Circle errands with hubby- "let's take out the little family."/Unexpected chance to share Beauty/"set out for the sake of the Name" with Rose to Berna

Riding along with hubby, Farmer Pat, on one of the last fields to work.  The cows are now home and ALL the corn ground is worked as the cold weather has arrived and things are now frozen out there!

Pat invited me to go along with him to run "many errands all over the place."  So it was to the point that we would seem to go in circles to get this or that and even returned to a very busy store twice! 

Tom sure loves to spend time with his grandpa, and that big quad track tractor was so exciting!  

Sheer JOY on a beautiful day a few weeks ago now.

Today we are heading to Nancy's house in Delano with farm girl, Rose Again for an overnight birthday party for Bernadette, whose birthday is tomorrow.

It was surprising to have for the first reading at mass today from 3 John, which must only have one chapter in it - speaking to us as we journey forth today!  It was a great start with hubby sharing morning prayer with me from The Magnificat!  We come to the intentions and share our own prayers and then we share the readings for the day- 

Memorial of Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr

See Readings on USCCB

• Readings for the Memorial of Saint Josaphat, bishop and martyr

Reading 1 3 JN 5-8

Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters,
especially for strangers;
they have testified to your love before the Church.
Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey.
For they have set out for the sake of the Name... 

 Yes, Lord we go forth armed with you and your Name!  It is always special to share with Bill and Nancy's family as they gather each night for prayer and The Gospel for the next day as we have learned from Hallel and her Community of the Lamb!  My prayer for Nancy always includes her huge ministry with The Catholic Sprouts Podcast - Catholic Sprouts 

Eating lunch and watching "a lot turning back there" to work the corn ground till spring digging and planting.  

The Birthday girl on the farm for MEA with our Sunday rolls.  How they love our family tradition of a big brunch on the farm after we share 8a mass as a family.  Pat said that "Sundays are my favorite days with sharing our Faith and Family!"  

Sharing Lunch in the shop with his little buddy, Tom-Tom.  

After almost 2-3 hours of errands Pat suggested that we take our little family, John and Bobbi and their 2 littles out for supper.  At first I was not sure, but it all fell into place when I called them.  Some of their plans for the weekend had changed, so it was just nice to have some good times together spur of the moment.

One of our last tomatoes for the year.  We had the last one last week and now we must wait till next year.  

Tom watching the Quad track being backed into the shop from a safe distance to get some work done on it.

Now his best buddy - their dog, Teddy.

Until next year - the tractor is put away in the shop at Ed's 

Grandpa and Tom at the Open House at the Parsonage.  Tom spent a lot of time with grandpa and grandma and will again in a few weeks when they start another project next store.  How they love to remodel with vision and willingness to do the work!  Tom is so good for his old grandma!  

At the Pro life breakfast Tom fell asleep in grandpa's arms - "a bobble head doll"

Too cute always need at least 2!  

Close to Jude on Sunday at mass - last night we shared a meal with them at a local restaurant...

Birdie Barbara - my namesake on Sunday.  This weekend we will go to mass with Nancy, Bill and family including 3 girls with Bernadette for her birthday overnight.  It should be big and beautiful and full of surprises!  

Birdie with her hippo at mass and licking her lips too.  She is wearing the dress her mother used for her 4 Goddaughters in their wedding!  

4 Goddaughters and Godson, Big Dave at their wedding June 2,2018 in Ghent Church - St Elios!  LOVE how they hold these special children in their hearts filled with love for them!  

2 1/2 year old Birdie Barbara at supper last night.

Brother, Jude too.

It was special to have some time together, and while I had the fun of seeing a young couple that are special to me after Emmaus retreat last year.  This young girl was one of the 5 making the retreat, and since has been so loving and happy to see me and share her life!  

Jude and Birdie with drinks and color pages...

She was with her fiancé and they came over to greet us, and I was able to sit with them until their food arrived.  She asked me to share with her fiancé about Hallel and her order and their charism of not only being contemplative with a special LOVE for Jesus in The Word - "maundecating/chewing on the Gospel beginning the night before" - "They repeat each line from the Gospel by speaking it many times and then chanting it many times - much like Lectio Divina where the Holy Spirit speaks to us.  They then take the Gospel with them as they go into the poor neighborhoods!"

Drinking sideways with her straw...

I also shared with them - Hallel's missions where she begs for "food from the poor!"  That is always a shocker to people and then to share the powerful way Little Sister Marie was led to I Kings 17 - Elijah and the widow!  "Make some for me and you will never run out."  So powerful!!  

I shared the story that is so powerful of when they were begging and a young mother came to the door with tatoos that indicated that she had been in a gang and in prison - "How dare you ask me for food when I don't have enough for my kids!"  After sharing the Gospel with her - she softened and said: "I can give you a glass of water."  The Gospel coming to LIFE!

Matthew 25:35-40

New International Version

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

So surprised to see our dear Dr Nwakama working in the kitchen!  He came out and asked Pat about the shoulder surgery he did on him after a cow tore all the ligaments to his left shoulder.  "Yes, I cook and do surgery."  What an amazing man this is!  

Working on Bernadette's birthday card...

Pouring out my heart - how we are blessed with sharing our Faith/Family/Farm!  

The 10th Psalm did not work out, but the 10th verse of Psalm 143 was a good one for her!  WE love you Bernadette!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barbara and the 34!
 

Danielle Rose