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My Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

Today is Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

It’s truly the end of an era (the second Elizabethan era to be exact) and a historic moment.

Regardless of your thoughts about the monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II was truly a living legend.

I’d like to take a moment to give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7 NIV).

She reigned for a staggering 70 years … She was the longest-serving British monarch. She met 13 U.S. Presidents and has been served by 15 British prime ministers.

All politics aside, I’ve been struck by so many of the images these last few days and by the tributes from those who knew and loved her.

At a petite 5’3” in height, she was a giant at heart and a formidable force on the world’s stage.

There are many thoughts I could share, but I’d like to share a list of some of the incredible words that I’ve heard people use to describe her during recent TV interviews and past documentaries.

I share these not to exalt the late Queen (of course, not even the late Queen was perfect), but as inspiration especially for those who are called to leadership and public ministry and service.

The words are in alphabetical order. I’ve bolded the words that were mentioned two or more times.

30 of the Qualities/Attributes that People Admired Queen Elizabeth II for are her:

  1. Commitment
  2. Confidence
  3. Courage
  4. Decency
  5. Decorum
  6. Dedication
  7. Deep faith
  8. Determination
  9. Devotion to duty
  10. Dignity
  11. Diplomatic deft
  12. Duty
  13. Fortitude
  14. Grace
  15. Graceful service
  16. Humor
  17. Inner Strength
  18. Intellect
  19. Kindness
  20. Leadership
  21. Loyalty
  22. Modesty
  23. Sacrifice
  24. Selflessness
  25. Selfless public service
  26. Soft Power
  27. Stability
  28. Strength
  29. Stoicism
  30. Wisdom

How People Described Queen Elizabeth II:

  • Prime Minster Winston Churchill said the Queen showed an “air of authority” when she was just 2 years old.
  • One of her granddaughters said her grandmother taught her to stand up and be strong.

Others Noted Queen Elizabeth II:

  • Had a deep faith, which was the anchor in her life
  • Had a lovely smile and a twinkle in her eye
  • Was steady
  • Was tiny in stature, but had an enormous impact around the world

These are all such lovely and noble qualities for any leader to be remembered by.

May it be said of us that we lived and lead with similar qualities.

Some Indelible and Poignant Moments for Me so Far:

  • The Queen’s children standing vigil by their late mother’s casket, especially in Scotland, was touching
  • The proclamations announcing the new king was historic
  • The somber music in the processional from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey was haunting
  • Hearing that some people waited in line for four days to be some of the first to pay their respects to the Queen while she was lying in state at Westminster Hall was amazing

At her coronation, Queen Elizabeth II bowed before the Lord recognizing that He has ultimate power and authority. That was powerful to watch all these years later.

Yes, even Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16 NIV)

And yes, we are a royal priesthood (Romans 8:17 NIV) and the daughters and sons of the King and co-heirs with Christ (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

Glory!

I leave you with this snapshot (below) of my visit to London during my Epic European Adventure.

I kinda got the royal treatment when I arrived in London lol … I share about that and much more in By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad (Available on Amazon).

I had a lovely time in London.

These pics were taken outside of Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Parliament and their Olympic stadium.

I’m not really a tea person, but I’ll be raising a cup of tea in honor of the Queen as I watch her funeral in a few hours.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Are You Growing in Your Faith?

5 Lessons from the Grapes

“Are You Growing?”

My late Senior Pastor used to love asking the congregation that question.

Pastor J knew and stressed the importance of growing and maturing in the Lord (and in different areas of our life). He emphasized that God wanted His children to grow and mature just like earthly parents expect their kids to grow and mature and develop.

How do we grow in our faith?

Some key ways are by consistently spending time reading the Bible and praying and worshipping and fellowshipping with other believers.

It’s that simple and yet that challenging …

If you’re one of my faithful Readers, you probably already know that God likes to show me things through nature.

I’m sharing the above pics of grapes because these pics speak volumes to me.

I took the pics on three separate occasions earlier this year to document the growth process.

The grapes show some truths about growth:

  • Growth takes time.
  • Growth happens in stages or seasons.
  • Growth happens as we stay connected to the vine.
  • Growth can be painful, but pruning is a necessary part of the process.
  • Growth happens on God’s timetable. We can’t rush the process.

The grapes didn’t grow overnight.

Neither do we.

Are you growing in your faith?

Or are you feeling stuck or stagnant?

Are you staying connected to the True Vine?

Consider what Jesus says about abiding in Him. These are some of my favorite Bible verses:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8 NIV)

If you’re looking to grow in your faith, here are a few ways I can help:

Empowering Online Class for Ladies: Don’t miss the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith over Fear course that starts next Tuesday evening on September 13. Learn more here.

Personalized Life Coaching: I’d be delighted to help you grow and go from feeling:

  • frazzled to focused
  • frustrated to fruitful
  • fearful to fierce

Learn more about Christian Life Coaching here.

Inspiring Books Be encouraged and inspired as you walk by faith, prepare for your breakthrough and dare to live your God-given dreams. Abounding Faith FIVE Christian living books empower and equip you to stand firm in your faith.

Uplifting email: Sign up for Abounding Faith’s FREE email list and get a dose of inspiration delivered right to your inbox. When you sign up, you get immediate access to the FREE 5-day Feisty Faith Devotional Sampler PDF. The sampler gives you a taste of the inspiring and empowering 365-day devotional, Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day devotional (available on Amazon). Looking forward to sending you uplifting emails on Monday afternoons with info about my latest encouraging blog posts, upcoming books and other projects or events.

Encouraging Social Media: I’d love for you to be part of Abounding Faith’s online community. Abounding Faith is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Be encouraged as you scroll throughout the week.

Edifying Podcast: The uplifting Abounding Faith for Today podcast has 40 short and encouraging episodes that will help bolster your faith. You can listen to the Abounding Faith for Today podcast wherever you listen to podcasts including:

Inspirational YouTube Channel: There are 155 encouraging and uplifting videos on Abounding Faith’s YouTube channel that will inspire you and help spur on your faith. The short videos are shot near and far (including during past short-term missions trips, vacations, around NYC and trips to my bday castle…). Check them out and be sure to subscribe, like, comment and share the site with others.

Let’s grow and flourish together this year!

And may your faith be fueled, your hope ignited and your heart set ablaze with the love of God!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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5 Ways to Show Your Support for Abounding Faith

I hope and pray Abounding Faith’s content is inspiring and encouraging you as you walk by faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams.

As you may know, Abounding Faith has tons of uplifting and empowering written, video and audio content available for FREE including the:

If Abounding Faith is helping you grow in your faith and love for God, wonderful! I hope you’ll like, comment, share, and subscribe wherever you’re reading, watching, listening or following Abounding Faith.

And I’d love to hear your feedback. Feel free to leave a comment here or on social media.

If you’re looking for ways to show your support for this Christian Latina Author, Creative & Communicator, I would appreciate your prayers and for you to prayerfully considering the following ideas:

1 Grab copies of Abounding Faith’s FIVE inspiring and encouraging Christian living books and devotionals on Amazon for you and your friends, small group, local nonprofits or libraries, etc… and leave kind ratings and reviews to let others know about these uplifting Bible-based books.

Positive Amazon reviews help encourage others to buy these edifying books.

And your purchases make a huge difference in the book publishing world. If you’d like to see more authors of color, especially in Christian publishing, it’s vital to support those of us already writing Christian books.

Note: Amazon Prime Day is July 12-13.

2. Find Abounding Faith on social media and like, follow and comment on posts. I’d love for you to be part of Abounding Faith’s online community. Abounding Faith is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Your follows, likes, comments and shares are greatly appreciated and make more of a difference than you realize.

Looking forward to getting to encourage you as you scroll throughout the week.

3. Sign up for Abounding Faith’s FREE email list. If you’re looking to grow in your faith and would like a dose of inspiration delivered right to your inbox, I invite you to sign up to get my weekly emails.

When you sign up, you get immediate access to the FREE 5-day Feisty Faith Devotional Sampler PDF. The sampler gives you a taste of the inspiring and empowering 365-day devotional, Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day devotional (available on Amazon).

I look forward to sending you uplifting emails on Monday afternoons with info about my latest encouraging blog posts, upcoming books and other projects or events.

4. Buy this writer and creative a virtual coffee (or too or three). I appreciate your generous support as I live out God’s call on my life in this season and continue to create content that encourages, empowers and inspires people of diverse backgrounds, ages and life stages who live near and far.

5. Join Abounding Faith’s Dream Team! Let’s SHINE together and continue inspiring women and men, young and older and those of diverse backgrounds to grow in their faith and love for God.

You can learn more about all the benefits that come with joining Abounding Faith’s Dream Team on Abounding Faith’s Patreon page.

No matter where you are on your faith journey, I hope Abounding Faith’s inspiring written, audio and video content is helping you as you travel from your wilderness into your Promised Land.

Blessings as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams!

May the rest of the year be the best of our year!

Let’s SOAR together in 2022 and beyond!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Be Encouraged and Inspired by Abounding Faith as You Walk by Faith, Hope and Love

People are hurting and need hope and encouragement. Abounding Faith is here to edify, encourage, empower and inspire you as you walk by faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams!

Be sure to check out Abounding Faith’s uplifting content including:

If you’re being blessed by Abounding Faith’s content, I’d love to know.! Please like, follow, share, leave a kind rating and review and feel free to leave a comment here or DM me on Instagram with your feedback.

I appreciate your prayers and support as I continue to walk by faith, hope and love and dare to live my God-given dreams!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Mid-Year Check-In

By God’s Grace, we’ve made it to the middle of 2022!

Now that it’s June, it’s a good time to stop and take stock of how this year’s been going.

Since there’s been lots of heartbreaking events going on in the world, it’s important to give ourselves time to process and grieve collectively and individually and to remember to watch and pray so we don’t get overwhelmed by everything going on around us.

It’s also important to reflect on the first half of the year and count our blessings as we head into the summer and gear up for the second half of 2022.

On my end, I’ve been blessed to:

  • Be working on some exciting writing projects and hope to have great news to share with you soon, including about Book 6 so stay tuned.
  • I’ve also been honored to teach some lovely women in my online classes through the New York School of the Bible. It’s always a delight to teach my students and surreal when I get to teach classes based on my books.
  • I also produced and hosted my 40th episode of the Abounding Faith for Today podcast. I hope you’ll check out the short and inspiring episodes wherever you listen to podcasts.
  • I also continue encouraging a lovely group of Christian women entrepreneurs during monthly online devotionals based on my Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 365-day devotional.

That’s just a glimpse of some of my year so far. I appreciate your continued prayers and support as I live out God’s call on my life in this season.

People are hurting. My hope is that my books, podcast, YouTube videos, blog and social media posts help to edify and encourage and inspire and empower you as you walk by faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams. If so, I’d love to know!

What about YOU?

How’s your year going?

Is it going as you expected?

I hope it’s been filled with more highs than lows.

Have you reached some of the goals you set out to accomplish at the start of the year?

If so, wonderful!

If not, no worries. There’s still time.

If you’re feeling stuck or feeling frustrated, I’d be delighted to help you.

You don’t have to go it all alone.

You can experience breakthrough and go from feeling frazzled to focused, frustrated to fruitful and fearful to fierce.

As your Life Coach, I’d be honored to prayerfully help you gain the clarity, confidence and courage to say yes to God’s call on your life.

I can prayerfully help you:

  • Discover your God-given gifts
  • Develop your unique giftings and skill set
  • Dare to live your God-given dreams

Let’s SOAR together this year!

Blessings to you on the second half of 2022.

Be fierce. Be faithful. Be fruitful. Be who God is calling you to be!

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

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Happy New Year & My “One Word” for 2022

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13 NIV)

Happy and Blessed New Year to You and Yours!

I pray this year will be filled with grace upon grace and favor upon favor! I pray you will experience God’s love in a deeper and more profound way and that you will sense God’s Miraculous and Lovely presence all throughout your days!

It’s nice to turn the page and start a brand-new year.

My “One Word” for 2022 is ABIDE!

It’s by abiding in Christ’s love that we can draw the strength, grace and courage we need to live by faith day by day.

As we abide in Christ, we’ll become more like Him and that’s the most important transformation and breakthrough we can experience in our lives.

So as we face challenges this year (and beyond), let’s remember to ABIDE:

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 KJV)

And as we dare to live our God-given dreams, let’s remember to ABIDE:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” (John 15:4 KJV)

Let’s remember, we’re meant to SOAR!

Abounding Faith is here to spur you on in your faith!

If you feel God calling you to step out in faith in 2022, I’d be delighted to help you on your journey to experiencing your breakthrough and living your God-given dreams.

Here are three ways I can support you on your journey:

  • Abounding Faith’s FIVE Christian living books and devotionals have Bible verses, insights and practical tips to encourage and inspire you as you walk by faith. You can find these uplifting books on Amazon.
  • If you’d like help discerning God’s call on your life, the “Discovering Your God-Given Purpose” online course is perfect for you. It’s simple and easy to follow and a great way to prepare for your breakthrough. Learn more here.
  • If you’re looking for personalized help to gain the clarity, confidence and courage to live your God-given dreams, then one-on-one life coaching is for you. Learn more here.

Let’s SOAR together in 2022!

May it be our best year yet!

If you’re looking for ways to ring in the New Year with Abounding Faith, here’s a great 2022 Starter Kit:

Treat yourself to Abounding Faith’s FIVE inspiring books available on Amazon and find encouraging journals, mugs, magnets and more at Abounding Faith’s Online Store.

Let your faith ARISE!

As we enter this new year, I’d also like to take a moment to share this pic and thoughts:

Celebrating My Dear Dad, New Year’s Edition: My Dad took his sweet time carving this a few years ago. He told us he used to carve like that when mountain climbing along the Andes … the other day when I found some of those pics I saw some that included those carvings. Leaving his mark here and in Ecuador all throughout the years… that’s My Dear Dad! He lives on in our hearts, memories, hundreds of other ways and most importantly in heaven…

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Reflecting on 2021 – A Year of Standing Firm

My “One Word” for this year was “STAND FIRM.” Oh my, did I need to stand firm on God’s Word all throughout this rough year… I’m going to share just a few defining moments and highlights from this year, which has felt like 20 years packed into one. Thank You for helping to pray me through all these moments including:

My Dear Dad’s Promotion to Heaven – It was so hard to start the year by losing my Dad, BUT I know that my loss is heaven’s gain! There’s nothing that can describe or compare to the joy and peace my Dad must be feeling right now. By God’s grace, I’m slowly processing this reality. If you’d like to learn a little more about my Dear Dad and read about some of what’s helped me through this grief journey, check out the blog post links below or the most recent episodes of the Abounding Faith for Today podcast. I pray you’ll be encouraged on your own grief journey.

Becoming a Contributing Writer for Our Daily Bread‘s VOICES Collection – This was part of the writing BREAKTHROUGH that I’ve been praying and waiting for. I’ve wanted to write for Our Daily Bread since before winning their Online Writing Contest for Readers back in 2014. What an honor to have two devotional entries included in Rhythms of Rest, the lovely devotional released this September! It’s an honor and delight to work with Our Daily Bread. I hope to share more good news soon. Stay Tuned!

Working on Book 6 – It’s been a long road to get here, but this year I took my time writing and editing my very first women’s Bible study. I plan to share more updates soon, but know that I am already praying for my Readers. I’m so grateful God allows me to write books that encourage, inspire and empower you as you walk by faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams!

Continuing as an Instructor at the New York School of the Bible – What an honor to be part of the distinguished faculty at the NYSB (pic above) and to get to teach courses based on my books! God is Good! Ladies, I hope to see you in these online classes. The Spring semester starts on January 25. Registration is open for my Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day course. Ladies, don’t miss it!

Being a Member of CWEN’s Online Devotional Team – What a joy it is to lead devotionals for this online group of Christian women entrepreneurs! I’m blessed to get to share entries from Feisty Faith – Trusting God Day by Day, the uplifting 365-day devotional. The Ladies who participate join us from near and far. It’s beautiful to see how God meets us in such a special way each time.

Being Interviewed for Podcasts and More – This year I had the pleasure of being interviewed on The Fearless Mujer Podcast and the Career Switch Podcast. It was also a delight to be interviewed by my friends at Writing for Your Life. You can find links to the podcasts and shows I’ve been interviewed on and past articles I’ve written for Charisma‘s website on my updated Media Page.

Speaking at Chapel Service for my Friends at The Bowery Mission’s Women’s Center – What a blessed time getting to share about peace with the lovely women during their virtual chapel! You can hear an excerpt from that message in the “Peace be with You” episode (Episode 32) of the Abounding Faith for Today podcast:

There’s more I could share, but that’s all for now.

It makes little sense how in the midst of sorrow and pain and hurt and grief there could be reasons to laugh, smile, feel happy and celebrate, but that’s how life is and that’s what happens when we allow God’s love and peace and joy and grace to cover and comfort us.

Now I see why God wanted me to STAND FIRM this year. My faith would be tested. The storm would rage. The winds would beat and howl, BUT we are to stand firm on Christ, the solid rock.

Many have experienced great loss lately. No one is immune from trials and heartache.

Yes, cry, lament, grieve.. and then let God comfort you and dry your tears and give you strength for today and hope for tomorrow.

I would be remiss if I didn’t share a few verses that you can hopefully take great comfort in:

  • “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
  • “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 3-4)
  • “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)
  • “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” (Psalm 30: 11-12)
  • “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
  • “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” (Matthew 7:25) 
  • “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

You are gripped by God’s Amazing Grace, and He’s not letting go!

May we have plenty to celebrate in 2022 and beyond!

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” (Proverbs 31:25)

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Finding My Roots – Hispanic Heritage Month Edition

“You’re not Spanish, you just look it.”

That’s what fellow Hispanic acquaintances would say to me half in jest and half with distain during my high schools days …

“Sally Sombrero” was the nickname I was given during my college internship. I was the only Latina in our newsroom., I cringed inside every time I was singled out like that ..

I guess I’ve never been your typical Latina, whatever that even means. And I’m not a fan of labels. They don’t usually fit.

The more I learn about my culture and roots and mi gente, I realize there isn’t one typical Hispanic.

We’re all different, but related.

It’s something I experienced while on staff at Latina magazine years ago …

Why do I get so excited about Hispanic Heritage Month now?

Because I now better understand that Positive Representation Matters!

Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace my culture and celebrate being Latina. I enjoy seeing Latinas/os being represented in a positive light and enjoy seeing their accomplishments recognized in various fields.

I’m the godly proud daughter of two super loving parents who came here as hardworking immigrants from their respective countries. I saw them struggle and succeed. That has had a profound impact on me. I so appreciate how supportive my parents have been of my writing endeavors from the start.

While I’ve always had a diverse set of friends, I was usually one of the only Latinas in my field .. starting way back during my time as the reluctant editor in chief of my high school’s newspaper, to my journalism classes in college and grad school, to my newsroom days and my days writing about sports. Even now, I don’t know of many other Christian Latina Authors and Speakers (in English) … I was also usually one of the only Latinas on the five short-term missions trips I went on.

My journey has been a unique one. I’m grateful for how the Lord has wired me and blessed me.

It’s sad when mostly negative stories are presented about mi gente.

While I’m still fascinated by different cultures (um, there’s a reason I was so drawn to the Olympics), this month I’m sending extra hugs to mi gente …

And I’m grateful to the diverse group of people over the years who have helped open doors for this Latina and have come alongside of me to pray me through and cheer me on! And I LOVE that my Readers and those who have attended my events are a diverse group of women and men, young and older and of different backgrounds and in different life stages.

I may share more about culture and roots, etc.. another time. That’s all for now…

You can read a little more about my faith journey and even my struggles with Spanish in By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad, which is available on Amazon.

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Musing on Writing and Season 2 of “The Chosen” TV Series

I finally started watching Season 2 of “The Chosen” the other day. It’s so great how they showed John feeling compelled to interview the others and to write, record, journal and document their memories and experiences and insights and thoughts after having been with Jesus .. I can sooo relate…. that’s what compels me to communicate the love of God through books and blog posts and social media posts and podcast episodes and YouTube videos and at in-person and virtual events and here and abroad, etc … (including pre-pandemic on street corners, subways and plazas in other countries, sometimes even in broken Spanish)… Oh my…

And over the years to family, friends, strangers, Bible college and Bible school students, United Nations workers, women in shelters, nursing home residents, the homeless, those young and older, men and women and children and teens …

WHY???

Because I’m called to tell others …

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

On a related note, I guess it’s also why I’ve enjoyed documenting and sharing stories and memories about my Dear Dad …

Writers WRITE. Communicators SPEAK. Reporters REPORT.

They also record & document and share memories… it’s what I do and how I’m wired. Thanks for staying on this faith journey with me!

Looking forward to sharing some updates with you soon about different projects I’m working on. In the meantime, you can read about some of my past experiences in By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad available on Amazon.

You can also check out the NEW and short Abounding Faith Books video right below.

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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

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Your Voice Matters

“Latinos don’t buy books.” I recently heard a legendary Latina author say she still hears this statement from major publishers. As a Latina indie author and former journalist, I find that quote upsetting. I’m so grateful that my diverse Readers include Latinas and Latinos.

As I gear up to release Book 5, I’d like to remind mi gente that your voice matters. Your purchases matter. Your Amazon reviews matter!

To all my Readers, I appreciate all of you who are encouraging me and praying for me as I live out the call God has placed on my life in this season and for such a time as this. If my books have encouraged you, please tell others about them and take a moment to leave a 1 – 2 sentence review on Amazon. It makes a huge difference in the book publishing world.

And please stay tuned for more info about the fall release of Book 5.

Blessings to you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and live your God-given dreams!

Abounding Faith’s books are available in print and on Kindle on Amazon.

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