~Congratulations to the Class of 2017~

Hello dear friends!!  I wanted to share with you one of my most recent adventures.  My family and I traveled up to the Mother of Divine Grace School office and Thomas Aquinas College for the first ever MODG graduation ceremony!!!  

My family has been using Mother of Divine Grace for 9 years as our homeschool curriculum and this year was the first year MODG actually held an official graduation ceremony!  I was so excited to be able to participate in this monumental event!

I got my new Meant to be Modest Swimwear just in time for this trip!  It's so comfortable and fun. 

Before the festivities started, we were able to take a couple quick trips to the beach.  I loved spending time there with my family and just enjoy the peace and beauty.

"This way to Ojai, for the Class of 2017!!!" 😃

My nerves were beginning to build and catch up with me as we drove through the small town of Santa Paula.  We accidentally took the long scenic drive though the switch-backs of the Los Padres National Forest.  I'm not quite sure whether it was nervous and excited butterflies in my stomach or car sickness from the very windy roads that made me feel qualmish.  😐

😮That's for me!!😮

Our first stop was at the MODG office for a meet & greet and tour!!!  It was so great to finally meet the teachers and staff I've only known through online classes!  I also got to meet and mingle with fellow graduates!!!  I was sooo excited to meet some of my dearest friends and classmates.

Dominique, Paul, Paula, and myself at the office

The beautiful chapel and bell tower at TAC

Next stop was Thomas Aquinas College campus for a tour, soirée, and dance!  It was my first time to the college that I've heard and read so much about.  I've always wanted to come visit and have thought very much about attending.  It was an absolutely amazing experience to finally be there!!!

Oh, look! Our Lady, Mother of Divine Grace!!! 🎔💕

Outside the Chapel with TAC staff and MODG celebrity (PR & Marketing Coordinator), Chris!

Ok, I don't mean to fan-girl here, but it was sooo exciting, amazing, and completely awesome to finally meet Mr. Chris Sebastian of MODG school!!!!  I've heard of him and known him for years starting with the school's online discussion forum, meeting twice a week for the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet, and through the school's social media.  Finally meeting him in person was absolutely awesome!!!  Thanks Chris for all you do for MODG and us crazy students.

On with the tour!

One of the Residence Hall Commons

St. Bernardine of Sienna Library Stacks

The Commons from the walkway

Inside The Chapel

This was my favorite part of the tour.  As you walk out of the back doors of the Chapel, there is a stunning statue of Mary, holding the Christ child out to you with the inscription below, 

"Quodcumque Dixerit Vobis Facite" 

"Do Whatever He Tells You."

We'll come back to the significance of this quote in a little bit.  😉

Moving on!!

We had a great social event with many of the students, their families, and MODG staff.  I couldn't believe I was finally among so many other friends and students who had done MODG.  It was truly a great night.  It was also my first time dancing.  Thank you to all my partners who put up with my stumbling around the dance floor.

Chatting outside St. Glady's Hall with new friends

Swing dancing is oh-so-much fun!!

Virginia Reel, anybody?!  I felt like it was strait out of Pride & Prejudice!

More swing dancing with great friends.

"My eyes and my heart will remain here forever." ~2 Chron. 7:16

The first day of friends and fun ended wonderfully with this view of the Chapel all lit up at night.

Next morning was the big day!!  I got all dressed and ready to go GRADUATE!!

Preparing with friends to finally graduate!!!

The anticipation was mounting as we waited to process in!

I officially graduated MODG class of 2017!!!!

Remember the quote above the back door of the Chapel?

"Do Whatever He Tells You."

Well, this seemed very special to me the moment that I saw it.  This quote comes from the story at the wedding feast in Canna.  Mary, Jesus' mother, pointed out that the wine had run out.  Jesus told His mother that it wasn't yet time for Him to manifest Himself and perform His first miracle, but still, He did because He cannot refuse His mother anything.  She interceded on behalf of the bride and groom to Him. She told the servants at the wedding feast at Canna to do whatever Jesus told them to.  And so, Jesus turned water into wine.

The reason that I found this quote so meaningful, most especially as I processed out after having graduated high school, was that I felt Mary telling each and every one of us to "Do whatever He tells you."  If we try to follow whatever Jesus tells us to do with Mary's help,  He will work great wonders in our lives and the lives of others.

We're done!!!  Love you girls!  💖

(Just for fun, I'd like to caption this one above with emojis!)

I cannot tell you how awesome it was to graduate from a real school with 50 other classmates.  We came from all over the country, and the world, to celebrate and graduate.  And not one of us was unsocialized.  It was so great to connect with other students and Catholics who've gone through the same program as you.  I was so blessed to be able to finally meet so many friends and make even more new friends!!

Congratulations to the Mother of Divine Grace Class of 2017!!!!!!