Starting our 43rd year with family corn freezing day-17 pails/John and Birdie pray with us/St John Vianney/Blind leading the blind

Ruth came with her 6 to make short work of 17 pails of sweet corn in just 5 hours!  My husband kept commenting on the hard working crew we had and how we worked together like clock work with 3 cutting off the corn and Pat using the old "creamer board" which came from his farm family and we have used for the 42 years of our marriage!

It was a fun family job we did on our anniversary and it is quite certain that 42 years ago this new farm wife was doing sweet corn freezing the day after our wedding.  We went on our honeymoon a few weeks later, so it was most appropriate to be using the creamer board now 42 years later with our farm family freezing job!

 Anniversary roses with my hubby and a meal on our porch on these glorious weather days!

 Flowers and flag and stunning clouds reflection.  I keep telling Pat that I love my beautiful anniversary roses so much!  Thank you, honey!

 Our huge cottonwood tree as a backdrop...

 Pat had all but Joy out there to help pick!  17 pails of beautiful ears, and he threatened to pick more!  He always does that and usually does, too!

12 here and 5 by the sink... almost 50 gallons of corn frozen with a lot of team work!

Simon and David along with Rose were the corn cutters...

 
 Their arms started to get achy, but they kept at it!

 Mary bagging and Joy helping grandpa by eating some of the sweetness left on the ears.  Pat using the huge container we got from the Catholic School years ago when they had an auction of some things from the kitchen.  "Where is my big square container?"  It is so big that it has to be cleaned in the bathtub or outside at the hydrant.

 Nose to the grindstone!  We really did a huge job in short order.  Ruth and I don't mess around and we have such a wonderful hardworking crew to be our cheerful willing workers!

 Yes, there was a big mess to clean up, but even that was handled by our crew!

 Wonderful sweet and big ears to work with!

 Dad having an ear of sweet corn for lunch - one less ear we had to take off the cob, and dad ate every last kernel! 

 Next year Joy will have a job, too, but she likes to be with us on family jobs in the kitchen putting up food for our 7 families. And she has had jobs to help, too!

 Rose and Luke cooling the corn from one sink to the other with lots of cold water.  Ruth brought tomatoes and filled my window sill as she is getting more than she can use daily.  Soon we will begin our tomato canning!

This morning Pat and I had a tomato with our breakfast, and I reminded dad that mom would have been in heaven having her tomato with each meal.  As I was there a year ago and would bring mom some tomatoes - how she would love them!  "Yes, mom would have been in heaven to have her fresh tomatoes, but now she truly is in heaven!"

Love this from 4 years ago in Ruth's newly remodeled kitchen farm sink in the sun - 4 year old Rose Again with a sink full of gold!!!

My sink is less big - an entire pail of corn in each sink, and less beautiful but we need to do the family jobs in my kitchen as I need to be here close to my father, so....

 Wonderful ears of corn!

Smiling worker 6 year old Luke 

 John and Birdie Barbara came to share our 3p prayer on the porch with us yesterday.  John was so sweet to allow me to have special prayer and grandma time with my sweet namesake, who is now 3 months old and such a wonderful sweet good girl!

 A thumb sucker like her 4 Verly aunts before her!

 So much like my girls!  It is such a special stepping back in time to have her here with us.

Praying as little children... today being the amazing Feast day of St John Vianney!  He was a humble man, who embodied the "childlike approach to faith."  He was a humble servant of the Lord, who could look into souls and heard confessions from 11-16 hours a day - "reconciling sinners to God."

 Anniversary supper with hubby and one of my roses!

 Purple and pink clouds and hubby liked to watch the tanker trucks parked there for the night.

 Lots of our talk these days centers around our country and the mess it is in with the upcoming election filling us with dread at what could happen to our strides we have taken to recover the values and Truth about LIFE and family and morals and values we hold dear in our hearts from Jesus as the Word of God, the Bible, and The Church teachings!

Yes, Trump is very hard to take in many ways, but when you look at the judges he has given us to uphold the values of Truth - it is very much a good thing and needed in the face of the culture of death and the darkness many accept as light of truth.

 "You don't have to have a picture of everything." said hubby last night.  Well... I know I am addicted to pictures.

The words of wisdom from Jesus today about the blind leading the blind... "They will both fall into a pit."  How we see that this day and age!  I am amazed to know Catholic friends that accept the liberal agenda hook line and sinker!  How can they do that?  "I would never do it myself, but who am I to judge" seems to be their rational.  So sad and so misled!  Truly the blind leading the blind and my heart bleeds for them and where they are headed and how they are undermining the Truth and the LIGHT calling darkness/blindness - light and sight!

 I am starting to use mom's prayer book on feast days as my phone breviary has different prayers due to the saint of the day.  Dad and I love to have mom there joining us much as the three of us would gather many times over the last few years!

A year ago our 8 week rotation began with 2 brothers, a sister, and I.  Such special close time with my wonderful parents together for 70 years, and together in their own home.  Up until close to 5 months ago I had often times with them in their home in St Croix Falls, and then their Assisted Living in New Hope!  Now mom is joining us from heaven and to see her there is a gift!

Dad and I sharing morning prayer after breakfast.  Hallel got out mom's prayer book last week and now I am using it, too!  Such a special bond to mom and to my nun daughter, who surprised us with a home visit last week for the first time in 3 years!

She had not seen her grandpa since she left for France to join her Community of the Lamb 12 years ago.  Dad has since gotten his cochlear implant and is much more hearing and able to share with.  How he loved to listen to her sing - most especially one of his beloved prayers - the Angelus

 John and Birdie Barbara praying with us yesterday, and hope to come and pray today!  How we pray for John's future work!

 Such a sweet good girl and John shares that she joins the rosary twice each day with us and with his family in the evening.

 John counting the beads on his fingers with his arms full of wonderful life - his precious 3 month daughter!

Jesus, how we love you and long for your LIGHT to shine for all to see your Truth and cast out the darkness of sin and death.  May we die to self so that we may be your instruments - using our all to share the Truth that will set us free and allow us to see with "resurrection eyes!"  May we be your hands and feet and speak only your words in our hearts, minds and souls.  May we be humble childlike witnesses of YOU!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

 Hallel with Nancy's 1 1/2 year old George and a back eyed Susan last week here at home on the farm!

 Hallel's Bible/the Word of God/Jesus her spouse covered in Little Sister blue fabric!  Using my mother's book of the prayer of The Church/the office of morning prayer, evening prayer and office of readings.  LOVE how dad and I find our JOY each day sharing our work/PRAYER!  Bless-bless, Barb

 Corn day in my old kitchen about 6 years ago - David would be 6 and his Godfather, John at the sink.  This is now Ruth and Paul's bedroom as she switched the kitchen from the north side of the house to the south side of the house!

Hallel and her grandfather sharing their faith on the farm.  Miraculous on so many levels!  Jesus is in control and his plans are amazing and glorious and wonderful and our cup overflows!  How we love Jesus, Mary and The Church and all the Saints - most especially wonderful St John Vianney today!

Danielle Rose - Mamastery

Danielle Rose - nothing compares to you

Thy will be done

If you want me to - Ginny Owens

My husband's prayers/Isaiah 55/Marriage Sacrament pondered- wonderful examples all around me!

Married for 2 years and 2 months... It was special to see Joy wearing a special dress that her cousin, Josephine wore on their wedding!  They honored their Godchildren with the girls wearing a special pink dress and Big Dave a matching tux to John's!

 June 2, 2018 - John and Bobbi's wedding day with their wonderful God children!  Joy was just 1 and Josephine was 2 - so she just handed down her dress to Joy, who wore it to mass today and was a special reminder of how special that day was and all the blessings that have poured out upon them in t these last 2 years - most especially their two wonderful children!

Godson David in the midst of so much sweetness!

 Joy now 3 and so special in her older cousins dress, but still appropriate as she is wearing a wedding Goddaughter dress of which she is!

John and Bobbi were saying that soon Birdie will be able to wear Joy's dress and what a special day that will be for this sentimental grandma!  Then Birdie can wear Josephine's dress the next year or so.  A gift that keeps on giving and brings our hearts and minds to that special day and the Sacrament of Marriage they share and work out in all its ups and downs!

 Grandma here is your smile with a bit of sass...

 Simon, Mary and David on the altar serving at mass in masks.  There is such a sadness and strangeness and distance at mass these days!

 Such a sight to behold!

Today in the Gospel - the feeding of the 5000 from Matthew 14...Jesus does not to send they distant and away from Him... he feeds them as they are gathered together.  It just seems that this crazy mess we are in are pushing people away from each other and The Church.  Father spoke about his sadness at those that won't come because of masks or won't come if others don't wear masks...  What does the future hold for The Church?

 Such a sight to see.

 Little Birdie and Joy are free of masks of course.

The first reading today is that most special one from our conversion!  Isaiah 55:1-3.  How it makes me ponder the prayers of my husband for his future wife when he told his siblings in high school that he would only marry a Catholic.  Considering what happened to me in the years leading up to our meeting and how Pat was aware of our conversion story through his sister, Marge, who was my best friend... Knowing also how determined my husband is when he wants something... I have come to realize that the 13 in my family might have him to thank for our coming into The Church against the tide 49 years ago!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

 Adorable girl is now 3 months old and so happy and healthy and does not miss mass with her loving faith filled parents.  John talks about family prayer and rosary as they know that our home is where we share our Faith with JOY!

 Luke found Pat's cousin, Dorothy, to visit with after mass.

 How did this become the new normal?

 Family breakfast at our place so that I can help my father when he needs.

 A centerpiece of some amazing roses that Pat got for our 42nd anniversary that is tomorrow, and beautiful peaceful baby Birdie Barbara, my namesake!

With our anniversary tomorrow and the reminder of John and Bobbi's with  Joy in her Goddaughter dress, and Isaiah 55 bringing me to our conversion after my husband's prayers for me spilled over so many blessings and graces with each and every day since we came into The Church!  So powerful to ponder the Faith/Family/Farm we have been blessed with!

Youngest member, Birdie, the roses marking 42 amazing years and FAMILY all around on such a beautiful morning in August!!!

Looking at the marriages of my kids... Ruth and Paul with their 6 on the farm, and their Life-giving approach to their love and giving one to the other, Nancy and Bill with their 5 children with them and 3 in heaven, and their ministry of evangelization and making their homes a Domestic Church, along with their Catholic Sprouts which has gone worldwide - https://www.facebook.com/Smallthingswithlove
Maria with their 6 children are sharing with many that do not know Jesus and his Bride, The Church - the beauty and Truth!

It was a divide and conquer type of morning around here...and we are still not used to wearing masks, but we are eternally grateful for Holy Mass and the Eucharist!

Jesus, we trust in you!
#catholic #catholiclife #catholicchurch

 Birdie and Roses - on my porch the flies are rare, and these days are a small slice of heaven!

 Joy reminding us of their wedding and how the Lord has showered them with their wonderful children in the face of so many odds!  There are struggles and ongoing needs to be answered, but we trust in the Lord's plans and know that they will be according to his perfect plan for them!

Birdie already knows how to wear pink ruffles and has many more in her future... LOVE!

 John's story continues now to marriage to a wonderful woman, who prayed for him through 10 years since they shared school as classmates - through brain cancer and seminary and many jobs.  Now a family man and so blessed with LIFE!

Bobbi shared this beautiful story at her wedding reception with 300 family and friends!
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!

 Joy with her wonderful Godfather, who has been given the life of the new John!

O, how I love these so much and how I love to ponder the many marriages, including my own that are all around me!  After spending the last week with our nun - I also ponder her love for her spouse Jesus Christ that shines like a bright LIGHT for all to witness in her love for Jesus in Word, Body and Blood!  So blessed and all her prayers for her family are lifting up us and all our needs in our marriages and families!

Jesus how we are overwhelmed by your love for us and all the assistance we are given for the journey if only we die to self so that you may work in us!   Come Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

A sneak peak a day early of our selfie for our 42 anniversary in a day, August 3 ... yes, so much has changed, but our love grows more with each new member of our family!  We have reached 30 with Birdie Barbara, and always room for more!  Adding to that my father now, who is a daily member of our family on the farm.  His prayers lift us up!  Bless-bless, Barbara

O God beyond all praising

Mamastery - Danielle Rose 

"The Lord hears the poor"/One year ago dad's world changed/Test for Covid/Hallel back in KCK

 Such beautiful days and nights we were blessed with for our surprise home visit with our nun.  It all happened at a most opportune time as John was off work and my father is living here on the farm on hospice! 

7 years ago when Hallel was home for her home visit, mom and dad had fake plans to come and be here to see their nun granddaughter for the first time in 5 years, but a snow storm of a couple feet of snow ended that idea.  So it had been 12 years since my father had been with Hallel!

 Paul gets his sweet Goddaughter, Birdie to smile!

Lots of wonderful family time made up of small moments we shared as we gathered either on Ruth's porch or mine for our famous big meals - we empty the dishwasher with clean dishes for that meal and fill it up after and with each meal we do the cycle. 

 Our last evening together had to record in pictures this most special week we had together.  Dad prays every day for Little Sister Hallel!

This morning after we shared morning prayer of The Church - I played from my phone a video I made of Hallel and Nancy and I singing the Angelus on the porch after we all had shared the rosary and chaplet.  :LOVE!

 The two men in my life and both can drive me crazy!  But both fill me with so many graces and blessings if only I approach our day to life as a poor and weak and lowly and sinful woman that I am, who is totally in need for Jesus, who is in control of my life!

The words from Psalm 69 today ring like a bell after sharing so closely in the life of my daughter, who is a Bride of Jesus, and how she loves Him with her ALL!  To see her with her book of Psalms, and how she reads all 150 and prays over them every week!  Also her blue covered Bible and how she asks The Holy Spirit to each day speak to her as Jesus The Word of God!

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
R.     Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Psalm 69 from mass today!

 I was up in the morning yesterday to see off my husband and daughter as Pat drove her to St Peter to meet her cousin, Fr Craig. 

It struck me that I should make her a lunch for her 7 hour trip to Kansas City, which was happening later in the day.  Hallel is the poor!  They bring sandwiches along on flights and trips, as they don't have money in their pockets to get food on the trip.  She did surprise me by saying that she would have asked the seminarian to get her something - they are beggars literally!

 Birdie, you don't know how special you are to have these days with your wonderful Aunt Little Sister Hallel!  Hopefully you can visit her in KC and not have to wait 3 years to see her and she you!  Knowing your grandpa, Patrick, he will get you there sometime in the not too distant future!

 Now with Mary, the goat farmer, as dad said..."I really liked what Paul wrote about Mary's goat venture."  Yes, Paul is huge on promoting agriculture!

Love how my dad is so alert and interested in our life on the farm!  It fills me with contentment that he is truly happy to be here on the farm with me.  As he prophecy 20 years ago that if something happened to mother that he would be coming to live with me!  Yes!  It was in the Lord's plan indeed.

Mary has started a new venture on the farm - she has entered the world of goat farming! We’ve agreed that she can purchase 10 females with the intention of being a production herd (or flock, I don’t know goats and terminology) versus being a show herd. She’s done the research on them and we support her investment. I’ve never seen a kid so excited to help with fencing in pasture space. Here’s to a new adventure! Paul Lanoue

They will be coming in a month for a couple weeks, and we will all gather minus Hallel at that time.  I can finally get my 3 boys together after over a year!

This marks the 1 year anniversary of my father's brush with death, and being hospitalized after severe bleeding from his bladder!  We started a continuous around the clock care team consisting of 2 brothers, a sister, and myself for 2 months until they went into Assisted Living in New Hope.  I was telling dad today that I cherish those times I was gifted in the middle of each week for those 8 weeks in their wonderful home in St Croix Falls, WI!

 Two daughters #4 and Birdie, who is #2 child in John and Bobbi's miraculous wonderful family!   Thank you, Lord!

 4 years ago - Hallel ran into Fr Paul Timmerman with sister-in-law, Lori, and other assorted Timmerman family members at WYD in Poland!  She has the ability to be led by the Holy Spirit in her life to run into people in huge Cities in huge crowds... Like Rome and Poland!  The Lord is in control of her every move and her entire life lived in poverty as she is The Poor!

Praying for 7 Sisters - Fr Denny yesterday - I loved to sit by Our Lady of Guadalupe with her stunning roses left there out of total LOVE for her! 

As I prayed, a couple that I know arrived for their wedding rehearsal early and each went to confession to the priest in preparation for their Sacrament of Marriage today!  We had taught the young woman in Faith Formation years ago, and we have been blessed to see her often at mass with her parents and now her fiance... Wonderful to witness those that love Jesus and His Bride,  The Church!  Praying for them today on their wedding day.  Our anniversary is just 2 days away and that makes this more special to me.

 Dad had to go for a Covid test today... he has no symptoms, but within a week of his surgery on Thursday he is required to be tested.  It will be a big week for him with an early rise on Thursday as we are due to arrive at Avera at 7a... He used to pride himself by being up at 5a, so we are being asked to return to that now.  He had an excellent night last night and got out of bed at 8a... thankfully he has adjusted to life on the farm on hospice with a more relaxed rising in the morning, and happy about it!

 It was fun to see these two looking into each other's eyes and ice cream lips!  In one month they will be able to see Hector!

Jesus, how we are poor and lowly and long to hear your voice within our inner temple directing us according to your will!  You are in control and we give it all over to you.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah

First ice cream cones on the porch for our big family meals desserts - which started in Michigan.  "I remember Superman ice cream!" said Rose Again.  She and I have fake plans to go to Michigan some summer soon!  Bless-bless, Barbara

 Michigan memories at this time of year - fill me with longing!  Rose, Bernadette and Luke on beautiful beach!

Sugar sand!



Huge for us with John's brain cancer!

John's story!

John and I agree there is a mother better than me!

Dad has this memorized and St Ignatius is huge for him since he helped us come into The Church 49 years ago!
https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html

Mamastery - Danielle Rose

Tauren Wells - Hills and Valleys