A political discussion and a dream...

It's amazing to me how our brains work...

First, let me start out with what happened last night...Andy's Dad (a democrat) and Andy ( a conservative) were having a political discussion about voter ID being enforced to vote. It led into several different topics. Andy's Dad happened to mention that all congress was trying to do was overturn things like Roe vs Wade and he won't tell anyone how he feels about that...he just doesn't discuss it. I never batted an eye at what he said. I was rocking Melina and playing with her before bed at the time.

I went to sleep last night, woke up enough to roll over and apparently my brain was processing that information as it was right there in my head...it was then, that I realized...my father-in-law is apparently pro-choice. I've never heard anyone who was pro-life say that they didn't discuss those things or tell anyone how they feel about Roe vs. Wade. Then, I told my husband that all I see congress in battles about now is the battles concerning religion and birth control, abortion, and that type of thing. I haven't heard of overturning roe vs. wade. I don't keep all that much in the loop though as I normally have my hands tied with being hall monitor of the house with behaviors and so forth ensuring safety of all in my house.

Andy said that must have been a brain mechanism that my brain has so that I didn't start yelling at him about pro-life. I told him that I can remember even sitting in high school and the topic of abortion coming up and listening to the kids talk about it in debate and just leaving the classroom in tears. I strongly believe that no matter how a girl finds herself pregnant...it's not that babies fault. If you don't want a baby for whatever reason...give it up for adoption. There are a lot of waiting parents out there who would gladly take a baby.

I just don't understand...I'm not here to debate it. This is obviously my blog and my feelings on the subject and I'm just being open about them. I believe that God tells us that we shall not kill...that baby is alive from the moment of conception. It's not ok to take that life. I don't judge those who have had them in the past...I've had friends that have opened up and told me that they've had one in the past and how sorry they were that they had one. And I think since they are sorry, God forgives them. He loves us and He understands that we're not perfect and that we make mistakes. I wanted to put that out there in case I've had any readers that have had one in the past.

Anyway, back to what I was trying to say. I don't understand how some people can be pro-choice and yet they're against murder. If a parent made up their mind to kill a child that they didn't like or just because they weren't in the right mind...happens all of the time...we all can agree that is wrong. Yet, we say that when a child is still in the womb (not in 3rd trimester) that's ok to do it then. it's the same difference in my eyes. Just because we never got a chance to see that baby being held in it's Momma's arms...or we got to see that baby grow up and see it blossom...that makes it ok to take their life. So, a woman makes the decision to abort their baby 1 day before they hit the 3rd trimester, or a week before...that's ok? Yet, it's not once they reach the 3rd trimester. I don't know...I'm being all over the place now. I guess I just don't understnad and knowing my father-in-law and the type of person that he is, I guess it just surprised me. Granted, he never came out and said it...but he knows that we are pro-life and that most of his family is too and so I can understand why he wouldn't come out and discuss it. I'll end it now.

Lord, I lift up all the Momma's out there who are scared to find out that they are pregnant and don't know what to do. I just pray that they will give their babies the best gift of all...life. And I pray for all those unborn babies out there. I pray that the Momma's who want to go to abortion clincis today, will have a change of heart and that they will realize that they have other options that can give their babies life. Amen.

Quiet Time...

I've gotten away from quiet time for the last probably 3 weeks. It's hard to do when the kids are up at the crack of dawn and wanting to come down right away. Today, my spirit just told me that they needed to stay in their rooms and I needed to give God a few minutes to just pray over my husband, my children, and myself. It felt good to do that again. Things go so much better when I take the time to do that every morning. I need to spend time with God alone so He can speak to my heart. And I'm learning that my kids need to respect that too and that it's ok for me to have that time before they come down and we start our day together.

God speaks...

I really have been struggling with so many things...the kids' behaviors, the no privacy factor with my Mother-in-Law living with us, the kids acting up more when she is around, this thing with my leg, I've been feeling burned out and just down about a lot of things. Andy and I have really become like roommates and I hate it, Deidra's attitude has gotten really horrible, Josiah's been out-of-control with anger and temper tantrums, and this "I don't want to" attitude and everything sets him off...the other day it was not getting a napkin first at the table...him not being first out the door, him not being first on the bus...him not eating something that someone else has...or he thinks someone else has more...him not getting his own way...not wanting to take his pills, not wanting to go to his room...he wears me down. Emma's gotten this horrible mouth on her lately and Tracie has been very disobedient lately as well. I'm just one worn down Mommy. Anyway, I've been praying for so many things this week and I love how God has spoken to me. Sunday, he talked to me about having faith like the mustard seed and he also told me that some things also require more prayer and fasting. I believe he was honestly telling me there to fast for Josiah and that I need to give everything to him in prayer no matter how small or how great...just give Him everything. Monday, He talked to me about always accepting His little children and to have a willing heart. Tuesday, He talked to me about being a good wife and about my marriage and that I needed God's help to be everything that He wanted me to be. I also asked for a huge increase in faith. I also asked God for heart-change for Josiah. Wednesday, I was having more struggles with Josiah in the morning and how he wants to be "first" for everything. God brought me a scripture from Matthew 20 that said "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave--just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life like a ransom for many." So now, we had a talk and I told him that anytime we have a power struggle over being fist, he will get to do something for someone else...more than likely the person that he pushed or hit out of the line or whatever. And I'm hoping this will help to change his heart there too. Thursday, he talked to be about being a house of prayer and if we just believe and have faith, that we will receive. That one truly spoke to me as well. I need to quit being so caught up in everything and just trust that God knows what's going on, He wants us to bring it to Him, and trust that He will take care of it all in His timing and that He will make everything good. This morning, He talked to me about the fact that many are called but few are chosen and that He wants us to love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds and that we are also called to love our neighbors just as we do ourselves. I have a lot to do in my love walk and in my prayer life. But, I love that God is talking to my heart and that I can give all my worries, fears, joy, and my everything to Him, and that He knows what is best for me and my family and He will take care of us. What an awesome God we serve!

My whole heart...

I seem to notice a common theme in my bible studies lately and in my quiet time with the Lord. Everything is about "the heart." He wants me to give my whole heart to the things that I do...God wants my whole heart, my children deserve a whole hearted mom, my husband needs my whole heart as well. He's been talking to me a lot about the heart. I know He is working with me and I want to give my "whole heart." Yet, I know that in order to do that I need to let God fill me each and every day so that I am fulfilled and I have it in me to give.

I need help with my atttitude...

My Mother-in-Law has been living with us since July. It's definitely had it's rough spots, but more than anything, I miss our routines that we had before she moved in when the kids would go to bed and we'd stay up talking and cuddling before we went to bed. It's hard to talk to your husband, when another grown person is always around. Andy said how we never talk about our finances or anything anymore and I said "when would you like me to talk to you about that when your Mom is sitting right here or when she's within earshot in the living room across the room from where we're sitting?" We can't go to our bedroom either as Melina sleeps in there still since my MIL is still rooming with Deidra. It's just been really hard with her here. Andy had a talk with her in January about how their deal was that she was going to move in with us, find a job, and get back on her feet and that she'd be here to help with the kids and the house and whatnot too until she got back on her feet to get her own place. She admitted that she hadn't done what she said that she was going to do and she started looking for work. She got hired right before we left on vacation. I can tell she doesn't want to work. The day she got the phone call she said to me on the stairs "I'm supposed to be being retired." And I could tell that she was upset that she had to back to work. Heck, even a lady at her work told her that it sounded like she just didn't want to work. I think it's obvious to everyone. She worked a lot more than she wanted to while we were gone and they called her to work yesterday and she said "nope, I've got 3 days off, I'm goign to enjoy them." They told her that if she kept refusing work, they'd call her less. She said that was fine. Here's where my attitude problem comes in. She's living here with us because she can't afford her own apartment. How do you increase your income? You work! And yet, she's turning hours down because she doesn't want to have to do it. I told Andy that I can't deal with the kids being home for the summer and her being here on top of it too. He told me that he'd talk to her in April when she quits drawing her husband's social security benefits and starts taking her own. I told him that I really don't want this to strain our relationship with her, but I just don't understand why she didn't listen to what he told her before and start getting the ball rolling on what she needed to do. I see how the kids act up more when she's around and it creates a whole lot more stress for me as well and it's just time that she needs to find her own place. I can feel myself getting resentful as well. We've been talking in counseling about her as well and the Dr. has helped us work through all this as well. She told Andy that the kids wouldn't heal from their RAD when they were seeing another adult in the home acting like she is too. Andy knows it's time, he feels caught in the middle, but more than that he hates that his Mom causes this stuff at her age. I'm sure he gets tired of listening to me complain as well, but the week we were in FL, a lot was revealed to me. I'm not saying that we didn't have some behavior problems out of the kids while we were gone as I don't expect them to be perfect, but it made me see more of the extreme that it takes when they are around his Mom and they have her for an audience. I've known that to be the case, but I didn't realize how bad it has gotten lately with being in the middle of it all the time. I don't know, I need help to hang on Lord and I pray that the Holy Spirit will help Andy when it's time to talk with her again to know what to say and how to say it and I just pray that our relationship won't be strained with her at all.

Lord, please turn this day around...

I understand some of the behaviors my children have...but some days it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. I understand that the kids are ready to go back to school and each day as we get a little closer I think I too am ready for them to go back. Holy Spirit, please give me your strength to handle the things that come my way today. I hate having to get after my children so many times and realizing it's only 7:45 in the morning. I'm so tired of them screaming and yelling and picking at one another, having the 6 year old thinking that she needs to take care of the baby or that she can do it better than I can, I try to keep them occupied, but it seems like they just want to bicker and argue with one another or be mouthy with me. I know the Emily more than likely had times when she was expected to take care of Tracie or their birth brother, J. I understand that and I know that's probably where that comes from. I just keep trying to reiterate to her that I am the Mommy and that I can take care of Melina. This morning, Melina woke up at 5:30 and so she was up and I had fed her and the girls got up at 7. I got them their cereal and instead of Emily sitting and eating, she kept trying to get up and getting stuff for Melina and shoving it in front of her face. I kept trying to tell her that Melina had already been taken care of and yet she kept doing it...she was getting pieces of cereal and trying to feed her even when Melina didn't want it. Finally, I got aggravated and I yelled at her to go sit down that I was Mommy and I can take care of Melina. I needed her to listen to me and go focus on what she was supposed to be doing...eating her breakfast. All day long, her and Tracie are constantly trying to pick her up, shove toys at her, wrap her in blankets, and so forth. We keep telling them that Melina can pick what she wants to play with on her own, she can walk around and do what she wants, we tell her no no for the things that she can't touch and she goes about her way. She needs to learn to make her own choices and she is plenty old enough to do it. They can't seem to get that when she's screaming at them to put her down and whatnot, she wants to be left alone. I am glad that they want to help with her and that they love her so much and she loves them too. I just wish that they could understand that she is big enough to start doing some of this stuff on her own.

I will say that I am learning SO much about attachment in reading and through having Melina. I see the things that come naturally with Melina..some of it is hard to put into words. And I see the things that the others struggle with...I get angry at their birthparents sometimes for not investing in them more so that they wouldn't be struggling with things...things that they're not aware of or that I learn as we go along. I love all of my children so much and just want what is best for them. I know that they take those frustrations that they had at their birthparents and take them out on me as I am their primary caregiver. I try to be strong enough to take all of that. It's hard sometimes, but I know the best thing that I can do is to keep praying for them and trusting God that He knows what is best and that He will turn it all into something good. I am thankful for my children. I want to be the best Mommy that I can be to them. I just ask for your strength and patience and a daily renewal of your fruits, Abba. Thank you for all of your blessings. Amen.

Novena to the Holy Spirit Day Nine

Ninth Day:
The gifts of the Holy Spirit that we've been praying for over the past seven days are supernatural graces. As we cooperate with those graces by performing acts of virtue, we grow in the Fruitsof the Holy Spirit, which reinforce our desire to do good.

Verse for the Ninth Day:
Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee Adore,
in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend;
Give Them Comfort when they die;
Give them Life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.

Meditation for the Ninth Day--"The Fruits of the Holy Spirit":
The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to pract them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.

Prayer for the Ninth Day:
Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but, by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration, may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be (seven times), Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 8

Eighth Day:
Our prayer, verse, and meditation for the eighth day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit focus on wisdom, "the most perfect of the gifts" of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom shows that the Christian Faith involves the head as much as the heart, and reason as much as the will.

Verse for the Eighth Day:
Bend the stubborn heart and will,
melt the frozen, warm the chill.
Guide the steps that go astray!

Meditation for the Eighth Day--"The Gift of Wisdom":
Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues. Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom, it is written "all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Savior: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light."

Prayers for the Eighth Day:
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power, and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attacin them and possess them for ever. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be (seven times), Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 7

Seventh Day

"Counsel" our meditation for the seventh day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit tells us "is supernatural common sense." With this gift of the Holy Spirit, we can translate our faith into action in evertyhing that we do.

Verse for the Seventh Day:
Heal our wounds--our strength renew,
On our dryness pour Thy dew,
Wash the stains of guilt away.

Meditation for the Seventh Day--"The Gift of Counsel":
The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must be done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."

Prayers for the Seventh Day:
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life with which I long.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be (seven times), Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 6

Sixth Day:
On hte sixth day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, our prayer, verse, and meditation focus on the gift of understanding, which helps us to grasp the meaning of the revealed truthfs of Christianity and to live our lives in accordance with those truths.

Verse for the Sixth Day:
If Thou take Thy grace away,
nothing pure in man will stay,
All his good is turn'd to ill.

Meditation for the Sixth Day--"The Gift of Understanding":
Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion. By faith we know them, but by Understanding, we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Prayers for the Sixth Day:
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and, in the light of glory, to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be (seven times), Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Ghost

Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 5

Fifth Day:
On the fifth day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, we ask for the gift of knowledge, so that we may truly understand that the world is ordered toward God and we may be able to perceive His will for us.

Verse for the Fifth Day:
Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill!

Meditation for the Fifth Day--"The Gift of Knowledge:"
The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that pssesseth it."

Prayers for the Fifth Day:
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (seven times), Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 4

Fourth Day:
"Courage" is often used as another name for fortitude, but, as we can see in the verse, prayer, and meditation for the fourth day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, fortitude is more than courage: It is also the strength to do what is necessary to live a holy life.

Verse for the Fourth Day:
Thou in toil art comfort sweet,
Pleasant coolness in the heat,
solace in the midst of woe.

Meditation for the Fourth Day--"The Gift of Fortitude":
By the gift of Fortitude, the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to undertake without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martydom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved."

Prayers for the Fourth Day:
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (seven times), Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 3

Third Day

Piety, the gift of the Holy Spirit for which we pray on this third day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, is submission to all rightful authority (including respect for our ancestors) that flows from love of God.

Verse for the Third Day:
Thou, of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.

Meditation for the Third Day--"The Gift of Piety":
The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect, for His sake, persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Prayers for the Third Day:
Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (seven times), Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit, Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit--Day 2

For the second day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit, the prayer, verse, and meditation remind us that the fear of the Lord, the first of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, is the beginning of wisdom.

Verse for the Second Day:
Come, Father of the poor.
Come treasures which endure
Come, Light of all that live!

Meditation for the Second Day--"The Gift of Fear":
The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."

Prayers for the Second Day:
Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever; help me to shun all things that can offend You; and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God, world without end. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be (seven times)

Act of Consecration to the Holy Spirit:
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul, and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light and listen to Your voice and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion, to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to You always everywhere, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant heareth." Amen.

Day 1 of the Novena to the Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit, divine Consoler, I adore You as my true God, with God the Father and God the Son. I adore You and unite myself to the adoration You receive from the angels and saints. I give You my heart and I offer my ardent thanksgiving for all the grace which You never cease to bestow on me. O Giver of all supernatural gifts, who filled the soul of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with such immense favors, I beg You to visit me with Your grace and Your love and to grant me the gift of holy fear, so that it may act on me as a check to prevent me from falling back into my past sins, for which I beg pardon. Grant me the gift of piety, so that I may serve You for the future with increased fervor, follow with more promptness Your holy inspirations, and observe your divine precepts with greater fidelity. Grant me the gift of knowledge, so that I may know the things of God and, enlightened by Your holy teaching, may walk, without deviation, in the path of eternal salvation. Grant me the gift of fortitude, so that I may overcome courageously all the assaults of the devil, and all the dangers of this world which threaten the salvation of my soul. Grant me the gift of counsel, so that I may choose what is more conducive to my spiritual advancement and may discover the wiles and snares of the tempter. Grant me the gift of understanding, so that I may apprehend the divine mysteries and by contemplation of heavenly things detach my thoughts and affections from the vain things of this miserable world. Grant me the gift of wisdom, so that I may rightly direct all my actions, referring them to God as my last end; so that, having loved Him and served Him in this life, I may have the happiness of possessing Him eternally in the next. Amen.

First Day:
The prayer, verse, and mediation for the first day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit remind us that we need the grace of the Holy Spirit in our souls to live our lives as Christians. Today, we prepare ourselves to ask for each of the gifts of the Holy Spirit over the next seven days.

Verse for the First Day:
Holy Spirit! Lord of Light!
From Your clear celestial height,
Your pure beaming radiance give!

Meditation for the First Day--"The Holy Spirit":
Only one thing is important--eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared--sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts, He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our slvation, we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us."

Prayers for the First Day:
Almight and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be (Seven times)

Starting a novena to the Holy Spirit

I was watching EWTN last week sicne we were unable to go to Church last week. The priest on tv that is out of Our Lady of the Angels had said that in preparation of celebrating the Ascension that we should pray a novena to the Holy Spirit from June 4-12. He called us to not only pray that the Holy Spirit works in our own life in a very special way, but that He also works in our church in 3 special ways...more Divine and Biblical teachings, pure and chaste clergy and laity, and that everyone in the church lives out their vocations according to God's will. So, I will pray that for our parish at St. Joseph's too.

Blessings

Things are going so much better lately. We are still doing the time-ins, but one thing we started doing in addition to our daily devotion each morning is that I've started to go around to each child and ask them for something that they want to ask God for help with. I pray with and over each child and cover them in prayer and I am finding that with God's graces the days are going a little easier. We still have our trials and hard days, but I find that God is giving us help with them and it's getting us all through easier. All in the glory of God!

Contemplating

Thank you, God, for the beautiful gift of Jesus. Thank you, Mary, for saying yes to God's will. I've sat holding Melina quite a bit this season just looking at her and wondering what Mary must have gone through and how scared she must have been to not have been married and to be asked to be Jesus' mother...yet she still said yes to God's will. I wonder what it must have been like to give birth in a barn with Joseph and the animals and to hold Jesus in your arms...just knowing that He was God's son. I've sat with tears rolling down my face contemplating all that while looking at Melina and holding her in my arms while rocking her. So, thank you, Dear Mother, for saying yes to God's will. Please help me to be the best mother than I can be to my children as you were to Jesus. I know that I will never be the perfect mother, but I will do the best that I can by my children with God's continual graces and all of your prayers for our family.

Lent

Today marks the start of Lent with Ash Wednesday. I decided against giving something up...instead I'm going to focus on my prayer life. I want to spend more time in prayer over the next 40 days. Going to try to stick to doing a daily devotional with the kids and trying to get in a rosary every day along with praying more about things than trying to figure it out on my own.

Salvation

Lord, I pray for the salvation of my children, Deidra, Josiah, Emma, Tracie, and even Melina...as the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it." ~ Isaiah 45:8

I pray that they always will have a love and desire to know You, serve You, and to love You.