"Like St Joseph... we need to be open to the Lord's guidance in our lives however that may appear."Father Denny/Home again!

Such a wonderful way to begin my first day at home after 2 weeks away and gone 4 out of the last 5 weeks helping welcome our 2 new grandsons!  It is so good to be back with my farmer, and after driving granddaughter, Mary, in to Jazz band... I was gifted with mass with Fr Denny and Adoration, too!

Pat on cow TV this morning in the bright sunshine... it is supposed to get up to 40 here today, which is not quite the 60 degrees we had for the Baptism in Washington on Sunday...

 Baptism on Sunday - welcome into The Church sweet baby Hector!  The day was full and he was welcomed and celebrated by many family and friends.

His family shortly after the Baptism and before the party we put on for him!  For #6 he certainly was given a large welcoming and marked with the seal of Faith in The Church!
His hands lifted in praise and thanksgiving to His Lord and His Bride, The Church!  How I love to that we share that Faith as a family which is growing now by 3 new members!  Sweet baby George is to be baptized next Sunday by Archbishop Naumann in Kansas City.  He baptizes families with 4+ to encourage being open to family as our Church asks of us!

Baptized on St Patrick's Day the day before this girl was 11 yesterday.  How she serves and gives to her family without counting the cost!  The Gospel on her birthday was so true of her!
Those that give will receive gifts of great abundance!  She is so deserving!

 These just arrived from Maria after his bath today... he is such a wonderful boy in every way!  His chrism might be washed away, but I could smell it all the way home on the airplane yesterday reminding me of the beauty of our amazing church!

So content and loved!

Another sharing of love with our other newborn - George and 6 year old big sister, Bernadette, sharing some peaceful rest together!   How precious!

Father Denny spoke in such a special way about St Joseph today on his feast day.  His message to us was that Joseph was a good man of God, who found himself with a difficult situation.  He was open to God, so God sent an angel to explain to him the Truth, which he then embraced and protected and cared for Mary and her Son.  "We need to be open to God's work in our lives and listen and follow His plan however it may come to us."  Yes, there are many ways we are directed and spoken to in our life's journey whether by crosses and suffering or doors opening or closing or call to prayer and the Holy Spirit speaking to us!  I have felt the fingerprint of God on my life so many powerful and quiet moments in my life.  I feel very loved indeed!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/johns-cancer-stories.html
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-story-of-little-lamb-grandson.html

Newly baptized at his party...

 Being in 7 Sisters and having the honor of praying for this special priest friend, Father Denny, each Friday fills me with so much JOY to see him on the altar in our parish now.  He has been so important to us in our marriage and family as he was the coordinator for TEC for many years!

At the farm watching the kids while Ruth is out helping her dad.  Joy came out in her rubber boots to follow grandpa around for a while.  She has missed her grandma and gave me a big welcome home hug!

Ruth's bunch 5 years back on St Patrick's Day

Ruth was just sharing with me that Simon is writing his research paper on Autism, of which he is in the spectrum.  It is providing him with insight to some parts of his development, like having problems with loud noises when he was little and overstimulation.  She also sees that he knows that he is special and that is a good thing, and that there are many who are worse off and he should be happy that he is as high functioning and gets along socially and is a caring person.  This is a good thing for him, and it was cute because he told his dad that he had to interview himself.  So cute and special indeed!

The big party was fun and we celebrated our Church, which we love and our newest member entering for a lifetime of great love and Mercy without end and coming into the Kingdom for all eternity is our prayer and our goal!  We long to join St Joseph with Mary and Jesus and all those crazy amazing Saints in heaven!  Lord, hear our prayer!

 It was such a beautiful day on Sunday in every way!  The weather was very glorious with solid sunshine and warmth of 60+ degrees - short sleeves, kids playing for hours, and eating outside at tables on the patio!  LOVE!

Grandma time pushing Evie in the swing on the playground behind the Community Center where we had our party for Hector's Baptism!  This little girl made my 2 weeks in Washington very special... she called me "Bumpa" which is her name for her grandpa Pat, who she loves very much, so I took that as a compliment and reveled in it!

 I was able to come home as now Maria has wonderful Oma, Gail, who is Joe's mom!  I am happy to have had the time there with Maria and family, and some time finding that her new son is most wonderful!  I was just with John and Bobbi this morning and they are getting close and excited to welcoming their baby Verly.  Now the last to arrive is close at hand.  We are over the moon with excitement to meet baby Verly!

Gail with Hector and Princess - one on the right and one on the left.

Jesus, thankyou for the wonderful healthy little ones... we are growing in our love with each new little life!  We ask that now you will be with John, Bobbi, and Baby Verly!  We thank and praise you to the highest heavens for this answer to so many prayers, and now we have the word that there is nothing of concern found in his tests... he continues to be truly cancer free at year 10!!!  Praise you to the highest heavens!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb and growing family!

Gail with her two sons and newest grandchild!

Patrick found his pot of gold on St Patrick's Day!

In Maria's Bedroom on the wall!!!  So powerful and so true!

The snow piles are melting - driving home to my farmer husband and family on the farm at sunset last evening!  I ran into a snow pile today when visiting John and Bobbi... it was like running into a brick wall and did some damage to my car.  Craziness continues and we are hoping for spring which officially comes tomorrow!  

 Solemnity of St Joseph

+ Patron of the Universal Church +

+ Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary +

+ Protector of the Divine Infant and Mary +

March 19

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that by Saint Joseph's intercession

your Church may constantly watch over the unfolding of the mysteries of 

human salvation, whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care.

Collect ~Today's Liturgy

 "The same divine hand which fashions each man's heart

gave a father's heart to Joseph and a son's heart to Jesus, so that Jesus obeyed Joseph

and Joseph did not fear to command Jesus.  It was because Christ's true Father

had chosen Joseph to act as father to His Son in this world.  And in so doing God had,

as it were, charged Joseph's breast with some ray or spark of His own 

boundless love for His Son.  It was that that aroused a father's love in Joseph; 

so much so that, feeling a father's heart burn within him, 

Joseph also felt that God was telling him to use a father's authority." -  Bossuet

Peculiarly His own/happy one month George/soon to be a child of God!

From Nancy today... George surrounded by his brothers and sisters on his one month birthday across the country in Kansas City.  In a week grandma will be with them to celebrate his baptism day on Sunday the 24th officiated by Archbishop Naumann!  The excitement is building for this great day of coming into The Church and begin his lifetime journey of Faith!

Hector moments ago while his family was praying the family rosary before the big push begins for his Baptism day tomorrow!  St Patrick's day/the second Sunday of Lent and Baptism day for baby Hector!  He is such a precious little gift to our growing family and we love to share with him the seal of Baptism in The Holy Catholic Church!

Evie at the rosary pointing to Jesus in the womb of Mary at the Visitation while we prayed the joyful rosary today.  She makes grandma giggle in the middle of prayer... joyful I guess.  I love the words of the first reading today... especially when I am surrounded by 6 little ones -
"you are to be a people peculiarly his own, as he promised you;
and provided you keep all his commandments,
he will then raise you high in praise and renown and glory
above all other nations he has made,
and you will be a people sacred to the LORD, your God,
as he promised."  Dt 26

I had Patrick come up to invite me for breakfast this morning with a milk mustache, which he then launched  into the types of mustaches he could make... "milk, water, hot chocolate, and buggers."  Yes, we are peculiarly his own!

Basking in the sun praying for the many intentions yesterday with my helpers before the dog walk, which happens three times a day here.  Praying for my parents, who are both ill now.  Good results and we are hopeful they can both return home to recover together with the help of family close by.  John at Mayo for eye issues, and awaiting his results early next week.  And prayers for son-in-law, Paul , who lost his grandma Mary yesterday... she was an amazing lady of great Faith!

Joy with Great grandma Mary!  Paul wrote:
My Grandma Mary passed away yesterday, and I truly can say with confidence that she's in heaven. She lived her life with that goal in mind and was spiritually a rock for the family and those she came in contact with. I'm saddened that I won't get any more Grandma hugs or cookies. At the same time I am very at peace knowing that she has met her ultimate goal. As before we all can know that she's watching out for us and that she is in a clearer place now. Rest In Peace Grandma.
My room now is in the large closet... surprisingly quiet and filled with great Saints to hang out with!  I slept in today as I wasn't right at the bottom of the stairs when they wake up!  So nice!

My prayers were interrupted and filled with distractions, but they were constant dot, dot, dot, dash, half a Hail Mary here and there and bringing to mind the many in prayer...

Peace and quiet in the middle of the storm!  Talked to John and Nancy in the midst of prayer... LOVE the Lord's hand in control after I repeatedly placed all the needs in His hands!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Bless-bless, Barb

Sunbathers!!!  It is shining again today!The other grandma/BaBa in Kansas City with the new member of their family, too!The other grandma is here, too... I have yet to capture her at the right moment... Awake with the saints over our shoulder, which happens often here, and how we love and need it!

My cute smart assistant/excitement is building with more family/PRAYERS!

Evie...This 2 year old is a constant companion to her grandma, and a day brightener most of the times.  I find myself laughing out loud at some of the things that come out of her mouth!  At breakfast this morning out of the blue - "My buggers hurt."

As Maria reminded us this morning at breakfast... "It is unusual to hear what is in the head of a 2 year old."  She is a sweet ray of sunshine with occasional claps of thunder.  After raising 4 girls and then John... the rough and tumble boys are a new adjustment for me, and these boys are great in how wonderfully disciplined they are.  All in all I have enjoyed my close personal family time with this bunch of now echo...8!

Helping grandma blog and admiring this adorable picture of herself in her pink top with her scapular showing... each of the kids have them to remind them of Jesus.  Evie looked at hers today and said; "Jesus." in her sweet 2 year old voice.

LOVE this, and yes she was between my legs.  Close and sweet.

Grandma reading and saying my rosary in the library with my sweet side kick looking at her book... sometimes I read to her, but the grandma that is known for reading many books to them is on her way on the airplane from Wisconsin.

The excitement is building and the house is being changed to accommodate the coming family and guests to meet our new Hector and celebrate with him when he comes into The Church on Sunday, which is also St Patrick's day which is also a feast day of a certain little Patrick Joseph!  Maria is famous for changing the house from one day to the next from beds to uses for rooms.

Awake and pondering the world!

It is a day filled with prayer for many directions today... just got a call that mom and dad were both taken to the ER this morning with some different issues going on.  John is at Mayo getting his eyes checked after them worsening... trying to get to the bottom of this.  Always called to our knees!

Tummy time this morning for this perfect little boy!

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;
LORD, hear my voice!
Let your ears be attentive
to my voice in supplication.  Psalm 130 from mass today is the perfect description of prayer as we give it into His hands!

A picture of life while we share the family rosary a few days back... this is a daily occurrence in this home, and the knowledge of each decade is amazing from the oldest 3!

I need to keep this short today as my beads are calling out to me to be in a state of constant prayer for many needs today.  

Jesus, we are called to be weak and lowly and humble and turn to you at all times.  We are on our knees calling out to you and you hear, answer and bring us peace.  Our Lady, your Mother, is always there to hold us close and fill us with your love and mercy.  May we forgive and give without counting the cost.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

"There is my sister, who loves me a lot!"

He had just been sucking his thumb ... now vitamin D.."OK, mom!"
We will soon introduce him to his other grandma.  This is getting more and more special with house prep and planes landing and meals and love and happiness and loud wresting and helpers... Bless-bless, Barb and family praying without ceasing!

The Adoration chapel in Mayo/St John's today - so many powerful prayers and memories here!  Jesus, we trust in you.

3 years ago... the first flower of spring!  How can we have hope that this will be soon?

https://catholicsprouts.com/10-reasons-to-be-catholic/?fbclid=IwAR1VspGVP9m3jrQbDWSJ299lmNe7ueVPl0aFTzQlEYspb12CrX4MUGc-9nU


https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/democrats-fight-for-kittens-right-to-life-after-voting-to-kill-born-alive-babies?utm_content=buffer007ae&utm_medium=LSN%2Bbuffer&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=LSN&fbclid=IwAR0g6-5uYYGJ5vhbNs2OnLwfyt74XovrKCR93r-V4vItz-7Xpu9bWfzNszA
How did it come to this,. Lord?

“Eucharistic adoration is the greatest of actions. To adore is to share the life of Mary on earth when she adored the Word Incarnate in her virginal womb, when she adored Him in the Crib, on Calvary, in the divine Eucharist.” – St. Peter Julian Eymard #Catholic #Jesus

John's healing and finding Faith!!!!

Danielle Rose - A Mother's Song/The Crucifixion

Casting Crowns - Praise you in this storm

Ask, seek, knock every day and find Jesus there to give, find, and open.

Hector starting his day in the arms of his 2 year old Evangeline Mary after mom reports another wonderful night!  He eats about every 3 hours and goes back to sleep for mom.  He is now off to mom's Catholic wives gathering with Stations, Reconciliation, a wonderful lunch shared with the other ladies and then mass.  A full morning of growing in faith... they also have some time to study a book of faith.

Help from their big sister, who is so devoted to her new baby brother, just as she was with her baby sister 2 years ago.  It is amazing to see how devoted Evie is to her big sister as a result of all the tender loving care she has showered upon her.  Now to her baby brother.

This sweet big sister will be 11 on Monday, and we will shower our love on her, as she is so loving and kind and does so much around here at the asking of her parents and seeking of her siblings and knocking too!  Much is asked of her and she is so devoted to her new brother... she can just hold him and watch him all her free time!

The Gospel is out of this world today!!!
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. "  Matthew 7

Have we not experienced this each day of this journey?  Yes!!!  There is so much given to us with each new day with Sacraments, Jesus in The Word, the Saints that minister to us each day, Our Lady and her prayer without ceasing/the Rosary where we grow in knowledge of her Son each day, more than we can ever fully find or open and be filled with all we need to become saints each day of this journey!

Pillow on her lap to make him a soft support while she kisses him and stokes his soft head... grandma and big sister make sure they have safe and happy times together... he is such a dream and she is a joy to this old grandma!

Tummy time is already happening and he is amazing us with his head turns and butt lifts.  No complaining for 15 minutes... such a wonderful boy!

"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. 
This is the law and the prophets."  Matthew 7:12  The Golden rule is part of the Gospel today and truly a way to live in our domestic Church/family - giving without counting the cost and dying to self so that Jesus lives in us, and giving the love and forgiveness and mercy we have been given to others!  This is how we love and have a small slice of heaven here on earth!

Special time with my newest grandson sleeping beside me while I read and say my rosary... he also joins us with our family rosary time each day.  His sibs are so wise in their knowledge of the mysteries and leading the prayers!  


Jesus, how we give it all over to you as you are in control.  We ask, seek and find each day and are blessed by all that you give, find for us and open the doors we are to walk through with great JOY and confidence!  Jesus, we die to self each day so that You, Our Lady and the Saints may work in our lives at the direction of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

LOVE!  Time to pray and do dishes and hold a newborn... life is good spending it with family sharing Faith and Family and our prayers with The Farm.  Bless-bless, Barb and growing family.

4 years ago... look at the weather!
A purely wonderful picture of spring! The calf was just born overnight, Dominic is in a feed bucket, the girls are trying to feed it corn cobs, and Gus is putting corn stalk bedding on his baby brother's head. Farm time can't be beat with baby animals and babies! Bless-bless I think we should name the calf 'Bolt' 
Yes, Nancy was visiting the farm!

We share the rosary each day... all 9 of us!  The prayers of children are very powerful!  

The incredible power of Lake Michigan is only the tip of the iceberg when discovering her ability to beautifully shape ice formations. Photo: Tom Sovereign #ManistiqueMI #LakeMichigan#PureMichigan

Our cabin was here for 17 years... how we love Michigan!

John continues to be healed!

Danielle Rose - the Saint that is just me