Impossible time and place? Jesus will come to us!

Just back from a month with Maria and the traumatic birth of Patrick in Texas 3 1/2 years ago

http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-story-of-little-lamb-grandson.html

... I then made it up to be with Nancy for the birth of her daughter, Bernadette!  How we all learned, once again, that no matter how impossible it seems that Jesus is always there for us.  Today in the Gospel we see the story of Truth - "Jesus chooses an impossible time and place - in the middle of the storm-tossed sea - to come to us."  See www.magnificat.com

One of my all time favorites!  Mary eating Ruth's chin out of sheer LOVE about 8 years back.  Mary will be 9 in a few weeks! 

Jesus loved his wonderful Mother that much, too!  I adore these icons of Jesus eating his mother's chin out of love, and we all know how deep that love goes!  She stood alone in an impossible time and place and said "yes" to becoming the Mother of God, and Jesus truly came to her in the most personal and special way. 

 

For me being a mother is the best!  I know that Mary is my role-model and always with me as I lift up my kids each day - the numbers are growing with the addition of husbands, grandchildren - 12 with 2 more on the way, and all those in heaven too - 3 grandchildren, and 7 children!  I also have to include the addition to our family of the Little Brothers and Sisters of Hallel's Community of the Lamb.  No, Hallel will never give us grandchildren, but she has made our family grow by hundreds!  I do a litany of all of us at the end of each rosary - it takes a while to complete and fills me with great JOY to hear all the saints surrounding us..

John with 3 of the 4 sisters - just about the time he got chicken pox with a baby chick on his lap.  I heard him mention this time lately with his skin rash/struggles.  He requested prayers and depended on them to get through another difficult time this last week.  Prayer is so important to him...

 

John wrote yesterday to his prayer warrior friends - "I have no way better to thank all of you than to say I love you... not a silly sappy love but with the love that allowed Christ to be nailed to the Cross."  Wow!  That is the REAL LOVE!  And it was Jesus coming through him at the time of the HUGE storm in his life that taught him that REAL LOVE!

http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html

This picture from Easter 5 years ago!  This is now the statue of Mary at my home as Ruth and I have traded houses.  They are now on the farm and the transition is in full swing.  I am loving my new home more and more with each new day.  And Mother Mary continues to be my constant companion!

A special picture from Nancy's wedding 5 1/2 years ago... soon she will welcome her second daughter and her 4th child in that short time!  Another miracle - as all LIFE is that!

Years back out in the barn... this morning I had my bunny and chicken chores - water was frozen in the cold, and water was a big need!  I think it is evident that I am going through old pictures today... looking for a specific picture and coming across many others. 

This is the one, but when I try to make it bigger... it gets blurry and the wind is blowing like crazy on this Easter Sunday 1998!   Yes, it is used here on my blog and very familiar, but in my unpacking I found this scarf and wondered why it reminds me of Easter - proof positive!  This marked a special time for me when my parents lived just 90 minutes away in Colman, SD!  My dad was a permanent deacon there for 3 years!  How I loved jumping in the car and spending some peaceful time with my parents... much like now in St Croix Falls, WI, but that is 4 hours away, and I don't get there near as often.  Maybe next week!

The same scarf almost 20 years later... Easter kind of day... this plant is from a cutting of a plant I had in my apartment when I was single almost 40 years ago!  My mother in law took a cutting and the plant is now taking over her sunroom! 

 

Yes, this has been a hit or miss sharing today... I just was able to read the Gospel to my mother-in-law.  I told her that it caught me by surprise to find this happening just after he had fed the 5,000 in the beginning of John 6.  Now this lesson just after he performs the miracle of feeding us in our need, now he comes through the stormy sea to comfort us - "It is I.   Do not be afraid."  and then get us where we need to be.  He does come to us in the most impossible time and place - a place where we are afraid and need him and are weak and sick and humble and turn to him!

It was shockingly COLD this morning!

 

Jesus, when we find ourselves in those hard and difficult times... we need you and turn to you!  I am wanting to always love and follow you.  I know that you are directing me where I need to be and a lot of times that means dying to selfishly want what I want.  May I give without counting the cost.  Jesus, I trust in you...Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.  Psalm 33:22  Amen and Hallelujah

Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

 

My friend, Scot Hahn, shared this.

 

 

God's not dead - Newsboys

Lauren Daigle - How can it be

 

 

 

The beginning of John 6 and beyond!!!! Praising Jesus in song- the voices of children!

With 3 grandkids in Holy Redeemer School... there was always someone to watch on stage or right beside me in the Spring Concert yesterday.  David was with the youngest group and I could see that he has come a long way from last year now as a first grader... he follows much better and is less distracted by all that is going on around him.  He beams when he notices his family watching him and getting a hug after - running out of his classroom with arms wide open and a huge toothless grin for grandma!

I have often heard Simon singing at home, so it was really special to see Simon start the concert with his precious solo...  talk about angelic to an old grandma. 

Walking down the hall of the upstairs after getting my hug from 5th grader, Simon!  Now to have a grandchild upstairs... how did that happen so fast?  Glistening with LIGHT as the Saint Joseph gives his blessing.  A peaceful and faithfilled place!

Mary blessing the day of all those that pass by her way... by the huge windows bringing in LIGHT this day.  It was a dark and overcast day outside, yet so much brightness and softness filled the school after this special concert in which the kids had humorous skits which taught values of respect and all good things followed by wonderful praise and worship songs sang by all the young voices so sweetly and as one mother said - "I loved to hear all the young ones singing of their love of God!"

Mary was the teacher in the skit about how all deserve to be treated with respect even robots...  She also stood very close to me in the large group songs and she sang loudly and clearly about her love for Jesus! 

Talk of going into the field next week.. once it warms up some.  I am spending the day in the peaceful home of Pat's mom, and we were able to do morning prayer together which was very special. Soon mass will begin and I am excited to hear the homily about the amazing readings today!  I admit that I looked ahead when I saw that today was the miracle of feeding the 5,000 in the beginning of John 6... yes, it is going to continue on into the meat and potatoes of The Eucharist!  How we are fed with Jesus' Body and Blood! 

 Stepped into the Church briefly to douse myself with Holy Water and say "Hi" to Jesus in the tabernacle, and to gaze upon Jesus on the Cross!  I had just been gifted with an hour of Adoration - a small slice of heaven.  How I love being so close to HIM, and placing all my family with him in the monstrance.  I could put my newest grandchild in there for the first time!  Maria's little gummy bear which we are praying for now.  Grandchild #14 which will hopefully join us here.  I do pray for those in heave, too.  Now there are 3 grandchildren along with my 7 kids!  An army praying for our needs and keeping our eyes on heaven!

Some of the highlights of the readings from today that I was able to read another time with Pat's mom...  Acts 5 today... the Apostles after they were flogged and "ordered to stop speaking in the name of Jesus."  rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.  And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Christ, Jesus.
Can I say that about myself?  It is a good reminder!

Mom and I are sharing mass on EWTN this morning... hearing the miracle of feeding the 5,000 once again and now the homily... Father just shared one of the most famous healings at Lourdes - how when a man thought dead was healed when he was blessed with the Blessed Sacrament as it passed by in procession!  "Miracles are necessary for the Christian faith to be credible."  Looking at John and Patrick - I too feel this is ongoing today!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html... my page devoted to John's story of finding Faith through brain cancer.

John anointed by Fr Craig just before his brain biopsy.
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-story-of-little-lamb-grandson.html... the story of grandson, Patrick!

Patrick home healed!!!!

Jesus, thank you for this journey of life we are on and all that you give us to go forward down the narrow path carrying/dragging our most cherished cross and given the food we need through Word and Sacrament!  May we, too, rejoice at being found worthy to suffer dishonor and never stop speaking your name and all the Truth and miracles you have given us on all levels....  How I love you my Jesus and long to burn with your strength so that we may do more miracles for God.  Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html  How my heart, mind and soul rejoice at the way he touched me and my family by bringing us into The True Church 44 years ago! 

The new Catholics!  Every day since has been so filled with Truth... I can not stop proclaiming it from the rooftops!  I am forever head over heels in love with Jesus and his Bride, The Church!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html...  A man of God, who listens to the Holy Spirit in his life and mine - our marriage message - "Be open to LIFE and raise LIGHTS for Christ in our domestic Church/home!"

Now Saint John Paul II- filled our marriage with LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!

Bernadette is growing up - I miss her and her dimples!



So gloriously amazing is this Truth!  Wow!

Mercy is flowing like a river...

Peter Mayer - Holy Now

"We must obey God rather than men." Acts 5

From Maria's blog today - Many times throughout the day, Patrick comes up to me while holding Romeo's hand and declares, "This my friend!".

They sure are pretty wonderful buddies!

My time with Maria and family in early winter showed me a very loving and snuggly Patrick.  He would spend time in my lap each day and enjoy showing grandma lots of love!  I almost thought that we had a deep bond from our special month around his birth... waiting two weeks for him to come, his induction/emergency C-section, born dead, and brought back to life, grandma baptizing him in the middle of NICU, and then visiting him daily there with Maria and finally welcoming a healthy Patrick home.... Yes, we have much to bring us close, and how I love to see him continue to grow and develop normally, and maybe even a bit advanced physically.  But I see that his loving attitude carries over to more than grandma... He is such a loving little boy!

A big hug with squinty eyes to prove it!

Today is the feast of St John Baptist de la Salle, who was a pioneer in Catholic Education for boys in the late 1600s.  This fits well with Maria's bunch as she homeschools her brood, with a new one on the way!  The months here and there that she spends with us... I have been able to watch her beginning in prayer and study of the Church each morning with her kids gathered around her.  The best way to start the day, and passing on her love of The Church to her children!  In 1950 St John Baptist was declared patron of teachers of the young... a good help for Maria and all those that teach the Faith and education of the young!

On this wall in the kitchen of my new home - Ruth had her kids pictures and would update them each year.  I love to have my family around me, too, so I followed suit.  Nancy will need an update soon with the arrival of her little girl.  Susan/Hallel and John were together a year ago in KC, so I do not know when their update will happen.  For now this is giving me a lot of joy!  I recently found the wall hanging - "We might not have it all together, but together we have it all" and that fits well along the bottom, and in reality!

In the first reading from Acts 5 today we see the Apostles brought before the Sanhedrin and told to not speak in the name of Jesus Christ - their answer?  We must obey God rather than men.  The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.  We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him. 

May we also recall each moment of our lives, what Jesus did for us and how we need to welcome His Spirit into our lives and die to self so that he may live!  The Gospel today echoes this Truth - The Father loves the Son and have given everything over to him.  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal LIFE...  John 3:31-36  Yes, everything has been given over to HIM... there is nothing too big or too small or too bad or too good or too much darkness or too much LIGHT or too easy or too hard... ALL is HIS!  Give it all to HIM!  Jesus is in control!

I am so excited to find my little girl dresses which I have picked up second hand here and there over the years.  I have such a hard time leaving them behind after 4 girls in a row!  Now a new granddaughter will soon be joining our family, and grandma can already imagine having fun dressing her up, and fixing her hair!

Jesus, the lessons for today - we need to share our Faith with JOY with our little ones/the family/domestic Church we have been given to care for.  We need to listen to Jesus leading us down the narrow path dragging/carrying our Most Cherished Cross as he shares His Way, His Truth and His LIFE though The Word, The Sacraments, His Mother Mary Most Holy, His Saints along with St John Baptist De La Salle, and Prayer - the Rosary, and His Bride, The Church!  There is so much to help us obey God rather than men.  Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Each day I am given the gift of more and more making my new home ours... This old picture of Pat is so special to me... "it looks like Pat just lifted that cow over the fence." my mother said.  The wooden chalice and hosts are a favorite for our grandkids!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Out to pick eggs and water and feed the bunnies this morning and found this hen in the midst of laying her egg.  May chores are small compared to Ruth outside all morning with Pat.  I can sit here and spend time with sweet Luke and write on my blog.  The life of a grandma is what I prefer...




http://www.motheringspirit.com/2016/04/the-dark-side-of-light/#comment-10909   A powerful read sharing the Cross through which we find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!

"A Christian is someone who gives of himself.'

Slowly I am enjoying making this home my own as I find in bags and boxes my things... This was a wedding gift almost 38 years ago, and was in a wooden frame... now lost but it is now centered in the door looking out from our bedroom.  Just back from watching the gate in the strong north wind... my life as a farm wife and mother and lover of The Church pretty much defines me as does this sweet reminder of our sacrament of marriage - for better and for worse, and til death do us part!  It also speaks of a humbler and simpler time, and that we need to leave behind all the trappings and distractions of the world.  Such a simple gift that has been cherished by me over all these years has now found a new place to remind me of our being a team that love each other and not enemies, which sadly comes into play now and again.

John helped me put the crib together up stairs awaiting our new granddaughter soon to arrive!  Now prayers have been added for another grandchild in the womb!  Maria has shared that she in also expecting and we are overjoyed with the news, and also prayerful for safety and healthy!  Maria shared that, thankfully, the has seemed to catch up with the pro-life/natural movement in allowing women to easily obtain progesterone!  How we struggled with this problem with her two miscarriages!  We are thrilled with the news of them finally catching up to the Creighton wealth of Truth!

The other bedroom upstairs has already been occupied by John, and will be his to use when he comes to visit.  That is not a picture, but a wonderful view from the window in his/guest room of the red barn which is now ours.  John is in the midst of a difficult place with not being able to be around people in case he has shingles on his face.  Hopefully, we can find out Friday and if not he can then resume doing what he loves working with The Church, speech kids at the high school, and giving his talks.  It really hurts that he has had to cancel two talks yesterday and today, and texted this morning - "I feel like a monster locked in a tower."  We continue to ask for prayers.

I found this holy card of St Lucy when I was fixing John's room... she is the patron of eyes, and it certainly was scary for John to think that his eyes could be affected by this rash... thankfully, his eyes checked out healthy and fine.  How we love Our Lady and all the Saints - always with us on this journey - even when we are locked in a tower!

The other side of the card with a prayer to St Lucy!

The readings these days are so great!  It is hard to focus on just one thing of a few...  How wonderful is all we are reading from Acts day after day, and today is no different!  Peter and the Apostles are put into the public jail... in the dark night an angel comes and miraculously removes them without those watching guard knowing, and they come into the LIGHT of day... Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell  the people everything about this life.  they are told by the angel of The Lord!  How does this apply to us?  We too have experienced Jesus alive and well in our lives!  We are called to share that and sometimes use words!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html... I am afraid I use a lot of words, but this is the story of the conversion of my entire family, and certainly how Jesus touched us personally!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html...  the message we have been given to share without ceasing - Be open to LIFE and raise LIGHTS!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html... John' healing from brain cancer and finding Faith!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/now-stories-of-johns-4-sistersruth.html... More ways the Lord has touched us in the lives of our 4 girls!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/susan-angela-agneslittle-sister-hallel.html... 4th daughter, Susan's call to religious life - now Little Sister Hallel!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-story-of-little-lamb-grandson.html... the healing of grandson, Patrick, born dead and brought back to life!
Yes, I have so much that I cannot hold it in!

Room with a view!

The Gospel today is amazing!  John 3:16-21... "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life."
Pat and I shared morning prayer, the readings and Pat paused in his busy day to listen to the words of soon to be St Theresa of Calcutta this morning - Some time ago a Hindu gentleman was asked, "What is a Christian?"  He gave an answer that was both very simple and surprising, "A Christian is someone who gives of himself."  From the beginning we perceive that indeed to be a Christian is nothing other than to give of oneself for the sake of Christ.  God so loved the world that he gave us his Son.  His Son was given to us because he wanted to be one with us, like us in everything but sin.  Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Through my daughters I am in touch with many young Catholic women bloggers, who share about the cross and self-sacrifice it is to be open to life.  Yes, it is true that along with marriage and family we are called to give of ourselves over and over with each new day.  I am finding that now with my family raised there continues to be needs and opportunities for me to give of myself to my kids, grandkids and husband.  I feel strongly about sharing here... my kids call it my therapy as well, but I also feel that I am called to share all the LIGHT I have seen - whoever loves the truth comes to the light, so that his work may be clearly seen as done in God.  John 3:21  How I take to heart the words of the angel this day to the Apostles, too... "tell the people everything about this LIFE (Jesus Christ)."

Bow in the hair when out with the cows and calves...

 

Jesus, you have given me so much - I could go on all day and I do go on day after day - you are alive and at work in my world and hopefully more and more within me!  I long to give more and more of myself and be recognized as one of your disciples by my actions as well as my words!  Sacrificing my all so that The Holy Spirit may work in me.  May I be your hands and feet this day - most especially in my domestic Church/family.  Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

A year ago we were in KC with Hallel, and got some real hugs!  Now we are awaiting 2 new members of our family.. so many prayers!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

From Maria's blog today... Maria's bunch missed seeing Hallel in KC last year - they were 2 days away in NC... maybe next time!  Here they are enjoying Easter week 2 with a movie.

All those missing in KC last year - Pat came later after Paul got back home to take over chores.  My heartfelt wish is for a real family picture with all of us in it!  A mom can hope right?

Wow! 

So wise!

Lauren Daigle - Trust in you

Unspoken - Start a Fire

The wind blows... The Spirit, too. John update and thanks for the prayers!

John and Godson, David, on Easter Sunday.  Pre rash that mysteriously appeared on his face.  Yes, John has been concerned and doctoring some locally as it was hard to ignore a rash that hit his face majorly.  It seems that any way John's body can humble him... it will happen.  The big concern yesterday was how close it was to his eyes, and with some new pain in his eye he asked for prayers as he went into opthamology to get his eyes checked.  He was told that they were healthy and unaffected, so we breath a sign of relief, and thank all that shot up some prayers for him yesterday.

Baby John with his 4 older sisters on Easter Sunday 27 years ago!  How he looks to them for his spiritual support at times when that old fear creeps in and he is brought to his knees by this or that.  He even called Rome and talked to Hallel yesterday, and had all those prayers going for him. 

  It seems that John gets in touch with his rarity and was vocalizing how tired he is of being that different/rare one in the world.  All we can say is... it keeps him focused on Jesus and keeps him asking what he wants of him on this up and down path he is stumbling down.  It really speaks of how we are each so individual and how we each are called to give all our quirks, problems, humanity to Jesus as he is in control!  John has so much respect and love of prayer that he hesitates not to ask for support through most anything that is an issue for him.  One thing is that it reminds all that there is nothing too small or big for us to turn to HIM!

Second Sunday of Easter/Divine Mercy Sunday John was Godfather to his cousin's daughter, Raegan!  Pictures were hard to face with his face, but it did not show up much surprisingly.  Today he is speaking in Graceville about 2 hours away... giving his story to a group of CCW women there.  He is so grateful to CCW groups throughout the state that are inviting him to share his ongoing story of finding Faith through his rare brain cancer and all the rare issues that continue to keep his eyes on Jesus with the support of all those that pray him down the narrow path he is on. 

I find myself at Ruth's this morning and borrowed her nice camera to capture this special gift/statue presented to Ruth from Paul's grandma, Mary Lanoue, on the occasion of her first baby shower for Simon about 12 years ago now.  Paul could always remember it in his grandparents' home, and was so touched and honored to have it now in their home.  I wept at the deep faith and love of Jesus and his Bride, The Church that this represented... recognized in Ruth and Paul's future family - open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS - which has been the motto of our family and now the families of our kids!  Jesus in the midst of his wonderful parents and pointing to his most Sacred Heart!  And what do we experience in our giving of ourselves to our families?  We experience the dying to self so that we can serve without counting the cost.  This calls for LOVE beyond our ability to give without the heart of Jesus/The Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts, minds and souls!

It was a good feeling to walk in here today and see the boxes and bags now unpacked and this statue showing that this has become their home!  Ruth is now out helping her dad, while I am in the house with Luke.  John has now returned to his job... knowing that he has been lifted up in prayers once again and protected from harm.  He thanks one and all! 

Jesus, today in the Gospel you speak to Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit being a force that mysteriously brings Christ alive in this world and in the midst of domestic church/family.  Looking out at the wind blowing today... The Spirit blows and moves us and lifts us and fills our sails and wings so that we can fly and soar above our humanity and our selfishness and our weaknesses and our smallness and our sickness - Jesus, may we become your hands and feet!  Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah

Mary outside and Mary inside... always with me on this journey!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
You must be born from above.  The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.  Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3 today - the Gospel of the Lord!  Yes, Lord, I am yours and I long to die to self so that you may live in me! 

Easter about 24 years ago - the famous John falling down girls Easter hat picture.  Yes, we are there for him, but sometimes he just has to fall down and get back up on his own.  It's called tough love, right?

The 5 in order of age... just before Susan/Hallel headed to France to join The Community of the Lamb and become a bride of Christ... Little Sister Hallel!  September 11, 2008 - so much has happened in those 8 years! 

Maria shared this on her blog today!  Grandchild #14!  We are thrilled and praying without ceasing!  Each new LIFE makes our LOVE grow more and more!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

Danielle Rose - Psalm 139 - Wonderfully made!  Lord, protect all LIFE this day!

Danielle Rose - The saint that is just me