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!
Easter 1998 in Colman, SD where my parents were living and dad was taking care of the parish just 90 miles from my door to theirs'. They got 3 years of farm life on the prairie!
I went to a cattle sale yesterday in the neighboring town to Colman, and Pat stopped in so that I could take a peak at this special place! How I loved my time buzzing down whenever I wanted to see them and it was just a fun trip.
Mary welcomes us over the door... from the inside!
The beautiful altar in this small town Catholic Church in the middle of cow/calf/corn and bean country. I was raised a city girl and married a farmer in SW MN, so it was fun to share my life up close with my parents surrounded by corn fields and lots of cows with calves!
The altar is so special and the crucifix is demanding of our attention!
Alex getting baptized in Colman in 1998 at Easter when many of our family came for their last time in Colman before they moved to their home on Lake Michigan in Manistique, MI!
LOVE!! My dad is a permanent deacon in The Catholic Church! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
A sweet side chapel devoted to Mary and the protection of the unborn! Jesus, loves all life and any life in the womb is loved and meant to be! We honor all life from conception to natural death!
In the dark kitchen this morning Pat and I shared waffles and prayers with John on his 29th birthday! His had wax to eat too, due to the dripping candles and Lourdes water had to join the picture!
Why Lourdes water? Mary is the love of our lives and we are reassured of this not being overboard thanks to this from St Maximilian Kolbe! "We cannot love Mary too much. We can never love her more than Jesus did."
Mary came so powerfully into John's journey with our visits to her grotto and miraculous spring of healing waters in Lourdes, France! So it was very powerful and precious to pour some on his hands and he place it on his head this morning before he left for a day of marriage prep with his sweet fiancé... Bobbi!
A week ago they attended the first day of engagement encounter and came home very excited and happy by it all! John knew all the presenters after his years of work with the Church and year in seminary! Bishop Levoir was the first presenter and stood in front of John and Bobbi and spoke to them! I am sure he was thrilled for John after his year of helping him discern that the seminary might not be for him but to trust that if it was he would eventually know. He assured him that he didn't need to rush, and that he himself had a late call.
John's birthday picture with St Francis and Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception from his birthday 3 years ago.
Jobs, and sharing his ministry called healed of brain cancer and finding faith, and prayers about his future over those 3 years... now the plan is coming into focus and John prayed with great joy and confidence today at Bobbi coming into his life a year ago, when dad pointed her out at mass. "You should get together with Bobbi. She's a nice girl." Yes, they had been classmates for 13 years, but it took a lots of time and ups and downs to find each other and see God's plan for them!
His promotional video made in Chicago this past summer! He burns to share his story far and wide!!!
It was great to share time with John and Pat this morning as Pat read to us morning prayer... the Gospel is amazing, too! And we start the night before reading it, so it rings like a bell when we read it again with morning prayer!
He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” Mark 6
I am so in love with my Church and all that it does to help these young couples as they start out in life together. John was very excited about last week and also today, and said that the afternoon was about "sex." "You mean about natural family planning and saving yourself for marriage?" "Yes." So foreign in our country and world, but the truth that will build up a marriage and help it to face the struggles which bombard us. The Church has it all there for us to help us go down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
Pat and I 39 years ago on August 3.1978!
I have shared from the rooftops my story of being open to life and raising lights!!!
Tears were flowing today when Bobbi wrote to me these words! "Thanks to your 'yes' to life." Yes, if I had embraced the world view of having the 2 children so that I could have my time and not overpopulate the world and since life is not valued anyways with abortion accepted and encouraged... I would not have had John here to marry Bobbi, to share his light through his ministry, to work with kids as a para, to serve in The Church as a Eucharistic minister or working with youth, to show the world the power of prayer, to be a brother to his 4 sisters here on earth and his 7 siblings in heaven, to be a Godfather to David, Josephine, Joy and Anna, to pray with any and all to return the LOVE he was so generously given by Jesus through brain cancer! His LIFE has made a huge impact on this world and my "yes" to all life I was given is the bottom line!!!
29 years ago today... we thought we were having our 5th girl!!! Surprise of all surprises!!!
"You had those 4 girls with ribbons in their hair and then you had that boy!!!" We heard this so many times over the years! There was an audible gasp when we walked in church with the blue bundle!
We also heard this over and over..."You had your boy, so you quit." NO!!! We had 2 stillborn sons after John and a 3 1/2 month miscarriage! How I prayed that we could have one more living child to show the world the true meaning of being open to life, but instead I have to tell them the truth, and sometimes that is more than I can do.... believe it or not!
My wonderful parents on my wedding day! They modeled for me being open to life as I am the oldest of 11 children! And all 13 of us came into The Church! Thanks mom and dad for everything! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
It seems like a good place to share this wisdom to Nancy on the occasion of her engagement almost 8 years ago from her nun sister, Hallel! Nancy was engaged to Bill Bandzuch on April 10, 2010... We are all so happy for her as she has waited long for her Catholic man to come into her life. She had stood by her values and as a result it was especially sweet and special when she joyfully accepted Bill's proposal! We all gathered in Maria and Joe's back yard to help them celebrate that afternoon minus her sister in KC... Little Sister Hallel. We called her and she spoke to each one of us and even her neice and nephews !
A month later Nancy found this letter from her sister in the mailbox. It was mother's day and she called me to read it to me over the phone. I was blown away and at first thought how crazy it was that a young girl,who had answered the call to remain chaste and be a little sister had so much insight into marriage! But when I realized that she is now the "bride of Christ" it now makes all the sense in the world! I would like to once again share this powerful and wise letter here...
" 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"
It gives a whole new meaning and beauty to this man/my Most Cherished Cross through whom I have received LIFE/LIGHT/LOVE! Thanks, Hallel!!! Christ is your spouse and you certainly have experienced this first hand and so powerfully and Truly!!!
Some more from the Gospel today... When Jesus disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.
Jesus loves us with his all and if we are yearning and asking of him to show us the way and the Truth and the LIFE/himself... he will certainly be moved with pity and teach us many things! This day was overflowing with so much!! As you can see this pouring forth fired by the passion of knowing his LOVE for me and his mysterious plan which includes him touching and healing and ministering to me and my family! J
esus, I am yours now and forever, and long to die to self so that you may live in me! May your Truth shine forth in the darkness! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Time alone with my LOVE in the Adoration chapel calls for a few selfies... forgive me, Lord. But there is no one I love more than you, so... Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke
He called me away to a deserted place to rest for a while, and it was the best hours of my week!!!
A cherished picture from 9 years ago when Susan took her habit, and became Little Sister Hallel! "Whenever anyone says my name they are giving God all the praise!" It is the first part of Hallelujah!
Each new day I am bowled over by all that comes to me in the form of Jesus in The Word for that day read all around the world from St Peters to Ghent, MN! The Feasts that fill our calendar! Today being the amazing glorious yet humble feast of the Presentation of 40 day old Jesus in the temple by his two parents! The Saints for the day and today is the Purification of Mary and also an apparition somewhere... John and I love Our Lady with all our hearts! Today is the anniversary of the first apparition of Mary to Bernadette at Lourdes!!! Wow!!! Our hearts are there with her miraculous springs flowing and healing! It surely was a part of John's finding faith and healing through brain cancer! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html
In his own words - his promo video made in Chicago last summer!
His arms stretched out on the cross called finding faith through brain cancer!
This picture has been used a lot already, and the special part of it for me is that my husband asked for it to be taken. Usually I am bugging everyone, so to have him ask for this is a gift to me!
The reminder of this being a day of prayer for consecrated life really tickled me, because I pray for Hallel on the 4th decade each day and on Mondays and Saturdays that is he joyful mysteries and hers is the Presentation of Jesus at the temple and it just seemed so right to pray for her there! She heard the call and said "yes" to her spouse Jesus and we joyfully presented her to HIM! In giving her up and supporting her life we are blessed with a share of it with her! Our life has been enriched and filled with a huge Family of the Lamb! A great LIGHT has come to dwell with us.
Processing in the LIGHT of Christ at Easter! The virgins with their lamps lit comes to life... the Gospel truly and purely lived!
Simeon's beautiful words today... repeated each night in Night prayer!
“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”
Love!!! A light to the world of sin and darkness!!!
Their voices are as angels singing their love for Jesus! Their lives of humility show us how to give our all without counting the cost!
Today Mary and Joseph show the world their humble poor state in the world by their sacrifice of two turtledoves or pigeons! The poverty of the Community/Hallel keeps a lot of distractions out of their lives so that they may follow Jesus with their all, and it allows them to depend on divine providence to provide for them.
Spreading and sharing the LIGHT of Christ!
The Cross has become the Tree of LIFE!
Jesus, my life has been made so rich and beautiful with Truth thanks to my daughter's call to be yours! We have not lost we have gained tremendously! The story of Anna today fills me with JOY! She spent her days in prayer and fasting/never leaving the temple, and then she had eyes to Faith to recognize Christ the LIGHT! May we stay on the narrow path that leads to you and not get misled or confused or lied to by all that pulls at us. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
So very humbled by his love for us and how the Cross on which he bled and died for me is now alive with much Fruit - LOVE/LIFE/LIGHT! Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke "Lord, now let your servant go in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." -Luke 2: 29-32
February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Candlemas. It is based on the Scripture passage in Luke 2:22-40 where the Holy Family journeys to Jerusalem forty days after the birth of Jesus to present him to God and offer sacrifice in the temple. At this time Mary completes the ritual purification required of w...omen after childbirth, and Joseph offers the sacrifice for the redemption of the firstborn, as required by the Law of Moses.
The Holy Family offered two turtledoves, permitted to the poor instead of a whole lamb. During their time in the temple Simeon gave his famous prophecy about the Christ Child being a light to the Gentile nations and a sign for the Jews, and that a sword would pierce Mary's soul. On this day the Church has a special ritual involving a procession and the blessing of candles, a symbol of Christ whose birth illumined the world's darkness.
On this Feast of the Presentation, let us entrust our Little Ones to the Lord's care.
On Hallel's decade on Joyful days - I ask the Lord to be with each one of my 15 grandchildren - that they will ask the Lord's plan for them and that the consecrated life will be part of that decision!
Thanksgiving here in our home 2 years ago... Pat's mother was the centerpiece of our gathering! Nancy and Bill came to the farm for the occasion and Bill made his marvelous turkey! Pat's sister, Mary, and her family joined us! How I love that our large home is filled to the brim with family on a regular basis!
Last year at this time we had Maria living here with her 5 children as Joseph was training on the East Coast for being a in the army. With day to day activities like homeschooling around our table... it was a good busy time for us. Pat is now missing his grandkids sorely after being so close with them and there are fake plans flying around about driving out to Washington for a visit before calving begins!
Our family only missing Joseph! WE have added to our number in heaven as Nancy lost her 20 week son on Thanksgiving day. We now have 25 here and 11 in heaven. Keeping our eyes focused on heaven and getting there to meet them!
Our home will be filled with family on a regular basis and big changes are in the works. John lives with us until his wedding to Bobbi in June and then that will end. It has been wonderful to have him here for companionship and to watch this love blossom with Bobbi! In April Ruth and I will have Nancy's 4 while they go on a cruise, and then I will be going to KC. Then the wedding will bring in huge numbers of family along with all of our immediate. That will be wild and wonderful!
Christmas missing only 2... My most cherished gift is being together with family!
The Gospel today is the sending forth of the twelve and they were only to take their walking stick along the narrow rocky difficult path... the walking stick to keep us from falling and give us the courage and strength we need to go forward and even fight off wild beasts that might attack us! This would be The Word/Christ and The Sacraments/Christ at work in our lives! We are given what we need with each new day!
Hallel with Ruth's family over New Years in KC!
Part of the Gospel really speaks to me of Hallel's Community of the Lamb and how following the example of St Dominic they beg for their food, and take it one step further and beg from the poor!
"Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave from there...So they went off and preached repentance. The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. Mark 6
The disciples were to accept the hospitality of all people... they went forth with Faith and trusting that God would provide for their needs. This is beautifully displayed by these humble begging little sisters and little Brothers! They allow those with very little/the poor to give to others! Yes, sometimes they give them a cup of water, but isn't that a beautiful/gospel moment?!?
I love this beautiful story shared in the most recent newsletter from The Community!
Sorry about the way this turned out, but the thought of typing it... Still it is such a beautiful insight to how they are Christ knocking on the doors of the poor and they bring Jesus in His Word to share! Just as the 12 are doing today! We are asked to accept the hospitality of all people!
Mary was a vet for Vocations day at the Catholic Schools Week! Rose was a teacher, David was a race car driver complete with helmet, and Simon was an engineer complete with white shirt, tie, clipboard and an intelligent look to top it all off! Wish I could have gotten them all together, but I can imagine it!
Happy JOY graduated to feeding herself! Times are a changing! She got two teeth and it is a whole new world out there.
Safely home from a wonderful few days with my parents! These times with them are precious indeed! Now back to life on the farm and with my family just a few miles away on a day to day basis. Today Ruth and I talked about what we need to do to get Cow TV up and running before we have our first calves on the ground.
Jesus, how we long to love and serve you without counting the cost. May we reach out to all those around us and share your LOVE and Mercy... most especially those the closet to us in our domestic Church/family. Jesus, you give us so much each day.. a walking stick that keeps us upright and wards off dangers and attacks. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Yes, the Church is not prefect, but we have this promise and I am surrounded by so many young families and people and priests and religious that are on fire with love for Jesus and His Bride, The Church!!! They are hard at work, making a difference, and building up the leaking ship! We need to work from the inside out! Bless-bless, Barbara Mary Luke and my army in love with Jesus and His glorious Bride, The Church!!!!!!
Since the many trips with John's battle against brain cancer... I have packing down to a science! My room awaits me here and I love my peaceful growth filled time with my wonderful parents - still together and in fairly good health!
“Through the mist, a man passes, does not see the way, does not see the path, he moves forward because he is a tracer and a traveler, he strives for the indescr...ibable, he listens to the silence, and understands the breeze which speaks to him about God, and approaches the Bush that Burns, but does not Burn Out, and admires the nature and everything that God has created, and is astonished with man and his unfaithfulness he is blessed even though he does not see, but still believes, even if sometimes he does see, he keeps searching for more he prays to the Holy One and strives for holiness he speaks of something that words cannot describe he feels and knows that has to be it because he is a mystique of the modern age”.
Fra Nikola Dominis- From a Franciscan community in Croatia
Carrying/dragging our most cherished Cross is "a good cardio workout." May our hearts grow with LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!
Hillary Scott - Thy will be done
Jenny Owens - If you want me to
This song!!!! I will always remember Ruth's talk and TEC followed by this song and her sister, Susan, there to hear it all!!!
Listening to Christian music with my beads in my hands in my chapel on wheels on my way from my parents back to my home on the farm! Today Adoration awaits - the best hours of my week!
