Reflecting back on my life...

As I was doing Therese's hair today... I yearned to put some flashy ribbons in her hair - so reminiscent of my 4 girls!  I love to go back just for that little return to those golden days... with all my precious little girls with their long dark hair and ribbons!  I found a piece of amazing fabric in my sewing closet, and within minutes had cut enough for bows.  Then the lightgbulb went on in my head... In the next week I would return to those days of sewing for my girls and sew Therese an Easter dress out of all these yards of fabric just sitting there from some long ago forgotten project...

Mom approved of this and thought an "up in the air dress" would be kind of amazing for her before they leave in a week... And I just know that if it turns out special that I will want to sew one for Mary too!  I am getting excited just thinking about it, and I am sure that I will have to share a photo shoot too! 

Therese had to see herself in the full length mirror in the bathroom and with her brother hugs - too amazing!  These are the gifts that I love as well as being able to relive a bit - those amazing days of my nest years with all my precious little ones! 

The yards of bright fabric made of a perfect tail to follow for the two cats as little Dave hauled it around the house - mostly with two cats along for the ride... He is one strong and determined 13 month old!  Thank you Jesus, for a day packed with wonderful memories, but more than that the delight of revisiting those wonderful family times that I cherish so much!  Jesus, we trust in you!  Amen and Bless-bless, Barb

"In asking God this Lent for a spirit of retreat, I resolved to pray, suffer, and act in union with God's will, for God's glory alone.  May his will be done in me, for me, in my whole life, and by me in regard to my neighbor and many others."  Elizabeth Leseur

"So I come with humble heart.."

The miserable South winds brought melting warmth along with the wonderful bright sun... Now the North winds have returned the COLD, and it blowing up your sleeves and down your neck is miserable.  It has been a hard and challanging winter.  Therese posed by the less than pristine snowbanks at the end of the driveway... still towering over our heads!

Lilly joined her, and there was a concern that Lilly's need for attention and love would push little Therese over into the sloppy melting mess... rescued by grandma in the nick of time!  Our trip to the Vet about half an hour away, had been a fun ongoing conversation about how she likes "baby calves", and that grandpa is expecting more than 100 of them this year.  We had the fun or counting to 100 together... I would say each number, and then she would repeat it after me with her sweet little 3 year old voice... she will be 3 next week, so I will start calling her 3 now!  Some of the "ties" I am sure that she was saying for the first time, and it was adorable to say the least... to hear her say Thirty, or fifty or sixty or seventy or eighty... too sweet and it made us realize that that is a lot of calves to be born and get here happy and healthy!  To say each number and to have Therese repeat it... really brought home to me... that value of each one, and the work invested in them by my hardworking and diligent husband!  Wow! 

How he longs to see the snowbanks gone! And that will take weeks of warm weather!  I am hoping to be a better helper to him, but this cold miserable wind sure takes the fun out of being out there!  As tired as Pat is getting - for him to pray for his "cows and calves and everything else" is about all he can manage to get out as we try to pray together morning and night if possible... 

From the morning hymn - see http://www.magnificat.com/         "You have promised to forgive contrite sinners who repent;  So I come with humble heart, by your word made confident.  I have sinnned, Lord, I have sinned:  Well I know my wickedness, yet I make this prayer to you:  Lord, forgive me, heal and bless."

The natural elements making life challanging, lack of sleep, and all the things that can are pulling at us and dragging us down - cause us to lash out, and be hard on each other.  May we realize the cause, and that we are truly less than perfect, and needing to be humbled.  It is so hard not to feel hurt and protect our feelings... they are nothing and are keeping us from following after Him in all humility!  Help us Lord!  We want to know you and love you and follow your example of love and service! 

Jesus, you are in control, and we want to come to realize that... thanks to your mercy and forgiveness - we can leave our sinful and miserable selves behind, and find a newness of life... one in which we are thankful for the times that we are called to embrace our littleness, and to be humble in the sight of our humanness... As you said in the Gospel today..."Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.  I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."  Lord, that would be me!  Jesus, I trust in you!  Amen

Bless-bless, Barb

Prayer from ST Ignatious

"O Lord Jesus Christ,

take as your right,

receive as my gift,

all my liberty,

my memory,

my understanding,

my will,

 all that I have

all that I am

all that I can be.

To you, O Lord, I restore it,

all is yours,

dispose of it according to your will.

Give me your love.

Give me your grace.

It is enough for me."  

 Amen.

Life is everywhere!

When we arrived back at the barn after midnight last night, Pat was very happy and touched to see a new first calf heifer licking her calf!  She had just given birth, unassisted, to a beautiful baby calf, and after pushing it out into the world, with no help from Pat, she got up and started licking the slimy and sticky fluid from her hair... it stimulates the new calf to move, and breath, and to stand, and drink new milk from the teats of it's mother within the first hour of life!  All quite a beautiful and special and amazing process... if all goes smoothly!

Why had we just arrived home to the barn at midnight?  Because one of those rare problems had happened... the uterus of a cow - having its third calf- had gotten twisted and so the calf could not dialate the cervix and could not be born the usual way... We had to load it in the trailer and take it to Taunton vets and have Dr Matt do a C-section on her!  We figure the last C-section we had was in the barn about 10-15 years ago!  Pat had tried to pull a calf that was coming backwards and after pulling so hard that he broke it's legs... he realized that it was not going to happen that way!  So in the barn - while the cow was standing it was pulled from her side in a C-section and the bull calf had both legs up in casts... Later it made it to the feedlot and grew to be probably 1200 pounds.  Good story!  By the way - we named him "Yank."

Here is the starting of the birthing process for Oliver Twist... It all happened so fast after this and is maybe a bit too graphic... so I will just say that Pat came and between the two of these strong men - Oliver was in the world quickly and safely.  We all breathed a sigh of relief and Matt was very knowledgeble, and thorough ,and entertained us with many stories of his 10 years as a Vet in Southwestern Minnesota! 

Oliver and his mom meet for the first time... She is a bit distracted by the sewing of everything going on... as soon as we got them home to their familiar surroundings... they bonded, and she started mooing at her new son and licking him.  Pat stayed up a good chunk of the night caring for them, and the new pair that greeted us on the other side of the fence...  A good night after some frustrations... to have healthy calves and cows starting to heal is always a good feeling! 

Lord, as 40 days for life is going on across the country and around the world - we see before us the ways that we take our responsiblity to the animals of the earth - they are put here for us to care for, and to protect, and to get here safe and sound.   Allow us to cherish life in the womb from conception on.  Use your prayerful people to bring them to the realization that this is LIFE!  Jesus, we trust in you!  Amen

Oliver Twist coming home on the floor of the pickup with the hot air blowing on him and me rubbing him with a towel - Bless-bless, Barb

ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

-------------------------------------------------------
On Wednesday, the first day of the 40 Days for Life campaign, a young woman pulled into the abortion
center's parking lot. "She and a friend sat in their car for over 20 minutes," wrote James. "The young
mother kept looking over at the pro-lifers praying."She would look at the sign with a picture of a baby
in the womb -- and then cover her eyes.

"As time went on, she kept looking over at the people praying and she would look for a longer period of time,"
James said. "Finally she rolled down her window and listened to a counselor speak to her of the love and
help available."
On a typical Wednesday, this facility in Rockford performs 15 abortions. "Today, because of the power
of prayer," said James, "that number was cut in half to seven."

To see photos of the 40 Days for Life vigil in Rockford, please go to:

http://40daysforlife.com/blog/?p=1560

"take up your cross daily" - "Choose life"

Hard to find words flowing today, but many powerful events... Lent has begun and coinciding with that is 40 days for life...Praying across the country to end abortion ,and save lives of the unborn - as those stand outside of abortion providers across the country, and pray for the women to come to realization that there is a life there that needs to be saved and protected and given a start...How do we be a part? - As this 40 Days for Life campaign is just getting started, there's still plenty of time for you to join in -- and to spread the word to everyone you know. Here's that link to the listing of 40 Days for Life locations:http://40daysforlife.com/location.cfm

With this  wonderful picture of Ruth with her little David two years ago... He loves his mother so much that he wants to get the closest he can get to her..."Mommy, I love you soooooooo much!"

REFLECTION by David Brandao, 40 Days for Life

-----------------------------------------------------
"The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but
that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and
fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles,
cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered...

It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church
teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but
without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection -- His victory over death that opened the gates of
heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.

The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O

God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me... Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing
spirit sustain in me... O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14,17).

We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are

ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20).

That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been
deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news.

I am determined to go and sign up for a time slot at 40 days for life up in the Cities here in the next few days... now that I have gotten all my nights behind me.  I will let you know of the process and I am hoping to do it at a time when I can share it with my kids up there too!  Nancy with her little one in her womb, his proud and excited dad, and his proud and excited Uncle John!  We love and want to save life at all costs! Jesus, we love you and ask you to use the efforts and prayers of so many to save lives and to give the joy of that life not only to its' mother, but all those that are touched by the life of a child... grandparent, aunt, uncle siblings, father, mother... the circle is ever wider and the beauty and gift of life is one that never stops giving!  Jesus, we trust in you!  Amen and Halleluia!

Bless-bless, Barb

"If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.  What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself?"  Luke 9: 22-25  The Gospel for today and Christ speaking to us and telling us how to follow Him into LIFE! 

Working nights -"leave the past in ashes."

Returning home after a night of work - Maria was bustling to get her kids off to Ash Wednesday services.  She was meeting Ruth with her kids there, and I wished that I could be a part of it all, but for me it was off to sleep for the day and get my ashes tonight with my husband.  Life is turned upside down by the working in the dark and sleeping in the daylight.  After one more night -  I can join the "real world" and the one I prefer - working in the daylight.  Today reading over the mass/service for Ash Wednesday...

"Come back to the Lord with all your heart;

leave the past in ashes,

and turn to the Lord with tears and fasting,

for he is slow to anger and ready to forgive."  Jl 2: 13

This was taken a year ago at The Stations of the Cross, which will begin on Fridays throughout Lent... It is very powerful to follow the way that Christ followed to His death on the Cross and through the Cross to His resurrection! 

While working - I jotted down some of the things that I want to give up or do better this Lent.  It used to be most all things to give up, but I know myself and that I am not the best at doing for others and serving, so I tried to focus more on those things.  One way that would be starting right here at home would be to offer and willingly go out and help Pat with his work outside.  After I recover from these 4 nights of working at the nursing home... I hope and pray to have the strength to do that, but most of all to do it with a true smile on my face and to find the beauty and joy of working side by side with my wonderful husband, and his cows and calves! 

If the weather starts to warm up like it is supposed to now... it could be enjoyable out there, but I am sure that I will lose my boots out in the MUD.  It will be very deep this year with all the snow melting! 

Jesus, we are filled with a deep sense of gratitude at this season - where you call us to come closer to you, and to leave the past in the ashes... we are weak, and sinful, and selfish, and need you to forgive us, and show us how to serve each other, and to see your face in all those that we live and work with - especially those in our domestic Church - our families!  May we take time to share You in our midst in prayer, song, and service.  Jesus, we trust in you!  Amen and Halleluia!

Bless-bless, Barb

"Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel."  Mk 1: 15

"Remember, man, you are dust and to dust you will return."  Gn 3: 19

 

Lunch at Great Grandma's on Fat Tuesday!

After sleeping the day away... working my second night of 4 at the nursing home... I awoke to happy news from my little family here with us.  They had gone to lunch at Great Grandma's house and Therese showed me the Miraculous Medal that she had been given by her special 91 year old Great Grandma Verly... it had arrived in the mail in one of her many requests for donations. 

Looking up more information on this medal... The First Apparition

The story begins on the night of July 18-19, 1830. A child (perhaps her guardian angel) awakened Sister (now Saint) Catherine Labouré, a novice in the community of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, and summoned her to the chapel. There she met with the Virgin Mary and spoke with her for several hours. During the conversation Mary said to her, “My child, I am going to give you a mission.”






The Second Apparition

"Mary gave her this mission in a vision during evening meditation on November 27, 1830. She saw Mary standing on what seemed to be half a globe and holding a golden globe in her hands as if offering it to heaven. On the globe was the word “France,” and our Lady explained that the globe represented the whole world, but especially France. The times were difficult in France then, especially for the poor who were unemployed and often refugees from the many wars of the time. France was first to experience many of those troubles which ultimately reached many other parts of the world and are even present today. Streaming from rings on Mary's fingers as she held the globe were many rays of light. Mary explained that the rays symbolize the graces she obtains for those who ask for them. However, some of the gems on the rings were dark, and Mary explained that the rays and graces were available but did not come because no one had asked for them. "

I went back to Susan's pictures while she traveled France for a few weeks - she was studying in Rome 2005-2006.  She had a trip to Paris planned to see the Church devoted to ST Catherine and the Miraculous medal. 

Inside the Church she found this amazing altar...

This was the outside of the Church in Paris devoted to Mary, and the medal that she asked St Catherine to make for us to wear...

An altar to her wonderful St Agnes was a joy for her to find.  I have shared many times the story of ST Agnes and how she is there to help us stay pure when we are put in the House of Prostitution that this world has become with all the evil influences that are everywhere we turn.  She was put in one and left there totally untouched and pure - the only man that tried to touch her was struck blind! 

The Meaning of the Front Side

of the Miraculous Medal



Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She stands upon the globe, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her (Gn 3:15). The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave the design of the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Labouré. The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary—not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, and referring to Mary's sinlessness, “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28)—that was proclaimed 24 years later in 1854.
The Meaning of the Back

Side of the Miraculous Medal

The twelve stars can refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. They also recall the vision of Saint John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.” The cross can symbolize Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interleaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us. (See also Lk 2:35).

Lunch at Great Grandma's was special to celebrate last day of feasting as Lent begins tomorrow... Applesauce Jello!  Ice cream!  The kids were thrilled at the wonder of it all and truly knew that today was a special day as it is the beginning of Lent tomorrow as we get ashes to remind us that we are "dust."  I appologize that this is so rambling today... Turning my days and nights upside down makes me a bit off... But I do know that it will be a unique Ash Wednesday as no other in the midst of working all these nights! 

Jesus, I love you and need you and appreciate that I am reminded of my smallness and need for you in my life.  All the plans I may think that I have for myself are as nothing as you are in total control!  May this Lent be a powerful walk with you!  Jesus, we trust in you!  Bless-bless, Barb

"The heart of the just one is firm, trusting in the Lord."  Psalm 112:7