The Community of the Lamb has a special tradition of celebrating occassions that come along. We arrived in Kansas City to see Hallel the day after Ruth and Paul's 9th anniversary, so when we were gathered for supper that night there was some covert activity going on in the kitchen... and then out came the singing procession with sweets, lit candles, and smiling singing faces - including the 3 oldest kids! We experienced this way of celebrating on the day that Hallel took her habit and changed her name in France August of 2009... We were all eating at tables on a hillside, and down the hill came a huge procession filled with children, little Sisters and Brothers, ribbons waving, and singing, and then a dessert for each table was presented. We have now been in on many other occassions of joyful celebration!
Helping mom and dad blow out their anniversary candles with their 4 wonderful gifts... their children!!! Sweet Simon has shown me in a very real way what a blessing and special grace it is for a 8 year old second grader (in Catholic School that his mother and grandfather attended) to have his first reconcilliation, and then soon to follow his first Eucharist! Simon had a very profound first reconcilliation with his mom at his side - he went through the learning stations and thought about the ways he sinned. "Hitting, punching, and not listening to my mom." He thought. Then when he went up to tell these to Father, he wasn't sure if he had truly gone to confession or not. "I think that was it, Simon." said his mom. The next day he was playing with his younger brother, and got upset, and pushed him or hit him. Suddenly he was crying loudly - "I sinned, I sinned, my soul isn't washed clean any more!" In mass today I was thinking about what a blessing this is for Simon... to be aware of sin, and how much we need to turn to God for LOVE and unconditional forgiveness! For another child that is not being raised with Faith in their lives - the thought of sin, and being separated from Christ could just not come to mind. The worldly outlook of relativism, and the lack of understanding of good and evil, and the reality of Satan and Hell could just be not even in their thoughts or hearts. Such a beautiful Truth for Simon to already know and be aware of as he goes through life. I know of one young boy, who so fell in love with the graces of reconcilliation, that he told his mom that he wanted to go every 2 weeks. Do you think that didn't help his mom get there, too, regularly? For the two of them to share that time is so wonderful, and so much progress can be made in our walk of FAITH!
Simon being the oldest nephew for Hallel, and the fact that their birthdays are just 2 days apart - they are very close! It is so amazing that Simon has a religious sister in his life, and her amazing community! All the kids are not even aware how unusual and special it is to have Aunt Hallel there to show them how special is this Call and this LIFE! On New Year's Eve four generations gathered over at Ruth and Paul's house to bring in the New Year. At about 9:30p, we were all getting tired...We toasted, and then the kids were going to bed, so in the kitchen we shared their nighttime prayers. The kids each prayed for their intentions, and then the formula prayers, that they say every night, and then finally Simon said the Act of Contrition by memory in his sweet pure voice - loud and clear!
"My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Amen"
I am just noticing a beautiful sweetness about Simon. Yes, he is in the autism spectrum, and can become verbal about movies that he has seen, or his legos... but yesterday when they were here, I was reading some books snuggled in my bed with David after lunch. Simon came and climbed in beside us, and joined us reading books! It has been years since he has done this with grandma... now he is usually in school, or out in the tractor with grandpa or dad, but it just seemed so special, and loving, and sweet to have him join in on story time, just as he did with grandma, when I used to watch him while Ruth worked half time, when they moved here when he was 1 year old! Maybe I am reading too much into his taking this step of Faith in his life, but there is a very specialness about Simon now, and I know that it is the LIGHT of Jesus within him!
I was blown away, when in just a matter of minutes, and sitting down to do his art project at Christmas camp, he had this beautiful corpus/body of Christ on his Cross. After that it was complete! This boy has a deep understanding of his Catholic Faith... when he looks at the Cross, and sees Christ there, and how he gave us LIFE and LOVE!
Jesus, to see your Church and it's wisdom now through the eyes, hearts, and souls of my grandchildren... So amazing! There are so many minds that have put countless hours and centuries of prayer and study to make it as perfect as possible! We are filled with wonder as the "little ones" reveal to us how we can live our lives more fully YOURS! Little Bernadette on the occassion of her Baptism on Sunday... reminded us that through these healing cleansing waters we are brought fully to YOU, and your Bride, The Church! How we are filled with JOY as we, each and every day, are fed at your Table, and learn, and grow from Your Word! We find You there for us, and we carry YOU forth into our domestic Church/family! We know that we are called to be open to LIFE, and to raise LIGHTS for all the world to see. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia
Simon, the oldest, trying to hold together the situation with his crying baby sister and cousin, Augustine, making it a bit crazy!
"Whatever you ask in my name, I will do." John 14:13 On this feastday of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, we call upon you to be with all families this day, Jesus!
We love you, Simon. The LIGHT within shines for all to see!!!
Simon 3 months old at Cross Christmas 2004!
Simon the first is leading the Way for the younger ones and the older ones, too!
Went to feed the dogs and cats and Herbie was snuggled in the hay and was soft against my rosey cheeks. Good to have some time outside with all the LIFE on the farm. Herbies' winter coat is quite fluffy and soft too! Jesus, thank you for all your world with all the animals and caring for them, which farmers are given the task to do. Farmlife is good. Jesus, we trust in you. Bless-bless, Barb
