A Morning Prayer from Grandma

January 17, 1956

Dear Diary,

This evening, Sister Mary Claire read to me from Grandma’s old German prayer book. The words were so beautiful, but I couldn’t understand much of it at first. Sister, with her kind way of explaining things, helped me see what the prayer was saying.

It was all about how small we are before God and how big His love is for us. After Sister explained it, I decided to write it down in my own words so I could use it for my morning prayer:

“Dear Lord, You are so great, and I am so small. But even though I’m little, I want to love You and praise You every single day of my life. You are the King of heaven and earth, and You made me in such a wonderful way. You’ve given me so many blessings, and I’m so thankful for each one. Please, Lord, give me Your grace so I can always serve You and love You, no matter what.”

It felt special, like I was holding onto something from Grandma, but also making it my own. I can imagine her saying these words in her soft voice, and now I’ll say them too. Tomorrow morning, I’ll pray it for the very first time.

Goodnight, dear Diary.

"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul."

With love,
Kathy

A Vision on The Tapestry

January 16, 1956

Dear Diary,

After Mass, Sister Mary Claire and I sat by the wood-burning stove in the church, where Father LeRoy’s fire was still glowing strong. We read the meditation about the Holy Family’s time in Egypt, and Sister Mary Claire’s gentle voice made it so easy to imagine the scenes she described. She spoke of their hardships, their love for each other, and their trust in God, even when everything seemed uncertain.

As she spoke, my imagination carried me away. I saw a large tapestry hanging in My Cave, suspended on an old wooden rod that looked like it came straight out Egypt. The tapestry was so vivid, like it had always been there, and on it were Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Mary was holding baby Jesus, her face glowing with love, while Joseph stood nearby, watchful and strong. I could see them so clearly, not just as a picture but as if they were real—right there in the cave with me.

I sat in awe, amazed at my own imagination, but then I felt something strange, as if the vision had come from somewhere outside of me. It puzzled me, and for a moment, I couldn’t tell if I had made it up or if it had been given to me. Suddenly, I woke out of my daydream and turned to Sister Mary Claire, blurting out, “I saw Jesus! I saw Mary and Joseph! I saw them, Sister, I saw them!”

Sister Mary Claire gave me her sweet smile and gently said, “We must be going now.” She stood, and we began our walk home. But all the way home, I couldn’t stop saying it: “I saw them, Sister! I saw them on the canvas! I saw them in the cave on the canvas!”

Even now, as I write this, I’m not sure what it all meant, but it felt so real. Maybe it was just my imagination, or maybe it was something more—a little glimpse of heaven right here in my quiet little world.

Goodnight, dear Diary.

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.”

With love,

Kathy

Obedience and Trust

January 15, 1956

Dear Diary,

This morning, Sister Mary Claire and I went to church early before Mass. Father LeRoy had already lit a nice fire in the big stove, and Mini curled up near it, perfectly content. The church was cozy and quiet as the sun began to rise. Outside, it was only 14 degrees, but inside, everything felt calm and safe.

Sister and I read today's meditation together about the obedience of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother. It talked about how the angel told Joseph to take Mary and Baby Jesus and flee to Egypt in the middle of the night. Sister explained on the way home that their obedience was so perfect because they trusted God completely, even when His commands seemed difficult or strange. They didn’t question or complain but followed God's will with faith and love. Sister said that’s the kind of obedience I should pray for—a heart that trusts, loves, and says “yes” to God no matter what.

The walk home was cold, but the sun coming up made the frosty world look beautiful. When we got back, I went out to the chicken coop. My dear brown hen was on her nest, fluffing up her feathers and looking very pleased with herself. I reached under her and found the biggest brown egg I’ve ever seen! I think it must be a double yolk. It was so big that for a moment, I thought it was a duck egg! But the warm, brown color told me it was from my good brown hen.

Now it’s evening, and Mini is snoozing under the bed. The house is quiet except for the crackling of the fire. Sister Mary Claire is finishing her evening prayers, and I’ll say mine, too:

O Jesus, help me to trust You like Joseph and Mary did, even when I don’t understand Your plans. Teach me to love You more and obey You with all my heart. Amen.

Goodnight, dear Diary.

Love, Kathy

 

The Flight into Egypt

January 14, 1956

Dear Diary,

The day began bitterly cold, six degrees below zero. It was far too dangerous to make the walk to church, so Sister Mary Claire and I stoked up the fire early. The crackling warmth filled the room as we put on some steel-cut oats to simmer, filling the house with a comforting smell. While the oats cooked, we knelt together, praying and reading the daily meditation. Today’s reflection was about the flight into Egypt—how St. Joseph was told by the angel to take Mary and the baby Jesus and flee.

Sister Mary Claire explained it beautifully, helping me imagine their journey. She said: “Even though they left everything behind in the dead of night and faced so much uncertainty, their trust in God’s Providence carried them through. Each step St. Joseph took, each breath Our Lady whispered over the Child, was a testament to their humble obedience and faith.”She reminded me that in our little sacrifices, we too can draw closer to Jesus.

Mini, as always, needed some coaxing to leave her cozy spot under the bed, but eventually, I got her outside for a brisk little walk. The cold air stung my cheeks, and Mini wasn’t keen to linger long. Back inside, Miss Brown Hen came in for the day, settling happily into her nest by the stove. She puffed up her feathers, seeming so content to be near the warmth. I think she would have stayed there forever if we let her.

Throughout the day, we checked the coop often and gathered eggs—several times, just to make sure none froze. The chickens were quite chatty today, maybe because of the frosty weather. I had the feeling they, too, were thankful for the snug barn and their grain.

The brutal cold leaves no room for mistakes or wasted time, but it also made the warmth of home feel all the more precious. Tonight, as I write, I feel so blessed to have our little stove, Sister Mary Claire’s kind words, and Mini curled up nearby.

O Mary, full of grace, shelter us as you sheltered the Holy Family in Egypt. Help me to trust as they trusted, even when the path is uncertain. Keep my heart warm with faith and my hands busy in service. Amen.

Steel-Cut Oats with Brown Sugar and Cream

To prepare the oats, use the following recipe:

• Ingredients

• 1 cup steel-cut oats

• 4 cups water

• A pinch of salt

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (for topping)

• 1 pad of butter (about 1 teaspoon)

• 1/8 cup whipping cream to each serving


Directions

1. In a medium-sized pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt.

2. Stir in the steel-cut oats, then reduce the heat to low. Let them simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook longer for a softer texture.

3. Once the oats are tender and creamy, ladle them into bowls.

4. Top each bowl with a sprinkle of brown sugar, a pad of butter, and a drizzle of whipping cream (about 1/4 cup).

5. Serve warm and enjoy—it feels almost like dessert instead of a hearty breakfast!

Goodnight, dear Diary.

Evening Prayer

 

Dear Lord,

Thank You for staying with us today. Now that it’s getting dark and quiet, please help us rest and feel safe. The day was busy, but You were there, even when it was hard. Please watch over everyone who needs You, especially the people in California with the wildfires.

I’m so thankful for the little things that make life easier, like Walter bringing over walnut firewood scraps for the stove. They burn so well and will keep us warm tonight. Thank You for neighbors like him who share their kindness.

Please give us a good night’s sleep and let tomorrow be full of Your peace.

Amen.

~ Kathy

A Morning Prayer for Today

Dear Lord,

Please stay close to us through this busy, crazy life. Be with us all day, even when it gets hard, until the sun sets and the world gets quiet again. Help us get through today’s work with love and patience. And please watch over the people who are facing such big troubles right now - like those in California with the wildfires. Protect them and give them hope. 

And when everything is done forever, let us be with You in peace.

Amen.

 
~ Love Kathy

The Prophecy of Simeon and the Church Mouse

January 13, 1956

Dear Diary,

Today was a special Monday, quiet and cold, with frost glittering on the church windows as Sister Mary Claire and I stayed behind after Holy Mass. We sat in the pew closest to the stove, where its warmth curled out like a hug. Sister said it was the perfect spot for a meditation, and I think she was right. Everything felt still and holy.

Sister explained the prophecy of Simeon to me, and I tried my best to understand. She said how Simeon held the little Baby Jesus in his arms and called Him the "Light of Nations" and the "Glory of Israel." It must have been such a joyful moment, but then he spoke about how Jesus would be "a sign to be contradicted"—how He would cause the rise and fall of many in Israel. Sister said Simeon was telling Mary and Joseph something very hard: that Jesus would be the Savior but also a stumbling block for those who would refuse Him.

Sister Mary Claire told me to imagine the love and longing of Christ's Heart, so ready to save everyone, but how some people would resist and reject Him, even though He was offering them everything. She said it’s like a gift—someone has to open it to see how wonderful it is. But not everyone wants the gift. I thought about that for a long time.

Just as I was deep in thought, Mini perked up, her little ears twitching. At first, I thought she was dreaming, but then a tiny country mouse scurried past, making a beeline for Father LeRoy's stack of firewood! Mini was so surprised that she wiggled out from under the pew. What happened next was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. Mini crept up to the woodpile where the little mouse was hiding, and, with her nose almost touching his, they had a tender and curious moment together. The mouse peeked out, his little whiskers twitching, and Mini just sat there, as if they were having a silent conversation.

That little mouse got me thinking, too. Maybe it didn’t know it was in a church—a holy place. But it came to the warmth and safety anyway, just like we do when we come to Jesus. I wonder if the mouse felt the peace here. Sister smiled and said, “God cares even for the smallest of His creatures, Kathy, even for field mice.”

We sat a little longer by the stove, and I thought about Jesus being a gift, like Sister said, and about how I never want to be the kind of person who resists Him.

Dearest Jesus, thank You for today’s meditation. Please help me to always love You and never reject Your gifts, no matter how small they seem. Help me to share Your warmth with others, like the stove in the church warmed me today. And if You are watching over the little field mouse, keep him safe, too. Amen.

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