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!
Ruth worked so hard bringing my back breaking scrap books over yesterday. My house, which had looked somewhat put together is now filled, once again, with the baggage and stuff weighing a ton! Yet, I am so tempted to go in there today and investigate the year it was that Ruth nursed kittens, whose mother died before our eyes just as we were leaving for a family day at Valley Fair! We picked up milk replacer and a syringe on the way out of town and Ruth went out to the car throughout the day to feed them. The one we named Excalaber lived and became huge and would come in and nurse on the side of Ruth's hand. Rose is watching mom feed her kitten. Lucky, who was aptly named as it was saved from the tub grinder just before Paul was going to grind hay!
Ruth got a bottle to try, but the kittens prefer their syringe.
I feel such shame at how my love of photos with a hunky farmer husband always doing interesting things and babies and baby animals all around me.. I was bit by the bug and hard! As a result I have scrapbooks that filled Ruth's pickup yesterday! They are all here and I feel that I have been cast into the sea and the waves are crashing over my head. Or even that I am sinking to the bottom! I not only have all this myself, but I sent each child from home with a scrapbook for every year they were alive, so at 18 they had that many scrapbooks to haul along with them! I have all mine plus John's and Susan's/Hallel's! When Ruth lugged them into the back bedroom that I have been working so hard to empty and fill it back up... I felt sick and sorry for my excess! Did I have to chronicle every moment of my life? I suppose that although now on line and stored another way.. that could be said about me now! I am a mess!
Rose sure loves to watch and be close to her mom, and is learning to be just like her and that is a very good thing!
It looks like today is putting in the garden day and all these boxes are back again! Help! I found the readings today to be filled with the reminder of how we are not to get all tied up with the idols made of gold and photos and are to place our energies and thoughts upon The Lord and what really matters in our salvation! Jesus asks us to be humble and rid ourselves of all the prideful trappings which distract us and keep us apart from totally dying to self and allowing The Holy Spirit to reveal all Truth to us! I faced myself and the Truth was a hard pill to swallow!
When those lilacs are open in this warm sun - that will be a heavenly scented place to fly into the sky!
Jesus, you told us today - I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear the it now. But when he comes , the Spirit of Truth, He will guide you to all Truth. John 16 Yes, the truth I saw was a hard blow to me, and I welcome it and ask that you assist me in making amends for it. I long to rid myself of all the baggage that has come between us. You are in control and everything worthwhile comes from you. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
My part of Ruth's work in natural fertility care - Creighton Model.. is to watch her kids so that she can meet with couples when Paul is busy. Two were at play practice, and we had supper on the deck on a glorious evening! I love to help my the younger generation serve those that are looking for the Truth! Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Luke got really dirty and took a bath just like old times in his old bathtub!
A brother under each arm is a appropriate picture of granddaughter Therese, who is the oldest of 4 with a new sibling on the way! How Therese loves LIFE, and as Maria shared yesterday on her blog that "T" is now crafting to help pass the time - 6 more months until the arrival, as she is so over the moon excited that she counts each day with the utmost of anticipation! She is no flash in the pan of ooing and ahhing over the little one and then getting bored or tired quickly. No, this girl is there right by her mom's side for the diaper changes, the dressing, the feeding, and all the baby's needs! She had to attend to her baby doll when she was just 2 and welcomed her brother, David, but when she was almost 7 with the arrival of Romeo she would dress him and when he cried she was there looking after his needs and reporting to her mom! She loves babies and LIFE!
Maria shared that to tone down her excitement and longing for the arrival of her new sibling that Therese has taken up crafting so that she will refrain from counting down each day..." Thérèse is determined to make this pregnancy go quickly (at least for her).
She has plans to craft-away all of the next 6 months continually, so that she is too busy to count the days.
I somehow don't believe she actually won't count down the days, though.
We are, after all, talking about T.... and a baby.
Anyhoo... here is one of the first crafting projects that she tackled.
Thanks, Aunt Nancy, for the "melty" beads!"
How I smiled deep into my soul when I read those words - "We are, after all, talking about T.. and a baby." Her love goes so very deep!
Therese hard at work...
Today is the feast of St Philip and St James... I happen to have brothers by both those names, so I wish them a happy feast day today! In the Gospel today Jesus tells us in John 14... "I am the Way, the Truth, and the LIFE." The passion we have for LIFE comes from our very heart and soul as we see with eyes of Faith that this is the supreme gift of Christ's life entering the world - LIGHT for the nations!
Ruth, Rose and Luke over for helping pull weeds and lunch on the beautiful porch yesterday! All Ruth's hard work is so appreciated by Pat and I!
What makes for this deep passion for life? Eyes of the heart that truly recognize the miracle of life and how it is to be yearned for with an openness to life and cherished and protected and nourished and raised to be a light for the world of darkness/the culture of death which permeates this world we live in. Even 38 years ago when Pat and I were at our marriage encounter in St Paul, all the other couples only wanted two or less kids when we shared that we wanted a large family. It made me question if we were being selfish to bring many children into this mess of a world. Pat did not hesitate one minute - "The world needs lights!" All my doubts, fears and doubts melted away!
This is the motto our family lives by and now to the next generation! How I long to shout it from the rooftops! Do not listen to the lies of the world! Have more kids and not more stuff!!!!! There is no comparison to LIFE!
Newly 4 year old Rose in the clouds!
Jesus, may your LIFE fill this earth with goodness and LIGHT! It is such a delight to share this passion for LIFE and protecting and cherishing it no matter the cost! We are united with you and your Church, my Jesus! We are open to life and raising them as lights to go and make a difference in this world - to chase away the darkness and bring into the light the lies and deceit of Satan. You assured us in the Gospel today that we will do your works here on earth and "if you ask anything in my name, I will do it." Filled with Trust and HOPE we rely on you always and eternally. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
How can we not believe that this world can be filled with Goodness, LIGHT, LOVE, and glorious LIFE when we see this all around us? Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Spring is sprung!
Rose in the clouds!
Following this path has not been easy, but the fruits are rich and plentiful and so good!
How I love sharing this journey of Faith in The Church with my friend, Scott Hahn!
Rose and Mary pose at the 4th birthday party for Rose last night with the talk of the household - a batch of 4 kittens! It is high drama and excitement as the kids and mom are now in charge of raising them. The little gray one joined the others after she was saved from the tub grinder yesterday - her name is Lucky and rightfully so! Pat found the other 3 on top of a bale in the shed as he was getting a large round bale to feed the cows. "The kids came flying out of the house barefoot and in their jammies when I called and told them there were baby kitties found!" reported grandpa. They tried to put them in a box for mom to come back to, but sadly they have been deserted as a result and there was an emergency run to Walmart to pick up kitten milk replacer and now around the clock care!
The kids are very excited and hopeful, but Ruth pointed out that this is not how nature intended and that their chances are not that good. This was sad for the kids to hear, but there are definitely life and death lessons learned on the farm as well as how we care for the creatures of the world! There is no better Psalm of praise for the creation of the world at God's hand than Psalm 104! I happened to use it for Rose's birthday card as Psalm 4 was not usable... From the sky you send rain on the hills, and the earth is filled with your blessings. You make grass grow for the cattle and plants for us to use, so that we can grow our crops and produce wine to make us happy, olive oil to make us cheerful, and bread to give us strength." Psalm 104:14-15
I think King David wrote a wonderful faith-filled statement that farmers pray for and hope for and depend upon God for!
The first lilacs! Rose knows how much grandma loves them - and now they are their lilacs and I will have to go and get some from them!
How I smiled and laughed out loud this day as I read the readings and reported to Pat that the Psalm was an Hallel Psalm - 149! Let the Faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy upon their couches.
Why would that be funny since my blogging spot is now on a couch facing an open window allowing the fresh air to surround me and the sight of my peaceful green yard to fill me mostly with peace and happiness although the lawn to mow and the weeds to pull are sucking some of that joy away? Well, it is so funny to me because my Little Sister Hallel never sits on a couch! There are no couches or cushions to sit on... only wooded chairs, benches, kneelers, and beds. When I was in France... I noticed this and asked Hallel if she missed having something soft to sit on. She looked surprised and confused and without hesitation said; "No, I never think about it. I am too busy." Talk about embracing your vow of poverty with total acceptance and going forward down the narrow path. I think this Psalm also can mean that when we go to bed whether it is on a board or a sleep number bed or the ground - that we take our LOVE, Peace and JOY with us into the darkness of the night and not let those night demons prey upon our hearts and minds!
The birthday girl all glammed up with her Anna and Elsa dress, butterfly wings, sparkly boots, and baby kitten found just for her on her birthday, Lucky!
Singing happy birthday - I love that she put a rosary on for a necklace for her special day! She also got a birthday song on Facetime from her cousins in Kansas City! It is wonderful the ways we can keep connected with loved ones far away these days!
The birthday girl pose... the photo was taken when she was 3 months old or so in the sink that used to be in the bathroom in this spot! How things have changed - in love with all the windows bringing the farm into view at all times! Jesus, keep the little ones safe from any harm and may they grow always in the knowledge and love of you and your amazing creation!
It warmed my heart to see Ruth back at her wonderful crocheting when she has time to sit!
Mary is so seriously caring for those kittens. How she reminds me of her mom at her age! I can hardly contain myself when I truly do see that Ruth loved her life so much that now she has it with her family even now to living in the same house and having the same experiences! Talk about mind blowing to the max!
I love the story of Lydia in the first reading from Acts 16 today! How she listened to Paul and was good ground... accepting the seed and planting it in good soil to bear much fruit! She immediately opens her house and family to them away from home and living on divine providence! She teaches us that we need to be giving of ourselves always without counting the cost, and allow the seed to break open and send out shoots to bear much fruit! The seed must die just as we need to come out of our shells of selfish ambition and looking out for number 1... The Holy Spirit dwelling in our inner temple cannot use us if we are all tied up with our selfish sinfulness and thinking about "me." It is so healthy for Mary to care for other creatures and learn the lesson to look outside yourself and help where needed.
So precious! Her hope and prayers are written on her face. "I want you to live and share this farm world with me and my brothers and sister."
Jesus, I am overwhelmed to see with these grandmother eyes the same life I was blessed with my 5 kids on the farm - now again with Ruth and her 5 kids on the farm! Yes, there have been changes to make it their home and Ruth's vision is a needed and good one - to keep her eyes on what is going on out there so that all may stay safe! Hear our prayer, O Lord! It is so wonderful to see your creation respected and protected as our farmers feed the world! May we embrace your Word/seed with good soil and bear much Fruit as we embrace our Most Cherished Cross and find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT/Jesus and His Bride, The Church! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
every time I write My Most Cherished Cross this letter from Hallel comes to mind... today I want to reshare this amazing wisdom of Hallel to her sister, Nancy, on the occasion of her engagement about 6 years ago!
"Nancy, Look I am writing you a letter... aren't you impressed? Well, you better be because both you and I know how often this happens. I am writing to tell you now extremely excited I am about your engagement to Bill. I have to admit, when I got the news I wasn't really shocked but that night as it sunk in during adoration and the next day during mass I was so happy. My heart overflowed with joy for you. How beautiful to know that you have found your... most cherished cross. While I have never had the experience of being married, from what I hear is that he will truly be your cross. But not your cross as human eyes look at it, as a thing to run away from, as a thing of torture but rather as that which is truly the tree of life. It is only when clinging to the cross that one can truly live, it is the source of all life and of all love. Your marriage to Bill will be this, not something to run away from when it gets hard and when it hurts, but something to hold tight to, especially when it hurts because it is in this that you will find life and love. Know that it is through your marriage that Jesus wants to show you his great love for you and also that the best example that you can give to the world of Christ's love is a marriage lived in truth. So, in other words, know that I am so happy for you and that I love you a whole lot. Know that you are in my prayers during this crazy time of wedding planning; that you may not go crazy but rather learn to love each other better and that you may both have great joy and great peace. Remember to pray for me too! God Bless, Your little Sister Hallel "
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
A stunningly beautiful picture of wine growers in Europe trying to save their crop! Farmers everywhere tending to the earth.
Today is sweet Rose Ida/Rose Again's 4th birthday! She is one excited little girl and mass was a wonderful way to start it off!!
Mary and Simon were altar servers and carried up the flowers for her crowning!
It was such a special time to start the mass as Father pointed out that from the Old Testament - I and II Kings - the Queen took her place at the side of her son, the King! Reassuring us that she is rightfully and importantly there with Jesus to help us get to heaven forever with Jesus and His wonderful humble most powerful woman in the world, Mary!
Crowing the Queen with our love and devotion! A sight of great beauty greeted our eyes!
Simon sweetly places the bouquet in front of Our Lady, the Queen!
The birthday girl goes up to pose with Mary in our beautiful Church! It is so uplifting to be there in the midst of the LIGHT and glowing tabernacle reminding us of the presence of Christ as w have just received him body and soul and divinity after his sacrifice on the altar!
What jumped out at me from the Gospel today was the thought that Jesus would leave us ..."I am going away and I will come back to you." He goes to Heaven to await our arrival there, and in the meantime we are not alone - The Holy Spirit is within our inner temple making our heart yearn and melt in our love for Jesus through Mary!
Picture perfect... a zesty 4 year old that loves her Mother Mary!
Look upon her beauty always in your life, Rose! She will lead you to her Son and he will reveal the path laid out for you... always a path with such beauty and Truth and LOVE/LIFE/LIGHT as you reach Heaven forever with Jesus and Mary and St Joseph on this day devoted to St Joseph the worker!
Mary was able to crown her namesake... so special!
Happy Birthday and God is blessing you now with rolls at great-grandma's .... Faith/Family/Farm the best kind of 6th Sunday of Easter!
Luke is celebrating his half birthday today, too!
Blowing out the candles together.
Jesus, we are filled to overflowing this day of celebration! So much that is wonderful glorious beautiful LIGHT filled LIFE overflowing and everlasting a small slice of heaven LOVE without end fill our hearts, minds and souls after our time with you this day and receiving you Body, Soul and Divinity. Jesus, we adore you and praise you! "May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you! May God bless us, and may all the ends of the earth fear him! R. O God, let all the nations praise you!" Psalm 67 from mass today Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
How I love my Queen! Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
And I love my little Rose Again - Rosita - and wish her a wonderful journey of Faith in our amazing Church with Christ her Savior!
Here is a gift for you Rose... a smiling pose from your cousins in Missouri!
Too nice not to share! Patrick is Rosie's friend and will be 4 next in October!
Big Sister Therese just turned 8 in March!
David's front teeth are coming in! He was 6 in December
Romeo has been the reigning youngest grandchild but that is about to change with the arrival of his cousin in a few weeks and then his new sibling in November! Our only red head! Thanks to Maria for this great JOY filling me right now!
Sharing our Faith with JOY!
