Lovely's 1st Communion

"I am the wine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing." (Sunday's Gospel, John 15:5).

Sunday was a very big day!

Lovely made her 1st Communion! What a moment and what emotions filled our hearts (her Godmother and I wept/teared up watching the actual moment - and the processing in and out) as we watched her unite with Jesus in such a speechless way.

(We ordered pictures of the children making their individual sacraments. I'll be sure to post when we get them!!)

I still have to receive pictures other people took of our family and friends together, so I'll be posting again, but it was SUCH a special day for Lovely to be surrounded by her family. Her grandparents were there (after my dad broke a rib playing tennis - a sports related injury at age 88! Look at him - you'd never know it!):

and of course, all her friends she prepared with for this immense day:

All 82 of them!!

My mother gave Lovely her dress (and sewed on some embellishments). My sister and family gave her the rosary bracelet she is wearing, and my brother and family gave her the cross she is wearing. I learned how to sew her veil this week (haha!). She was surrounded by family and beloved friends near and far both in sacramentals, dress, and prayers.

Maybe it is just her unbiased mother talking, but she seemed so full of grace and goodness before and during her Sacrament. Don't you think? 

The rosary Lovely is holding was made by one of our co-op mothers - Alice. AMAZING!

and...full of fun too....

Dearest Lovely,

I echo the letters and words of many mothers on this milestone sacrament and want to tell you that Sunday was the first of hopefully constant "firsts." All of us need to remember that each time we receive Jesus, it is as sacred as the first and should be treasured as such. Even your tired, busy, and sometimes distracted mommy needs that lesson. How often, in our flawed lives, are we so welcomed, wanted, and unified into living tabernacles all at once? You, in making this sacrament this Sunday, remind us all of that childlike joy and excitement that we older faithful can sometimes take for granted, but should always have. Thank you for your reminder to embrace being a child of God in the Body of Christ. We are branches of a most precious Vine.

"Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me" (Sunday's Gospel John 15:4).

Cling to Christ and faith - it has never let your mother down in my trials, and sustains our family every day. We will always walk WITH you.

We so love you, so much. God Bless you,
Mommy, Daddy, Valiant, and Gift

___________________

Then - on top of the Eucharistic celebration - it was time to celebrate life and this wonderful milestone! We missed those who could not attend!!

It was time to picnic and play! We had the spread (picture taking after it wasn't neat anymore lol!):
 

We had cupcakes!!!

 
We had friends who could come and friends who were missed....

 

Sweet newborn Godbabies (Twins!!)

And more time for friends...

We even made up a Communion song to sing before Lovely served everyone's cupcakes first.

 Me and my girl! So proud!!

 

Valiant LOVES cake!

Sweet little sister!

 

Gorgeous 1st Communicant!

 

 

Lovely's Godmother making the twins bottles in the field- Rock on!

 

  Frisbee with all the kids!

HAHA - silly Gift!

 

This pic didn't capture her excitement at this bible from her Godparents!

"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, as for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples." (Sunday's Gospel, John 15: 7-8)


God Bless!!!! What a celebration. Eucharisto.