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!
I just begged Maria for some recent pictures from her - Hector, who will be one in about 2 weeks on March 8th!
There are exciting fake plans flying around for Maria and Hector to come and have an overnight on the farm - getting the 3 baby boys together in May! A grandma can hope!
Can't get enough!
Evie one of our 3 year old girls with a shiner from a hitting a falling table in with my mom's boat bookcase now holding games and puzzles.
A little over a week ago we fit in a wonderful few days sharing the life of our nun daughter and her family of the Lamb! Kneeling at the feet of Jesus after morning prayer in Adoration!
Lent begins tomorrow and there is a rule that during Advent and Lent we should not visit or try to needlessly get in touch with them. Yes, if there is something very big and we can call.
So we fit in a quick amazingly powerful time with them, and I still haven't come down to earth. I did just call them and left a message for them to pray for a man they have been lifting up for many months of his battle with failing lungs including a lung transplant. He died a few days ago and their prayers are now needed for his soul and those left behind.
Hallel reading as they Mendicate/chew on the Word. Yes, with Lent beginning tomorrow we go forth into the desert and there we find water from the Rock! Jesus comes to us and leads us in our prayer, fed with His Word beginning the night before, and Food for the journey - His Body and Blood!
Hallel's name is the root of Hallelujah, which is not to be used during the 40 days of Lent. Today will be the last day that I use Hallelujah after my prayer, but I will continue to call my daughter by her name.
The peace filled light filled chapel of the Little Brothers down the hill from the Little Sisters Lumen Christi/LIGHT of Christ. Their chapel is named Light of Mary the Mother of God, and how we are blessed by her light all around us in the darkness on the narrow path.
These words from the Psalm today are very powerful as we head into Lent... R. (23a) Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
And I say, “Had I but wings like a dove,
I would fly away and be at rest.
Far away I would flee;
I would lodge in the wilderness.”
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
“I would wait for him who saves me
from the violent storm and the tempest.”
Psalm 55 - Psalm from mass today read all around the world!
Little Sister Joyce spending time with Jesus in the Word during their time of adoring Jesus in the humble wooden monstrance on the altar. A picture of peace dwelling in the light of Christ!
Yes, Lent is such a time of focusing more totally on Jesus! I am leaving behind the many word games I play so as to have that time for reading and spending deeper times with Jesus! Pat and I had a Krusti Pancake breakfast for fat Tuesday today, and love that the change tomorrow will be big and welcome.
A picture that shows the Truth! Jesus is here and He is LOVE/LIGHT/LIFE! Imagine that they kneel and adore both after morning and evening prayer shared mostly in song! Song is of angels here among us and their hands raise with incense before their King and Bridegroom!
Tears leap to my eyes to witness and share in the LOVE they have for Jesus! After discerning religious life for myself... I see now that I have been so spoiled by Jesus to be able to share time to time with my nun daughter! Especially now when I am able to stay with them when we visit as Nancy has moved away to Minnesota! She misses the Community so much!
The next weekend with a peaceful prayerful stay with my parents! I am such a blessed and well fed girl by all that comes to feed my spirit, mind and soul. Yes, of course, the body is not suffering either, and hopefully will be put into place by lent!
Many prayers for big "trouble" in our huge family... these additional words from Psalm 55 today! Cast your care upon the LORD,
and he will support you;
never will he permit the just man to be disturbed.
R. Throw your cares on the Lord, and he will support you.
Yes, Lord, we are cared for and we need only cast our worries and cares upon you. We are aided as we stumble down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross as we are so weak and lowly as a small child! Today you put your arms around a small child and proclaimed; Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”
Mark 9...
Sharing Jesus in Word and Body with my parents! Today I may rejoice with "Hallelujah, Hallelujah, and Hallelujah!"
Such a sweet and healthy boy! He joins George and Jude... soon our 3 will all be one year old! LOVE!
George on his first birthday - Feb 13th!
Limited screen and homeschool means that they play together more!
Evie is getting close to 3 1/2 and is about 6 months older than Joy, who will join the 2 three year olds at the end of March. Josephine, Evangeline and Joy will all be 3! How we love our groups of cousins and how they grow up together!
Tough feet on rocky beach.
That's better!
I am sure that Maria's bunch are busy with special projects for Lent! They make a crown of thorns and remove toothpick thorns for good deeds and penances. They take Lent seriously! Bless-bless, Barb
God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament
of the altar.” – St Maximilian Kolbe
“When there are two roads
which will bring me to some place, I take the one
with more churches so as to be nearer the Blessed Sacrament.
When I see a place where my Jesus is,
I could not be happier, and I say,
“You are here, my God and my All.”
Venerable J.J. Olier (+1657)
From Ruth just now... Joy making her cupcakes! Joy loves to bake with mom.... there are many times that she will get out the mixer, and melt a stick of butter and get out the cake mix. Today mom saw a recipe for cookies and cream cupcakes on the box Joy had gotten out. They were on their way to town so they picked up the needed chocolate cookies to make the cupcakes and here she is happy and making sweets for Mardigras!
So fun to share in the cuteness of my kids kids! LOVE to smile at them and giggle, too!
No longer sharing mass together, as mom is not able to go out to mass with dad and I... It is very special to see my dad sharing Jesus with mom when we return to their place.
Mom humbly bowed before her Lord Jesus in deep acknowledgment and prayer, and dad reverently praying and sharing The Body of Christ with her. Our weekend was spent in constant prayers for different issues in the family from a granddaughter in emotional distress, and a death of a husband of a niece after a long suffering battle leaving behind 4 children.
Sharing Jesus and the prayer from mass in The Church!
Grant, we pray, almighty God that we may experience the effects of salvation which is pledged to us by these mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Dad read twice pondering the words; experience the effects of salvation... Yes, Lord, our eyes are focused on you most of all and how we stagger down the narrow path carrying/dragging our Most Cherished Cross towards our goal of heaven forever with you! You are our food for the journey!
Deep in prayer - Hail Holy Queen to end our traveling rosary to and from Church...shared with Jesus reverently held in the pix which he carefully brings to mom around his neck. Going up to Communion he holds it out to the priest to place Jesus inside. "For my wife, and I am Deacon Robert Cross."
I guess we all knew that dad would probably be more able than mom with her lung problems for all these years. Dad with his kidney failure causing some problems these last years it has been kind of a bumpy road, but now we have had over 7 fairly good months and we are taking it one day at a time! Dad did mention if dialysis was in his future. "No, dad, I think when we come to that point that you will just say that it must be time to go to Jesus."
Each day I pray that my parents may have more good time together! As I was leaving with my brother and his wife, who had stopped in for a short visit... we commented on how good they seem, and then we also said that for today this is the case and we can only take "one day at a time sweet Jesus."
How I cherish my gift of time with both of my parents!!! We have found a new normal now in this next phase of their lives. We would have many discussions of what the next step in their lives would look like and now we are there! They shared with me about residents that have now gone into the nursing home that is next store and one that has died, so they are well aware of how things can change from one day to the next.
I love my regular visits and sitting at the feet of my father - this time he shared with me pearls of wisdom he has gained from St John Henry Neumann sharing the 3 things that follow us through our spiritual journey - pain, suffering and trouble. The trouble seemed like a word not often used, but dad would point out in our sharing over our weekend - "This is trouble or that is trouble" and I now see that our crosses are our troubles and when they come into my line of vision they will remind me of my dad and of his prayers and wisdom gained and shared with me to my JOY!
When dad reaches around her to turn up and down the thermostat, he gives her a kiss! There is no place to be but The Catholic Church if you LOVE her! I am without end thankful to my parents for listening to the Holy Spirit and bringing all 13 of us into The Church 48 years ago! "You can never love Mary too much... we can never love her more than Jesus!" St Maximilian Kolbe https://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
LOVE to have dad share his deep wisdom and Truth!
After a great talk with my brother, Jim, he sent me these pearls from the Catechism of The Catholic Church about the Church we LOVE with no reservations!
823 “The Church . . . is held, as a matter of faith, to be unfailingly holy. This is because Christ, the Son of God, who with the Father and the Spirit is hailed as ‘alone holy,’ loved the Church as his Bride, giving himself up for her so as to sanctify her; he joined her to himself as his body and endowed her with the gift of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.”289 The Church, then, is “the holy People of God,”290 and her members are called “saints.”291
824 United with Christ, the Church is sanctified by him; through him and with him she becomes sanctifying. “All the activities of the Church are directed, as toward their end, to the sanctification of men in Christ and the glorification of God.”292 It is in the Church that “the fullness of the means of salvation”293 has been deposited. It is in her that “by the grace of God we acquire holiness.”294
825 “The Church on earth is endowed already with a sanctity that is real though imperfect.”295 In her members perfect holiness is something yet to be acquired: “Strengthened by so many and such great means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state—though each in his own way—are called by the Lord to that perfection of sanctity by which the Father himself is perfect.”296
As my brother said; "Wow!" We are so blessed and given so many graces with each new day!
Dominic and Josephine playing mass in Delano! LOVE that we share our Faith as a family. There is nothing more wonderful or a prayer that is prayed more often to see it being answered is my only most heartfelt desire!
Their cozy home much like their home in St Croix with both Joseph and Mary gracing them...
Today St James speaks to us about spiritual wisdom... But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.
James 3
I see this in the wisdom of my father as he shares from his studies and his prayer(Holy Spirit insights)… there is always a strong element of peace and many good fruits show from whence his words and prayers truly come. They long for peace to reign amongst the 140 plus in their huge family!
"The Body of Christ."
We are reminded that we truly are members of His Body within The Church! How I rejoice at the unity of Faith that I share with my wonderful parents, and our family! Sharing with my brother today was a joyful gift as we are united in prayer and in The Church!
A
Almost 30 years ago - Easter at my parents on Angel Hill in Taylors Falls, MN.
Jesus, how we are filled to overflowing with your True Church! You feed us in your Word, Body and Blood, we look to your Saints, and your Mother, Mary the Mother of God, is always at our side as we stumble down the narrow path taking our needs to her Son, Jesus Christ! May we die to self so that You may live in us and we may become your hands and feet! May we truly become the saints we are called to become - serving without counting the cost! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Hallelujah
Hallelujah for only today and then tomorrow for the last time till Easter!
Melvin and Ed over 65 years ago! Pat milked cows in that barn up until 1986. The first 8 years of our marriage were spent milking cows, and now we have close to 200 beef cows and that calving will start in a couple weeks now. Busy times ahead and lots of prayers for a good year and favorable weather! The Lord always keep us on our knees! Our life is in his hands along with the weather. Bless-bless, Barb
From the Gospel today... Jesus said to him,
“‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
Mark 9
Lord, help my unbelief!
Danielle Rose - The saint that is just me
Casting Crowns - If we are the Body
Zach Williams - Rescue Story
More from the Catechism! Wow!
865 The Church is ultimately one, holy, catholic, and apostolic in her deepest and ultimate identity, because it is in her that “the Kingdom of heaven,” the “Reign of God,”380 already exists and will be fulfilled at the end of time. The kingdom has come in the person of Christ and grows mysteriously in the hearts of those incorporated into him, until its full eschatological manifestation. Then all those he has redeemed and made “holy and blameless before him in love,”381 will be gathered together as the one People of God, the “Bride of the Lamb,”382 “the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.”383 For “the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”384
869 The Church is apostolic. She is built on a lasting foundation: “the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Rev21:14). She is indestructible (cf. Mt 16:18). She is upheld infallibly in the truth: Christ governs her through Peter and the other apostles, who are present in their successors, the Pope and the college of bishops.
870 “The sole Church of Christ which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, . . . subsists in the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him. Nevertheless, many elements of sanctification and of truth are found outside its visible confines” (LG 8).
Still to welcome 3 younger brothers.. the older 7 of the Louwagie 10 children including my mother-in-law in the front holding the hand of her sister Bertha. This has always been a prized old picture in black and white so to see it now in full color is a special gift indeed!
These 10 then had about 10 kids each and so Patrick, my husband is surrounded by close to 100 first cousins! Large families became my hobby when I married into this amazing huge Belgian Catholic family - city girl come to the farm. I am known to know some of the names and whose who better than Pat.
The famous John falling down and the girls in Easter hat picture taken in Taylors Falls on Easter Sunday visiting my parents when they lived on Angel Hill in 1992. John just turned 31 so that will put this in perspective quickly!
Visiting my parents then was a 4 hour trip, so I am appreciating that it is now 3 and going all the way through the Cities is not required. I will probably be going up that way this week for the funeral in the family. A sad occasion, but so many prayers and some excitement to go up there again and see some family that are not as much in my life since my parents moved away.
After breakfast my parents in their Sunday best. Dad and I will be heading out to mass at Sacred Heart soon... we will bring Jesus back for my mother and share the Gospel and Eucharist with her.
I see that things are getting harder for both my parents to do their daily cares. Yet, they are able to still manage a bit slower and more short of breath.
Watching FOX news together after breakfast on this beautiful sunny late winter day.
Sharing with my parents in their prayerful wisdom for our huge family - we are over 140 now with all the recent additions. Our grandchild coming up in May will be great-grandchild #59 for them. I see that the outer temple of their bodies is fading yet the inner temple is aglow and filled with beauty and gold, jewels and diamonds... Do you not know that you are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?... all belong to you, and you to Christ, and Christ to God.
I Cor 3
After 90+ years of having the Holy Spirit dwelling within their inner temple they are filled with riches and I love to sit at their feet and have them pour upon me their Truth and LIGHT! At breakfast this morning dad was sharing some of his jewels from all the reading he does each day, Love through him his fellow traveler on this journey of Faith - Brother Victor Antione!
Back from mass with dad as we prayed the rosary coming and going, dad brought The Eucharist for mom reading the final prayer from mass as part of sharing with her.
A week ago sharing mass with our daughter and her Community of the Lamb... Jed the blind postulant for the little Brothers preparing for mass.
Today to share with my dad was so special, and I always am so grateful to have this time with my wonderful dad, who has always listened to the Holy Spirit in our lives and brought us into The Church 48 years ago.
After mass last week in the spring like Kansas City. It is spring like here today and we are so happy to have a break.
Jed the blind postulant sharing his beautiful light after mass. How we love to share in his journey!
Praying the "Hail Holy Queen" with us holding Jesus in his hand before sharing Jesus with mom.
"I am not worthy that you should enter under our roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed."
Lots of these special moments of sharing Jesus... so powerful!!
Deep in prayer and respect
Food for the journey
I am so lucky to have my parents still together and doing good for today. We take it one day at a time. I am on the road home, but soon I will be heading back here for a family funeral and maybe to share the beginning of Lent with my parents! Bless-bless, Barb
Thanks to my niece this black and white from winter of 1984 came to life for me. By the cows when Maria was a baby in arms...
After a frantic busy day yesterday ending with a Gala event for our TEC family... I found myself in need of putting the fundraising money in the bank in Redwood Falls. I realized that I would be 1/3 of the way to see my parents so in short order I had an overnight bag and just kept on going to spend a precious overnight with my parents in the Lodge of New Hope!
I adored my chapel on wheels and deep prayer of all 10 decades of my rosary. I find that trips are such a blessing - even with hubby now we say a rosary together for the concerns in our journey! Big on the prayer list now is calving coming up in a few weeks!
My dad shared a lot to the point that he wore himself out. Prayers for a granddaughter led him to a "vision" of her troubled face and how he has been led to pray for her and to ask others to assist him. My dad has always had a deep prayer life and closely been tuned into The Holy Spirit in directing our family. How I am grateful to him! http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/the-amazing-story-of-13-becoming.html
When he rises in the early morning usually no later than 5:30a... he pushes up the heat and the thermostat is behind their wonderful statue of Mary the Mother of God. "I give her a kiss each morning now" - giving her all his needs and intentions to hold close to her Immaculate heart and take to her loving Son, Jesus Christ!
He wore himself out sharing his heart with me... in short order he and mother are asleep in their chairs. Sweet smelling hyacinth in the window - Valentines from sister Paula!
This is s peaceful haven for me. I am ready to put my feet up and join them on this feast of St Peter's chair... one of the decades of the rosary that I hope to get to each day #10 of my 10... I pray for my beloved Church! I chose the 3rd Luminous for this purpose - Proclamation of the Kingdom.
I start with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, Then my hero Archbishop Naumann, who brought Hallel's order to the U.S. 12 years ago, our Bishop LeVoir, and my 7 sisters Priest, Fr Todd, and our amazing TEC priest, Fr Denny.... How I love The Church and I know they need prayers to stay strong and True to the Truth starting with St Peter, the rock upon which it was built to be the Bride of Christ - His BODY!
From my parents to this special one of Pat's parents - now colorized thanks to my niece! Mom wanted dad to dress up, but he kept his bibs on with a jacket, dress shirt and bow tie. Special memory of their relationship... This was probably about 60 years ago when Pat was a little boy.
Over 30 years ago - it was black and white. So special to have this color version.
Pat's mom with the work horses - a family treasure and now more so! About 80 years ago in her 20s.
The 5 oldest in order of age - Pat was next in line to come... mom was either very pregnant with Pat or he was too much of a baby to be standing in line.
A week ago we were in KC for the weekend with our nun and her family - Community of the Lamb! Pat using his mother's old ice cream scoop she gave them 11 years ago when they met her in Marshall. They had just come from France to KC to start their foundation here.
We cherish seeing the family ties through the years - knowing that mom Verly entertained them in her home, traveled to KC to visit them when Hallel was returning to France, and even went to France in 2011 for Hallel's first vows with The Community with Pat, John and I! Such an amazing woman, who didn't want to miss a thing even when she was in her 90s!
Just a week ago with Jesus in this holy place... Lumen Christi/Light of Christ! So very excited that one of our special TEC couple friends have fake plans to visit them this summer. All I can say it that they will not be disappointed, of that I am sure!
Pat sharing with them and doing the dishes... prayer and dishes!
The Words from the Gospel today on this Feast of St Peter's Chair; He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter said in reply,
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah.
For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father.
And so I say to you, you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.
I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of heaven.
Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven;
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Matthew 16
The Church is True and Real and Alive and if we lift it up in prayer -- healing and healthy! How I love The Church and am forever grateful for my dad leading us all 13 there in 1971! Each day since has been a gift and a blessing!
I am also eternally grateful for the prayers of my husband, Most Cherished Cross Patrick, for knowing that he would not marry someone who was not Catholic years before we met... Who knows maybe his prayers led my entire family to The Church!?! As determined and strong charactered I have grown to know that he is, I think that it could be entirely the case. http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/my-most-cherished-cross-patrick-gerard.html
Mass with the Community a week ago, the result of a Faith Journey in The Church beginning 48 years ago! Discerning religious life, led to marriage, open to life with 7 in heaven and 5 with us, raising them as lights and now sharing our Faith in The Church as a family of soon to be 30! Then for my own vocation to lead to a vocation - our nun, Little sister Hallel and how we are allowed to share in her life so deeply and closely now. My cup overflows!
I love to see the 23 Psalm as the Psalm today - there is no other more beautiful and speaks of our loving Good Shepherd and his care for us! R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
It was impossible to leave one word out! It is completely wonderful and fills me with JOY and peace knowing of his LOVE for me and bringing me into his beautiful "house of the Lord"/The Church here on earth. A sign to us of the heavenly home which awaits us!
'Wounded, I will never cease to love." The Lamb
Jesus, thank you for this precious time with my wonderful parents in their peaceful home. Thank you for the prayer on wheels on the way here and the gift of the rosary prayer which allows us to kiss your Mother with our prayers and each bead is a tear for our sorrows and woes. Be with my dear niece in crisis. May this Cross bring her to you. Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleujah
"Because of your discerning a call, you have your nun." A Benedictine nun to me a few years back. It made a lot of sense as I very much made a way for the girls to spend some time with nuns in habits and so they each attended Schoenstatt Camp. It was coming back from there when Hallel was about 11 that she told me for the first time that she was thinking about being a nun. I had to pull over the car as the tears flooded my eyes - such a powerful moment of the Spirit at work. Over the years she would hold me at arms' length and say that she was either going to be a nun or get married and have 10 kids. The rest is history... Now I am able to share with her in her LIFE as a bride of Christ! So blessed! Bless-bless, Barb http://familysoulstory.blogspot.com/p/susan-angela-agneslittle-sister-hallel.html
