The first 20 calves and finally some pictures... "there are no perfect people in heaven only forgiven people." (except maybe Our Lady and Jesus)

Having the morning with the kids yesterday, we decided to make cards for mom.  The watercoloring was a delight for us, and the cards were from the heart.  Little 4 month old Evangeline tops off our display set out for mom's return!  These 5 are bringing so much JOY into our home... Look at that precious smile!

Yesterday we had a set of twins with white faces, so the kids were pretty excited to see them.  Pat had them out on some nice fresh bedding outside in the warm sun, but it was a mighty big challenge to get them with the kids...

The one picture with both twins, but... not to best of the kids.  The question is how do you manage to get all these kids and animals looking good all at the same time.  Answer... You don't!  You just keep at it and the best one is still a picture of LIFE with all the hands, hats, animals, and bright sunlight.  At least today there were no tears and tantrums to content with.  That is truly a picture of LIFE as it seems that some need to get negative attention.

This is the best!  I was just happy to see the smiles and happy looks on many of the faces.  Only one of the twins made it, but when you see one you have seen the other one.  They both have white faces and are the same size.  When you are working with this many variables you cut your losses and slim back your expectations and end up with a picture of LIFE to cherish always. 

A later attempt and you can see how tired they are with grandma and her pictures... grit your teeth and bare it! 

A quote I heard from a talk lately just seems to fit with the Gospel and thoughts swirling through my heart and mind today..."There are no perfect people in heaven (Mary and Jesus excluded) only forgiven people."  The Gospel today is the calling of Levi, the tax collector, by Jesus.  St Matthew immediately followed Jesus when Jesus said to him; "Follow me."  He than had a huge banquet at his home and invited others, who needed The Dear Physician as all of us sick sinners do.  "Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but only the sick do.  I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners."  Luke 5

"She wants to be held, and I need to vacuum."  said Therese, so she put her baby sister in a carrier on her front.  How little Evangeline loves to feel big and walk around and help move out chairs and vacuum!

"I am a big girl!"

"Help me pull out the chair Vangie.  You are such a good helper!"

The vacuum waltz, and learning to work with sister.  She adores her big sister, and the feeling is mutual!

It has been such a gloriously prayerful and sacrament filled day today!  Up for mass, rosary and reconciliation.  The chalice is to travel from home to home for a week and to remind the families to pray for vocations!  I hope that Pat, I, John, Maria and her 5 can do this soon!  Our prayers are so rich with the knowledge of our Hallel coming to the U.S. in just a few weeks and our first home visit in 4 years!

The chaplet gazing on the gleaming tabernacle, and then a trip to a neighboring town for some meds for the cows and calves - an hour in the car to say more decades of my rosary!  "Be still and know that I am God."  seems to be a good description of my morning today.  Then...

 This tidal wave of LIFE rolled over me, and it felt wonderful!!!


Deep sharing with family and trying to get well enough to go and wish my dad a happy 92nd birthday has me in a constant state of prayer and beseeching the Lord to be in control of my life, my plans, my family, my following of the Truth and LOVE of The Church with no reservations at all, my longing to love and serve others without counting the cost, my turning away from sin and living the Gospel, my knowing that I am in need of forgiveness and even the Saints in heaven were not perfect people just forgiven people, and when we are forgiven we are to return that to others returning the Mercy we have been given!

Two farm kids by the fence will be big brother and sister in just 4 weeks!  Lord, protect Ruth and the baby girl!

Off to work on their fort in the grove with animals in tow.  The calves have to stay in the pen with their moms, or they probably would be included. 

Jesus, our work needs to begin in our homes/domestic Church... we need to listen to your words from the first reading today - Isaiah 58...If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday;  Then the Lord will guide you always and give you plenty even on the parched land.  He will renew your strength, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails...they shall call you, "Restorer of ruined homesteads."

This really rings for me watching Ruth's family now on the farm, and all the changes and restoring of the homesteads that have happened at both places over the last year!  I also see that these changes need to happen firstly in our homes and that many times those that are hungry are those closest to us and their need for our attention and "snuggles" and love and forgiveness... from there we can go forth in the LIGHT of the midday sun!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

She is so much like Therese, Maria and me... Be still my heart!  Have I stepped back in time?  Yes, for these months I have, and I am finding it to be mostly wonderful!  Lent is such a gift to regroup, and do better at sharing myself without counting the cost!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

These two made me laugh and smile a lot!  "T" waited for her sister to come and now they are so sweet and close and share so naturally in most everything!  Each morning "T" picks out her clothes and dresses her, she changes her diapers time to time, and carries her around on her hip or now in the carrier where she can feel like a big girl just like her wonderful big sister!

The twins just after they were both yesterday morning...

Pictures of my hunky farmer from behind... it is just easier, because I don't get the annoyed look, and I like this perspective after all these years of following him around... 38 1/2 years !

Taking it all in, and "I want to be just like my big sister someday" is what she is thinking, and what her mom and I are praying, too!

Nancy's patron Saint!

My hero of LIFE and Family!

Danielle Rose - Wonderfully made

The saint that is just me - Danielle Rose

Laura Daigle - Come Alive

As bodily nourishment restores lost strength,

so the Eucharist strengthens our charity, 

which tends to be weakened in daily life; and this living charity 

wipes away venial sins (Cf. Council of  Trent ). 

 

By giving Himself to us Christ revives our love

and enables us to break our disordered

attachments to creatures and root ourselves in him (…).”

"A day acceptable to the Lord..." Isaiah 58

Evangeline turned 4 months on the first of the month, so we have had the joy of watching her grow for 2 months now.  She is now able to sit up in her jumper and loves to turn around and watch all of the activity around her and there is a lot with her 4 older siblings and the middle 3 very active, loud and unpredictable boys!

Her oldest brother, David, led the decade of the rosary to start their morning prayer at the beginning of homeschool each day.  David led the 3rd decade of the sorrowful mysteries today - the Crown of Thorns.  Grandma got to read with the 3 boys in her room... a Lenten practice we are sharing reading and snuggle time and we are all enjoying it immensely!  It seems to be helping with all of our having "a day acceptable to the Lord... this is the fasting that I wish: release those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the homeless;  Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own.  Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall be quickly healed... Then you shall call and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he will say:  Here I am!"  Isaiah 58


I can really relate to this stunning verse to start mass today!  I have really gotten in touch with that cry for help coming from my depths after weeks of illness and pain and down and out suffering with no end in sight!  It just seems that a cycle of sickness is swirling all around us and through us.  When my Most Cherished Cross/husband farmer Pat is the sickest of all... it really hits close to home.  After trips to the doctor for both he and I and now some antibiotics for each... we are hopefully on the road to recovery with pleas to the Lord that the little ones will stay healthy and we can end this time of one bug after another!

So fun to share her changing and growing and happy to share time with grandpa and grandma and Uncle John in our home!  We need to cherish this time, because come mid May they will be moving 3 days trip away!  Pat has big plans to go and see them this summer already, but time will tell.


I am filled with gratitude that we have entered this time of Lent and allowing us to take steps towards healing and changing our days so that they can be more acceptable to the Lord... more peaceful, and prayerful and doing for others full, and thinking less of self and more of not turning your back on your own, but serving them without counting the cost!  Yes, we can and should do all we can for those less fortunate, but when your house is brimming with your domestic Church/family and they are sick and down and needing your care and support and snuggles and love and concern and time to read to them and build them up with hugs and kisses and prayers and watercolors and much can make the day good, filled with healing and our wounds shall be quickly healed!  If this can happen around us... how much better can we reach out to share that LIGHT with others we encounter that need Jesus, too?

Our Marimba was played numerous times in the Holy Redeemer concert last night!  It was a delight to watch, and listen to the beautiful sounds.  Pat said it the best..."There is no better place for it to be loved and played."  So true! 


Psalm 51 is always a gift each Lent, and included each week with The Community of the Lamb as each week they do all 150 Psalms in their personal prayers and meditations.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6AB, 18-19

R. (19b) A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt
and of my sin cleanse me.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For I acknowledge my offense,
and my sin is before me always:
“Against you only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight.”
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
For you are not pleased with sacrifices;
should I offer a burnt offering, you would not accept it.
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.
R. A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Maria and Romeo showed up in matching CCC shirts to make breakfast this morning!

Giggles and eggs and matching CCC shirts with over 100 names on the back - yes, my family has grown to over 100 strong, and with 5 new ones on the way... we could reach 120 by our next CCC - Cross Christmas Camp!


Lord, how we long to make our homes/domestic Church a place where we can experience a small slice of heaven.  How can this happen?  By dying to self and giving without counting the cost.  By sharing prayer and You in your amazing Word with word and deed.  Today we see St Katharine Drexel as a living example of fulfilling your words from Isaiah 58 in how she served those down and out... the Native American and the African American people, who had many needs which she gave of herself and her wealth to help them find dignity and grow in their knowledge of you, O Lord.  How we long to love and serve you without counting the cost and carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross and following after you down the narrow path and arrive in heaven forever with you, Your Mother of heaven and earth, all the amazing Saints, and Angels!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

David has painted me some tiny paintings - one of his mom and sister dancing, and another of his family... I showed him how they have become part of my painting for Lent as pictures sitting on the window sill.  Thank you, sweet David!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Sweet Romeo loves reading/snuggle time with grandma.. his favorites are books about tractors.  Great times shared due to Lent, and realizing that we can do better and enjoy our time in the process!

We enjoyed Mary and Simon in many performances last night... Mary and the 5th grade band...

Simon and 3 of his classmates did a good job...

Hello by name is - Matthew West

Casting Crowns - East to the West

Casting Crowns - Glorious day

Yes, sharing our Faith with JOY!



http://faithit.com/andrew-garfield-finds-jesus-in-acting/?utm_source=Bethke&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=andrew+Garfield
Such a great article about an atheist actor, who encountered Jesus in the Ignation Exercises while preparing for his role!  A great uplifting read!

"Choose LIFE...by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him." Deut 30

Rose Again introducing her cousin, Therese, St Maria Goretti and noticing that her toenails are painted.  They do look that way, but I am sure that it was just the way of the statue maker to show her young bare feet.  Such a beautiful example of purity and love for Jesus above all else to grace the halls of our beloved Catholic School, where our 5 attended and now Ruth's 6 will.  To see my girls there with their families at home and filled with fond memories of their years here... Yes, our faith is most importantly shared in our homes, but we have always valued the help we got from our wonderful Catholic school!  Next year in KC Gus will be starting at a similar Catholic School just a block from him home.  It feels good and right!

Just back from the doctor and getting myself on antibiotics... sharing my family with the nurse practitioner, who knows Ruth from her work as a nurse at the hospital... Once again our Catholic Faith lived out by our domestic Church filled me with so much JOY!  To share that Ruth is expecting her 6th child/our 15th grandchild, and that we have a daughter who is a nun in Rome and she will be  coming home for her first home visit in 4 years after Easter, and that John is a 7 year brain cancer survivor and found his faith through cancer and continues to ask the Lord to show him the path he has for him....  Our faith shared with JOY at home has certainly filled our lives and brought us together to share LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT in our community of Faith/Family/Farm!

Cow TV is our constant companion, sharing a decade of the rosary with Maria and her kids as they fill in the second day of Lent, some of the thorns are being taken from the crown as we do for others and sacrifice ourselves!


Such an amazing first reading today from Deuteronomy 30... Choose LIFE!  How do we do that?  We receive the answer there also... by loving the Lord, your God, heeding his voice, and holding fast to him.  How does he speak to us daily?  Through Jesus in The Word read throughout the world in every church, by looking to the Saints brought to us throughout the day... St Maria Goretti is such a beautiful example to us of how she loved the Lord, listened to His Voice of Truth, and held fast to him in the face of a brutal death at the hands of her attacker.  The Sacraments are there to help us love, hear and hold fast to Jesus!  The Church is there to help us reach forever in heaven with Jesus!  Our Lady is my forever companion at bringing me to her Son and showing me how to uphold The Truth!

We have been doing some special painting around here and it makes us all happy and more peaceful!  This gem is by David of his mother, beautiful dark haired Maria with her sweet little 4 month old baby daughter, Evangeline, and they are dancing together!  How I love this so much!  The color is perfect for a beautiful dance!

Hanging out with the beautiful saints and admiring them as they share their beauty with all the little ones! 


Lord, we choose LIFE with all that we can give!  May we rid ourselves of our selfishness that comes between us and your Truth!  We thank you for the wonderful examples of giving our all in love that we have with Our Lady and The Saints!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

Sharing the second sorrowful mystery - the scourging at the pillar with Maria and the kids!  Our prayer too is for health for all of us!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

This really speaks to me!  I am trying to bring more peace and joy and love into my home for lent!

How I love Venerable Thomas A'Kempis!  He filled my early Catholic days with so much Truth!  This is reminding me to get out my worn falling apart Imitation of Christ, and pour over each word and groan with the wonder of it all!

"When you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I Myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidde...n by the priest, but I myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Tell souls that from this fount of mercy souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls. The proud remain always in poverty and misery, because My grace turns away from them to humble souls."

– Our Lord to Saint Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul

Yes!

So much to fill our Lent with hard work towards the Kingdom and choosing LIFE!

The Saint that is just me - Danielle Rose

Danielle Rose - True LOVE/The Cross

Ash Wednesday mass for Great-Grandma Anna celebrated by kids, grandkids and great-grands, too! How she loved it we are sure!

Sweet Therese could put her birthday on the March calendar this morning!  She will be here on the farm for her 9th birthday on March 18th!  We gathered together at the Catholic School first thing this morning to get our ashes and officially begin our Lenten period of coming closer to Jesus.  We were at mass with Ruth and her kids - 3 sitting with their classes, and Maria with her 5, so when Father announced that this mass was in honor of Anna Verly... we all smiled and knew that Pat's wonderful mother was very pleased to know we were there united with her in prayer and love of the wonder of The Church, which we have shared with her always.

So special to be at mass with my girls, who all attended here, and now Ruth's kids are students here, and Maria's can share in the beauty of this atmosphere of LIGHT/LOVE/LIFE!

Ruth really impresses me by how she is attuned to changing the environment in the chapel.  She had the kids picking up rocks and branches to decorate the stark reminder that we await the coming of LIFE/LIGHT/LOVE at Easter!

Awaiting the coming of spring/Easter!

Stark picture of how we need to die to bring forth new life, and bare ourselves of all that keeps us preoccupied and distracted and apart from being fully Christ's. 

Making the Lenten crown of thorns.  "We take a thorn out when we do a good deed or a penance for someone."  "Like if you want to tell on your brothers, but instead you come and pull out a thorn."

It is a big crown this year...

Many thorns to be taken from his crown...

Pondering Lent with young ones once again. 

Do it in private and your heavenly father will repay you in private... from the Gospel today. 

Finished and out of the oven along with the Lent 2017 watercolor that I enjoyed doing with the kids... crucifix and watercolor of Hallel with Maria's kids on the window sill and outside Our Lady with chicken and egg, and grandpa with cows and calves and the fields brown and awaiting the seeds of spring.  Lent 2017 fills me with great happiness and hope for all that we can make of it if only we die to self and allow Christ to live in us!

How we long to grow in our love of Jesus and His Bride, The Church, through loving our domestic Church/family without counting the cost.

Jesus, I need you to always be close to me and assist me in dying to self and allowing you to work through me.  Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen

An Ash Wednesday like no other, and once again we can start afresh if only we humbly lay our burdens and sins at his feet.  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Rend your hearts, not your garments,

and return to the LORD, your God.
For gracious and merciful is he,
slow to anger, rich in kindness,
and relenting in punishment.

Joel 2 - the first reading from mass today.

RaTerra's birthday 2 years ago with grandma Anna... today we celebrated the Ash Wednesday Mass at school for her... who would have known that 2 years later it would be Ash Wednesday mass for her!