"Let the coming generation be told of the LORD... proclaim to a people yet to be born!" Psalm 22

 The 3 babies that are all now 6 years old!  All within 6 months of each other and now the best of friends/cousins united by family and Faith!

With another group of 3 coming in the next month... Nancy soon will welcome her son,#5 child, Maria will welcome her son #6 child at the end of the month, and Bobbi in March will welcome #1!  These words from the Psalm today jumped into my heart with loads of JOY!
And to him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.
R. They will praise you, Lord, who long for you.
Psalm 22

Each day when Pat and I share morning prayer and evening prayer... my heartfelt prayer of gratitude and yearning and hope is for sharing our Faith as a Family with JOY!  Of passing it on to the next generation!  John and I just shared morning prayer on the phone - iBreviary!  "St Agatha, pray for us, bring more purity into the world, and help our little ones to fall head over heels in love with Jesus and His glorious bride, The Church!"

We realize that for our family sharing faith as it grows larger and larger requires more work and prayers from parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins and brothers and sisters!  Not one to be lost is our goal and our prayers and we Trust in His LOVE beyond measure overflowing all over and around us!

 In Fanjeaux, France in August for Hallel's final vows as a bride of Jesus...  12 year old Mary with her cousins 10 year old Therese and 6 year old Bernadette!

I had the fun of picking up Mary after school yesterday and we laughed all the way home about those womanly things that a 12 year old girl is having to deal with each month.  "If you didn't laugh, you would cry." was our attitude as we spent those 15 minutes in the car together.  I love that we have no barriers to our sharing anything that is on our hearts and minds.

Over the weekend we had Ruth and Paul's kids over... I realized that it had been years since Mary has watercolored!  It was special to have her doing her copy of a village in France - "That looks just like the town that we stayed in/Fanjeaux!"  We have that bond of sharing painting time over the years, and it is so special to me!

 Love this wonderful painting she worked on for hours!  I love how she made it her own with the entry into the church!  With some outlining it will pop...  It truly does remind us of our amazing medieval town we stayed in while in France!

 A work of art by Mary!

This sight gives me so much JOY!

 A selfie in France with mom and Therese!  Their faces are aglow with the wonder and awe of just having witnessed Little Sister Hallel/sister and Aunt saying the words to her Savior/Spouse..."I promise unto death!"  That is powerful and Truth to live by in our marriages and our faith journey with Jesus and His Bride, The Church!

 Next was Rome for Ruth's family and Maria's family!  Mary has spoken of a consideration of being called to being a nun since that powerful experience!

 Posing with grandma after mass because we both had navy blue on... any excuse is good for me!

 The precious feet of John's baby!  So many prayers for health of the 3 babes and the 3 moms!

Jesus, in the Gospel today you healed the woman who touched the hem of your garment, and you raised the 12 year old girl from the dead... "Little girl, I say to you, arise!"  Your love for us is healing and you want us to go forth loving and serving you and each other without counting the cost.  We pray that most especially in our domestic Church/family we may share the mercy and love you shower upon us... being life-giving in all we say and do.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

How I love to watch these two dance together... joy in action!

Danielle Rose - If I touch him

"Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord has in his pity done for you." Jesus

Last night after mass at the college we had the joy of listening to these two share their vocation story!

LOVE Bobbi's precious baby there with them, and feeling her feelings and listening to the comforting familiar sounds of it's parents as they went from one to the other filling in the last 11 years from when Bobbi, as a senior in high school, was told in prayer that John Verly would be her husband... Her story is the framework in which it all played out to this point of time - married for life/"I promise unto death", and open to life, and willing to raise LIGHTS for this world, which needs them so badly to reveal the sin and darkness which is misleading so many!

Yes, John had pants that matched the couch perfectly!

Bobbi's story...
After being classmates for all 13 years for them to come together 10 years after graduating is kind of special.  She shared to the 300 family and friends gathered at the reception in her sweet humble way about how John Verly popped into her head and heart when they were seniors in HS as her future husband.  Time and time again the same answer came to her through prayer and roses from St Therese and opening her eyes to see him right in front of her at WYD in Australia... When we consider what John experienced over those 10 years... brain cancer, seminary, girl friends, ups and downs and how disheartening it probably was and how powerful her prayers were for him!!!!  Amazing!!!   And how patient and trusting and prayerful and waiting and praying for John, this sweet girl was!

John's part to fill in what he was up to for those 10 years... "I was working on being ready to meet the love of my life, Bobbi."  Fighting brain cancer to find his faith and trying out seminary for a year were big pieces and then a lot of questioning and struggles for both!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html

A lot of what John shared last night is here... the turning point in his life thanks to the relentless trusting prayers of his future wife, Bobbi, along with thousands of prayer warriors and the miracles that added up to his healing and finding Faith that he longs to share with ALL!

So much in the readings read all around the world today in The Church!  St Paul in the Hebrews reminding us of how the Lord works in our lives, and that Jesus has made reaching our goal of heaven possible. Then on to the powerful story of the man possessed by many demons/Legion... they begged to be cast out into a herd of 2,000 pigs, who immediately rushed into the sea and drowned... Pat reminded me that Jews do not eat pork.
"As they approached Jesus,
they caught sight of the man who had been possessed by Legion,
sitting there clothed and in his right mind...
As he was getting into the boat,
the man who had been possessed pleaded to remain with him.
But Jesus would not permit him but told him instead,
"Go home to your family and announce to them
all that the Lord in his pity has done for you."
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis
what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed."
Mark 5

Jesus tells us that we need to do our work for him in our home... sharing our Faith with JOY to our spouse and children and grandchildren!  Our domestic church where the faith is shared is first of all our homes!

Joyce really was interested and open to learning about the life of a nun from Hallel… the other girl is now in formation as a postulant, Megan, and shared her vocation story of being called to discern with The Community of the Lamb in KC.  Hallel is in charge of instructing the postulants about what their life consists of.  Nancy said that she learned a lot from what she shared with her Aunt and Megan.

Nancy also shared that Joyce had shared in their family night prayer including the rosary and led some "Hail Marys."  LOVE!

Baby boy snowman...

Jesus, thank you for the homes of our children and how they look to you in all ways!  Prayer is so important and so powerful and so real and the wind beneath our wings!  Bobbi shared that even through those hard years when there was no contact from John and no answer to her many prayers... that she prayed always and without ceasing for John.  The results of those many prayers are humbling and special to us now that we are aware of her hard spiritual work.  Such a powerful message of hope and trust.  May we carry that forth in our lives - giving the total control to you, O Lord, and trusting in your Truth and path for each one of us.  Jesus, we trust in you.   Amen and Hallelujah

 John and Bobbi visit Hallel and The Community after the wedding!  They are seated at the JOY table at the open table meal we shared and Hallel sat with them so that they could share with her about their wedding... Father Craig called it the most Catholic wedding he had ever officiated at!  They had it at 4p so that all could have their mass obligation fulfilled and the readings were for Corpus Christi/Body of Christ!  What an amazing gift they gave to all who attended!  Jesus, we love you with our each breath and every beat of our hearts!  Bless-bless, Barb!

"Have a great love for Jesus in His divine Sacrament of Love; 

this is the divine oasis of the desert.  

It is the heavenly manna of the traveller.  It is the Holy Ark.

It is the life and Paradise of love on earth." - St Peter Julian Eymard

Evie putting her rubber boots into good use a few days ago before the snow!

We are Family!!!

Danielle Rose - Pursue me

Just a day after John's birthday!

Faith, Hope, Love... the greatest of these is love!

 Grandpa got a new sled for the few nice hours of snowsledding weather we are being blessed with over the weekend.  A pose before they headed out around and around the yard and then down the pasture hills while Joy helped grandpa put bales in the barn with the pay loader.

 Joy, dolly and her kitty cats on the porch in the sun.  Could it really have been 60 degrees colder just 2 days ago?  And the cold is returning tomorrow.

A wintry scene with a little girl and her doll looking on....

I Corinthians 13 from mass today speaks so eloquently about LOVE... ending with the words of "Faith, hope, love remain, these three, but the greatest of these is love."

"Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
It is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things."
Love requires that we be selfless and humble!  As Father said today...  true love came to us from the Cross and Jesus was the lamb without blemish that was sacrificed for us!

 Speaking of the Lamb... we are thrilled that Pat's sister, Joyce, and her husband... Hallel's Aunt and Uncle, whom she hasn't seen for close to 10 years... took the time on their way to Texas to stop in and see our two girls living in KC!

 Hallel is now off her crutches after almost 2 months, and welcoming her Aunt and Uncle into the heart of Kansas City/Lumen Christi/Light of Christ Monastery of The Community of the Lamb.  "Simple yet beautiful." Joyce described it, and so true!

 Visiting the Grotto with Hallel, Nancy and family last evening.

The nativity of Mary close to the nativity of Nancy's son in a few weeks!

It is very powerful to share the Life that Hallel has been called to with her family when it is possible.  Their visit to her will open to them so much more than we can explain in our words.  I pray that it will work for others to share more closely with the wonder of her life as a bride of Christ.

The weather yesterday was a gift and the kids took advantage of it!

Mary painted in the sun on the porch while the cats drank melting snow water with the huge white drifts all around.

I was very warm sitting on this bench in the afternoon sun while Joy played and rode in the tractor with grandpa and the kittens played and the sled zoomed round and round the house with happy screaming kids.

 Joy draws a crowd...

 David, Simon and Mary served at mass with Father Denny, who had been out to say mass for Ruth and Paul at their marriage trip the night before, too!  Thanks for all you do Father Denny!

 Rose all prepared to sell raffle tickets for the school after mass!  We got to share with Father Denny about how she heard her name at mass when she was three... "I heard my name... Rose Again!"  Every time we say the creed there is a big smile from her at her name!!  LOVE when mass becomes a happy and at home place for the kids and the families!  Sharing our Faith as a family is the BEST!

 Pat drove back when we got home from mass to look at the cows and the calves as he always did when we lived there for close to 30 years.

Then around to see the heifers and steers in the monoslope.  It was as though he stepped back in time and thoroughly enjoyed it all!  He stepped on a toy after lunch and commented about how he would have done that with our kids.

Ruth and Paul are home and blessed by their marriage retreat.  I am happy to be in my peaceful home once again... the kids were very good for me and we did enjoy them, too!

On the feast of the Presentation, let us re-dedicate our own children to God. May they grow to know, love, and serve Him.

Danielle Rose - Wonderfully made

Happy 30th birthday, John !  you are wonderfully made indeed!

We love you so much John!!!

"She never left the temple"/The glory of the Lord filled the temple/Jesus and Mary!

A full house and a full table for breakfast this morning... Ruth and Paul away for a marriage retreat with Teams of Our Lady.  The kids love to spend overnights in their former home, as for the last close to 3 years they have lived in our home on the farm.  They seem to like to come to visit, but are happy to be now farm kids!

Grandpa doing the pancakes and Simon complimenting the cook..."Those were great pancakes and wonderful homemade syrup!"  Thanks, Simon!  Pat wanted me to take a picture of him cooking for the family... a rare but precious moment indeed!

"Grandma come in here... Joy is in my lap and it is really cute!"  They packed light for the overnight... a swim suit for the tub and their PJs.

Luke too!!!  David and Rose played in the hot tub for a couple hours this morning.  Grandma had to make an early lunch for some hungry kids!  No wonder I am getting to this late and it will be surely short today, too!

A quick overnight with my parents... Jesus looking on as my dad makes one of his famous breakfasts for Pat and I.

Flooded with emotions attending a funeral in the church where my sister was married and buried 32 years ago.  Her father-in-law died suddenly at age 89... spending my hour with Jesus in the tabernacle for the priest I pray for each week with seven Sisters/Father Denny!

Many powerful emotions recalling this special sister Mary, who died at 28 from lymphoma with a new husband, dairy farmer Gerry, and her 20 month old daughter, Audrey.
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

This is St Anne's Catholic Church, and over the altar is a special painting of Mary with her mother, St Anne, and between them the child Jesus.  The statue on the wall to the left of the altar is St Anne holding the baby Mary in her arms!  LOVE!

Gerry, Audrey, and her daughter, Amelia, who is like a baby Audrey all over again, yesterday.  Our family roots are deep and filled with LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!   Picture taken in the new gathering space that has been added on since we were there 32 years ago... love the lights all around them!

So much today in the readings for the Presentation of Jesus in the temple 40 days after his birth on Christmas.. is about the glory of the Lord/light filling the temple1

R. Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!
Lift up, O gates, your lintels;
reach up, you ancient portals,
that the king of glory may come in!
R. Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord!
Who is this king of glory?
The LORD of hosts; he is the king of glory.
R. Who is this king of glory?  It is the Lord  Psalm 24

Audrey read a reading from Romans during the mass of Christian burial.

 Newborn babies to hold too!!!  A brother and sister with her husband made it an important family time to share our bond of love over the years!

In baptism we have been made the temple of the living God.  Let us welcome the Lord of glory in whatever guise he comes to us, receiving him in joyful prayer, in purity of heart, and charity toward all. from morning prayer this morning... this combined with the words about Anna the prophetess;
She never left the temple,
but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer.  Luke 2

How I am also constantly aware of that inner temple filled with LIGHT, Joy and prayer without ceasing! I am soon to find my beads and pray the rosary for my family, Godchildren, my family, Pat's family, The Church!

Always need a couple... this one is very close to my heart!

Jesus, how we love you with our all!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

"Some people are so foolish that they think they can go through life without the help of the Blessed Mother. Love the Madonna and pray the rosary, for her Rosary is the weapon against the evils of the world today. All graces given by God pass through the Blessed Mother."
-St. Padre Pio

John's promo video!

Danielle Rose - Small things with great love

Casting Crowns - east to West