Time with John at Seminary!

I have been trying and trying to post tonight after an amazing time with John up at Seminary!  We jumped in the car yesterday and headed to the Cities with hope to see John and hopefully Maria's husband, Joseph.  Joe had flown in for a couple days to be a Godfather to a new Godchild.  We were blessed with time with Joe and his family on facetime, and then the entire morning with John and Joe was able to spend some time with the three of us at the seminary too!  It was a most wondrous time for Pat and I!!

Pat has been yearning to see his namesake, Patrick!  It was so great to see him growing and glowing with health!  Then to have Bernadettte there, who is just a month younger and to see both of them sucking on their hands...too cute!  Through the miraclous ability to put them together - one on the screen and one on grandpa's lap!  What a gift it is to have these wonderful miraculous gifts from God! 

Sharing family JOY and LOVE of LIFE!  The miles melt away as we share smiles and news of family sharing!

So delightful to spend time with our Joseph!!  He showed up in his dress uniform today and it was a beautiful sight to behold.  Pat, I, and John prayed long and hard for him to return from Afghanistan safely!  He is a picture of health and happiness for us to behold after knowing the many times he was in harm's way!  Finally the crisis of Patrick born dead and brought back to life and in critical condition in NICU - brought him back to his family just a bit early! 

So blessed to spend time with our happy, peaceful and growing in Faith - John on his 24 and 1 day birthday!  An entire morning of meeting and greeting his fellow seminarians and attending mass while John assisted, and time having breakfast with Joe before he flew back to El Paso!  It was a beautiful answer to a mother's prayer for her children! 

Such a sight that fills me with wonder and delight!  Jesus, you are too good to me, and the LOVE John is discovering as he is filled with your Truth through his studies and times at prayer and your sacraments!  So beautiful is your path, O Lord, as carrying and embracing your Most Cherished Cross we find LIFE, LOVE and LIGHT!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

"How great is the goodness, O Lord,

which you have in store for those who fear you,

And which, toward those who take refuge in you.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence.

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord."

Psalm 31

Jesus is right across the hall from John's room!  It doesn't get any better than that!

A real picture of John in his cassock and surplice!! 

John is 24 today!

This was the day before Nancy had Bernadette - we had the profound experience of sharing mass with the Seminarians at St Paul Seminary!  And the most glorious and amazing thing about the experience is that John is now a seminarian - discerning his call to be a priest, after the Lord healed him and gave him the gift of Faith through the Church and Prayer!   John is so happy and peaceful as he is surrounded by other men that Love their Lord so much that they hear that still small voice within that it beckoning them to come to Jesus, and be a priest in His Church - bringing LIFE to all of us that need to be fed at His Table where Heaven comes down to earth!  It was a beautiful sound in this huge church to hear all the male voices singing and responding with great JOY to all the mass!  My heart takes wings and soars as an eagle to the highest height with such HOPE... knowing that no matter what... John's faith and understanding of our Lord and his Bride, The Church, is growing larger and more deeply a part of his inner sacred temple where the Spirit dwells and rules!

  Today Pat, I and Paul had the honor of blessing throats as we prayed for the intercession of St Blaise on this our son's birthday!  I asked St Blaise to intercede for our granddaughter, Mary, who has a very bad cold/flu right now.  We went over after mass to minister to her and were relieved that her head infection involving throat and neck glands has now turned into a cold - as if St Blaise is already at work in how much we were encouraged by her smiles and just looking better!  It was also wonderful to hear the second reading I Cor 13!  It is certainly a measure of how far we fall from truly loving as we should to have the measuring stick of St Paul's words here:

"Love is patient, love is kind.  It is not jealous, it is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth.  It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.... So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE." 

Wow!  This truly shows me how short I fall from truly loving.  I guage myself within my domestic Church with my husband and children and grandchildre... especially with my spouse... my weaknesses and faults come out everywhere and always!  Rarely can I say that I come anywhere near to the measure of True LOVE that this shows me!  How I would have loved to watch Jesus living these out in all that he said and did!  We do have his example in the Word, and also in the Spirit alive and well in the Saints that have walked this world in his footsteps following after HIM carrying their Most Cherished Cross!  May we ask them to continually intercede for us to become more and more perfect in the ways that we love - especially with those that are the closest to us! 

John and our family are so blessed to have wonderful young men that have embraced the priesthood, and show us a beautiful example of LOVE as they bring the LIFE of Christ into our world through the Sacraments of the Church - most especially the Eucharist! 

Jesus, we are filled with so much gratitude as we continue in this journey called cancer/healing/seminary with our son, John Patrick Augustine!  Each day is a gift to us as we embrace the new faith-filled John, who is asking you to reveal to him your Way for him and asking the question - "Why was I spared?"  What JOY he has found surrounded by other men that have their own personal stories of YOU tapping them on their shoulders and lovingly asking them to consider your call to the priesthood!  His brothers in the seminary has grown his circle of faith-filled brothers to include so many more!  Men that will support John and join him in a deeper knowledge and LOVE of YOU, O Lord!  John's plea and prayers for brothers over the years as the only boy here with us on earth with only sisters... has been answered to include so many wonderful "brothers!"  Starting with the hugely wonderful gift of 3 amazing brother-in-laws!  Three men that have built and are continuing to build beautiful homes of Faith built on the Rock!  Such a blessing to John and such an answer to prayer for his sisters!  Then to have the little brothers and priests in Hallel's Community of the Lamb and how they also pray for and support John as brothers in Faith.  Now after the experience of a faith-based Fraternity at the U of M - Farmhouse...to have the brothers of Catholic Faith in the Seminary!  John sure had his prayer for brothers answered in a most powerful and generous way!  Lord, we are so grateful that John is with us on this his 24th birthday - healthy and ever growing more and more in LOVE with YOU and Your Bride, The Church!  Bless him with many more years to proclaim for all to hear the TRUTH!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

"Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace."  Mk 5:34

Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth and the LIFE! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4uauw38GBM 

Third Day - Sound of your Voice

So Blessed by the whole Journey called Faith/family/farm, O wonderful LORD!

Our lives with the cows and calves

When the kids showed calves and cows for 4H - a big part of working with them was just getting them used to being around humans and handled by humans.  So they would just spend some time being close to them on a summer day.  It looks like a breezy day in the shade and from the looks of the lush grass it looks like a good summer with plenty of rain.  The calf can be in the shade and eat grass while Ruth reads and probably talks to it so that it gets used to her.  It was a great calf for a picture because it was super cute!

Here is Ruth out in the pasture with one of our pets- Carmel.  She was in the herd for many years with many daughters that we showed.  The calf by the tree above is probably her daughter.  I think you can see the resemblance. Carmel was so tame that Ruth just walked up to her without a rope around her neck and put her arm around her neck.  She was so used to us that she would walk up to you and shove you with her head for food or a scratch.  When it is a cow that weighs over 1,000 pounds that can knock you off your feet sometimes!  She is now gone, but many of her daughters are in the herd and they are having calves!  The kids prefer working with females as they can be around for many years!  Jesus, we thank you for our experiences on the farm and with the animals we raise.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

It only makes sense that Ruth and Paul would pose with a new brindle - white faced calf for one of their engagement pictures!  And now their kids are starting to show both beef and pigs at the fair in 4H! 

Pour into our hearts the brilliance of perpetual LIGHT!

Blessed candles for candlemas prayer in the home on this feast of great JOY!!!

I was reminded that the day before I gave birth to my only son was the feastday of The Presentation of the 40 day old child Jesus in the temple!  Tomorrow is John's 24th birthday, and today is the feast of the Presentation in the Temple.  The words of the Gospel today especially rang within me with great reverberating JOY - "Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord..."  Luke 2  With John in the first year of discrening a call to the priesthood in seminary... and my invisioning him laying on the floor of St Peter's being ordained a priest with much HOPE and Trust that the Lord's will is going to be done.  One thing we have learned over the last 3 1/2 years is that in the midst of the storms of LIFE - Jesus is in control!  I have been filled with wonder and awe at the healing of John and his answer to his half-hearted prayer for Faith... the next week he discovered that there was cancer in his brain!  Through prayer and the Church, with all that it has to offer in the way of prayer, sacraments, Our Lady, and the Saints, and devotionals... the Lord overflowed his unconditional LOVE and FORGIVENESS all over and around us!  We were swimming in the ocean of HIS LOVE for us, and the fingerprint of God was once again upon us, as HE told us to walk upon the water to HIM! 

Two little baby granddaughters getting acquainted - soon they will be best buddy running around cousin/friends! 

John has been on a wonderful retreat with his fellow first year theologian/seminarians!  He called yesterday to say that it has been very restful with good talks and mass and adoration!  He has even gotten past the point of needing to take naps at every oppotunity he is given.  Looking from the inside out at the bright January sun - he has missed the brutal cold that has been here this week to greet us every time we try to do anything that involves going outside!  Nancy was here with her two babies, and some days just wouldn't take them out anywhere.  She said that she had forgotten how cold the prairie winds are after being a citygirl now for about 5 years.  How wonderful it was to have her here, although we all recognized that we are suffering with cabin fever and the desire for nice weather to allow us to get out some...especially with the little ones stuck inside!  Fr today at mass reminded us that we need not get down on this day of the celebration of LIGHT that came into the world and into our hearts - "The brilliance of perpetual LIGHT!"  This from a blessing that was said over the candles that we offered to us to bring home for prayer!  Sitting in the confessional and leaving my burdens at the feet of Jesus...just brightened my world to truly embrace the LIGHT that is carried into our temple by the Mother of Heaven and earth.."Outwardly he was fulfilling the Law, but in reality he was coming to meet his believing people.  Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Simeon and Anna came to the Temple.  Enlightened by the same Spirit, they recognized the Lord and confessed him with exultation.  So let us also, gathered together by the Holy Spirit, proceed to the House of God to encounter Christ..." 

Jesus, we are filled with your LIGHT and JOY at this special feast!  We recognize YOU in all those we share in worship, and LIFE within our domestic Church/family!  "for my eyes have seen your salvation,which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory to your people Isreal."  Simeon spoke as he held your sweet tiny innocent body in his hand, and recognized YOU as the Savior of the world - called to be born to die for us!  Give us the strength and wisdom to share your "brilliant LIGHT" with those you have given to us in our domestic church/family.  WE are filled with such JOY on this cold winter day that we can embrace YOUR LIGHT and warmth of Unconditional LOVE and Forgiveness!  Jesus, you remind us today that we have within us the most Holy Temple of your Spirit...may we always hold it close and cherish it always.  Jesus, we are most sorry for having sinned and turned away from you... with your help we will try to do better - forgive and help us with your Spirit to be YOURS totally and without reservation!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

"Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."  Hebrews 2:18  Why not allow Jesus to come close to us?  Give him all your burdens... he suffered too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xODpgyqGCYM

Glorious Day by Casting Crowns!!

Most importantly being a Christian mom means being open to LIFE, and embracing the Cross that comes with giving up our selfishness and selfcenteredness for our children. It also means taking very seriously the call to raise LIGHTS in this world, and pass on with great joy the Truth of Faith. Having a home filled with children rather than things, and centering it on Christ and his Bride, the Church, is the most beautiful masterpiece called FAMILY! Jesus, we trust in you. Bless-bless

I just wrote this to answer the question my daughter posted on her blog - http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/  - I come on a bit strong, but then this is my LIFE and my LOVE and has brought LIGHTS into the world,I hope and pray! 

Sweet little girls!!

After having 4 girls to start our family - we sure love our little girlies!  Rose is about 7 months older than Bernadette... now it seems like a lot, but soon it will be that they are going to grow up together as the same age.  This was true of Nancy and Shannon growing up.  Shannon was exactly 6 months older, but after the first year they grew up together both in the same grade, and sharing a lot on the farm, as their 2 dads farmed together.  That is about as close as 2 cousins can get!  Rose will grow up as a farmgirl, and Bernadette in the City, but Nancy loves to share in the farmlife so much that I am sure she will be down here often to share in the fun on the farm.  I am sure that although she is a Citygirl - she will probably be in 4H too!  Catholic School and 4H was very instrumental in my kids, and how they have handled life as it came at them.  It will be equally true for our grandkids.  Ruth's kids are growing up just 3 miles away from us - they go to the same Catholic School that their mom and grandpa went to, and are in the same 4H club!  Nancy will find something in Plymouth that will be equally great for Augustine and Bernadette, she is determined to find those important things for her kids too!  Her little family is back together with dad tonight - he returned from California this evening as they all gathered in their home - together in LIFE and LOVE!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

Grandpa with the two girls and Paper Little Sister Hallel looking over his shoulder.  She mentioned in a letter recently how much she loved meeting these two little girls for the first time in KC just the day after Thanksgiving!

A Joyful morning - "those who have FAITH will possess LIFE," Hebrews 10

Augustine with the new haircut woke up coming down the steps in his mother's arms with a huge smile on his face, and from there it has been just a fun filled morning as he and the kitty chase back and forth through the house, he had a huge breakfast, he helped mom wash the baby sister between chasing the kitty under tables and into closets, and then there was the door with two window panes missing ( they will never be replaced as they are great for photos and kids and kitties to climb through after each other), and finally there was the spindles of the stairway as he chased the kitty upstairs for another adventure as the kitty could go under many beds up there!  Grandpa joined Nancy and I at the table for breakfast and prayer, as grandpa spoke and laughed with his "buddy - Gussy"  as well as the always adorable little girl, Bernadette!  Nancy says that she has become more engaging in the week she has been here, and we are thrilled with her intensely personal and loving eye contact complete with a dimple smile!  We are basking in the child-Light this morning and reveling in the knowledge that we will have many more times ahead to share with Nancy and her little family on the farm!  When warm spring weather rolls around it will be a wonderful gift for all of us to enjoy the outside complete with the new baby calves that are due to start coming in about a month - all 125 of them!  What fun that will be for a photo happy grandma, but this morning was so fun for me too!  As little Bernadette was smiling and looking, with all her heart, at grandpa this morning - he was speaking with passion about those babies that are deprived of that loving responce as we look back at her and smile - "Think of those little babies in those orphanages where they are alone in their cribs all day with a propped bottle - how they must yearn for that loving reponse!"

Gus getting ready to help wash his sister's tummy with soapy hands!  There were some real pearls today in the morning prayer and readings about my most favorite topic - LIGHT! 

"In you is the source of LIFE

and in your Light we see Light."

Psalm 36:10

Having the little ones here with us for the last week and how they are so loving and joyful at the simple things around them... just reveals to us the beauty of LIFE, and the call we have to raise LIGHTS for the world, when we answer the call of Jesus and his Bride, The Church to be open to LIFE!  It is all in His hands... we have found that out from experience... we are open to large families, yet there are circumstances that arise that challange our self-made plans, and maybe some are called to Heaven to pray for us rather than be here with us on earth - I have 6 there helping their mom through prayers, and Maria has 2 there!  Ruth too has been limited in her family due to her rupturing on a V-back on her second.  Yet she has now had 2 miracle children since being told no more children by the Dr here in town... so with patience and natural means to wait for the healing there is hope and Trust in Him is huge with constant prayers!  Just the way LIFE should be cherished and ushered into this world with PRAYER without ceasing!

Distracted by the kitty... a busy house is a fun house for grandparents that live in a huge empty farmhouse between family visits!  The promise from Hebrews gives much HOPE and JOY this morning... "We are not those who draw back and perish, but among those who have FAITH and will possess LIFE." Heb 10:39  Then the Gospel from Mark 4 is about the mustard seed of Faith that turns into a great tree in which birds can sit in the branches!  We pray that we may turn to HIM in Faith, Hope and Trust in all that we do, and all that has to do with our domestic Church/family that Christ and his Bride,the Church may be in our Heart always and without any reservations.  May the Truth fill us with the Knowledge and LOVE of HIM!

The kitty just took the shortcut through the windowless window!  Jesus, we thank and praise you for the lessons of LIFE and LOVE we learn through the little ones in our midst!  May we take very seriously raising them to be LIGHTS to the world!  Sharing with them always and joyfully the Truth we find in your amazing Catholic Church!  "Where is the Light and where do we find hope as we face the uncertainty of a New Year?  The same place where the Magi and the Apostles found it:  Bethlehem and the empty tomb.  Not the places, but the events that occurred there: 'The encounter of God and the world, the victorious entry of God into a world that refuses Him and yet in the end cannot prevent Him from taking it.'  God made all things including freedom through which darkness entered the world.  But God always was and always will be infinitely  more powerful than evil, and light can penetrate the darkness."  Fr Michael Miller from the Catholic Servant  Yes, Lord!  We are filled with great Hope in YOU and your Bride the Church to give us all we need to "see" the Truth with eyes of Faith and to share that with great JOY and excitement with all those that surround us!  When we share our Faith with great JOY and happiness in all that we are given - it will be embraced by our children - the World needs LIGHTS!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Halleluia

Bless-bless, Barb

The Harvest of FAITH by Fr John Tauler OP (1361)

"When the soul's powers turn into the interior, down to the very roots of life, using natural and supernatural means of perfection, then the soul confesses or truly acknowledges God, and does so in a manner full of feeling and spiritual enjoyment.  This is an act of faith so true and living that it wins all that is born of faith.  Its power is so great that proclaiming God in all sincerity absorbs the soul's entire life: interiorly, in the understanding and the will; outwardly, in every human faculty; in deeds and words, in doing and refusing to do, and in all sufferings.  A man now feels and knows nothing in act or in contemplation except the confessing of God in perfect Truth."

A Light has come into the world named Augustine!  The Truth fills us with LIFE, LOVE and LIGHT! 

This arrived from Hallel and her Community of the Lamb - a belated Christmas Card filled with sharing from around the world...

http://www.communityofthelambusa.org/monastery_progress.html  Here is the website to see their progress!!

"Dear friends, behold we announce a great JOY! Yes, what has happened to us with our little monastery Lumen Christi, is like the mystery of a birth!  It has been such a long time that we have dreamt of it!  We have worked so hard for it!  And now that the construction is well underweigh, we understand that the little monastery has been founded in the heart of our heavenly Father since all ages.  Like children in awe, we see it at the same time rising from the earth and coming down from Heaven, like a new little Jerusalem.  We receive it as a grace." 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4uauw38GBM  Casting Crowns - Sound of your Voice