A new tradition for VCC/A glorious Weekend sharing Faith and Family at Shetek then to KCK with our nun and military

All 33 at 4th Sunday of Advent mass at 4p at St Mary's in Tracy!  How we love to share our Faith as a family - our greatest Joy!  

We started a new tradition of having our Verly Christmas Camp off the farm and we gathered at Shetek Lutheran Bible Camp for the first time!  It was a huge hit!  

After mass we gathered at O'Brien Assisted living where Paul Lanoue's grandmother lives to sing Christmas Carols as suggested by granddaughter, 15 year old Therese.  She has such a heart for the poor  and Lonely.  

Such a special time for the little ones to see how we are called to share our JOY!  

Joy to the world the Savior reigns!  

Next we went to the nursing home and Maria took her two youngest around to smile, and touch their  hands.  Very powerful to see the little ones look at them with kindness.

Therese and Rose in the middle while Maria and Nancy walked around personally having the 

little ones reach out to them with love.  It seemed like such a sad and lonely place and it appeared so important to reach out  to them.

All ages joining together to share Christmas cheer in a kind of sad and lonely place.

They were very accepting and loving - so important!  

Nancy with her youngest, 2 year old Regina.  So interested to see the little ones dressed so special for Christmas!  

Look at those sweet faces gazing without fear at these elderly people that possibly have been cast aside by family that is too busy to care for them.  A new tradition has begun as we need to carry forth our JOY to share with those that are lonely and forgotten.  To share in their Cross we find the LIGHT of Christ shining in our hearts, minds and souls.  

Thank you, Therese for having a heart of the poor and lowly and reminding us that we need to go forth and share His LIGHT in the darkness.  

We arrive midday on Friday for our family Christmas Camp - Verly Christmas Camp 2023! I brought along my advent wreath as we only have one day to light the 4th week of Advent candle as Christmas is on Monday.

A couple days before we were to gather, Pat and I were at mass and he turned to me and said that he just  realized that we could go to Kansas from VCC and be there for Christmas with our nun and The Community of the Lamb.  Yes!  We are asked to bring turkey and pies!

Each family as they arrived were so impressed with the wonderful facility we had found for our gathering.  No longer imposing on Ruth and Paul and having to do all the work of cleaning our shop in the middle of winter.  A new family camp has been found, and all are delighted!  

Josephine loves the babies - her and Lucy shared quite a bit of time!  

The 3 littles are all 2 now!  Only Lucy is younger at 11 months.

The 33 plus Hallel in picture form after Santa and the shirts for 2023 - thanks, Cindy Sanders!  Such a warm wonderful brown Christmas it was!  We wore at most sweatshirts when we walked outside.  It rained the last day - no snow!  

What a blessing this was for all!  Now off to Kansas for time with our nun and Family of the Lamb!  Thankful that the roads were good even though we drove through rain the whole way.

John and Bobbi by the tree in the gathering space.  We prayed the family rosary here, played white elephant game, and had Santa come with the gift exchange here.  It was just big enough with a separate dining room just down the hall and 17 bedrooms!  

Uncle John with his 2 Goddaughters, 6 year old Joy Jean and 7 year old Josephine Francis!  

Yes, we got to Kansas and it was all wonderful, but this has gotten too long and I must end it for now.  Bless-bless, Barb and all

Had a great conversation with lb David about his trip to Baltimore, but must wait to share.  In a nutshell - "I love to be a beggar for the Goodness of people." For a later time...