The last 3 of my classes have been about violence. Needless to say, I have been thinking a lot about violence. Why are people violent? How could anyone hurt another human being like that? I think I have been extremely blessed because I have never experienced any physical violence towards me. But I don't want to be ignorant of what is going on around me. There is a lot of violence occuring against women (not to understate the violence that is happening against men!), and I wish there was something I can do. It hurts my heart to see pictures like this.

I discovered that:

*"One in three women in the world has been beaten, raped, coerced into sex or has been physically abused."

*"130 million young girls have undergone Female Genital Mutilation, mostly in Africa. Another 2 million are at risk every year."(www.thp.org/women/nov25.htm)

I can't even comprehend what it must be like to be violated in such brutal ways. I think it would be very difficult to forgive those committing the violence. And yet, I think that I am violent towards people in other ways. I judge people in my heart. I hurt people with untactful words. I wish I could do something.

"Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love." Lamentations 3:32

Tea Time

Well, it is the third of November today, which means that this semester is more than half finished. Wow!! I am hoping to get all my classes registered today. I think I have decided that I am NOT going to take 7 classes, because I would like to survive the year mentally healthy. I am reading a very good book right now called, "The Search for Intimacy." Such a wonderful book!! I am on my way to finish a book, and write a paper! Oh, Lord sustain me through this paper-writing desert. I am feeling very unmotivated and just in need of a rest. Why does it seem as though everyone else has time to do everything but homework, whereas I feel as though I will never be finished?? I'm sure in reality there are many people who are even more overloaded with work than I will ever be, and in a way it is relieving to remember that I am not so bad off! All I want to do tonight, is to sit wrapped up in a quilt on my bed with a good book and a hot cup of tea, and music playing in the background. Ahhhhhhh...My ideal evening that doesn't ever seem to be happening these days. It is hard to find joy in these long paper writing evenings!