Julian of Norwich

It's amazing how much I learn about God in my classes at the university.  A place where most intellectuals try to shut Him out of. I'm taking a women's literature class right now and we are beginning to read works of literature written by women over 900 years ago.  One of the author's Julian of Norwich was a devoted, in our modernized world many consider her a fanatic, religious figure.  To be honest though, I don't find her works fanatic at all.  They describe her visions of God and it is surprising (and not at the same time) that her descriptions of God are extremely similar to the way God is portrayed in even today's modern churches.  "The Trinity is our maker, the Trinity is our keeper, the Trinity is our everlasting lover, the Trinity is endless joy and our bliss…"  (A quote from Chapter 4 of her book A Book of Showings) Is this not what believers today think of when they think of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?

Sometimes it gives me goosebumps when I get these revelations in my classes.  It's nice to know that God stays near.  He is in our schools, our books, and even in the people around us whether they realize it or not.  It's all about allowing God to open your eyes to his wonderful works.  Letting him reveal to me how he is the same now and he was in the 1300s is a wonderful feeling.

Goodbye 2012 Hello 2013

So 2012 is behind us now and here I am anxious yet nervous for the start of this new year.

2012 had started off badly for me.  The change I sought for in the beginning of last year really wasn't the change I needed in my life but I'm glad I was able to open up my eyes in time to make a turn for the best.  I did end up improving several things though and I'm proud of myself for it.

My marriage has blossomed into something amazing in the last six months and continues to grow healthy and strong.  My military career is evolving everyday.  I received two scholarships last year to help me pay for school.  I am a part of an amazing sisterhood.  My puppies Maya and Hailey celebrated their first birthday and my big puppy celebrated her fifth birthday.  I can't believe how time has flown with them.  

They have been some bad things in 2012 also.  One of my aunts is causing great separation in our family and her two young children suffer from her promiscuous lifestyle.  My family members try to help but she is ungrateful and too prideful to admit she needs help.  It's sad.  My mother's Fibromyalgia condition is getting worse and my little 12 year old cousin has been diagnosed with lupus and is undergoing chemotherapy to treat her symptoms.  

These are some things that have made my heart heavy this past year but I am optimistic for the future.  My older sister will be getting married this year.  My younger sister is going to be 21!  And my parents are still my entire world. Family is the best gift of the year every year and I'm happy to be earning another brother.  =)

  

For 2013, I do have some resolutions I'd like to accomplish but I also have a prayer list too.

Resolutions:

- Keep striving for A's in school

- Score a 300 on the APFT

- Budget my money

- Kick butt at LDAC

- Find a way to surprise my husband somehow

My prayer list:

- Pray that my mom and cousin are healed

- Pray for my aunt to gain focus of her children and not herself

Do you have a prayer list?

Happy New Year everyone.