“Why is everyone always leaving?!” — That was a question one of my little girls asked, through the tears streaming down her face, last New Year’s…
Her childhood, filled with young adult siblings who are always coming and going, is so very different from what life looked like for those older kids of ours. Despite all the blessings, and the fun visits, the goodbyes are always really, really hard.
I’m right there with her, especially this year…. So many funerals, including my little brother Scott 💔… and my husband’s brother Fr. Terrence Gordon just a couple years before, plus a couple more of our children moving for jobs or going to college out of state… Even the beautiful goodbyes of friends (and a niece/cousin) entering cloistered religious life these past years have had their own kind of heartache. So many goodbyes…
At the end of October, I even joked about how I “throw murder mystery parties for young adults entering Carmel!” (Three over the past few years.) I had absolutely no idea we’d be finding out the very next day that yet another family member would be entering too… 😭❤️🙏🏻
It hadn’t been shared publicly yet, so I couldn’t say anything to anyone, but we immediately started scrambling trying to find ways to get all our children home for one final visit with Fr. D. Gordon. We were very blessed to have him here from November 24th to December 2nd for one last visit and we loved every minute!
We are so grateful and thankful for the years we got to be Father D. Gordon’s parishioners in North Idaho from 2018-2023 and have really missed him since his transfer. He was the best man at our wedding. He gave our oldest son (who is also his Godson) his First Confession and First Holy Communion at his very First Mass the day after his Ordination to the Priesthood. (First Blessing pictures here.) He also gave First Holy Communion to five more of our children (here, here and here… oops look like I never blogged the last two). He baptized our youngest son (Churching of Women for me ) and youngest daughter (looks like hers was never blogged either) and confirmed one of our daughters and one of our sons too… We had hoped more First Holy Communions and weddings would be coming up next and we will dearly miss him at those upcoming sacraments.
Our older kids all managed to make it home for different lengths of time (depending on flights, college schedules, rides, and begging/coordinating with supervisors) but we were all together for the long Thanksgiving weekend. Memories I will absolutely treasure forever! 🥰
The Discalced Hermits of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
He entered the Discalced Hermits of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on December 18th. Please remember Father in your prayers!🌹
Thank you for sharing Jessica! He will be very missed!
Oh, wow! God bless him! I heard of this Order a few years ago, and they have developed a habit of sending me “Do you have any prayer intentions?” emails at the most Providential of times. Prayers for him and all of you!
I wish I could donate at this time to the Hermits. May God bless them and keep them. Please give Fr. Gordon my regards. He may remember me. I would like to share the video only from the link on my page, with the link attached. Is that at all possible?
I have been blessed to watch Father grow in grace. From serving in the Coast Guard to him burying our daughter, his friend from youth group at St. Benedict’s in Virginia. Our final visit was up in Nebraska at ordination a few years ago. Father D is a very special man and holds a special place in my heart. God bless him.
Thanks for sharing Jessica. Your family updates are so well written and appreciated.
With love. XO
❤️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️
Hi, Jessica!
My wife, Adriana, and I occasionally visit your blog and it is always so inspiring!
Thanks for being examples for us – we’re still 4 kids behind and we just found out about the newest member coming 🙂
I was wondering if you would like to check out my Catholic children’s book “David, the Bubble, and the Birds” for just $0.74 on Amazon – this week (Jan 5-9) also free, but only at Amazon Brazil (Amazon’s fault – not mine!)
It teaches virtues like faith, sacrifice, and being good to others. Perfect for ages 4+, beautifully illustrated.
Would you be interested in sharing it with your readers?
For less than a dollar, it’s an easy recommendation for families wanting wholesome content.
Happy to provide:
– Free review copy (I’ll send you the file)
– Graphics for sharing
– Any other info needed
Blessings,
Lucas