Just a few hours old... Patrick teaches me about the Truth of Baptism/He calls us beloved children

I am giving a talk in a few days called "God, A Community of love."  I needed to start with the idea of The Trinity being the source and model of that Community, but had a bit of struggle really taking it in and speaking from the heart.  I realized that The Holy Spirit has been so powerful and directed my path, yet to put them together was tricky and distant. 

Well, the other day I was returning to my time in El Paso for the month of welcoming grandson Patrick into the world while his dad was away serving in Afghanistan... I have vivid memories of it all, and came to the powerful and life-altering moment when I baptized Patrick at just hours old in the middle of NICU at 1am on October 10th, 2012.  Saying those simple yet O so powerful words...."Patrick, I Baptize you in the name of The Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" as I drizzled water from a small vial of sterile water on his head with my hand.  What peace and comfort this brought to me, and our family so devastated by his bring born dead and brought back to life and being "the sickest baby in this NICU."

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

Patrick holding onto the fingers of his dad back to support him and their family just days after he arrived in this world.  I say that tiny Patrick had his cross placed on his shoulder while still in the womb! 

Final prayer from morning prayer this morning;

God our Father and deliverer, you have redeemed your people through the waters of  baptism into the Death and Resurrection of Christ.  May we who have passed through the waters take up our cross and follow him from death into glory according to your will, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Yes, that Cross was carried by Patrick from the womb into the world.. so to have him baptized within hours of that happening brings us to such a place of trusting in all that the Trinity/Community of LOVE and our glorious Catholic Church has to give him... a whole lot and then some of help through The Sacraments, The Word, The Saints, but for me most of all the rosary beads/Our Lady which never left my hand or my heart or my soul or my spirit throughout Maria's labor and on to this day!

He amazed all with his health after being "the sickest baby in NICU!"  No longer does he need meds for seizures to this day, and he has amazing strength and agility!

How I wish I had a movie of Patrick dancing in the big dance we have at CCC, but this one of him in the midst of one of his amazing moves shares how delightful and entertaining it was to watch him dance his heart out for a long time without a break.  This is part of his daily life as they dance in their home each night to their dad's guitar music!  Talk about JOY and total PRAISE!

It reminds me of the Psalm for today filled with so my "glory!"
Psalm 29
"Give to the Lord, you sons of God,
give to the Lord glory and praise,
give to the Lord the glory due his name;
adore the Lord in holy attire.
The Lord will bless his people with peace.


The God of glory thunders,
and in his temple all say, 'Glory!'
The Lord is enthroned above the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
The Lord will bless his people with peace."


So much laughter and amazement to see our miracle boy, Patrick, dancing with so much abandon!

 Such a wonderful family time they experience at night before they receive their blessings from dad and head to bed filled with JOY in their hearts, and LOVE experienced as a family/domestic Church as they worship their LORD through song and dance!  It reminds me of The Psalms and King David dancing before The Lord in the Arc of the Covenant!

Yes, that is Patrick front and center dancing with all his heart and abandon!  It makes me smile to see him, of course!
Love this today on this feast of The Baptism!
Jesus joins the people going out to John the Baptist in the gesture of repentance, not because there is sin in him, but in order to model for us the only authentic way to approach the Father.  He goes to the Baptist as a beggar because the Mystery of Mercy.  Jesus surrenders to Mercy by submitting himself to baptism in order to invite us to share in his relationship with The Father, announced from the heavens.  The Lord Jesus lowers himself in his baptism and, as Nothingness, acknowledges his Father so that we will never hesitate to do the same.  (see www.magnificat.com)

I am so grateful to Patrick for bringing to a real place of realizing the power and glory of The Trinity which brings us to a place of adoption as beloved sons and daughters of God along with His Son , Jesus Christ and fills us with His LOVE/The Holy Spirit as we go forth filled with the ability to die to self and become Christ in our lives/families/domestic Church!  Let us, who have been baptized in him, listen to the voice that calls us beloved children and gives us a work to do, the work of the Gospel proclaimed and lived in love for God and neighbor.  Yes, Lord, may I evangelize to all those that have ears to hear, but most of all may my life show your Truth and only when necessary use words!


I have witnessed that Patrick has taught all those praying for him that power of prayer, much like our journey with John, who found Faith through brain cancer!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html

Patrick is a wonderful hugger and snuggler!  Here he gets one back from Luke, who is a great hugger, too!  It will be so wonderful to have them here living with us til spring!  Cherished time to get us through the time they live 3 days away in Washington State in June til we know not when...


Jesus, how I long to love and serve you, and I am so filled with gratitude at bringing me into your Community of LOVE at the day of my baptism as a newborn infant.  The journey has been so amazing and your Holy Spirit always directs me closer and closer to you!  http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
I am overwhelmed by your LOVE for me and that I am truly yours now and forever til I arrive in heaven forever with YOU!  Thank you for the gift of a healed and loving Patrick here to love and serve you as a LIGHT!  http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html  Yes, the world needs lights!  WE are called to be open to LIFE and to raise LIGHTS to chase away the darkness of the culture of death.  May all life be protected from conception to natural death!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

The same name, only a day separating their bithdays, and 97 years - both ends from the newness of LIFE to the final days filled with prayer and Family!  LIFE is a gift always and no matter the cross we are bearing at the time... the Cross always leads to LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

So powerful to have this image in our hearts, minds and souls!  Little Anne now carrying forth the love we hold for our wonderful Grandma Ann!

Peaceful rest...

After our family with only John with all those sisters... it is kind of amazing to have all our goofy and wonderful grandsons... 8, but the girls are catching up with 6 going on 7 in March!

An article in The Marshall Independent today...
http://www.marshallindependent.com/news/local-news/2017/01/returning-home/  We are so blessed to have them back here helping us farm and living in the home that Ruth grew up in!  Here is a picture of a true farm family!  How it warms our hearts!

http://www.lifenews.com/2017/01/06/newborn-baby-boy-saved-after-he-was-abandoned-in-a-laundry-basket-inside-a-catholic-church/  Another baby boy that was baptized just hours old... found abandoned at St Paul Cathedral!  So his journey begins "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."  So much LOVE as he is brought into The Community of LOVE!

How my heart sings at the depth of his love for me!
http://aleteia.org/2017/01/08/hearts-afire-catholic-college-students-encounter-christ-at-seek2017/   Another great encouraging sign of Jesus at work with His Bride, The Church!

It is sad to be at the end of Christmas, so this was great to see this morning!  I am sad to put away my tree and all the LIGHTS...
As the liturgical season of Christmas draws to a close, let us remember the words of Saint Paul of the Cross: “Celebrate the feast of Christmas every day, even every moment in the interior temple of your spirit.”

The eye of the Storm - Ryan Stevenson

Epiphany Sunday with a call from Rome/Hallel we miss you!

During Hallel's home visit 4 years ago... we had to spend time with Pat's mom.

The homily today really struck a chord after our 22 months of helping mom stay in her home while on hospice with heart failure.  The two that suffered the most through this time was mom, due to her helplessness and needing help with her basic needs 24 hours a day, and her main caregiver, her daughter.  Father talked about how we all yearn to be independent and do things our own way, yet we are called to be dependent in our lives from time to time, and "the later years come to that dependences."  We are also called to be dependent on Our Lord as he directs our path and our lives!

Simon finds Hallel's rosary beads while he spends time with his special Aunt during her home visit almost 4 years ago... they have always been very close due to his being the first nephew with his birthday just 2 days before hers. 

A call from Hallel in Rome today got me thinking about how wonderful it will be when we can see her and get a "real hug!"  The thing about this long desert of seeing her... going on 2 years now and a year longer than that for Maria's family... is that it will be so powerful and wonderful when it happens!  Much like when life gives us the hard knocks and crosses... it makes the good times that much better!

We were just discussing how Susan has yet to meet 3 of her nieces and nephews with another one on the way.  It was fun to hear her joking and laughing with John on the phone... we appreciate those times of sharing our needs and desires for seeing her and getting her responses that keep us humble and reminded that she gave up her family times when she said "yes" to her call.   It is no wonder that we flock to see her when we get the chance!

Her last home visit in April of 2013!  Her arms full of the 3, who are now 4 years old!  The house will rock and roll with JOY and excitement and absolute craziness when we can be together with our Hallel again and we know not when.  It might be that this will happen when she takes her final vows in France!  There is talk that we ALL will go!

Paul helps with the crabby Rose..."Rose cry a lot." was a known phrase.  It would be fun to have Susan/Hallel meet her now!  Her dad finds himself calling Rose by Susan all the time.  It happens that she does look a lot like Sue and is #4 in Ruth's family, too.  It is a blessing and special to have these little ones that are like stepping back in time and having the little ones again! 

She came home to an April snowstorm!  We were just telling her about the COLD we are experiencing, and she shivered at the thought!  She told us about the 30 degrees that they are experiencing in Rome - "The fountains are freezing."

 Seeing the remodel of our church for the first time almost 4 years ago now...

 Every time I see the 10th station of the Cross/ Jesus is stripped of his garments... I think of the many mornings in the dark that Hallel and I would do a holy hour before mass as she asked the Lord about what he wanted for her..."Why do you sit by the 10th station/the humility station?"  "Because it is the the last pew with a kneeler, so that no one can see me cry."  Now look at her life!  He answered with The Community of the Lamb coming to the U.S./Kansas City right at that time...

The new beautiful gathering space where the treacherous steps used to be!

 Of course, after mass we had to go and see Pat's mom!  For the first time in our marriage we don't have her to visit any more... it is such a different place we find ourselves after 38 years of her in our lives!

Mom and Raterra with Hallel 4 years ago during her home visit.

Jesus, we know that the longer we don't see Hallel the sweeter it will be when we finally get to be together as a family in Truth!  How I love to be all together so I add Hallel from time to time when we manage to have family time.  Family time just has to take different forms like prayer and phone calls and time with The Community in KC... Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

How amazing is this for me to see?  Hallel holding Patrick over the waters of Baptism after I had the privilege of baptizing him in the middle of NICU in El Paso when he was just a few hours old - born dead and brought back to life!  The Community of LOVE/The Trinity surrounded us as he was baptized through water and The Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit!

 

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-to-parents-teach-your-children-the-faith-by-example-28595/

Look what I found... a family picture from Wisconsin!  Soon Maria and kids will be here for 4 months on the farm! 

"Super Catholic" Yes!!!! Fresh out of the confesional in Rome/St Paul outside the walls

Susan/Hallel meeting Patrick for the first time 3 years ago in KC!

Dear friends, who said goodbye to their mother, grandmother, spouse this day.  Just back from a most beautiful send off for a great lady, Donna.  All through the service with my son, John standing beside me... I was so uplifted by the beauty of all that manifests Christ to us in The Mass!  Jesus in The Word, in the Eucharist, and in each one around us - all there with us! 

Today the Gospel was the precious and sweet and special Wedding at Cana!  For us to have Mary so prominent in calling Jesus to begin his ministry and to reveal himself at this time of celebration! 

The three manifestations that were woven into the liturgy of the Epiphany were the adoration of the Magi, the baptism of the Lord, the wedding feast of Cana.  At Cana, as the Christmas Season closes, Mary once more shows forth her Son, this time as the One who will wash us clean in the chalice of the new covenant when his hour will come.  Cana closes the Christmas season with a hint of the Easter Triduum that lies ahead.

I just can't get over how two groups of friends ran into Hallel in amazing circumstances...  This group looked up and found her in Krakow, Poland at World Youth Day shortly after they had commented that it would be special to run into Susan/Hallel!  They looked up and there she was!  I was telling John that she is following The Holy Spirit around in her life..."Maybe The Holy Spirit is following her!"  I just had to laugh as I thought of her LOVE for her loving Savior, her Spouse and how they pursue each other! 

"We saw her rushing by and wondered if that could be Susan...I think it is... so we followed her and she went into a confessional, so we waited outside.  She came out and we realized it was Susan!  So wonderful to see her and miraculous, too!"  Look at that huge smile on her face... she had just laid all her burdens at the feet of her LOVE!  She tells us of her love for the LIFE she has been called to!

 How special to have a religious community as part of our family!  Simon recognized this Truth -"We are all family!" he announced at this breakfast we shared when they made their first trip up to meet Susan, the first American to join The Community of the Lamb.  How we rejoiced when they came to put down roots in the heart of our country - Kansas City, Kansas!

First visit to the farm!

The altar Susan left behind in her room speaking of her call and her heartfelt "YES!"  How I wept to see this sign of her LOVE!  I heard is shared lately that I am called a "Super Catholic"... how I smiled at this Truth!  Yes!!!!!  I love, love, love The Church and every part of it!  I was telling John that I felt like a "super Catholic" the other day when I was introduced to 3 young seminarians as "the mother of John."  Then one got excited and said; "You are Little Sister Hallel's mom!  She is wonderful... I met her while I was studying in Rome!"  At that moment Ruth walked by with her youngest, Luke, helping her..."This is my daughter, Ruth, she is expecting her 6th in a few months and all will go to school here!"  I felt so filled with JOY and the term "super Catholic" is a good description - how loving and following all that The Church holds out to us has resulted in so much LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT! 

I was blessed with a week of contemplative prayer at the Little Monastery/Lumen Christi in September!  So many graces as a result of my daughter saying "yes" to her call... I can have some time as a contemplative here and there!  Thank you, Lord!  This super Catholic is filled to overflowing by all your blessings!


Jesus, I am so grateful for all I am given each day of this journey!  May I always fall on my knees and give you all the praise!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Putting on the blue apron... special time at Lumen Christi!

Baby Josephine will always know that this is part of her family!

Day 12 of Christmas...Epiphany/Manifestation of Christ in our lives!

The month I shared with Maria in El Paso three years ago at the traumatic birth of her 3rd child, Patrick, was a definite Epiphany as the Lord heard our pleas and protected and healed Patrick... a definite manifestation of Christ with us!

Maria and I have shared so much over the years... thanks to her always looking to Jesus to direct her life!  Each one of my children has brought along with them the manifestation of Christ in my life, as I share their journey with them, ,many epiphanies starting with the first time I knew they were in my womb as a result of embracing my Most Cherished Cross/Patrick Verly and finding LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT! 

Joe home from Afghanistan to be with his family 3 years ago!

I know in a very real and powerful Truth that with each new life we welcome into our family - we will welcome grandchild #15 in a few months - that the wise men could come and exclaim to the world that each one is a manifestation of Christ come into the world.  LIFE is a gift to be protected and cherished from conception to natural death!  ALL LIFE is sacred and with our homes as a domestic Church we raise those little ones we are given to be lights to the world, and to make a difference in casting LIGHT into the darkness of sin and death!  No, each child is not Christ or God come in flesh, but they are adopted children through their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

A picture of Truth... so much prayer and absolute healing took place as we were surrounded by prayer warriors, the Sacraments, The Word, the Saints, and our Spiritual Mother, Mary the Mother of God!  I was able to Baptize him just hours old in the middle of NICU surrounded by the tiny little ones in their bassinets, the nurses, doctors, and ambulance paramedics...''Patrick, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."  The trinity stood with me and surrounded Patrick with The Church and the promise of God through his Son that he is beloved by Him and will be His now and forever!

"God gave us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son.
Whoever possesses the Son has life;
whoever does not possess the Son of God does not have life.

I write these things to you so that you may know
that you have eternal life,
you who believe in the name of the Son of God."

The first reading today at mass - I John 5:5-13  It is so wonderful to hear from St John each day at mass since Christmas and being reminded that we are HIS, and with The Holy Spirit directing us and testifying to us that..."God gave us eternal LIFE, and this life is in his Son!"

Hallel 3 years ago this spring with her little nieces and nephews... We have added 5 going on 6 since then.  As soon as we have needs in the family we are quick to call Hallel and her Community of the Lamb to have their prayers for us.  Many now look at Patrick and John and recognize that their many prayers were answered!

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

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

Yes, John's cancer was a huge time of Epiphany for our family and many around the world!  Finding Faith through Brain cancer and healing through Prayers and all that we are given by our Catholic Church!

How about when Maria discerned her call to be a Poor Clare sister?  So powerful to experience that life of total prayer, and then Hallel's call... 

It was wonderful to share mass on this Epiphany/12th day of Christmas with my husband.  We were reminded by Fr Paul that Epiphanies are happening in our lives all the time, whether big or small, and we need to recognize Christ's work in our lives!  We just found out that Maria and her 5 will be living with us for about 4 months as Joe goes through some training with The Army.  We are excited for this deep family time that we will share.  As we were walking into mass this morning I was saying to Pat that I probably won't be able to go to daily mass for that time due to the activities going on in our home each morning.  But Pat reminded me that I will probably be jumping in with our daughter and her 5 kids each day, as Maria has continued to get herself with her growing family of 5 little ones to daily mass over her 9 years of marriage, as she had before!  Unlike me, who let life draw me away from daily mass with kids and jobs and life on the farm... Maria has made it a priority no matter what she has going on!  Such a lesson to me, and wouldn't it be fabulous to share that with her and her family during this time?  Yes!

John being anointed of the sick by Fr Craig before his biopsy which continues to give him a handicap/ataxia to this day!  The new John is much more humble and that is always a good thing! 

I am having an epiphany - "a moment of sudden revelation or insight" - today as I write this... thanks to our amazing glorious wonderful Church that I love, love, LOVE... we are given epiphanies over and over each day as we are having a manifestation of Christ given to us through daily Eucharist, Jesus in The Word, The Saints that show us we can persevere no matter what we face, Mary the Mother of God, who is always there to walk with us and bring us to her Son... How we soar to Jesus and rise to be with him and love and serve him no matter the cost!

 Nancy's 4 this May with the birth of their new baby sister, Josephine!

Jesus, we see you in each new life and we see you in the LOVE that grows with each new member of our family... we are given more love and it is not stretched more thin!  I am so overwhelmed by the lessons I learn at the feet of my children as they take me ever deeper into my Faith!  They show me the narrow path is to be followed no matter the distractions or difficulties and they share with me in the times when Christ is manifested to us in difficult situations... the epiphanies that bring Christ alive and well into our domestic Church/family!  Come Lord Jesus and fill every moment of our lives with your LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT as we embrace our Most Cherished Cross and follow you to heaven forever!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Jesus reaching down from the cross to heal St Peregrine!  Yes, the cross is there to remind us of how we have been saved and are asked take up/drag our own!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

France is a miracle for both Susan and John!

"You have a Little Sister Hallel because of your call."  Sr JoAnn

Lourdes... The epiphanies are too many and fill me with JOY!