The Pat and Barb Verly family and their 5 children, in laws and grandkids along with many prayer warriors have been drawn together by John's cancer... sharing daily for 8 months started this blog- Family Soul Story - Our faith, family, farm and now our cancer journey called HEALING have colored and deepened our world. WE continue to share and depend on the support of our prayer warrior community, that has lowered us into the Lord's presence for His healing!
Luke and David enjoying a 50 degree day... Dave would give Our Lady a side hug and then jump into the snow while little Luke watched. To add to the fun... their dog, Holly, was chasing her ball all around them.
So great when the kids and animals can enjoy the outdoors! Awoke today to very bright sunlight and the wind is gone after such a windy day yesterday. With the change in weather down here comes the wind. The thing about the prairie weather in Southwest MN is that it changes all the time! Ruth was reminding me of the chart that showed that one day when you think spring is here and then you have 2 more months of winter! You might call our weather peculiar - "Not ordinary or usual; odd or strange," but that is what we call normal around here. There have been many times when the temps can change 50 plus degrees in just a 24 hour period. We recall on the day of Nancy's birth - April 2, 1982... it was so hot that people were wearing shorts in the morning and overnight there was terrific wind and cold that froze the pipes in the barn! That was more like a 100 degree difference in a day!
Caught in mid dive! Dave was very wet when he came in the house - in the soft wet snow he also kept losing his boots, so his socks were pretty wet, too! What a peculiar boy he is!
The word "peculiarly" in the first reading today grabbed my attention this morning. We are to be "a people peculiarly his own...and you will be a people sacred to the Lord, your God, as he promised." How do we do this? "You will keep all his commandments." There is only one way we can even begin to keep all his commandments and turn away from sin and death, and that is by accepting the Holy Spirit and die to self so that Jesus may live and work in and through us!
A soft landing over and over! Luke was happy just to watch his big brother and laugh a lot.
Things are starting to get fun as the house is getting put back together again. We uncovered the old staircase, which has been covered up for about 6 weeks and cleaned it up... Yes, it will be covered with dust many times over still, but it was just nice to have it cleaned up for a few minutes. Ruth did keep some of her childhood home and the stairway will be much more enjoyed and appreciated now with the new open floorplan! Ruth has a wonderful vision for an open renewed farmhouse filled with kids and lots of big jobs enjoyed together in and out.
I had to go out and see the sweet first new calf born yesterday... she is a cutie! She was taking a sunbath in the morning sunrise with a bright cute look on her face...
Mom was mooing at her new baby this morning. Ruth and kids are coming over to meet her this wonderful morning, and Ruth will have her wonderful camera, so I hope to share those with you soon. It is so nice to have my kids passing me up with their wonderful cameras and photography and telling me that I am welcome to borrow their pictures. Thanks, girls! Your pictures are appreciated... mine not so much.
Even with my camera... it is pretty evident that she is very cute and healthy!
Blessed are they whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they who observe his decrees, who seek him with all their heart. Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord! Psalm 119 from mass today
Yes, I am poor at following his decrees, but I do long to follow after Christ carrying/dragging my Most Cherished Cross. My sinfulness and weakness keeps me looking to Christ humbly asking him to carry this lost lamb with the wolf breathing murderously down my neck. I am peculiarly his own - a small pathetic specimen am I. I do seek him with all my heart!
Ruth and kids going out to pick eggs and check on the rabbits on a wonderful spring like day...
Lord, you commanded up to be perfect today as our heavenly Father is perfect... Matthew 5:48
May I not become discouraged but trust that you are going to answer my constant prayers that you might raise up this peculiar old weak sinful lady from the ashes and bring her into your LIGHT of Truth that I may share the Mercy I have been shown and when necessary use words! Jesus, I need you and love you and long to be your hands and feet! Jesus, I trust in you. Amen
The school bus - the weekend lies ahead!
For the men at the Emmaus retreat this weekend... Jesus, you are reaching out to each one with your nailscarred hands and they are peculiarly your own! Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Pat will be speaking on the Sacraments - May your Words through Pat touch all those there answering your call to come closer to you.
The Cross keeps us peculiarly his own!
So true. Miraculous Rose Petal that fell from the sky at the Carmelite Monastery, Lipa, Philippines My wonderful Thomas A'Kempis! Look up Imitation of Christ, and devour it... the best! Like I said... Double wow!
Lots of time with Ruth's two youngest as the work on their farmhouse is making leaps and strides! Today the painting is done and the cupboards under the windows are in, and the construction crew is working on making the floor even... all 63 feet!
Kind of getting the idea of what our great new canning kitchen with an amazing view of the farmyard will be like! "They put my sink in there so that I could see how it looks."
Shared mass this morning after the men's group... so great to see so many men attending This Man is You. Driving home with rosary in hand - the Sorrowful mysteries today... the first sorrowful mystery is The Agony in the Garden brought thoughts of Jesus knowing he was to suffer excruciating pain and foremost bear all our sins - the spotless Lamb sacrificed for the sins of the world! The worst pain I have ever had, other than childbirth, is my knee and hip replacement. The first few weeks are so hard and filled with pain both physical and mental. After experiencing both I would totally dread the thought of doing the other side. I would agonize about it! I must say that the pain of childbirth never caused me to not want the next child with all my soul, heart and soul! I have heard this saying, have you? "If I were the only person in the world, Jesus would have died for me." Jesus sweated blood in agony as he approached his total sacrifice, yet he embraced the Cross and brought LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT into the world!
The sun setting from the windows of my future home last evening. I am slowly learning about things like how to run the dishwasher...
The Sorrowful mysteries walk with me this day of prayer... reminding me of how the suffering of pain has brought JOY and healing to me. The pains of childbirth are forgotten as soon as that new life is in my arms. The pains of replacing my damaged and worn out joints leads to healing and no more pain after 6 months of work and healing! Yes, there is much in life that is agonizing pain whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual, but if we realize that Jesus is in control and we need to give all over to him... then we can receive the grace to suffer and find the gifts that come from accepting and embracing our Most Cherished Cross to find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!
Came down this morning to the sight of a melting windswept world outside - nice to have the plastic off the windows again.
"People comment on the big picture window... they don't realize that it has always been there all these years. Now that it is all open you really see it and appreciate how it is a wall of window." That angel that Maria stenciled on it over 20 years ago continues to pour sweet blessings upon our farm - soon to be Ruth and Paul's with their 5 wonderful farm kids!
Jesus, there is a pain that you addressed in the Gospel today which lies in the heart- emotional and spiritual pain that we hold onto called anger/hatred towards our brother! May we forgive one another and let go of the anger and resentment and hatred for others - most especially those the closest to us in domestic Church/family. Why is it that the ones we are to love the most we treat the worst? May we recall the Mercy we have been shown and return that without counting the cost to those we encounter this day. I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word. My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels for the dawn... If you, O Lord, mark iniquities , who can stand? Psalm 130 from mass today. May I recall all my selfishness and humbly turn to you this day and always. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen
Ruth uncovered the banister which they have had covered for 6 weeks - a sign of progress - time to give it a good cleaning so that more dust can gather with the floor work, but it all feels like a sign of progress. There are some things about her old farmhouse that Ruth does protect and appreciate. Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Ruth works hard and can't do is not in her vocabulary... her kids are learning at her feet, and it is a beautiful sight and lesson to all of us.
Much about Prayer in the readings today, and it is constant for me with every breath that I take and every beat of my heart! This from Blessed Teresa today is a great reminder of how prayer works for changing our worlds of sin and darkness - The result is prayer changing us so that we can die to self and give without counting the cost as the hands and feet of Christ!
"The ceilings are done for another 20 years!" Ruth yesterday. She is now onto the wall paint, and the cupboards are going in today in the kitchen! "Things are really coming along fast all of a sudden."
The Gospel brings these wonderful words to LIFE in my heart this day - Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and the one who knocks the doors will be opened. Matthew 7
In the light of Blessed Teresa it seems that we are called to ask to become less so that Christ/The Holy Spirit may live and dwell in us and then we can return the mercy we have been shown to those in our domestic Church/family.
Sharing mass at the school with Simon's class today - we were reminded at the beginning of mass that we are celebrating the sacrifice of Christ for us and pray in turn that we can sacrifice our selfish sinfulness in order to follow after Christ carrying/dragging our most Cherished Cross.
Simon's petition for the leaders of our country. Lord, we place our country and leader in your hands and ask for the culture of death to depart and be replace by the culture of LIFE/LIGHT/LOVE!
I am so grateful to Our Lady's gift of her rosary given to St Dominic as this is much of the source of my daily prayer! I find Peace flooding me from the first "Hail Mary" and "Our Father." I lift up each of my children and their growing circle of family and others needing prayers on each decade. I am up to 10 decades with all the additional prayers needed with life. The rosary gives me Real prayer and the repetition allows me to be in a constant state of prayer - Pray without ceasing!
I now have a grandson that is upstairs at HRS - 5th grade. This was a huge step for my oldest, Ruth, and youngest, John. It is a right of passage from young to older. It is such a gift to now have 3 grandchildren in the Catholic School... "With 3 in school now I have many masses to go to, and that is a good thing." Ruth this morning.
Luke loves his mommy, and sharing mass together is a special time for Luke to see his siblings in his future school.
The inclination to pray is something as natural as our heart. Christ tells us to be true to our inborn need to depend: "Ask, seek, knock. You will find." Our inborn need is so true...
Touching up the new paint over the cupboards going in today!
Such wonderful prayer times are Adoration, and I was blessed with 2 times at the foot of Jesus on Tuesday due to many trips to town that day. So wonderful after probably a couple months away. There were some new members of the family with births, engagements and announcements of new ones in the womb in our families! I practically squealed with glee when I placed a new member in the monstrance with Jesus for the first time! The Best! So powerful, real and authentic to hold all of our huge families up to the LIGHT/LOVE/LIFE/Jesus! Thank you, Lord for your undying Mercy, and LOVE! I have seen results from the prayers over the years... He loves us so much!
Here is a sneak peek of Ruth's cupboards going in today and her wall color. Lots of changes coming quickly these days!
Jesus, we long to be yours and we know that you are there always with your nailscarred hands reaching out to us. You are in control and we give our entire selves to you, O Lord. May we pray without ceasing and may our prayer rise from our heartfelt desire to be with you always and forever. May we die to self so that you may live, breath, pray and work through us. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen
Luke loves his farmer grandpa, and sharing mass is a wonderful message of Faith being foremost in our lives. Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
A well loved Catholic School - now our 4th generation now walking these halls and climbing the stairs to growing in the LIGHT of Christ and his Bride, The Church!
My friend, Scott Hahn, a huge convert to The Church gives us so much to hold onto!
How my heart sang when I heard Pat tell me that we had gotten a card from our Little Sister Hallel! She shared that a friend had given her some postcards so that she could send a annual note to her family. When I was at Ruth's last night Paul shared their card from Hallel... it was a sweet message to all of us in this time of crazy change we are going through and that with the year of Mercy we are reminded to forgive each other when we are upset by the frustrations of life. Paul and I had to chuckle at the truth of this insight. Thank you, Hallel and Pope Francis for your prayers and giving us the reminder this Holy Year that we are called to return the Mercy we have received so generously by our loving and forgiving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Beautiful postcards thanks to a friend of The Lamb and the brief messages from our sweet daughter to give us much to smile about! She wrote them on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the temple - Feb 2 while she waited for mass with the Holy Father at St Peter's square... "Today is the feast of consecrated life, and I can truly say that I thank the Lord for having called me (even if it means sacrifices for me and you) and I ask that I may always be faithful. God is so great that it is worth giving all my life!" It is always so reassuring and important as a mother of a nun to hear her JOY expressed! It brings me peace and comfort, because yes I do miss her so much and that part is hard for an old sentimental mom.
There is so much comfort knowing of Hallel's prayers for us each day as she spends much of her day as a contemplative with mass, Adoration and prayer throughout the day... much of that song is reciting all 150 Psalms each week and much of it in song! So beautiful and a blessing like rain coming down upon us! Today's Psalm is the best ever - Psalm 51 from mass today! Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness; in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me for my guilt and of my sin cleanse me. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
The gift of mass to start the day today again! It is such a blessing to be united with Hallel through The Eucharist! I love this special explanation by Danielle Rose, who entered religious life to discern for two years and wrote this song and explained what happens spiritually before she entered - so powerful touching and REAL - the spiritual world is what really matters to me!
Danielle Rose explains see you in the Eucharist... listen with your heart and know our comfort!
Now her song - so True and a small slice of heaven we share with our Hallel each day we can get there. Lent is allowing us to find
Today the Gospel is a reminder of the importance of Lent and the request Jesus makes of us that we take note of our sins and weaknesses and lay them at the feet of Jesus in the Confessional and then die to self as we humbly allow Jesus to be in control of our lives... "there is something greater than Jonah here." Luke 11:32 The animals are included in the penance paid for their sins to God in Jonah... the animals fasted, wore sackcloth and they were spared by God!
How I love to hear some uplifting joyful words from my contemplative daughter so far away but close to us in The Eucharist. There are certain moments in the mass that I am close to my daughter, Little Sister Hallel, and her Community of the Lamb! When Father gives us the absolution after we repeat the Penitential Act... I cross myself as I would in the confessional as I see that Hallel does this and I always think of her and feel close to her. Another time is when the Gospel is presented - I can see in my heart, mind and soul... Hallel's beaming face as the Gospel is processed to the front to be read. She loves her spouse, Jesus, in his Word and that is what led her to discern her call to be a Little Sister in The Community of the Lamb! In the Community the Word is devoured and chewed and this starts the night before as they mendicate the Gospel by chanting each line in speaking and then in song! So powerful and in many ways a type of Lectio Devina and brings The Gospel to LIFE in our world! Also at the Consecration of The Body and Blood when Heaven comes down to earth - we are united! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/susan-angela-agneslittle-sister-hallel.html
Grandma is watching the kids today while Ruth is downstairs putting the paint on the ceilings. Rose got away to be by her mom... when grandma went to get her... "I am Rose again." "Yes, you are Rose again getting into trouble." How she loves to be by her mom and we all see that she will probably be just like her.. nothing will stop her!
Jesus, may we have a change of heart and die to self so that you can come to life in our domestic Church/family. If we cannot share your love with those the closest to us, how can we ever reach out beyond to share our love? May we find a haven of peace in our homes and from there reach out to be your hands and feet, O Lord. Jesus, we trust in you and humbly ask for your unconditional love and forgiveness so that we may return it to those in our lives. Amen
"It feels so good to be putting things back together again." Ruth...
"What a gift Pope Francis is giving to The Church with this year of Mercy... What do we need more than Mercy?! Read Misericordia Voltus - it's beautiful." I love you. God Bless, your little Sister Hallel. Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
A broken contrite humble heart - you will not spurn...
St Faustina gives us The Divine Chaplet of Mercy - I was gifted with time in the Adoration chapel and was able to get to my chaplet for the first time in a long time - it is so important to pray for our dead and all souls waiting to get to heaven! So powerful and how we will need this Mercy in our own final days and leading up to our death!
Much to pray about that we get a life minded judge to replace this great Catholic man! http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com/2016/02/the-humbling-experience-of-moving.html
Nancy's sharing about her move!
Paul asked me to capture Ruth all white from spraying the entire downstairs with primer..."She looks pretty gray." Ruth and her dad have been spraying since about 4:30p so in about 3 hours they have it all covered!
The two old workers taking a quick supper break in the final room to spray - the master bedroom.
Just back from Ruth's with supper she had ready to put in the oven when I got over there. It was yummy - it was a quiet supper because the 5 kids were all eating seriously. Ruth is super mom! We all agree with this.
Discussing how nice the patio door will be in their bedroom. We are starting to see the beauty of this remodeled farm house.
With flash and the mist in the air it really is quite a sight!
The team working in record time - tomorrow the paint!
Probably have some sore arms tonight.
Starting in the front and working back in the house...
Thank goodness for spraying on the primer... soon the paint!
We all were so happy to get a postcard from Hallel today! More tomorrow to share about her special message of Mercy. Bless-bless, Barb
Pat will be speaking on the Sacraments - May your Words through Pat touch all those there answering your call to come closer to you. 
Miraculous Rose Petal that fell from the sky at the Carmelite Monastery, Lipa, Philippines
