Our 2 Marshall families with 4 little sisters and 3 little brothers after spending 2 days together on the farm.  They arrived on the 3rd which is a big day for us as it was the anniversary of my sister, Mary's death 38 years ago from Lymphoma.  She was Hallel's/Susan's Godmother as well as Nancy's and had a farmer husband and baby daughter, Audrey.  She was only 28 years old and her name was Mary Susan.  

Hallel with her eyes closed - classic pose for her over the years that just doesn't change! 

little brother, Francis Xavier, is a priest of the Lamb and did the mass both Thursday and Friday with Fr Denny.

Hallel sharing with a Schoenstatt sister after mass that she had heard her call to be a sister while at Schoenstatt Camp 25 years ago or more.  There is sad news that the Sleepy Eye house is closing due to low vocations.  I still have many granddaughters that were looking forward to going to their camps in the summer!  

As a new Catholic and one that had discerned a call to be a nun in my conversion story... I wanted my 4 girls to see nuns in habits and consider a call to that wonderful life as a bride of Christ!  The only place nearbye was Schoenstatt Camp with sisters that still wore habits!  It was on the way home from there that Hallel shared that she now thought about being a nun!!!  I was deeply moved and touched by this!

Sr Jessica after mass with the 4 little sisters of the Lamb here for a couple days before they head to Sleepy Eye for a "Mission."  They were going to begin by begging for their lunch yesterday.  They go door to door of the poor to ask for them to give them something to eat, and take their prayer requests and shares with them the Gospel.  

John and little brother David, who is the first American little brother, who grew up around St Louis, MO.  Little brother David is blind! Sometimes I ponder the darkness that he lives in, yet he is a shining LIGHT to all around him!  

This young man, Tim, and his family gives me so much JOY and happiness!  He is a classmate of Hallel, and he and his wife, Mercy, found their faith together and are now in the Deaconate program in our diocese. 

Reflecting on this momento from our time in France for Hallel's final vows in August of 2018!  We stayed in a town nearbye called Fanjeaux where a town celebration was happening each night till early in the morning.  Pat would go to a stand and buy an American - a hamburger on french bread with french fries and mayo on it!  This cup with pop came along with it!  So fun to have another Minnesotan little sister, ls Candace is from North of the Cities and her dad works at Cargill!  
I love to see my 23 grandkids having this special connection to our nun and her Community of the Lamb!  Sharing evening prayer on the porch with Jude and Joy!   Pat kept saying that it was so great for the little ones to get comfortable with these amazing faithfilled men and women!  
Francis Xavier and John Marie with the flag cake they made for our 4th of July meal at the farm!  
Burgers for the 4th along with our cakes.  Big meals for 20 or more each meal.  I find that I get a bit stressed when we eat at my house, but Ruth's wide open living area and kitchen make it much more peaceful for me.  Probably because it is at her house and not mine.  

2 monks praying and struggling with distractions and temptations was the theme of the play.  Blind little brother David was PRAYER.

We had a skit too!  No screens truly while they were here, but prayer and meals and mass and visiting.  The grandkids would come and ask for  a movie and it was easy to say no. 
The couch was full for the play and for passing on the Gospel from one to the next one.  Then Popcorn where we share out words that had special meaning from the Gospel we shared in the circle.

Fr Denny with Francis Xavier celebrating mass on Friday morning.  The Gospel was the calling of St Matthew from Matthew 9.  We had just passed it around the circle one line at a time the night before!  We have learned from The Community to begin the night before with the Gospel!  They mendicate/chew on the Gospel by repeating it numerous times so that the Holy Spirit can speak to them.

Thursday we had found that the Gospel was the Paralytic - so important and huge for John with his cancer journey and being lowered in front of Jesus by the Prayer Warriors including our dear Community of the Lamb!  

John's Spirit Juice video Blind little brother David leading the Psalms from his brail machine.  So amazing to see how he is able to be a part of the prayer as if there is no problem.  He has embraced his handicap and proceeds with life with JOY and peace.  

A French sister, who is one day older than Hallel is here for a month to experience America!  She is found practicing her English by reading CS Lewis, The Silver Chair, to little Brother David.  Both were enjoying their time together helping one another out.