Gathering on the farm - August begins with Faith/Family/Farm!/"deserted place" with Jesus - Ignatius and dad join me at Adoration

6 months apart and getting to know each other - Tom and Maggie.  Maria and Major Joseph are here for a few days including our 44th Anniversary on Wednesday and going to Farm Fest with the farm family on Thursday.

The two redheads, Romeo and Joy, are together again!  

Out to see the cows in the front pasture.

Sharing in our farm life.  Farming is definitely a LIFE and not just a job!  

7 year old Romeo and 3 year old Hector with the cows looking on.   Ruth mowing up the yard in preparation for a photo shoot for Farm Fest taking place shortly.  Always a busy place on the farm and now with 15 kids - 7 each of Ruth's and Maria's, and Gus from Nancy's that has been here for some days as he is showing a pig and has become a 4Her!  Paul was joking that it really did not matter if some of each kids were in the picture - "there are just a lot of kids!"

Evangaline and Cally one of the spring kittens that is a favorite as they would like her to start having their kittens spring and fall as the other mothers are getting old and worn down.

"Take my picture grandma."  Yes, please!  

6 years ago at World Youth Day in Poland!  The Timmermans had just mentioned Little Sister Hallel and there she was!  Talk about the Holy Spirit to bring them together in the midst of a million pilgrims!  

This past weekend Simon and Mary and Therese were all at Steubenville North at St Thomas.  Simon and Therese were comparing notes and spoke about how the Holy Spirit is definitely alive and on fire from what they witnessed during Adoration.  

Adoration for me in the middle of the night!  I had to bring along dad's icon of St Ignatius, dad's candle from his memorial service 2 years ago, the heart rock that the military grandkids found for me in the woods on base at Fort Lewis, WA, and a bouquet of my flowers.  It had been a feast day of St Ignatius - a very special Saint in my dad's history of coming into the Catholic Church 50 years ago!  A Protestant Minister with 11 kids!  

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: The amazing story of the 13 becoming Catholic! 

Special time in Adoration - sharing the time with dad and Ignatius in this "deserted place".  In the middle of the night with dark and silence all around - there is such a closeness to Jesus, Mary, St Ignatius and dad and mom in heaven!  There is no doubt that dad was celebrating with this very special Saint!  

"Deserted Place" is mentioned twice in the Gospel today - #1 where Jesus went to mourn the death of his dear cousin, St John the Baptist, and again...

When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd,
his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick.
When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said,
“This is a deserted place and it is already late;
dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages
and buy food for themselves.”
He said to them, “There is no need for them to go away;
give them some food yourselves.”
But they said to him,
“Five loaves and two fish are all we have here.”
Then he said, “Bring them here to me,”
and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,
he said the blessing, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples,
who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied,
and they picked up the fragments left over–twelve wicker baskets full.

Those who ate were about five thousand men,
not counting women and children.  Matthew 14

So close to our Lord in this dark and silent time of prayer - doing the litany of our 2 families is over 250+ naming them in prayer and putting them in the monstrance with Jesus!  "Jesus and Mary, I love you.  Save Souls!"  

Dad the words of St Ignatius have come to be for you and mom!  You were created to share in God's love and life for Eternity!  How I love to find comfort knowing of your happiness in heaven with the angels, Saints, Jesus, Joseph and Mary!  

Nancy has made things from ties including a jumper that she wore in high school.  At one performance where she walked across the stage a man noticed that his ties were walking across the stage on her!  

We take a lot of pride in feeding the world!  

Find that "deserted place" to spend time alone with Jesus and Mary.

Dad fills my cup with the waters of LIFE!  

Pope Benny and mom!  I am truly blessed by my parents and all they left behind for me! Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barbara and the 54 - 34 with us here and 20 in heaven.  Adding Pat's brother, Donny, who we pray is on the narrow path and coming to heaven forever!  

Casting Crowns - the Well