Lent begins for 2026/Work on the house post fire/Starting John's book about finding Faith - Matthew 25 - the sheep and the goats - +JMJ+

7 years ago in Kansas City little George Bandzuch was born on the day before Valentine's Day.  His Aunt Hallel lived just 20 minutes away and cam to hold him.  Such a special gift for our family!  

Today Hallel drove from Rome to Saint Pierre, the home base of her Community of the Lamb to be close to Jean Claude, who is one of the founders of their new offshoot of the Dominican order.  Jean Claude is on his last days, so many of the little sisters and little brothers are coming to pray for a peaceful death and uniting to Jesus, Mary and The Saints.  

Lent began with Ash Wednesday and we are now a week into this special Season in The Church where we deepen our prayer life with Prayer, Almsgiving and fasting.  Of all the seasons of The Church Lent is by far the one filled with growth and embracing our Most Cherished Cross!  Giving up my nightly indulgent time of food, wine and TV leaves me with time with my hubby to pray the Rosary and eat a meal together for a change.  All good!  

Going through old pictures - this one was taken by my mother-in-law in the milking barn as we are newly married 47 years ago.  Matching coveralls and an older cow not in any hurry to stand up.  I would help with  the calf feeding and feeding the cows while Pat would milk!  

The plants from my apartment in Minneapolis now in our small farmhouse outside of Marshall.  The Christ tears/hoya/plant grew through my king chair - I gave clippings to my mother-in-law and it took over her sun room.  A few years ago I got a cutting and it is growing like crazy now close to 50 years later!  

One of my favorite of the 5 for a Christmas Card about 30 years ago.   There is a Christ tears plant with ornaments on it and a fall kitten.

Post fire in our chimney about a month ago - I am having to go through lots of pictures and such that I had stored in the closets of our two back bedrooms.  Our bunk room was destroyed and is now going to add to our living room.  I am a bit panicked to have Ruth leaving for 2 weeks in Vietnam and not having her wisdom and help with the new build.  

Natural curly hair of my youth - in my Christian Commune on Boulder, Colorado in summer of 1971.  I thought that it was a lot like religious life and started to discern becoming a nun!  We wore long dresses, were separated  from the men, had chores and scripture study and prayer.  

https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

In my king chair in my apartment just a block away from my families' home in Kenwood behind the Guthrie.  

I had a 3rd floor apartment in one of those beautiful homes in Kenwood just a few blocks from Lake of the Isles, which I walked around many times in nice weather.

My family at my wedding in Basilica of St Mary - my home parish when we came into The Catholic Church 7 years before.  I am the oldest of 11 children!   My sister,Mary, married a farmer like me, and died from lymphoma cancer in 1986 leaving behind her husband and 20 month old daughter, Audrey.  

https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-story-of-my-sister-mary.html 

Ash Wednesday last week with our marriage picture and the Motto that Hallel's Community of the Lamb live by - "Wounded, I will never cease to love."  The Lamb shows us how to love no matter the cost!  

Pat and I with Jesus in the tabernacle - Pat's sister, Marge/Raterra is the reason that I met Pat and the city girl came to the farm!  We met at the U of M and became fast friends!  I came to her wedding in 1977 and the following year we were married!  Each year on her birthday I get pretty emotional about how she was the reason for my life and LOVE and being open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS!  

Pope Benedict was very good today!  "Sin has disappeared and with it forgiveness = the disappearance of God who is turned towards man.  Grasp the Truth!"  

A year ago we were in Kansas City!  Little sister Alma was one of the original sisters we first met as they were opening the first foundation in the U.S. in KCK!  

13 years ago  - Baby Rose is now 13!  Her famous excitement when she was about 3 after the Easter Vigil - "I heard my name - Rose Again!"  Each week we say the Creed and even this last Sunday I saw her dad look at her when we said - "Rose Again."

A day old calf coming to the farm yesterday.  Tom and I got to drive it home while Pat sat in the back seat with him.  He liked the nice warm truck!  We now have close to 40 calves on the ground including twins yesterday.  

Paul with farm kids and a cute calf about 10 years ago.  I am using old pictures as I haven't gotten many this year yet.

Our wonderful celebratory Feast of all things sweet for our first Sunday of Lent on Sunday.  Simon's work schedule allowed him to join us, and he led a very special prayer thanking God for his big wonderful family that he is blessed to be a part of.  The oldest of 7 siblings truly a great blessing for his lifetime!  

Two of our youngest grands are cousin friends - 4 year old Tom and 3 year old Lucy.  

Praying with John as our hours overlap in the Adoration chapel - his is the last hour of Sunday and mine is the first hour of Monday!  We are currently starting to work on getting John's story of finding Faith through brain cancer in a booklet form.

https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html 

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/johnverly  John's caringbridge site will be very helpful for us!

John's Spirit Juice Video now continues with wife and 3 miracle children!  

The 5 grands that go shopping with us after sharing Mass - how we love to celebrate receiving Jesus, in his Body, Blood and Word!  These littles have to wait for their First Communion, and this next Sunday we will rejoice with Big Dave on his Confirmation - Come Holy Spirit!  

Rose Again took first in Humorous as an 8th grader here in the Marshall Speech Spectacular!  Wos!

Another pearl from Pope Benedict - he must be on the path to Sainthood! 

3 priests from India have come to help in our diocese!  

Grandson Augustine swam in distance in Sections in Hutchinson on Saturday.  Pat still watched a bull sale in the bleachers.  

8th place in the 500 yd freestyle!  

Grandpa with Regina Maria - Queen Mary, who is now 4 and next to the youngest grandchild.  3 year old Lucy is our youngest!  

Rose again at Mass on the first Sunday of Lent.

So impressed with her showing at Speech as an 8th grader!  

Cousin friends cheering on Josephine's oldest brother, Gus, at Sections in Hutchinson.  

My Valentines roses continue to be beautiful after a week and a half! 

Dominic reinacting Mass some years back - he is now an altar boy at St Maximilian.  Father Keith says that only boys that are interested in considering the priesthood can be up there serving .

I am currently watching cow TV and all seems quiet for now, but I need to add my Rosary time too.  John is also wanting us to find time to work on his book, so I need to find that too.  

I was surprised yesterday at the Nursing Home Mass that the reading was the sheep and the goats from Matthew 25.  It lays out the Corporal Works of Mercy quite clearly!  

To practice the corporal works of mercy, consider these actions:

1. Feed the hungry by providing meals or food donations.
2. Give drink to the thirsty by offering water or beverages to those in need.
3. Clothe the naked by donating clothes or providing clothing assistance.
4. Shelter the homeless by supporting shelters or offering temporary housing.
5. Visit the sick by spending time with or assisting those who are ill.
6. Visit the imprisoned by reaching out to those incarcerated or supporting prison ministries.
7. Bury the dead by participating in funerals or supporting bereaved families.
8. Care for the elderly by offering companionship or assistance with daily tasks.
9. Help the disabled by providing transportation or resources for accessibility.
10. Support local charities that focus on these acts of mercy
11. 
    
12. one of my favorite stories of the Community of the Lamb was knocking on the door of a young woman with tatoos showing that she had been in a gang as well as prison.  "How can you ask me for food when I don't have enough for my own children?"  After sharing the Gospel with her she offered them a glass of water!  The Gospel coming to LIFE!

A girl's day close to the Cities!

1983 - My parents and us 11 kids, I was pregnant with #3 child, Maria Theresa!  

Blowing bubbles with accesories!  

This picture went all the way to the State Fair for Ruth!  

Our 30th Anniversary being prayed over!  

1983 - Pregnant with #4 - Maria.  I had lost #2 before Nancy!  

Pat and only son, John, putting up fence about 30+ years ago.

John before school.  HE now has no hair since his whole brain radiation.  The new John loves Jesus, Mary and The Catholic Church.  

This must come to an end.  Hubby just came home for some food.  Time for rosary and feeding the hard working farmer man.  Jesus, we long to love and serve you without counting the cost.  May we die to self.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and the 33 plus 13 in heaven.  

Why do you receive Communion?

St Francis de Sales explains 
in his Introduction to the Devout Life 
that our primary intention should be 

to grow in the love of Jesus Christ:

"Your main intention in Communion should be 

to grow, strengthen, and abound in the Love of God; 

for Love's Sake receive that which Love Alone gives you.  

Of a truth there is no more loving or tender aspect 

in which to gaze upon the Savior than this act, 

in which He, so to say, annihilates Himself, and 

gives Himself to us as food, in order to fill our souls, 

and to unite Himself more closely 

to the heart and flesh of His faithful ones. 

______________

Painting of Jesus: Artist - Heinrich Hofmann

This classic, Introduction to the Devout Life 

would be an excellent Lenten read.

10,000 Reasons

 

The beginnings of John's Book about his healing and finding his faith through brain cancer!

The page on my blog about his journey - https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html 

John's Caring bridge site - https://www.caringbridge.org/site/2a57f0fa-365f-3ec8-818a-7a4133826ff6

Today marks our first day of starting the process of writing John's book about his healing and becoming the new John.  Bless-bless, Barb and John

Listen to the Lord, and he will help you speak/Off to #100+ Together Encounter Christ retreat/Valentines surprise/George is 7! - +JMJ+

Beautiful roses for Valentines a day early as Joy and Tom reminded grandpa to "get your sweetheart something special for Valentines Day."  Love them with my wonderful statue of Mary pregnant with Jesus - Our Lady was the original tabernacle of Jesus!   

George the birthday boy today before heading off the Catholic School.  He looks so grown up overnight!  Happy Birthday sweet George Blaise!  

George as Frodo with Sam Gamge from Lord of the Rings!  

The 3 boys will all be 7 in 6 weeks!  George is first today, then Hector will be 7 on March 8 and finally Jude will be 7 on March 26!  LOVE our groups of cousins, but these guys are so special and good friends!  

Hallel is in France and will be a big part of my talk too!  

A rosary like a Valentines heart with roses.  I will be traveling in my chapel on wheels in a hour as I head down the road to Winsted for a Together Encounter Christ retreat TEC!  

I made my first retreat in Winsted October of 1999.  I have worked most retreats since than.  There used to be 7 a year, but since covid 5 years ago there are only 2 a year.  7 x20 = 140, so I think it is safe to say that I have worked 100+ in the last 26 years!  How I love to share my story, and witness others coming closer to Jesus!  It is a wonderful Catholic Weekend with the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist,

Hubby with the 2 youngest farm kids went on an errand and came with some beautiful roses for me!  So sweet!  

In front of my family wall!  Our motto we live by - "Open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS!"  I am giving a talk on the weekend and this will be a huge part of my talk.  I will have the great joy of having all my family there with me - all 14 of us!  It is my delight to share this!  

Faith/Family/Farm is the wind beneath my wings!  

At Mass this morning the Gospel was from Mark 7 where Jesus takes a deaf man aside and heals him - And immediately the man's ears were opened,
his speech impediment was removed,
and he spoke plainly.  

 Fr Denny preached about how we too need to listen to Our Lord, and He will allow us to speak according to his plan.  With my talk this weekend I have some fears now and then that make me wonder about if I am being proud and judgemental sharing my story...  But I am encouraged by Him in many ways to go ahead sharing the Truth of The Church!  The Church asks us to live with sacrificial love and accept the children that are in his plan for us - open to LIFE!  

John in Lourdes - he had fallen in love with Mary after his visit to Lourdes after Hallel had taken her habit and changed her name.  Recently John has been in touch with a woman with 4th stage cancer, who went to Lourdes with her husband.  John also met a lady that is in charge of the care of the sick that come there in the thousands!  She sent us a book that I am currently reading of small miracles!  So amazing!  

A holy place for millions every year!  Part of my talk will be about John's battle with brain cancer and his finding his Faith!

John's Spirit Juice Video - now continues with wife and 3 miraculous children

Major Joseph and their 4 oldest - they have added 3 more since.  Patrick was born dead and is now perfectly healthy!  

John getting anointed by Fr Craig before he had his brain biopsy in Rochester - July 2009.

Baby Tommy with cow TV 3 years ago!  He is such a Gift of New LIFE for our farm family - #7 Child and such a joy and delight!  

Starting to walk 3 years ago with big sister, Rose Again!  

Calving has begun - we now have a dozen on the ground!  

So cute and we sure are loving this wonderful weather!   

Taking advantage of the beautiful weather on our house today.

Bernadette in Lourdes on Wednesday the 11th.  The first time The Beautiful Lady in white appeared to the poor French girl Bernadette!   

Tom with my cat on the porch in this glorious weather!  

Cute alert! 

Cookies and grandpa pop on the porch in February.  We will take it!  

Baking pies is my JOY!  Pies are my thing over the years I have made hundreds!  

The prayed the Rosary and she told Bernadette that he name was The Immaculate Conception!  

Nancy's patterns for her cross stitch Saints - this was her first ministry.  Now Catholic Sprouts podcast every day.

https://catholicsprouts.com/podcast

Tom and Ruth out on a beautiful evening with their 2 goats - Cocoa and Mallow!  Tom just loves to run with them!  

The goats are a bit chubby making them even cuter especially with Tommy running with them!  

On the run!  

Such a place of miracles!   We include Lourdes as part of John's healing for sure!  We know that his love for Our Lady of Lourdes brought him to a deep Faith in Jesus, Mary and The Catholic Church!  There is no place to be but The True Catholic Church if you LOVE Mary!  

Luke getting some Vet experience today as they worked the cows .

100 days of school for George today on his 7th birthday!

No school for the farm kids so they worked the whole herd of cows today - about 200 and took a blood sample from each!  So nice to have spring like weather!  

Jesus and Mary I am soon in my chapel on wheels heading down the road to a weekend walking closely with you!  Come Holy Spirit and give me the words to share your Truth and LOVE without counting the cost. Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb with the 33 and 13 in heaven.  

The song to go with my talk - Danielle Rose 

The Saint that is just me - we are all called to be Saints!  

Tauren Wells -  Joy in the morning.