and for new life! How we love to share your JOY one with the other! Jesus, we trust in you. Bless-bless, Barbara
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