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!
3 weeks ago today Maggie had her delicate scary surgery at Seattle Children's Hospital just an hour from her home. Both Joe's mom and myself were there to allow both of her parents to be with her. It is quite miraculous to see how quickly she has recovered and we see the work of prayer and the Lord's healing answer for Magdalene Rose!
Her incision is healing so wonderfully, too! I shared with Maria that the zig zag incision truly resembles the Crown of Thorns. Maria being my 3rd child - I pray that mystery - the Crown of Thorns sorrowful mystery every Tuesday and Friday! It was very important in my prayer for Maggie's surgery. The wound is healing and she has no discomfort at all from it any more. He heals our wounds!
Maria and Major Joseph a few years back on the occasion of their anniversary. Yesterday marked their 15th anniversary now with 7 children here and 2 in heaven.
Maggie today in Fort Lewis, WA. They are soon to move and will be spending some days on the farm before heading to Wisconsin to stay with Joseph's parents. Excitement is building!
3 years ago - Jude is bound to love the Twins as his dad does and so does his grandpa, Patrick. That is a deep tight bond between John and his father, and it always makes me smile to hear them talk endlessly about the team, and fit in a game from time to time- or should I say every few years maybe!
LOVE this!!! From John and Bobbi's wedding! John had called KC and talked to Hallel shortly before the wedding and knew of their prayers for them in front of Jesus during their Corpus Christi Mass - wedding 4 years ago.
With their 5 Godchildren
The JOY and the Saints looking on them.
Year old Rose Again 9 years ago. This is how they described her LOVE for watermelon... she would pick it out, and it had to be beside her car seat so that she could pat it on the way home, and then Yummy time.... slice after slice! Good thing she is wearing all pink.
Mary 9 years ago with the last of the lilacs for the season.
Out to do one of my most hated jobs - pulling weeds - grass and nettles with gloves on. I was happy to have Iggy in my way to get some rest.
How I love beautiful cloud days and the path into the pasture is like a painting - when the corn comes up in the field it will be more wonderful.
Looking the other way with the barn, pump, clouds and still more grass to pull... sign!
Cows and calves in pasture up to their bellies with the clouds as a backdrop and planted field will soon be greening up - we are thankful for the rains we are getting and hopefully today the last day of beans will go in. Now we pray for rains to continue and the heat to crank up - we need more heat units, O Lord!
How we love to see the cows and calves in the lush grass!
Always need to take 3 - I will say that I am influenced by the Trinity, but it is more like I only feel like I have done a beautiful sight justice with 3 of every thing.
Enlarge as it allows you to be free to go forward and not be held by your hatred and sadness.
Yes, so true!
We love you Jesus - today you ask us to "Follow me" How do we do that with each new day? By dying to self so that the Holy Spirit can dwell in us and we may become your hands and feet and voice. Allowing your Word to speak to us in the readings of the day read all around the world in every Catholic Church. By having the Sacraments of The Church giving us the strength in the Sacrament of Matrimony, Reconciliation, Eucharist, Baptism making us new and yours...
"It is the Lord!" "My Lord and my God!"
Bread of heaven in the humble form of bread - Jesus for us each day!
Humble us, O Lord, and make us like little children in our unconditional Love and fogiveness we receive from you... may we return it to those around us - most especially those the closest to us in our domestic Church/family. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
St Charles lwanga, pray for us!
She is my companion on this journey! How I love to have her motherly love and concern as she takes my needs and love to her Son, Jesus! "You can't love Mary too much. We can never love her more than Jesus!" St Maximilian Kolbe
So true! Jesus gave her to us as our Mother at the foot of the Cross and we bring her into our homes to find Peace, joy, love... all the fruits of the Holy Spirit!
Mary was in the upper room with the Disciples when the Holy Spirit came upon them, and she bings it's fruits into our homes! How I am blessed by her each day of my journey! Bless-bless, Barabar and the 51 - 34 with us and 17 in heaven including our wonderful parents!
2 years ago - my dad social distancing with Birdie at her Baptism on Pentecost Sunday! Dad is so much with me!
Today with his man, Brother Victor - "The purpose the Christian life consists in the aquisition of the Holy Spirit." St Seraphim
Oh, dad, you prayed over me to receive the Holy Spirit when I was about 15 and then you brought us all into The Catholic Church 5 years later! You always listened to the Holy Spirit and I am forever grateful and still feel you there sharing our LOVE LOVE LOVE for Jesus, Mary, all the Saints and The Church! ALL of it!
Birdie Barbara on her Baptism day 2 years ago smiling at her wonderful Great-grandfather, Deaon Robert Cross, who led us into The True Church! Nothing can compare to this Pearl of Great Price!
I know not how to begin this day with so very much filling me with total JOY and Thanksgiving! Looking back 2 years when my father, Deacon Robert Cross was living with me on the farm for the last 6 months of his life! This picture of my dad on Birdie's Baptism on Pentecost Sunday surrounded by 13 of our then 19 grandchildren - June 1st. We have since added 3 new to reach 22.
John and Bobbi are celebrating their 4th anniversary today! Highlights of their day celebrated in St Elois in Ghent. It was the Vigil of Corpus Christi Feast, so they had their wedding at 4p and used the readings from Corpus Christi Sunday. "We don't want anyone to sin thinking that since they went to our wedding on Saturday afternoon that they don't need to go to mass on Sunday." Fr Craig Timmerman officiated and preached so powerfully on the Eucharist!
Then Bobbi shared with the 250 attending her amazing story of waiting and praying for John for 10 years after the Holy Spirit revealed to her that she would marry John Verly - through brain cancer, seminary and all the ups and downs - truly a story to be shared of Faith and persevering no matter the pain and disappointments!
Today is the 15th Anniversay of Maria and Major Joseph at Church of St Mark in St Paul, MN. Maria's wedding dress and Bride's maid dresses for her 3 sisters were made by her dear Aunt Angela!
Hallel was her Maid of Honor, and entered the Community of the Lamb a year later. Maria had discerned a call to the Poor Clares and Joseph had looked into the priesthood. After 5 months Maria returned home from the enclosure - "I was disappointed that the Lord did not call me to be a nun, now what?" Then she met Joseph! He called her dad, Pat, while under a tractor fixing to ask if he could court his daughter." "Is this a joke?"
A highlight of their wedding - the many priests that celebrated -4 and my dad as Deacon! The many young people that responded in Latin during the mass. It very much impressed my Deacon father and he wanted to learn more after that. Also the wonderful roast beef dinner we had catered from Marshall by Barb Devos! It was scrumptious!
My dad with 3 of the priests including Fr Sam from Guatamela and also Fr Germain Louwagie a cousin of my mother-in-law, from Belgium - a missionary priest who was in the U.S. at times!
Bobbi with her bouquet of peonies thanks to Pat's sister Mary!
It was special reading the prayer books my mother and father left behind for me today! Mom mentioned that it was John and Bobbi's anniversary - I know they were hugely disappointed at not making it due to an injury of mom's foot. Pope Benedict speaks so powerfully about Baptism! Also dad's man, Brother Victor, talks about the beautiful peonies - "Pentecost Roses" on the eve of Pentecost that year. This year it will be this Sunday - June 5th!
Mom and Pope Benedict XVI today... How many other couples at our Engagement Encounter 44 years ago said that the world was too terrible to have a big family - only 2 or less kids? All of them! We were the only ones that said we wanted to have a big family. It even made me question if we were being selfish. Pats' answered guided by the Holy Spirit -"The world needs lights!" Yes! Our family motto continues to be as The Church asks of us - "Open to LIFE and raising LIGHTS!"
Baptism is in fact much more than a ritual conferring membership in a community... It is a process of birth, through which a new dimention of life opens out. Pope Benedict XVI
My dad 2 years ago at Birdie Barbara's Baptism on Pentecost Sunday with 3 of the 5 of my children that he Baptized as a Permanent Deacon in the Church for 44 years! How I am overwhelmed by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as the 13 in our family including my dad, who had been a Protestant minister for all my life, came into The Church . Swimming against the tide after Vatican 2!
Mom rarely writes in her prayer book - I know their not being able to come last minute was a big disappointment to them and our family.
Such a sweet sharing by dad's man, Brother Victor! It made me smile with great JOY recalling how there were perfectly blossomed peonies gathered around town for Pat's sister, Mary and her daughter Ida to make the glorious flowers for the wedding. "Pentecost Roses!"
You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. Psalm 16 today!
My snowball bush is ready for snowball fights - fun for the grandkids!
This email came from Nancy today about her ministry of the last 4 years - Catholic Sprouts! Truly the work of The Holy Spirit is assisting Catholic parents to raise LIGHTS! I am sharing it here as it explains so much and continues to be so important - 7 million downloads!
Teaching my kids the Faith was MUCH harder than I thought it would be.
Two of my sisters had kids before I did so, of course, I went into motherhood thinking I knew it all.
Turns out, everything I thought I knew was completely wrong.
Before becoming a mom, I thought that teaching my kids the Faith would be natural and easy. I pictured us sitting at a picnic lunch in the park speaking about Jesus and doing fun, meaningful liturgical crafts everyday. No problem!
But the reality of raising Catholic Kids was much different.
Each time I tried to spontaneously teach the Faith, I would almost instantly be interrupted by a crying baby, a hungry toddler, or squabbling siblings.
Without fail..
Although I did try to deal with the interruption and get back on point, I’d often be interrupted again and at that point be in such a rotten mood it felt pointless to continue.
By the time our oldest was six, I was feeling like a failure.
Then, one day about four years ago, I had a crazy idea.
What if I created a DAILY podcast for my kids that shared the Catholic Faith, something we could listen to over breakfast or in the car. Something I could turn on, listen to with them, and if that was all we accomplished that day, I would still feel like I gave them something. Like I offered them one little seed of faith.
You read that right.
I was so desperate to teach my kids the Faith that I decided to start a daily podcast just for them.
My husband thought I was crazy. My sister thought it was impossible.
But I did it anyway, cause that’s just who I am.
In August of 2018, I started creating the Catholic Sprouts Podcast. I recorded those first episodes not sure if I would keep going and, almost on a whim, I shared the content publicly in case I wasn’t the only Catholic Parent struggling to teach my kids the faith.
That was almost four years ago.
And what’s happened since I published those first episodes is nothing short of miraculous.
To date, the Catholic Sprouts Podcast has been downloaded nearly SEVEN MILLION TIMES and we have produced over 1,000 episodes.
Families and classrooms have tuned in from every country on the planet and we have welcomed over twenty incredible guest hosts, one of which, Sir Roland, decided to stick around and host every Saturday.
Four years ago, when I opened up Garageband on my computer and hit record, there was no way I could have imagined the wild ride God had planned for this little podcast.
Although those podcast statistics are impressive, they mean very little compared to what I have seen happen in my home, and what I hear has happened in yours.
Through God’s grace, this podcast has had a real impact on families!
Each time I get a note like this one, from Dave and Maria and their three kids in Ohio, I know that this podcast is bigger than me.
“THANK YOU so much for all you have done to make this podcast as wonderful as it is! We have been listening since season 1 and my kids have a better understanding of our faith and also a better relationship with Jesus because of it. It’s not only something we listen to but also something that we discuss and and think about long after the podcast- a wonderful conversation starter! Please know of the huge impact you are making on my children. My husband and I monitor closely what we expose our children to and it is refreshing to know that your podcast is always solid, full of truth, and we know we can trust with our children’s attentive ears.❤️”
For me personally, one of the greatest gifts of the podcast has been learning that I wasn’t the only one struggling to teach the Faith at home. It’s hard to find the right way and time to teach the faith…and liturgical crafting can be a nightmare!
It turns out that hitting play on a short podcast, listening together, and maybe having a short chat about what you heard is sort of perfect.
As I reflect on the origin of the Catholic Sprouts Podcast I not only see God working in ways I couldn’t imagine, I also feel a deep desire to DO MORE, to REACH MORE, and to communicate the Faith we love BETTER.
It is my joy to pour my heart and soul into the Catholic Sprouts Podcast, but, let’s be honest, I am only one imperfect person. If we are going to have a real impact on the next generation of the Church, I need your help.
Yesterday we launched a partnership program where you can contribute directly to the mission of Catholic Sprouts.
We are asking partners to offer:
Prayers
Shares
Monthly Gifts.
We are determined to keep the podcast, as well as our new searchable archives, free to everyone so that there are no barriers for parents hoping to form their kids in the faith.
But, in order to offer these things and more, we need your help.
The Catholic Sprouts Podcast has demonstrated that God really can take our loaves and fishes and overwhelm us with blessings. This is something we have experienced, and we would love for you to become a Catholic Sprouts Podcast Partner and experience this miracle as well.
Jesus, we are ovewhelmed by your LOVE/LIGHT/LIFE that fills us as your Spirit dwells in us and we become your hands and feet! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah and Bless-bless, Barbara and the 51 - 34 here and 17 in heaven including our parents.
Oh, I guess I went a little bit crazy with this new suit and sunglasses from her Aunt Nancy... Birdie Barbara was just 2 and this arrived a couple weeks late, but grandma had to try it on right away and get her in front of the wonderful light of their huge picture window! With the soft pink backpack and topknot and posing... I took way too many pictures, more than my usual 3 of everything.
The American flag said it all for me - Memorial day was the day before, so yesterday was the official first day of summer, and she looks the part so cutely!
My favorite spot to capture the kids is this window looking onto Central Avenue that goes up to the Catholic School up half a block. They will go to school there - preschool through 8th grade, and already go down to play on the "school playground."
When we leave their place - you can look up and see them waving and watching from this wonderful window!
Ready to go and show mom and dad...
My day has gone with the morning spent with hubby and then my chapel on wheels going to Balaton to deliver MOW. The first time I went there - I had to manuver around snow drifts so it has been quite a few months already.
"Who's under those flower shades?" "Me, Birdie Barbara in all my cuteness."
The kids love their mom so much...
And their dad - one happy healthy family! I am recalling that 4 years ago we were gathering today and having John and Bobbi's rehearsal at St Elois in Ghent, and rehearsal dinner in our shop on the farm for their wedding tomorrow!
I smiled thinking about St Paul today in the end of Acts 20. Don't we all love St Paul? Just like us - he did not meet Jesus face to face in this world, but rather was struck down by the Holy Spirit on the road to Damascus. Do we not all love to read his many books in the New Testament and also follow him in Acts as he goes forth to spread the Good News after his conversion and discovering the Truth?
This kitten has quite the outgoing personality and has made a name for himself as being like - St Paul the kitten! Tom is now starting to grab nab the kittens!
Today Paul is telling his followers in Ephesus that he will never see them again and they are weeping at the thought - When he had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all. They were all weeping loudly as they threw their arms around Paul and kissed him, for they were deeply distressed that he had said that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship. Acts 20
Ruth feeding the baby kittens - all 9 of them - goats milk.
Armed with the wisdom and Truth from St Paul's words to us - we are going forth into our domestic Church/family and the world. I feel the prayers of St Paul and the cloud of witnesses in heaven praying for me. It is a very powerful sending off indeed!
Joy taking a kitten over to get some milk with the others.
Rose with Yoda the kitten.
Pat tired after getting up at 5a to load cattle for market.
The crops around Wabasso yesterday. Nice to see the rows of corn after this late spring. Many prayers go with farming and each year is different and our prayers are needed for one challenge or another!
Stopped by the cemetery for honoring our dead. Pat's parents, our 2 boys and his brother, Don, all in the same spot. I really wanted to go and visit my parents, but then we realized that we have a graduation reception in the Cities in 2 weeks, so we will go the extra hour to visit them then. Dad and his time in the army was in my heart on Monday.
One of my favorite things about my garden over the 43 years of marriage - being able to pick food and eat it fresh from the garden in just a short time! It seems so healthy and fresh and nothing better under the sun!
I need to keep this short today... there are many branches that need to get picked up after the storms over the weekend. I am such a fan of St Paul - one of his readings that meant so much while grandson was born dead and brought back to life 9 years ago said it all!! 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12
This is truth - I do see Jesus so close and personal! I recall one time after a very intensive hour of prayer in front of the tabernacle a young man came into The church and sat by the 10th station of the cross - he looked just like Jesus! I could not leave the church without going over to say "hello". He was kind and told me his name was Isaac, and that he should get a haircut and shave. I have looked for him since...
I didn't blog yesterday on the feast of The Visitation, but it was special to pray with hubby on the road - the personal intercessions can go on and on as the highway is another hour ahead. Many heartfelt prayers and reading the mass readings including the Gospel of the "Hail Mary" and the Magnificat!
St Justin pray for us!
LOVE that they both are sharing LIFE in the womb!
Each Hail Mary is Gospel!!!
Marvelous and Miraculous!
Jesus and Mary with St Paul praying for us and assisting us as we proclaim with our all that You are the way, the Truth and the LIFE! "...Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I consecrate myself for them, so that they also may be consecrated in truth.” John 17 Jesus' prayer for us this day in the Gospel! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
We have now entered June for the Sacred heart, yet Mary is always my dear help and mother!
Oh, Thomas A'Kempis was my dearly beloved helper when I first turned Catholic at 20 yo - My romance years as an early Catholic were filled with Thomases - Merton and A'Kempis!
2 years ago - working on fair calves will soon be happening on the farm!
Now pigs and goats too! Two city grandkids will be showing pigs in the county fair this year - Gus and Bernadette! How we love to share the JOY of our farm life! It is a wonderful way of life not just a job! Bless-bless, Barbara and the 51 - 34 with us and 17 in heaven including both sets of our wonderful parents - I am sure that St Paul and dad have had some wonderful conversations about "the Name of Jesus!"
.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)