In 1990, she graduated from Bowling Green State University of Ohio with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in Music. While she had planned to pursue a career in Music Therapy, God destined her for another vocation. In July 1990, she married her high-school sweetheart, Christopher Francis, and together they began a new life, following Christopher's career as a pilot with the United States Air Force. Music took a secondary place in Julie's life as she gave her time and energy to supporting her husband and bringing new life into the world. Within five years, Julie and her husband had moved six times and were raising two small children. The transient military lifestyle, the distance from home and family, and the frequent separations from her husband, led to deep loneliness. "This, coupled with my growing resentment at having to give up music 'dreams' to be a 'single mom', began to take its toll on our marriage. Christopher was busy excelling at his job, flying much of the time, and hardly took notice of the sad state of our relationship. When we made our third move, to RAF Mildenhall, England, we were just about at the end of our marriage; divorce was the next step." Born and raised Catholic in the Church of the 1970's, Julie faith was formed through CCD and youth groups. Still, something was missing. " While I was living at home, my mother always made certain I attended CCD and Sunday Mass. But when I left home for college, there was no one to be accountable to. So, I didn't go to Mass if I didn't feel like it. In fact, God didn't cross my mind much at all. Instead, I turned my attentions to goals of 'worldly success' - appearances, position, titles, money. And when God's Ways interfered with 'my' ways, I buried Him deep in my heart; so deep that I could no longer see or hear Him. I carried on this way for almost 8 years. Until England." With the end of her marriage so imminently close, Julie became scared. "I was in a state of hopelessness and despair. Yet, something inside was calling out to me. One night, in complete desperation, I literally fell to my knees. In tears, I cried out to a God I had long ago forgotten, yet dared to hope might still be there. I wasn't sure if He knew or even cared about me, but I believed He was the only One who could help me now. In that one instant, with that small seed of faith, my whole life changed." Julie explains , "My heart, which had only moments earlier been a chaotic mess of anger, fear, resentment, and loneliness, suddenly became a place of calm and quiet. I found myself at peace for the first time in years. My tears stopped. I had an unexplainable assurance that everything was going to be okay. I trusted Him with my life that night, and He gave me my life in return." God not only brought peace to Julie's heart, but He began to restore the brokenness of her marriage and the fractured relationships within her family. It was a long road, but through God, Julie and Chris discovered God's Plan for their marriage and family and, with His Grace, their marriage began to heal. From that time on, music was no longer just a source of entertainment for Julie; it became the way she communicated with God. The songs, inspired by the Holy Spirit, were intimate prayers of love, hope and joy to be shared only between her and God, or so she thought. Soon, however, the music began to reach beyond Julie's own heart and touch those around her, like her husband and friends. She discovered there were many broken hearts out there, hearts filled with loneliness, despair, and hurt. "The calling I had heard so many years before to serve others through the gift of music therapy was once again tugging on my heart. Now, however, I heard my calling through ears of faith and realized I was to serve in a different kind of music therapy. And it all became clear to me. God wants me to surrender my dreams so that I am free to live His dreams for me." And so her music ministry began. Julie served as Liturgical Music Minister for nearly two years at the Base Chapel in England, until the Air Force assigned them to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in 1998. For the next four years, Julie continued writing music, having babies, and growing more deeply in love with her husband and her God. "I knew one day I would have to gather up all the songs I had written and record them onto a CD, if only for posterity sake. But I hadn't felt God prompting me to do that, until early 2003. When the doors began to open - all by themselves - I knew it was God telling me the time had come." Encouraged by her husband, she began recording her first CD, "Castilian Roses", in March 2003. With 5 small children at home, 2 of them homechooling, and a husband who was frequently traveling with the Air Force, God made it possible for her to record the CD in less than 9 months. Julie recalls, " Looking back, I almost can't remember how it came together. I just know it did. I discovered I was expecting our sixth child, Joshua, just weeks before finishing production of the CD, which was released December 12, 2003, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe." In addition to sharing her music through CDs, Julie speaks to parishes, weaving her testimony and music into a tapestry of hope, healing and faith. By sharing experiences and the gift of music, Julie seeks to encourage the faithful in their daily lives, promote dignity toward marriage and the family, inspire holiness within the domestic church, and share the Truth of the unconditional love and forgiveness of God with all. " The opportunity to touch people on a very personal, intimate level is priceless. God, through the Holy Spirit, brings me into contact with so many who have had similar experiences, yet thought they were alone. The fact that I'm an ordinary housewife and mother, facing the same challenges of everyday life as the rest of the world, doesn't intimidate people, it encourages them. It gives them hope." Since the release of the CD, her music has touched hearts all over the world, far beyond where Julie could ever have gone on her own. " I am constantly blessed by messages from mothers who find inspiration through my songs; by wives who share my sorrows and joys of married life; by families who are yearning for positive messages of faith and love, and Catholic music they can share together. My greatest prayer is that I may always remain His humble servant, allowing Him to work through me as I honor Him with these most beautiful gifts of marriage, motherhood and musical prayer." Julie, her husband, Christopher, and their six children, currently live in Montgomery, Alabama. Christopher is stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base where he instructs at Air Command and Staff College. Julie is currently assisting with music at their parish of Our Lady Queen of Mercy Catholic Church. She continues to write songs and accepts as many invitations as possible to share her music ministry. .
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