Joyful tears in the dark..."let marriage be honored...." Hebrews 13 on John's 28th birthday!

 Breakfast and morning prayer with John and Maria's 3 boys before I headed in to mass this morning.  Although I am sick with a cold, and it was a bit better today... I really wanted and needed to have my throat blessed on this the Feast of St Blaise....

Today's blessing:  Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit.

As we prayed together in the dark kitchen our petitions centered around John and his healing and asking for the Lord to continue to guide and direct him on the path laid out for him on this his 28th birthday!  John's petitions made me weep at his words about how great an example of being open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS dad and I were.  "You raised the girls to look for good Catholic husbands, who continue on with the values taught by The Church, and their husbands can even lead them in their faith." 

Candles in his breakfast sandwich and "God in Blessing you now" to the melody of Happy Birthday!

Yes!  In many ways the girls were looking for their father.  They were all looking for that man, who loves The Church and family.  We even have a joke that Pat picked out the husbands for our two oldest in modern day arranged marriages.  When Ruth would come home from college Pat would say to her time and again..."Why don't you see what Paul is doing this weekend?"  And when Nancy was looking for a good man... Pat pointed out to her Bill with these words; "What about Bill?"  Now there are many family stories about Joseph calling Pat about courting his daughter while Pat was laying under a piece of equipment fixing it and Pat thought it was a telemarketer or a joke, so Joseph definitely was baptized by fire also!  Not to mention being left in a closed truck on a hot day when he came to ask for her hand.  Fire/heat indeed!  For him to not lose heart is a testament to his love!

Filled to overflowing on John's birthday... I looked around the Church to see so many Johns all around me!  Here is John with Mary at the foot of the Cross at his death on the Cross - Station 12 and around the corner the 13th with the taking his lifeless body down from the Cross!

The coming of light sooner really was evident to me as I sat after mass to recite my Chaplet of Divine Mercy.  A few weeks ago when the lights were turned out the church remained dark except for the votive candles on the altar.  Today there was light throughout the church!  The Chaplet has become so powerful for me since the death of my mother-in-law about 7 weeks ago, as we shared it often at her deathbed, and now she has joined my Father-in-law on the first decade.  We know that in her heart she wanted her entire family to receive Jesus at her funeral.  I just pray that it truly can work in their hearts.  Lord, hear my prayer.

I had the joy of putting the first topknot as I finally found my tiny rubber bands.  Maybe you will have blue eyes like your dad little girl?

So many good words today in the readings... Jesus never changes in our world and lives - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is at the heart of our lives, marriages, families/domestic Church, our extended families, our every moment of each day!  I was amazed today as I looked around the church while I said my chaplet and once again was impressed by so very much I am given each day of this journey thanks to The Church!  How I love The Beloved Bride The Church with all that is within me! 

 The sign for St John, the Apostle/Evangelist, who wrote the Gospel according to John and Revelations, and was the Beloved Disciple to Jesus.  So good to see The name!

 St John...


Luke had been our boys name, but after 4 girls we grew tired of how overused it was and I know that influence of my hero St John Paul II, that we then named our first son, and last living child - John Patrick!  John prayed in the dark this morning for the fact that it looked like we stopped because we had our boy, but rather we had 3 more pregnancies which we lost - the two after him, William and Robert, lived 5 months in my womb and are buried at the cemetery!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

This window devoted to St John and another with a chalice with snakes coming out of it.  WE discovered that this was also for The Beloved Disciple, who they tried to poison his drink and the poison came out in the form of a snake.  One window on both sides of the church - Johns all around me there and also in the Stations!

 The 4th station - Jesus meets his mother with St John at her side!

Throat blessing - St Blaise, pray for us!

"At first he was a doctor who … Attended human life … And then he ministered to souls … In spiritual strife … A bishop in Armenia … St. Blaise acquired fame … By many healings he performed … In God’s most holy name … Especially the little child  … Who nearly choked to death … And through St Blaise’s prayers returned  … To free and normal breath … And that is why one day each year … His saintliness we note … And ask his prayers to guard us from … Diseases of the throat … And even more important to … St Blaise’s great renown … Is all the torture he endured … To earn his martyr’s crown. "

Looking at cows on grandpa's phone, after some wrestling with the big guy!

 The topknot got me taking too many pictures!

 I feel bad that it looks like she is sharing my cold with me, too!  So sorry little sweet girlie!

The Gospel today was John the Baptist being beheaded, and that is kind of a hard one for John's birthday, but Father Paul pointed out more the wrong values held by Herod as he followed the ways of the world.  He pointed out the values and standards set out for us by The Church as it is there to help us get to heaven forever with Jesus, Mary, St Blaise, and all the Saints and Angels !

An adorable little Lamb thanks to Oma!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Johnnie! 

Jesus, how we long to love and serve you always and without counting the cost!  We thank and praise you for healing John and calling him to be your servant this year as he works with those in need as a para in the high school and sharing his conversion/healing story when he can!  These words from the Psalm for today - Psalm 27 are so true for him

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is my life's refuge;

of whom shall I be afraid?

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart will not fear;

Though war be waged upon me,

even then will I trust...

He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,

he will set me high upon a rock.

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

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

Lord, we are yours, and Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

The Church supplies us with all we need each day of our journey called Faith/Family/Farm!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Hallel's prayers are always with us!

Diamonds out of us -

Borrowing Maria's Christmas pictures of the living Nativity!

Mary and Jesus...

A shepherd with a cute fuzzy cow...

So sweet even if we are in ordinary time!

We miss you Joseph!

Two things on this Feast of the Presentation... I would so be Anna, and Jesus is there to help us when being tested

Sweet baby girl Evangeline is now 3 months old, and she is learning to recognize her loving grandpa Pat!  He always wants to hold her when he is home from time to time, and she looks at him with smiles and eye contact that won't quit!  "I know that you love me grandpa, and I love you, too!"  A true example of responding to LOVE no matter how young.  My sweet Patrick certainly models for our family being open and loving towards all LIFE and raising LIGHTS!
http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html

Patrick snuggling with his baby sister the other night... Patrick is known at "the snuggler."  I am not in much a snuggly mood with a bad cold keeping me dragging around and worried about kids catching it, too.  It would not be good for the baby to come down with it!


The Feast of the Presentation today and really wanting to get to mass, but home and slow due to sickness.  What really grabbed my attention as we read the readings numerous times starting at bed last night... After Anna the prophetess' husband died..."She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer."  I know that on many deep internal levels that I am a contemplative, and if not for all that pulls me into the world in the way of Family and Farm that I would so never leave the temple night and day... I do admit that fasting has never been big for me, and I do know that there is reason for it and that it can accomplish spiritual tasks for us as we strive for holiness and pray for the world.  But I fail more often than not at fasting.  So there is room to grow and to improve my spiritual life!  But the prayer part is so HUGE for me!

The doorbell rang about an hour ago with a special package from Wisconsin - Oma is so good about sending special gifts for each of the 5 and their mom!  Thank you!  I got this fun picture of Romeo in a cute hat the same color as his red hair.  There was so much excitement and joy as they gathered around the box and opened up each item one at a time with lots of giggles of glee!  Wish you were here Oma to see the happy faces!  Come for a visit when the weather is nice and warm this spring!

Yes, I would be Anna in the temple day and night praying and know that there are other plans for me with the waves of life that pass over my head and all around me.  I am not saying that I am always a happy doer of those things I am required to do, but I realize that life is not a bed of roses and all sweetness and happiness.  If life was always pleasant the good times would not be nearly as good!  We need the low spots to make the mountain heights to be glorious and wonderful!

School just started in the other room.  Beds are made, clothes are on, breakfast is done and cleaned up, Therese went out and discovered the chickens had gotten their door open and were out in the shed, so David went out to help get them back in, the eggs (7) are brought in and in the sink, Maria is reading to them as they work on math and reading.  Patrick and Romeo can play quietly (?) while the others have school. 

I love this introductory address from mass today;

Dear Brethren, forty days have passed since we celebrated the joyful feast of the Nativity of the Lord.  Today is the blessed day when Jesus was presented in the Temple by Mary and Joseph.  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.  There we shall find him and recognize him in the breaking of the bread, until he comes again, revealed in glory.

A visit to Colman church where my dad was Deacon/Administrator for 3 years... we were reminded of how uplifting and beautiful it is!  Jesus in the tabernacle above the altar held up by two angels and the huge crucifix above.  Our hearts, minds and souls are lifted up...  The Crucifix reminds us... "Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested."  How?  We are given so much each day!  We are given Jesus in The Word and in The Body and Blood on the altar, we have the Saints and Celebrations/Feasts like today is the Presentation reminding us of Jesus/the Temple within where The Holy Spirit fills us and we become the hands and feet of Jesus in the world around us, Mary our Mother above all mothers, and her life-line, the rosary, prayer and the best hour of our week in Adoration in front of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on the alar!  I place each member of both of our families in the monstrance with Jesus - over 200!

The humble monstrance at Lumen Christi/LIGHT of Christ Monastery in KC...   Each day Hallel and her Community find daily mass and then spend time in Adoration.  I have a daughter, who is a contemplative nun!  My own call led to hers!

http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/susan-angela-agneslittle-sister-hallel.html

http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

Recognizing Jesus on the altar in such a powerful way!  He certainly is always there to help us no matter what we face - if we only humbly come to Him and lay our burdens at his feet.  Humility is the key to our finding Jesus always there with open arms!

Jesus, I am needing you this day and always... I am yearning to come to you in my inner temple and fall on my knees in humility before your Truth!  Show me the way to share your Truth with all those I encounter, and when necessary use words.  May I always love and serve without counting the cost.  "Wounded, I will not cease to love."  the motto of The Community of the Lamb... how I long to live in this way!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

The Lamb shows us the way, The Truth and The LIFE!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Grandpa and his little sweet girl!

Susan looking so much like Romeo... I know it is random, but couldn't resist sharing .

This is all I long for... to be forever in heaven with Jesus, Mary and all the Saints!



http://chnetwork.org/story/search-truth-led-atheism-catholicism/

He is making diamonds out of us

The Saint that is just me - Danielle Rose

Should we amaze Jesus with our Faith or our lack of Faith?

Starting with a family photo from Christmas.  The kids were just in here laughing at it and loving the smile on their dad's face.  They are on their way out to do the chickens now...

We overflowed the kitchen eating island last night, so I moved into the dining room to eat my supper and so enjoyed looking in from the outside at the domestic scene... Pat with the baby in his arm and Maria serving him up his supper after all the kids and John and I... our house is full of family and LIFE!  Yes, I do get a bit overdone from time to time, but the remodel at the same time adds to that stress.  But Family Time continues to be The Best! 


The final words of the Gospel today caused me to reflect on a recent Gospel where Jesus was amazed at the faith of a man, who told him not to bother to come to his home," but only say the word and my servant will be healed."  From this we now scripturally say this response before receiving Jesus in His Body and Blood - "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."  Matthew 8:8  Jesus was amazed at his Faith, and we are to adopt that Trust in his coming into our lives and healing us and using us to his honor and glory!

Our home is a blur of activity these days, and we are cherishing wonderful family time shared with our full house!


Today in the Gospel Jesus is "amazed at their lack of faith."  With this to deal with Jesus could not perform any mighty deeds there.  I long to have faith in Jesus at work in me and at work in my life so that I may share His Truth with all and when necessary use words!  I do see him at work in the faces of my family, and the bond we share in Faith/Family/Farm!  It is the wind beneath my wings to have that small slice of heaven where we love Jesus and His Bride, The Church, with no reservations.  With that kind of support we can face all that tries to take away our peace and diminish The Truth through relativism, which has overtaken our world here in the U.S.

Borrowing some family pictures taken in Wisconsin over Christmas... I know that the separation is hard on them.


I see in Maria a prime example of Faith in how she teaches, disciplines, loves and cares for her family with great care and organization.  She fits in exercise, schooling, chores and her kids have all learned to look past themselves and to help the younger ones. 

A special family indeed!


Jesus, how I long to be yours, and to always have Faith in you at work in my life, my family/domestic church, my husband/most Cherished Cross, my country, my world, all those in dire straits, all those that don't know and love you due to being blinded to the truth through relativism where anything goes.  No!  We need to die to self so that you may live in us and embrace all that The Church teaches us and requests of us - Helping us to get to heaven forever with Jesus!  For that I long and strive with all that I have within me!  Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Love to see dad with his little girl, who is changing so much with each day.  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke



https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=1447


http://tradcatknight.blogspot.com.eg/2016/02/letter-from-pregnant-nun-who-was-raped.html?m=1#more