Rain delay = family day on the farm and putting 150 cows out on Corn Stalks/26th Sunday - St Therese too - you are LOVE, O Lord! - +JMJ+

15 year old Therese Marie a couple years ago with her special statue of her patron Saint - Maria named her oldest first child Therese after the powerful experience she had while traveling to study in Rome for a year - her Sophomore year in Catholic  Studies at St Thomas.  She read Story of a Soul by St Therese on her flight and from that point was considering a Contemplative call to become a Poor Clare Nun.   

A watercolor painting I did 11 years ago while we were waiting for her baby brother, Patrick, to arrive.  I was in El Paso with Maria and her 2 oldest, while Joseph was deployed to Afghanistan.  Patrick had a traumatic birth, but is the picture of health today.  

Family Soul Story - Choose Life!: The story of little Lamb - grandson Patrick  

A young Therese with her Patron - such a special saint she is!  She felt her calling was to be the LOVE in the heart of Jesus, Mary and The Church!  She wants to spend her heaven doing good on earth.  she sends roses to those that ask - like Bobbi over the years that she waited for John...

After being classmates for all 13 years for them to come together 10 years after graduating is kind of special.  She shared to the 300 family and friends gathered at the reception in her sweet humble way about how John Verly popped into her head and heart when they were seniors in HS as her future husband.  Time and time again the same answer came to her through prayer and roses from St Therese and opening her eyes to see him right in front of her at WYD in Australia... When we consider what John experienced over those 10 years... brain cancer, seminary, girl friends, ups and downs and how disheartening it probably was and how powerful her prayers were for him!!!!  Amazing!!!   And how patient and trusting and prayerful and waiting and praying for John, this sweet girl was!  

4 years ago with her baby brother, Hector, who is one of the 3 little boys in 6 weeks.   St Therese didn't send the flowers, but T grew them.  She loves to garden! 

The other 2 little boys yesterday sharing a game.  Nancy surprised us all with a day at the farm and John came and joined in.  We had 22 sharing a day on the farm along with putting 150 cows out on corn stalks in the field around the farm.  

We had watercolor time - making St Therese paintings - Joy and Josephine sharing their works of art!  

2 to do it justice.  They are wonderful!  

Jude and Birdie are just a year apart, and they are both buddies with cousin, George.  

Grandma made 7 pounds of her B-B-Q for supper.  I can make it in my sleep after all these years.  I even made for Susan and John's graduation parties.  

Tom giving youngest granddaughter, Lucy Marie, and kiss.  She is such a happy sweet girl, and Tom is on the mend - now it will be 4 weeks tomorrow since he had a 4 wheeler accident.  So many prayers and each day he has improved!  

Joy after mass wants to come along and get breakfast with us - "I want to get grandma her coffee cake, a honeydew melon, and some ice coffee for mom."  

She looked so cute today- like Pippi Long Stockings except for no braids.  "I didn't know that my dress looked old fashioned."

Simon came home for the weekend and sure was a great help with getting the cows moved onto stalks!  He also has the job every Sunday of fixing the doughnuts, and his Godson, baby brother, Thomas, sure is interested in those ones with jelly in the middle.  "You have to wait until we bless the food and eat, Tom!"  

Simon sure entertained us with some of the meals he is making for himself at school in Sioux Falls - Southeast TEC.  "I mix black beans and Spaghetti Os and it is pretty good!" 

It was a nice day to eat on the porch!  Pat laughed at Tom - "He is making the Gospel come to life!"  The Gospel today was the father of 2 sons - he asks each of them to go out and do some work - One says "No", but later does it.  And one says "Yes." but never goes.  Who did the father's will?  The one that reconsidered and did as his father asked!  

Pat asked Tom for a bite of his doughnut - he shook his head "no".

Then he gave grandpa a bite!  "Tom is living the Gospel!"  We all laughed with great JOY!  

Grandma had to take out her hair tie and do a topknot for Birdie with the wind blowing her hair in her face.  She is fairly gentle with the kitten, too.

Jude, Birdie, kitten and Ruth's pumpkins in the bright sun today.  

20 month old Regina also found the kittens yesterday.

George and cousin friend, Birdie Barbara, sure love to play together.  

City cousins helped bring the cows across the road including Bernadette and Dominic.  

Through the pasture and...

Now out on corn stalks for a month or so.

Tom with one of the cute fuzzy Siamese.

Tom and Gina are just a month apart!  They will both be 2 around Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It was fun to get them together with the kittens.

The look...

Here take it...

That's better.

Grandpa sure loves family farm days with all the little ones.  "Our life is kind of crazy, but I wouldn't change it for anything."  Yes, honey!  

Gina out with mom to see the weaned calves in the yard.  They are curious about her too.

The littles yesterday - Lucy was home with mom and dad for their naps.  

Pat leaving the farm today with the special sight of cows out on stalks.  

My parents 7 years ago at St Michaels in Stillwater.  It was Respect LIFE Sunday as it is today, and I am forever grateful for my parents being open to LIFE and leading us into The Church 52 years ago!  Both of my parents died in 2020 - just 7 months apart and after celebrating their 70th Wedding Anniversary!

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