Our Lady of Guadalupe - "Am I not here, who am your Mother?"/Cross country prayers/Excitement building for FAMILY times! - +JMJ+

Nephew, Sam Cross, wrapped in Our Lady of Guadalupe on this her feast day.  He is in the bus he bought in Spokane, WA and is driving across country with our son-in-law, Paul Lanoue to Wilmington, Delaware.  It looks like Paul is behind the wheel.  They plan to sleep in Chicago tonight.  Many prayers for safe travels... it is comforting to know that Our Lady is with them!  

A memory from about 40 years ago - Nancy is eating an apple found in the snow... cold and crunchy for sure!  This red snow suit was used by the girls starting with Ruth - #1 Daughter!  

I call this ornament for Ruth as she was the first to wear the red snowsuit... 

This one is for Nancy as she had so much dark hair on her head that it was like a piece of fur - Nancuk of the North!  

 A precious memory indeed of the 4 girls in snow gear - 37 years ago when Hallel was 2.  She is now 39!  

Jesus in the tabernacle today and on the Cross overhead when I went up to visit Our Lady of Guadalupe after mass this morning.

Roses in winter!  

Such a beautiful powerful message from Servant of God Luis Martinez from Mexico!  

Such a wonderful sharing today in The Magnificat!  Mary's love is a divine gift - it is never withdrawn.  "My son whom I love tenderly as a little and delicate one."  

Pray for us and Paul and Sam on the road.  Thankfully the roads are clean and dry so far!  

At the same time she was appearing to Juan Diego - Our Lady appeared to his Uncle who was dying and healed him!  Wow!  

Much celebrations today!  

The dancers show their love and their JOY!  

The landscape in South Dakota for Sam and Paul looks a lot like ours with just a dusting of snow. 

Close to her Son!  Our Lady of Guadalupe brought millions to her Son and into The Catholic Church!  

Mass this morning!  

Prayer before the Consecration- "For by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit she conceived your Only Begotten Son, and without losing the glory of her virginity, brought forth into the world the eternal Light, Jesus Christ our Lord."

Patroness of LIFE as she is carrying Jesus in her womb!  We know by the black tie high on her waste.  

In a new spot this year with Juan Diego kneeling at her feet.  We recall her words to him - "Am I not here, who am your Mother?"

Dark and cold outside with temps at zero - yet the LIGHT is all around us brought to us by our Mother of Heaven and earth and her "Yes!"  

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God.”
Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.  Luke 1:26

So true and beautiful in every way!!!  How I love her and am lifted up by having her with me always as I stumble down the narrow path with Heaven forever as my goal!  

It is a miraculous image indeed!  

John and Lucy praying for me for safety for Paul and Sam.  Many prayers are surrounding these two fathers of many - Sam is the dad of 5 and Paul is the dad of 7!  

We finished our last Belgian cookies by the Christmas tree in the dark world outside.  Pat is the 100% Belgian and I have none, so he is the cookie maker over the years!  He is also the frequent taste tester!  

John's 3 by the Christmas tree!  LOVE!  

In a little over a week they and their dad will be traveling with us to Camp Wapo in Amery, WI for my family Christmas called CCC - Cross Christmas Camp!  On the way we will go to St Max School Christmas program with Nancy's kids in it.  Then we will all head to Amery!  Maria and her 7 will be there, and I just got word that Marty's family will be coming for Santa and the dance adding 4 of her 6 families and 15 little ones!  I am so happy and excited about this!  Thank you, Lord and Lady!  

My great JOY about CCC is that we have such a huge family as I am the oldest of 11, that no matter what we have a big crowd.  I also love for any to come for the time they are happy to be there.  That is all I care about!  

Pat's new truck with his passion of wood in the back.  It is not really new as it is a 2011, but he likes that it is heavy duty and less than perfect.  

It is calling out to me! I find so much peace as the beads pass through my fingers and I pray for my family with my Spiritual Mother of heaven and earth!  

The traditional pitch fork picture - covid 2020

Last year by our red barn and Lucy Marie!  

Lucy showing grandma the Christmas tree - she wanted to have a cozy jammy day.  Good idea as it is -13 windchill yesterday Lucy!  

Tom down by grandpa Farmer Pat's woodstove watching Terrific Trucks!  He loves all things farm!  

Saying goodbye to Neumann with a kiss.  Today my kitty is here next to me in the office - he loves to be close to and is very grateful to no longer be a farm cat out in the cold and is in the warm comfort of my home.  

Lord and Lady, we are so blessed to have your love and mercy helping us as we stagger down the narrow path with heaven as our goal.  Be with our Sam and Paul on the road, and all those that are traveling today as our Spiritual Mother traveled to be with her cousin, Elizabeth about 90 miles away on foot!  Propelled by her LOVE for you, O Lord and for new LIFE she shared with her cousin.  May I die to self and serve without counting the cost.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barbara and the 33 here and 13 in heaven.  

Danny Gokey - all we need is Jesus

The Goodness of God