2011 was a year full of all kinds of stuff. By far, the most exciting and happiest time was getting engaged to Jim in August when I got home from World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain. SO. FREAKING. HAPPY. Other exciting things included a trip to Rome and then Madrid for WYD 2011 in Madrid with the Pope and 2 million other young Catholics. Such a joyful celebration of the beauty and fullness of the Catholic faith.
The year also included some sadness and disappointments. My Gradnpa died on June 2, 2011. He was a man of great faith, love for family, and had a strong work ethic. He lives on through our happy memories together, and I look forward to telling my children someday about the humble greatness of their great grandpa. A disappointment came in not getting what I considered to be the perfect job...but God always has other plans, when things don't go as we want.
I have several hopes for this new year of 2012. First of all, that God would continue to bless Jim and I both emotionally and spiritually as we prepare to become husband and wife on June 22, 2012. One of my resolutions is that we would grow closer in prayer together as a couple...the couple that prays together, stays together :) By reading good spiritual books together, praying the Rosary, and going to Eucharistic Adoration at least twice a week, this will only strengthen the foundation for a holy Christian marriage. One of our deepest connections is our faith we share, and through these specific ways, I hope and pray God will draw us closer together as a couple.
Jim and I have also decided to start our first "official" family tradition. Each new year, we will pick a new family saint for the new year to learn about, study, use as a model in holiness, and strive to live out their virtues and charisms. Being that we are getting married, we are looking at married couples or saints who were married to be our "first official Hubbard family patron saint" for this upcoming year, and are currently searching for our first family patron saint. Holy Spirit, led us to the right holy men/women to draw us closer to Jesus!
I also have two personal hopes for myself. Currently one of the books I am reading is "Weightless: Making Peace with your Body" by Kate Wicker. It is a great book written from a Catholic perspective in how to truly love yourself and your body, no matter your shape or size. Being that I can be very hard on my body, I am going to really strive to use healthy, positive self-talk whenever I am in front of the bathroom mirror. God never makes junk, and I think I need to get better of reminding myself that I am beautiful and rare in the eyes of my King; that I need to love the amazing creation he made in ME! The more I do things like that, I can stop believing lies I told myself about my body.
I am also going to create my daily "spiritual Alamo." That is the spiritual pratices I will commit myself to grow in my personal relationship with Christ. This is something I have been praying about for awhile, and I think it is time to commit to certain things each day that will strenghten my relationship with God.
As you start 2012, may you be filled with a renewed sense of hope and joy!
BRING. IT. ON. 2012 :-)
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