Self-Portrait

My name is Jenny Luetkemeyer, and I am an online student living in Virginia with my husband and six children. I have five daughters and one son, ranging in age from 19 months to almost 16 years. I am planning to graduate from UNCG with a BLS in the spring of 2011, and then I hope to get my Master's Degree and become a Montessori elementary teacher in my children's school.

I enrolled in this course because, as a Roman Catholic, my faith is very important to me, but I sometimes have a difficult time reconciling society's notions about the supernatural with what I personally believe. I am intrigued to explore this subject further, as the occult has always been fascinating to me. I remember playing with a Ouija board and having seances as a kid, but I have since learned from my Church that these mediums are often invitations to the spirit world that can open a person's soul to the darker elements of the supernatural. I must admit, therefore, to some fear and feelings of uncertainty regarding the scary side of the things not of this world. I also heard somewhere that every diocese in the country has its own exorcist, which is a telling and slightly alarming reality for me!

I always enjoy hearing the perspectives of my instructors and of my fellow students, particularly when they are different from my own! The subject matter in this course guarantees conflicting perspectives on spirituality and mysticism. When I hear other people's ideas, it encourages me to look at my own again, and I am always grateful for an opportunity for self-reflection. I am sure that we represent a myriad of positions and backgrounds, and I look forward to the engaging discussions that we are sure to have in this class! Thank you for reading.