Last day of the year - reminder of The Beginning... Jesus was there and is here!

 Such a warm family time to have these 4 here sharing our home for the next month!  I had such a great evening with only Romeo here while mom and dad were away at Cross fit, and the cousins playing together and eating supper with Ruth's family.  Tonight we will gather over at Ruth and Paul's for a "New Years Eve" celebration - the way you celebrate with two old people and a bunch (9) little kids, and maybe Pat's 95 year old mom, too!  Most of us probably won't see the new year in, but we will share many of the final moments of 2014 together with lots of activity and laughter and probably with the two toddlers and two babies in the mix - some tears too!

Little 3 month old Romeo is our youngest grandchild, and he was so good for grandma last night.  He is very comfortable in his big sister's arms!  Therese is a wonderful big sister to all 3 of her younger brothers. 

My morning has flown away, so I just want to keep this short today.  "He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him." John 1 - the Gospel for today is all about Jesus being God and how He was at the Beginning and is with us now!

 Joe back from his early morning cross fit... we are all getting a routine that satisfies our needs.  So wonderful to share in the life of our family as they transition to North Carolina for training. 

So fun to spend some grandma time with Romeo while he giggled and swam around in the bath tub last evening!

 Nothing like swimming in a warm bath tub!

John's Gospel speaks my language for my God in my life - LIGHT/LIFE/LOVE!  "and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."  So amazing!!!

 The LIGHT of the world in the frosty window this cold wintry morning of our last day of 2014!

 The two Patrick's sharing tea for breakfast being warmed by the wood stove!

 There was some special dress up time this morning and grandma got to do her French braid and take some reflection pictures...my day is made! 

It can truly blow my mind to realize that I have Jesus/God/The Holy Spirit within me and because of that I am allowed to have all knowledge and wisdom as comes to me from the Holy Spirit!  There is much which fills me with such wonder and awe!

 Close up of my beautiful granddaughter, Therese, a beautiful girl inside and out! 

Therese showed me a rose petal she was gifted by the Community of the Lamb as they stayed with them on their trip up here.  It was presented to her by a Little Brother, and he told her that it was placed next to the coffin of her patron Saint, St Therese, in Lissieux.  She was so excited to have this most special memento of her wonderful namesake!  I keep hearing bits and pieces of their time with them, but I just told Maria that I want to hear it all!!!! 

Ninja and Princess costumes from Grandma Gail in Wisconsin!  Dress up is huge for this bunch with no TV and being homeschooled.  They are taking Christmas off from school. 

Jesus, remembering that when you walked the earth and taught us through The Word come to earth and miracles and healing... that we can reflect further that you created this world!  It is so mysterious and powerful and amazing and fills me with wonder and awe.  The Grand Hallel Psalm from Psalm 96 today speaks of all the Highest Praise you are due to get from each one of us! 
"Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all you lands.
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
announce his salvation, day after day.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice!" 
"grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." So wonderful to have this with us as we enter 2015!  Jesus, may we die to self so that YOU may live in us!  "Wounded, we will not cease to LOVE."  echoes in our hearts, minds and souls.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Bless-bless, Barbara Luke


So wonderful to be reminded of this most wonderful Saint at the feet of Jesus each day though her namesake - our granddaughter, Therese or "T".

St Therese pray for us. 

 

Danielle Rose - the Saint that is just me

Word of God speak - mercyme

Anna - "living a devout life, not loving the things of the world"

 Maria's two middle boys were being gentle with the kitten on the bed this morning, and Captain is very trusting of them to treat her gently even after being carried around the house in a tight little boy grip over the last days. 

A priest friend, who is now in Sioux Falls, is here for a day of visiting with Joe, Maria and family. 

 Therese with the other kitten... 

Today the Gospel in the aged Anna meeting the Christ Child, Jesus, when he is presented at the Temple.  It touched me deeply to see the Magnificat describe how she devoted herself to things of Faith and not loving the things of the world!  How I love to be reminded of our call first of all to Love and serve the Lord in our domestic church/Family without counting the cost. 

 The little decorated porch of Ruth's beautiful playhouse beckoned me to get the two girls out there smiling after they had picked the eggs for the day.  Eleven eggs from 11 chickens today!

I am feeling sad at a loss this day in our close circle...  I am very much reminded of how much I cared for this person, and truly loved her.   I hope and pray that we can remain friends, but...  I know that we need to give her time and space.  It is hard to let go and let God.  When you meet a very wonderful person, and they become like family... it is difficult to let go. 

 One of those squeezes that the kitties are accepting with grace, for the most part. 

 Romeo is such an easy and happy boy to share our home with!

 Therese and Mary made us all headbands to wear for a Christmas present.  It looks like Romeo is going to join Mary and David with blue eyes... like his dad and their dad, Paul!

 Brown eyed Dominic

 Bernadette and Bill looking tough in a sweet sort of way.

 Our last big meal together on Sunday night.... saying our blessing prayer before we eat.  Nancy and Bill and family have now returned home to the Cities, John is back from his 5 days in Wisconsin, and we are getting into a routine with Maria's family here with us.  Of course, we see plenty of Ruth and the kids that are home from school this week for Christmas vacation.  All the pictures we have received in Christmas cards decorate our cupboards at this time of year.  A great reminder of all our friends and family united with us in celebrating the birth of our salvation - the Light of the world!  St John tells us this day in the first reading - "I am writing to you, children, because your sins have been forgiven for his name's sake..."  I John 2

Joy made visible!!!

Jesus, we are forever grateful to the point that we want to leave all the world behind and die to self so that you may live in us!  We see the LIGHT revealed in this world by the LIFE we bring into the world and then we strive to raise them as LIGHTS!  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

The lambs are loving baby Jesus... may we too be humble as a lamb - "Wounded, I will not cease to love."  The motto of the Community of the Lamb is reminding me that no matter what we are called to love and forgive. 
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Can't get enough of the 3 new grandsons together!  They like hanging out with grandpa and his big hands add to the beauty! 

Lead me to the Cross - Francesca Battistelli

Francesca Basttisteli - he knows my name

Nancy's pictures...

a sheep from our Nativity play with the grandkids.  6 month old Dominic is a sheep and a very happy one too!

The shepherds are super special too!

3month old Romeo is the best baby Jesus ever!

A look of loving LIFE and LIGHT!

The best of the Holy Family on the Feast of the Holy Family!

Luke gets up from his nap to join the lambs by the manger!

Christmas headbands thanks to Therese and Mary!  Bless-bless, Barb

"My own eyes have seen the salvation... a light... and the glory." Simeon to Mary in Luke 2

I took so many of these, and each one is a gift!!! Joseph arrives to the delight of the shepherds and the sheep out in the distance... 

My mind is spinning with the ups and downs and craziness of LIFE, and the Church is adding to that.  To go from Christmas day to the martyrdom of Saint Stephen the next day and now to the 5th day of Christmas and Simeon holding the small child, Jesus, the Son of God in his arms and recognizing him as "a LIGHT to the nations."  There is also a feast day today of St Thomas Becket, who was martyred also.  We just can't get away from that Cross, and that is where we find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!

Some of the precious moments were when baby Jesus arrived in swaddling clothes in the manger... he just looked up at all the adoring faces and smiled sweetly and gently... such an peaceful beautiful moment for all!  Maria describes him as loving any attention and he certainly did adore being adored!  It was special to realize that Mary's dad had tied her scarf like the little Sister veil... Little Sister Hallel is always with us.

My friend on FB, Scott Hahn, today shared this wonderful sentiment and Truth today.  Such a powerful reminder of how we are called to Pray without ceasing!  This is exactly what I feel about Contemplative orders, which devote themselves for praying for the needs of the world.  What kind of place would the world be without all the prayers of those in monasteries? 

The warm glow inside of watching this beautiful scene unfold with the little ones gathering around the newborn king, baby Jesus.  I can totally relate to these words of Simeon in the Gospel today..."My own eyes have seen the salvation... a light."  I saw it all before me yesterday in the live nativity.  What a marvel to see with eyes of Faith the beauty of The Truth.... the marvel that is newness of LIFE which brings the most beautiful LIGHT into the world, and fills us with LOVE everlasting.

Come let us adore!!!!

Jesus, thank you for the reminder of what really matters in this world.  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

 3 below zero this morning... Dad helps this Texas boy get bundled up.

 The finished product...

Inside we have this sweet one to keep our hearts warmly full of LOVE!

 The kittens are getting a whole lot of attention!

One more of Romeo, who is reminding us of baby Jesus, and was a perfect one in our live nativity!

Newsboys - you are my King

Holy Family celebrated!

Luke was sleeping and another was crabby and standing out, but we got the other 10 involved in a live nativity.  So precious was 3 month old Romeo as baby Jesus, and 6 month old Dominic was a peaceful sheep in the front!  Grandpa read the story from the Bible and Mary put her thumbs up when he read about her namesake, Mary.  So perfect for this Feast of the Holy Family!

 Sharing mass as a family - all 21 of us - Hallel with us in Spirit!

 Luke going to see baby Jesus

 Patrick and Mary visit baby Jesus...

 All 12 visiting the Holy Family... caught Bernadette on her way out.

 Admiring the remodeled beauty of our church!

 A little girl's hand is the best!

 Two sheep come to adore baby Jesus.

 Adorable kings and shepherds!

 A sheep gets close and loving of baby Jesus.

 So precious to see it before us in all of the glory and humility of the little ones!

 Baby Jesus is amazing!!!

 Rose loved her shepherdess so much that she didn't want to take it off...  She stood out front and sang "Away in a manger."

 Therese was an angel!

 The Holy Family are so special!

 The little lamb is chewing on someone's robe...

 Luke gets up from his nap and is immediately a lamb with a bottle to share.

Luke is not too sure, but it was nice to have him share in the special times.
The meat is in the oven for our big Sunday dinner tonight, and my rosary is calling me to put my feet up for a while.  So grateful for this great celebration this day of the family!  Lord, we ask that you come into the heart of all families and show them the path to Heaven.  May your Mother, Mary Most Holy, bring us to embrace YOU, O Jesus - LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT!  Jesus, we trust in YOU.  Amen and Hallelujah

Precious Romeo, baby Jesus, with his halo on in grandpa's arms!
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke

Can't get enough!!!