First day of Fall - rain delay of bean harvest/Canning 100 qts again with more to go!/"Hear the word of God and act on it" Mass with Joy - +JMJ+

Hubby is around more with the wonderful rains we have been blessed with in the last week.  The cool weather has allowed him to have some fires in his new woodstove on the mail level.  It was drippy on Sunday and the KC Chiefs were playing, so we had our campfire in the woodstove and roasted our hot dogs in the house.  The Chiefs did not disappoint!  

This man loves to burn wood! It was providential that the chimney fire made it possible for him to have his dream woodstove on the main level!  

Lots of special memories as it was our nun's 41st birthday on the 18th!   A year ago we had a surprise 40th birthday party for her - with most of us making the trip to Kansas City to surprise her!  Here she is with Jesus in the monstrance on the altar!  

Three little sisters that are all the same age within 7 months of each other!.  Hallel from America heard the call in Rome studying with Catholic Studies through St Thomas University, Marie John, who is from France and answered the call  a year ahead of Hallel, and finally Dorotha, who is from Poland.  They are now truly sisters and Brides of Christ!  

My 3rd and 4th daughters, Maria and Hallel, both went to the University of St Thomas in Catholic Studies and studied in Rome for their sophomore years!  Maria came home and entered the Poor Clares to discern her call to religious life.  She heard "No" and a few years later she met Joseph and they have been married 19 years with 7 children!  

Hallel's call was a "yes" to enter The Community of the Lamb shortly after they opened their first Foundation in KCK - Lumen Christi/LIGHT of Christ in 2008!  

Joy leading music at Mass at the Catholic School - the chapel has been remodeled over the summer!  

Love my Catholic corner in my newly renovated room after having a chimney fire at the end of January!  

LOVE this!  I am currently praying for 3 babies in the womb!  2 in Pat's family and one in mine!  How I love new LIFE! 

Another huge canning day over the weekend with the oldest, Ruth, and the youngest, John, along with family members and always willing hubby!  "I like these days!" said farmer Pat.  We had 70 quarts of Salsa, and 30 quarts of tomato juice.

Jude is always a willing helper - we had many tomato paste to get out of the cans.  Thanks Jude!  

John wearing gloves while we did the jalapenos.  All from Ruth's garden!   

Nancy supplied the tomatoes from the garden in Delano.  Our tomatoes were hurt by spray this year, so we appreciate the help.

Thanks Nancy!

Sunday was Simon's 22nd birthday!  He is in such a good place with a job that he loves and living with his family.  He is a very willing helper on the farm plus working at ADM full time rotating shifts.  We sure appreciate all that he does for the farm!  

Simon blessed our food before our brunch after sharing Mass together.  He prayed in gratitude for his life and all the blessings that he has received.  We love you, Simon!  

Nothing better than to have Simon pray on his birthday!  

The 5 grandkids that go shopping for all things sweet for our family celebration brunch after receiving Jesus - Body, Blood and Word!  Simon's birthday on top of that!  

After Mass getting ready to go shopping with the little ones!  

The family crew has canning down to a science called making food for family and why we do the work!  

A grandma tradition - a cute "why we do the work" picture of Gina in her princess dress.

She cleaned out her bowl - grandma made applesauce the old way with sugar and cinnamon after Bernadette said that she wanted the original applesauce.  Grandma likes to spoil!  

Joy at mass on Friday - she asked if she could go to Mass before school.  Grandma will never say "NO" to that request!  I love that she wants to go to Mass to the point of getting up an hour early!

Joy loving the applesauce- Why we do the work!  

Birthday buddies - grandpa Pat and Romeo!  September 15 - Our Lady of Sorrows, and 60 years apart!  

Hallel helping a blind homeless man out of the soup kitchen on her birthday.  The little sisters of the Lamb are the poor!  They eat with them in the soup kitchen and also go on mission by begging for their food from the poor!  

When we talked to Hallel on her birthday - she was going to go out on Mission after a Hispanic neighbor lady fed the sisters breakfast in honor of Hallel's birthday.  LOVE how she is loved by her family of the Lamb and community around them.  Thanks, Nora, for giving our Hallel a Mexican breakfast!  

3 years ago - little Evangaline in the little sister habit that Maria sewed for her older sister.  Next year Maggie can wear it!  I had to jump in with my little sister blue too!  

Farm girl Rose Again is swimming and diving!  

Heart-shaped prayer book with Joy at Mass on Friday which was Hallel's 41st birthday too!   

First year of diving plus swimming.  

Grandpa and Romeo with Birdie Barbara, who is now 6...

So cute!!!

I had a great and wonderful conversation with Therese - she is having her first year of college at University of Mary in Bismarck, ND!  Here she is with the scenic river bluffs behind her!  

It was so great to hear from her!  She is Maria's oldest and how they have depended upon her to care for her siblings, so I know it is a huge adjustment for them and her.  She shared that "there is too much grandma, and it is all so wonderful!"  She had just had a campout with the Catholic Studies kids last weekend.  There is perpetual adoration where she goes in when she has some time.  There is daily Mass too!  She is so excited by how Catholic it all is!  

All moved in and comfy in her dorm.

Saying goodbye to her wonderful dad - Major Joseph!  There were tears of course!  

Today the Gospel is where Jesus reminds us that we are "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it."  Luke 8  

I asked Therese if there was something I could pray for her - "That I listen and follow the Lord's call to me."  I then asked her to pray for that for me also!  I am so blessed to have such a faith filled granddaughter!  This is reminding me that my Rosary is calling out to me, and with that I pray for our entire family - all 34 of us plus the 13 in heaven!  

Who ever said that the Catholic Church and our faith is boring?  

Hauling corn stalk bales is yet to do - hundreds of bales for feed and for bedding!  

The birthday girl getting spoiled by the little brothers!  

Hallel's final vows in Saint Pierre, France in August of 2018!  24 gathered thanks to Pat's mom's inheritance making it possible and 3 in the womb!  "I promise unto death."   The parable of moving the mountain with a mustard seed of Faith came to Truth!  

These babes in arms are now all 14!  John is now married and has 3 children!  

Lord and Lady, how I love you and pray for my family here and in heaven keeping my eyes on heaven!  May I die to self so that I may serve without counting the cost!  May we hear the word of God and act on it!  Jesus, I trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and the 33 

The Saint that is just me - Danielle Rose

Hillbilly Thomists - Good Tree

Zach Williams and Dolly Parton - there was Jesus!