Blog# 11God's goodness & human suffering

Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life. ~Albert Einstein

A full stomach after a delicious BBQ and the happiest night while it lasted. As all of my family gathered to watch the many colors up in the sky , little did we know we would receive such a phone call. It was the 4th of July 2 000, my grandma(mothers mom) past away. My family and I paused as we heard her constantly say "WHAT? no, how? dont tell me?". My mom had tears in her eyes and looked very desperate. She did not let my aunt finish talking to her, she rudely said, I have to go. It took my mom a while to share what news she had received. My mom felt useless and helpless. My grandma lived in Puerto Rico and my mom felt lime if she could die. She said that it was just yesterday she spoke to her. My grandma died in sucha peaceful and happy moment. My grandma was hungry and asked for Puerto Rican Rice with an egg sunny side up. Her favorite meal of the morning. She was just about to leave from the hospital, right after she ate. After my grandma finished eating she said she wanted to rest for 5 minutes. My aunts said it was fine that they would wake up when it was time. When my grandma closed her eyes, my aunts were talking to her. They did not realize she had passed away until a while.

In my point of view, I believe that every one is destined to leave. Yes! it is very painful, I can only imagine. But, I think that because this loss did not effect me as much only my mom, I don't know how it really feels. I don't feel angry at God, I believe that God is good. If one day he takes away someone I love and care about, the only thing I can do is believe that eventually we will all meet again in a wonderful place called heaven. I do not think it ends here. I don't feel angry, God has something very special for each of us and one day we will see but for now, we must keep faith and belief.

I think that God allows us to suffer this loss because, just how our loved one was here on earth God was to. This is to make us closer to God and to know that our loved one is watching over us. To make us realize that there is a place awaiting for us and that is where they are.

Blog# 10 Image Of God

What it means to say that humans are made in the "image of God" is, to be able to receive all of God's gifts with open hands, to "share" or "reflect" God's gifts with the world and to help others receive the gifts from God.

When humans "sin" this means that they have refused to receive and accept God's gifts.

My top three gifts of goodness that I have received from God

1) A College education and opportunity

2) My Best Friend and Friends

3) A close relationship with my mother

Blog# 9 Metaphors for God

What it means to say that God is like an overflowing fountain is that, as the water overflows it gives life. God is the creator of all creations and brings the betterness to the world. The over-flowing of the mountain is beneficial and taking. The life-giving sun gives energy and warmth.

A metaphor that I have came up with is " God is wind ".

My metaphor means God is what keeps us alive no matter how strong the wind may be. When I say "no matter how strong it is" this refers to no matter how tough life may be.
The wind describes the air we breath, the need of him, and the freshness to feel fresh from a new start. God is the coil of life; the twists and twirls of our blustery experiences. God is invisible but felt in our hearts and spirits.

My Metaphor does capture the point of him not being seen, the need of him, the gift or being able to start over in ones life, felt through our hearts and spirits or else belief would not exist.

Blog# 7 Leslie Lemke Film

Leslie Lemke's Johari window changed over the course of his life in many ways. His Blind and Unknown self expanded while he overcame his illness that many doubted. His Unknown side was discovered when he can walk on his own. A Blind spot is the talent he had for music, when his mother practiced with him. As Leslie grew up and with his mothers help, he improved dramastically and kept improving.

I may relate myself to Leslie in a way that, I dont know my own talent until that person pushes me and makes me do it so that I may be the judge of it. With the courage of family and friends, they see deep inside me and notice my potential. I am not like leslie because, I am able to take action on my own. I do not have a disability that make things harder for me to accomplish.

Blog # 6 Autonomy & Interdependence

Autonomy
This is an ability to shape our own life and actions by being interdependent with others.

Independence
Relying on ONLY yourself

Dependence
Relying on ONLY others

Interdependence
This is a balance of dependence and interdependence.

After doing the interdependence scale worksheet, I do agree with my rating of a 15. I am independent but in the middle of being independent and interdependent. I seem to strive that independence but fall back to others for advice and guidance.
5 goals to help me

1. Become a little more open to others for help.
2. Distinguish my people to go to.
3. Try to do the best I can.
4. Being there for other people.
5. Getting that confidence to say whatever with my friends.

Blog # 5 Preference on Musical Prayer

Friendship
Love
Identity

Blog # 4 Johari

The Sense of Identity are qualities of what make us up. They are our personality traits our weaknesses, strengths, interests, our values, beliefs and the little things in us that make us unique.

Public Area
I am very giving.
I am truthful.
I am a great "go to" for advice.
I am very caring.
I am very curious.
I am a good friend.
I am a very responsible daughter.
I am a loving person.
I am VERY easy to get along with.
I am VERY sarcastic.
I am very outgoing.
I am SOMETIMES shy.
I am a hard worker in everything I do
I am very adventurous
I am myself at ALL times.

Private Area
I believe the one challenge I have that is considered my Private area is my emotions and experiences. I find it very hard to talk to someone about a problem or things over all that happen. I find myself instead of caring not caring and becoming stubborn to talk about things that bother me. I dis-like the fact that when I see a distant between me and someone, I don't do anything until the minute we are apart.
I can make this feeling a friend by opening up little by little and accepting the fact of becoming a little more open and not having fear of someone else's perspective and side.

Blind Area
Over the past year I have learned good things about myself because someone told it to me.
Over the past year I have learned about hurtful actions I had done because someone told it to me.
Over the past year I have learned the good words of wisdom I said because someone told it to me.
Over the past year I have learned that I made a difference when doubt was thought of because someone told it to me.
Over the past year I have learned that one thing that makes me Alexis because someone has told it to me.

Unknown Area
I want to learn how to become more open.
I want to learn how to avoid my fears.
I want to learn how to believe in myself.
I want to learn how to make a difference on others.
I want to learn more of my strengths.
I want to learn how to overcome my weaknesses.
I want to learn how to influence others in a positive manner.
I want to learn how to be stronger with my experiences.
I want to learn how to accept people a little more.
I want to learn how to not care what others may think.