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Novena to Discern God’s Holy Will

by Filed Under: Novena, St. Ignatius of Loyola

St. Ignatius of Loyola’s feast day is in 9 days, July 31. A mother from my parish’s homeschooling community has initiated the start of a Novena to St. Ignatius.

I thought it only fitting to accept the invite. I’ve just returned from a Silent Ignatius Retreat and can give testimony to St. Ignatius’ powerful intercession.

Please join me in prayer for the discernment of God’s Holy Will in all areas our lives, including homeschooling.

The Novena starts today (7.23). Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam


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NOVENA

Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess You have given me: I surrender it all to You to be disposed of according to Your will. Give me only Your love and Your grace; with these I will be rich enough, and will desire nothing more.Grant, O Lord, that my heart may neither desire nor seek anything but what is necessary for the fulfillment of Thy holy Will. May health or sickness, riches or poverty, honors or contempt, humiliations, leave my soul in that state of perfect detachment to which I desire to attain for Thy greater honor and Thy greater glory.
Our Father
Hail Mary
Glory Be
O my God, teach me to be generous:to serve you as you deserve to be served;to give without counting the cost;to fight without fear of being wounded;to work without seeking rest;and to spend myself without expecting any reward,but the knowledge that I am doing your holy will.
Amen.

Garage/PLAYROOM

by Filed Under: Home, Playroom

My DH had a week to play as I was gone for retreat. He did play but he mostly worked….for me. I came home to a sparkling clean house (far better than I left it) and many surprises. One of which was Rose had surgery. Others included; our backyard was prepared for future landscaping; the school room was cleared out for a makeover; my bathroom and laundry room were deep cleaned; and our above ground pool was removed. The best surprise was my garage.
My garage has been completely filled from our move about 2 years ago. I was unable to help at that time because I was on bed rest with Papi. My DH and family packed and moved for me. This relieved me but meant that many things that I would of purged were sent to our new home. It has been somewhat overwhelming. In addition, I wanted to move our indoor play gym out of the house but not outdoors. The garage was the solution. It is rather large and would be a great playroom. All of our previous plans to turn the garage into the playroom were foiled. Until…..most recently when my husband decided to plot behind my back.
He rallied his newly retired mom. She is a super organizer/cleaner and now has plenty of free time on her hands. His dad also joined the crew. Together they all pulled off the best surprise ever!
Below are the pictures of our garage. It is not complete but I’m thrilled that the kiddos have a place to play other than under the stairs (the old playroom).
BEFORE

AFTER

HAPPY CUSTOMERS

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Is there a Doctor in the House?

by Filed Under: Girls

Two of our GFG have undergone dental surgery within the past 6 days. Rose had a check up (last Wed.) for her wisdom teeth. It was decided that they needed to be removed ASAP since the roots were growing into her sinuses. She had her surgery on Friday. I was away at a silent retreat and had no idea what was going on. It was one of many surprises awaiting me when I got home.

The most recent surgery was today, for Sweetie. She needed major dental work and complete anesthesia. The surgery was a success and she is now home recovering. PBTG!

My Time in the Desert

by Filed Under: Spiritual Reflections, Spiritual Retreat, St. Ignatius of Loyola

I’ve been on a Silent Ignatius Retreat for the past week. Our Lord is doing a work in me! I don’t even now where to begin. I’ll probably have to share a little at a time. For now, I’ll leave you with these thoughts:

“…the Spiritual Exercises are a most wise and universal code of laws for the direction of souls in the way of salvation and perfection”. – Pope Pius XI

Christ died for me. What have I ever done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Christ? – Saint Ignatius

“There are few persons who realize what God would make of them if they abandoned themselves entirely to His hands, and let themselves be formed by His grace.” – St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

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