Lost sheep/kitty and doggy in Washington

I have yet to adjust to Maria's blog being up to date, and found quite a few entries I have missed.  I find this one of Evangeline the kitty and Princess the dog to be what I needed to start my sharing for today.  A true pick me up for me in this foggy place that I find myself now 5 weeks into my new knee..

Mutual smiles/yawns... We are sad that Maria and family will not be joining us this next weekend as my huge family gathers for our Cross Christmas Camp weekend.

Maria's caption for this one...
"Thank you for not poking my eyes, but you do realize you're blocking my sunshine." From Princess the dog to Evangeline the kitty

Little 2 year old Evangeline playing at Maria's Advent table...

I have a thorough and extensive plan for all feast days during Advent and Christmas.

We will be reading from many great books, which I have ready and waiting on our Advent table.

We will also be enjoying Bible/Saint videos whenever applicable to the day's feast/theme.

Maria's explanation of how they are making Advent special and celebrating as a family... LOVE what the girls do to bring Christ into their families on so many levels!

Our simple stable awaits baby Jesus.

Once again, Mary and Joseph are getting lost on their way to the stable daily.

The kids hunt for them in the morning, and the finder begins the procession 

back to the stable singing "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel".

Thanks Maria for helping me today.  I was not coming up with much and it delights me to see how you are engaging your kids and sharing your faith with JOY!

One completely new tradition we added this year is the empty manger.

Thérèse and I built it out of scraps we had in the garage, and it turned out awesome!

The kids will be filling it with (toddler-friendly) straw/yellow yarn throughout Advent by doing acts of love.

 They hope to make it nice and comfy for baby Jesus by Christmas.

As Parents we are called to bring back the lost sheep in our folds, and sharing our wonderful beautiful glorious Truth we find in The Church with Joy is a way to bring back the lost and instill in them how much they are loved by their parents, but foremost by Jesus, Mary and all the Saints there to get us to heaven forever with Jesus!  Jesus, we trust in you.  bless-bless, Barb

An outtake from yesterday’s attempt at a photo of all the kids together. Looking at this it’s striking to realize I don’t have a baby any more! I’m currently 28 weeks pregnant and yesterday Bill commented on the fact that it feels like it’s been a looonnngg time since I was this pregnant. And it has been.
We sent 2 souls to heaven since the last time I was this pregnant.
It’s amazing how a picture can conjure up the musing, so much more then real life.

"We have seen incredile things today" Luke 5

Little Sister Ode left early this morning after 10 years in the U.S. and becoming an American citizen.  Nancy and Bill and family sent this picture of her kneeling in the midst of the children and Community to be prayed over in the Grotto of the Nativity/ The Light of Mary, the Mother of God yesterday.

It was a wonderful gift to be able to share in her farewell from afar.  Nancy reports that their time there was very special...

Nancy reports an update on Hallel… it appears here as she shares with the little ones... School of the Word in the new chapel of the Little Brothers that her leg is down and bent.  No, it is still in the brace that keeps it straight.  She takes the brace off a few times a day and has therapy, and was having trouble sleeping as he back would cramp with keeping her leg elevated at night.  She now sleeps in a recliner in the library.

It is wonderful to get a more clear picture of what she is dealing with as we are on similar journeys for sure.  Sleeping is so important and my good night last night is such a gift for all levels of my healing. I rejoice with Hallel's finding an answer to her challenges. I am reminded often that she is getting tender loving care by those around her.

Sharing meals with The Community is a special family time!

The Gospel today was so important to us as The Community and so many prayer warriors lowered John in front of Jesus for healing!  And so we can say this day "we have seen incredible things today!"  Watching John and Patrick and our nun and the many children and grandchildren with us and in heaven keeping our eyes focused on joining them forever with Jesus, Mary and the Saints!  Yes, incredible things indeed!

Gus and Bernadette leading the dessert train which includes singing and joyful praise of all the love we receive and share with our family!

A college friend and her son experiencing the "incredible things" we are gifted with as we share in the life our daughter has been called to in The Community of the Lamb! To see her love for her spouse... "I promise unto death."  Her spouse is LOVE itself!

Breath of Heaven,

carry us on the impulse of Christ's love,

as easily as thistledown is carried on the wind;
that in the Advent season of our souls, 

while He is formed in us, in secret and in silence -

the Creator in the hands of His creatures, 

as the Host in the hands of the priest -

we may carry Him forth 

to wherever He wishes to be,

as Mary carried Him over the hills
on an errand of love, to the house of Elizabeth.

Caryll Houselander

From the Splendor of the Rosary by Maisie Ward

with prayers by Caryll Houselander

So true of Hallel as each day she receives Jesus at mass and spends her Holy Hour adoring him on the altar in the monstrance.  It is as the air that she breathes and how may we incorporate that love into our human marriages?  Time in prayer together is the wind beneath our wings!

Is there anything better than Isaiah?  The first reading from Isaiah 35 today is filling me with HOPE!
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
Then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

For Hallel and I on the road to making those weak knees firm!  Jesus, you can and are doing that for us on all levels of our lives!  We depend upon you and need you to fulfill our desire to serve you without counting the cost.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

Mon. 12/10 - Our Lady of Loreto
Wed. 12/12 - Our Lady of Guadalupe
Thurs. 12/13 - St. Lucy (Lucia)
Fri. 12/14 - St. John of the Cross
Sun. 12/16 - 3rd Sunday of Advent

John's amazing promo video!

Ruth and Rose with their creations of outside décor... pine bows from my place and the birch branches from where Ruth grew up on Hwy 59...

God is leading in JOY..."every mountain and hill will be made low"/ "Behold the Lamb of God" St John the Baptist

Paul changed the sign on my barn to..O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!

So beautiful with the frosty sunlight!  

Mass with the family, breakfast in the Church basement with Ruth and Paul's bunch, and then sharing time with Pat's family here for a family funeral. There was so much today in the readings that were  a blessing.

In the first reading the idea of God leading us with JOY speaks the Truth that we have discovered in sharing our Faith as a family!  If you share your faith with JOY it is embraced and is sugar in the mouth and heart, mind and soul!

My wonderful tree in the bright sunlight...

That Joy brings us to a place where we can face the obstacles that trip us up on our journey in order for us to make our way down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross!  As St John the Baptist describes in the Gospel today
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Father got my attention as he reminded us that the words we here at the Eucharist are those of St John the Baptist when he pointed out Jesus to his disciples and they went and followed him..."Behold the Lamb of God."

Yes, Lord, I am yours!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

"A humble confession displeases Satan 

and, if he could, he would 

make you

omit Holy Communion."

Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ

During this holy Advent season make frequent and good confessions 

you may receive frequent and good Holy Communions.

Father spoke to us about the beauty of Reconciliation for a good Advent!

Mary surrounded by such beauty!  Now to my rosary beads.   LOVE!

Beauty of the One... full of grace! "I see you are praying"

Fitting in my Holy Hour between doctor appointment, therapy and Pat and Joy... They across the aisle and at home in church.

Each time I have my Fridays in church in front of the tabernacle there is beautiful evidence of his presence REAL and powerful! This young man on his knees gazing at Jesus in the tabernacle and on the cross.... So much LIGHT filled our joined prayers!

It seems very natural and peaceful to be in the pew with your grandpa on his knees in prayer. This little girl has spent all her Sundays worshiping with her family from the day of her birth!  Sharing our Faith with JOY... literally and in reality!

Grandpa brought all 6 in to mass for The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary last evening!

Mary surrounded by nature's spectacular glistening whiteness after heavy fog overnight put a white coat on every tiny branch and bow!  Mary deserves all the beauty the world can give to her... Beauty of the one, Full of grace!

Just back from sharing lunch with grandpa and the 6 at the farm.  Grandpa had them all cleaning up after lunch... Simon rinsing, Mary putting away dishes, Rose washing the table, David sweeping, Luke picking up, and Joy taking her nap after she fell asleep in the payloader while riding with grandpa.  Grandpa keeps them on their toes for sure!

Frosty morning on this Solemnity of Mary with a red barn encircled by the wreath on my door.

My rosary is calling to me, and with deep peace and joy I repeat the words of greeting by the angel today in the Gospel from Luke 1!  Hail Mary, full of Grace. The Lord is with you!  How I am so blessed to have my Spiritual Mother with me always and bringing me and mine to her Son!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

https://www.facebook.com/catholicstangs/photos/gm.1959712987665723/2286220978274910/?type=3






One year ago in front of my favorite statue of The Immaculate Conception at our beloved Holy Redeemer School!



 

"Do you beliieve that I can do this?" Jesus

Joy is helping grandma ease back into being more active this morning.

She has emptied her package of wipes, watercolored her face and paper, watched her first Daniel Tiger and now decided that her nap time is at hand...

She seems to know that grandma needs some peaceful times and she needs them too! 

An early nap is good as we have a busy afternoon ahead, and then mass tonight for The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and supper with her siblings.  Sleep well sweet girl!  Grandma might join you soon...

My two loving companions...

I am finding that I am still in a bit of a fog... no more reason due to strong pain meds but I feel that I am still a bit on edge with lack of appetite and a vagueness about getting back to the day to day life and concerns that come with it.  In some ways I feel that I have turned a corner and am using my leg more and more normally, but am weak.

Joy not only has a cold/runny nose, but she also did a nose dive and has a scraped nose.  Grandma eventually had the delight of doing her hair!

These words of Jesus to the 2 blind men in the Gospel today seems to be directed at me...  "Do you believe that I can do this?"  How many places in my life can this apply? Many!  Do you believe that I can heal your knee and you can be active and healthy?  Do you believe that I can forgive your weaknesses?  Do you believe that I will answer your prayers for your family?  Do you believe that I can end the taking of innocent life by abortion?  Do you believe that I can protect a baby that you have spiritually adopted and is in danger of abortion?  Do you believe that you are unconditionally loved by me?  Do you believe that I yearn for you to come to reconciliation and lay your burdens at my feet and go forth forgiven and able to see when you were blinded by sin and death and darkness?   ON and on and on and on and Jesus I do believe!!!

Listening to her breathing in peaceful healing sleep.   I am now sleeping/broken up and down numerous times but sleeping much of the night!  My anxiety made me doubt this would happen, but the Lord answered my plea!

Psalm 27 - Always so true and powerful reminder of our belief in Him!
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Jesus, I love you and need you. Jesus, I trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

Grandpa is amazed at her living her name... JOY!!!  Truly she brings so much joy to our lives!  Bless-bless, Barb

This time of year is one of my favorite times for purging. We don't need all this stuff. St. Ambrose makes a good (and motivating) point. Our excess could help those in need.

St. Ambrose, pray for us!





I do believe that you can do this, Lord!

"Let your door stand open to receive Him, unlock

your soul to Him, offer Him a welcome in your mind,

and then you will see the riches of simplicity,

the treasures of peace, the joy of grace.

Throw wide the gate of your heart,

stand before the sun of the everlasting light."

St Ambrose

Italy ~ 340-397

Father* and Doctor of the Church 

*One of four original Doctors of the Latin Church. 

He died on Holy Saturday (April 4) in the year 397 AD. 

His feast day in the Roman calendar is December 7, 

the day he was ordained bishop.

Spiritual father of St Augustine

Bishop of Milan

Model Bishop and eloquent preacher

Credited with composing the "Te Deum" hymn

Feast Day - December 7

"One day after he had celebrated Holy Mass, St Ambrose was approached

by a woman afflicted with paralysis who wanted to kiss his hands.

The woman had great faith in those hands that had

consecrated the Eucharist; and she was cured at once."

(From Jesus Our Eucharistic Love, Fr Stephano M Manelli)