One Year Blogiversary

Happiness is completing a goal!  A year ago today I embarked on this blogging adventure and while the idea of starting a blog had long before stirred in mind it wasn’t until the last day in July that I finally broke the seal.  At the time I had many ideas in my head about what I wanted to do in this space and I think that’s evident during the first all-over-the-place posts.  Eventually, I took an uncomfortable leap and decided that I could no longer hold or hide my love of God and as He once invaded my life He also consumed my blog.  The moment I decided to write personal reflections about my conversion story the blog started to become more guided and focused.  While my objective was to expose my loved ones to God and my faith and hopefully begin a dialogue in Christian spirituality, I soon realized that though many friends were reading my posts the one who became most converted was myself.  As I sat and wrote my simple thoughts three times a week (fearing hypocrisy or elevating myself spiritually) I always attempted to be honest and portray my wretchedness and highlight God’s goodness.  In addition, it’s been important for me to steer away from overtly theological pieces and just write about Penny in Christ because when I read blogs I like to learn about people while my theology I get from more credible sources. Noticing that there weren’t many blogs that highlighted the young adult Catholic faith and seeing a need to show people that (us) Catholics lead normal lives and are not always found praying the rosary (smile) God continued to lead my blogging path.  In addition, I felt a strong desire to share with my loved ones the fulfilling experiences that I live daily in my walk with my Lord.

At the closing of my first year, I began experiencing mixed emotions on whether to continue this space or to end it- after all my goal of writing for one year has been met.  I still haven’t fully decided the changes that I will be making, but I know that I will continue to write- perhaps less times a week – I haven’t fully made up my mind on the subject.  As I mentioned earlier I began this space with the desire to evangelize and the one who became the most evangelized was me.  Writing my thoughts challenges me to really think about my faith and what I believe, thus, every entry I write I try to express my view honestly.  Expressing my thoughts here motivates me to become more like Christ and sometimes the growth it provokes seems happening all too quickly and uncomfortably.  Yet, I know that God will never take me to where His grace won’t protect me (smile).    

At this time I would like to thank you and all my faithful readers- thank you for encouraging me, for commenting, for your messages and simply for reading!  This has been such a positive experience and I owe part of it to you.  

Happy One Year Blogiversary!

Seven Blogging Questions

The number seven holds great biblical significance.  It appears in the bible over six hundred times and many times it's more commonly used as symbol rather than a number.  It comes from the Hebrew Language and means fullness or completeness.  On Sunday’s homily Father pointed out how for the past three Dominical Masses the three gospel readings have covered seven parables that together express completeness of truth.    In the thirteen chapter of the book of Matthew, Jesus reveals to us His plan for salvation.  Thus, since tomorrow “In My Shoes” turns one! I have compiled seven questions and answers about my experience this past year of blogging.

Who is the In My Shoes girl? I am a Catholic revert- who has been actively living her faith since 2007.  While the death of my brother (in 2004) began my spiritual quest it wasn’t until May of 2007 that I returned home.  My spirituality is central to who I am and completely motivates my lifestyle, shapes my choices and forms my goals and future ambitions.  Away from blogging I have a full time job, volunteer my time in various activities, am active at my local parish and am usually found spending time with my friends, family or with my nose in a book.  That is if I am not spoiling my little fur ball!   

How did you get into blogging? I’ve always LOVED to write and have kept a journal since I was in junior high.  My degree is in English Literature and I think next to God and my family - books and learning are my other passion!  In fact, to me a university classroom is my vision of heaven (smile)! My childhood dreams included writing stories, but until I started this blog I selfishly protected my writings keeping them private.  In addition to my need to write I also felt that God wanted to use me to share my love for Him through the experiences I post here.  I also, wanted a safe place to share my testimony with my loved ones who the majority do not have God in their lives.   

   

Do people you know offline know you’re a blogger? Yes and No.  I share my blog posts on my Facebook page because originally I wanted to introduce my loved ones to God; thus, my friends on Facebook know I blog.  However, I don’t really advertise my blog outside of Facebook and actually I feel really weird when I bump into someone and they mention my blog.  I think that sharing my inner most thoughts and getting credit for them is something that makes me really vulnerable and thus I tend to hide the fact that I have this space.  I hope this insecurity is something that I will soon overcome.  

When do you write your posts? I usually write my entries in the morning right before I post them.  

What do you usually blog about? Mainly I write about my faith as seen through my eyes.  This place is my personal story and usually whatever I have on my mind or am experiencing I dedicate a post to that.  I try to be honest and portray a person of faith who struggles with sin, is full of flaws- yet through God’s redeeming love strives to be a better human being.   

Who do you want to reach with your blog? I would like to reach whoever God wants me to reach.  Ideally I would love to start that curiosity and search for truth in the hearts of my loved ones.  I pray a lot about my blog too.  In prayer, God has helped me not focus on the number of readers I have per post because- if only one person feels the need to explore deeper into the Catholic faith than my job is done (smile).

What motivates and inspires you to continue blogging? God.  He created this great desire in me to write and I am most happy when I am writing something new.  Writing also helps me to actively use my talents for the Kingdom.  Photography is also an amateur love of mine.  In addition, Father once advised me to use my beauty for God and while I didn’t understand his words at first I think by blogging I am using my strengths in a way that God can use to help others.  Sometimes it’s hard to press on with the blog, but usually God sends perseverance through a compliment from a reader.  Thus, I will continue to write until He wills it (smile).

We Need to Keep Our Eyes and Ears Open

Pain pulled me away from my cradle Catholic faith, after years of praying for my dad to stop drinking and year after year seeing no improvement – thinking my prayers went unheard I began to pull away from all things God related.  Hope can be so painful.  After years of formal education and being presented only the secular side of the creation argument I pulled away further. Mind you - though only scientific theories - in my mind they had been presented as truths.  When my mother mentioned God I scoffed and adopted a sardonic attitude.  It hurt to reject God – but at the time it hurt more to be a teenager in a chaotic home.  Though I had been born into a Catholic family and by the age of seven I was a fully initiated Catholic- I don’t think I knew God until my adult conversion.  He had always been somewhat of a fairytale- beautiful, but lacking truth.  At times I made Him into a magician working His sorcery from somewhere faraway at other times He was a villain who enjoyed inflicting pain; but, the most common character was that of the ultimate punisher for all sins committed.  In fact, the first time I went into a confessional I thought that I would get a severe scolding from the priest for my sinful past.

After two years of protestant churches I arrived at Saint Barbara Parish and went inside the confessional thinking that the priest would kick me out for no longer belonging to the Catholic Church - that is after the priest yelled at me for my sins and asked me to recite a few Hail Marys.  The whole notion of confession by a priest seemed archaic and uncomfortable, but the expected rebuke from the priest was what I deserved.  As I knelt behind the screen window and repeated the words I had heard in many movies, “Forgive me father for I have sinned…” I began to mention my sins along with a bit of my spiritual background.  After I finished listing my transgressions the kind priest engaged me in conversation and cleared a lot of my misconceptions.  I waited for him to yell at me, but he never did nor did he ask me to recite prayers.  Instead he was extremely kind and when I didn’t know how to close the confession (with the Act of Contrition) he passed a copy of the prayer and we prayed it together.  I remember before I left I asked him if it was ok for me to come back to the Catholic Church for mass and to remain a bit in the parish to pray, and he laughed and said it was my home.  Since, I have returned to him many times for confession and now he pulls me inside the small confessional so that he can see me face-to-face.  We talk freely about my shortcomings and my sins- yet, he always makes me feel hopeful and never like the sinner that I am.  The penance he gives me is always more than reciting prayers- he points out areas that he wants me to work on (until we meet again) - always inviting me to become more like Christ.

There’s all kinds of misinterpretations about God and the Catholic faith.  As someone who confessed directly to God and now goes through an intermediary - I really enjoy and find more depth in having a priest hear my confession.  He helps and guides me in the name of God.  For many years I lived with erroneous beliefs about God and the Catholic faith, but in the years since my initial conversion God has removed the scales from my eyes, much like He did with Paul.  “My argument against God was that the universe seemed cruel and unjust.  But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.  What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?”  While our society promotes and values education – in matters of faith ignorance is regularly accepted.  I had a really intelligent friend once tell me that he had been into the depths of outer space and not once had he seen a sign of God or of heaven.  He laughed thinking he had stumped me, but as God explains in many of His parables some will never see nor hear because they choose not to.  It’s like the dwarfs in The Last Battle choosing to live in darkness even though Aslan is beside them offering his light.  One must never travel far to find God He is in us and all around us (smile).

Summer Nights

Catching the Sunset.

I always feel a little weird featuring events that I participate at my parish because I don’t want to appear like someone who attends these events with motives other than my desire to draw closer to God.  I relocated parishes a couple years ago and also moved from practicing my faith strictly in Spanish to serving in the English community.  After many non-Catholic friends kept asking me about my faith I decided that I needed to attend English services so that I could better guide them in their spiritual inquiries.  Thus, I changed parishes to one more near my house.  Every parish differs from one another by the leadership of the pastor.  At Saint Vincent de Paul, Father runs the parish in a manner that promotes community and he’s really involved in parish events.  Yesterday, I attended our annual parish bonfire and like always Father was in attendance and if he was not involved in a game of Cornhole he was making his rounds chatting with all his parishioners.  We are blessed to have a priest that is so involved in the social aspect of his ministry.

Great turnout.

A game of limbo, among other great activities.

The s'more line-up...

After working closely at my previous parish in the Hispanic Council, I got to work with many priests and I realize that they can become overwhelmed with their duties and tend to sacrifice the social aspect to take care of more pressing needs.  While I understand the importance of their work- it’s really nice to be in a parish where Father somehow rearranges everything to be present during moments of jovial communion.  After all the parish community is part of the priest’s family and strong families share laughs as well as tears.  Thus, I believe that priests that can attain that balance and allow time in their schedule for socialization are less likely to burnout. 

Relaxing with friends.

Last night was the first event where my friend who passed away was not in attendance and today I have my first Theology on Tap without him- and while the hope of the promise of the cross gives me peace - the pain and reality that he’s gone continues to solidify.  Services are this Friday and just thinking about it fills me with hurt.  I have taken that day off from work to allow myself to grieve and in doing so begin healing…  We missed him last night- it was tough for members of the young adult ministry to feel his absence – but this pain we feel only attests to the great man he was and the love he earned by being such a delightful believer and friend…

The Last Battle

I finished the Chronicles of Narnia Series on Friday night before heading out to a holy hour in tribute of my friend who passed away.  The Last Battle concluded the series.  God truly works perfectly & timely- am not sure if you have read the last novel of the series (but it soon became my favorite book out of the seven) because it describes the joy and metaphorically paints such a happy picture of the final union with all of our loved ones and Jesus at the end of time.  Characters that had died in the previous novels all returned for the finale and the enjoyable reunion was full of laughter, happiness and mirth.  Reading it felt like a preview at what heaven looks like - of our destiny into eternity: “But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before...”  God reminded me that though my loved ones will die - at the end God wins and He has promised our triumphant reunion.

Finishing The Last Battle before I went into prayer really gave me strength and more than anything hope.  I imagined my friend reuniting with all his loved ones and with Jesus our God and his premature death seemed like a celebrated trip home: “I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life...”  Though death is tough and painful God provides such a beautiful plan through the cross.  He dies to give us life everlasting! He dies to unify us to Him forever and to bring us home.  What goodness and fortune awaits all of us.

Loved the Artwork!

All books had little bits that really spoke to my heart.  I loved that Narnia has talking animals because I believe in heaven we will have the animals God selected to aid Him in leading us home- like my doggie (smile)!  I enjoyed that every time trouble came in such overwhelming forms the children called to Aslan and he would quickly jump into the story- much like our God when we call to Him in our moments of weakness.  I can’t wait to share these stories with me nephew and to watch the movies- since I have never seen any!  Art at its very best always connects us to God and thus I highly recommend these novels!  They are so beautifully fantastical, full of optimism, love and drenched in the pure Spirit of God! Great job C.S.Lewis!

King of the Jungle

We are all born with a desire to belong.  Usually those desires are momentarily satisfied within a loving family, then as we grow we add friends and eventually we yearn for intimacy with a singular person.  Some discern religious vocation after falling madly in love with God - while others fall in love with another person and start the family unit all over again. We all yearn for love – to love and to be loved… On Saturday, my friend and I watched Tarzan put on by MTOC.  The musical highlights many important themes like: the need to belong, the importance of family in survival, the beauty of falling in love, among others.  Yet, what caught my attention on Saturday was Tarzan’s family of apes.  This family of wild beasts take in this little boy and love him as their own.  While I understand it’s a fictional story- I kept thinking that God’s love is all around us and it’s not imprisoned in human cages, but travels throughout creation.  While many of us struggle searching for a very specific type of love – God made everything chiefly for our enjoyment- out of love!

As Tarzan becomes a man he starts to notice that he’s not like the other apes and his inner identity struggle begins.  When he finds Jane he realizes that there’s others like him and he can’t explain why he can’t stay away from her.  Similarly, each of us go through periods of identity crisis where we feel a great disconnect from our families and desire to meet someone like me.  While falling in love with another person really is magic- eventually feelings plateau and we are left feeling unsatisfied again.  Our little, inner compass pulls us towards something bigger than ourselves and it is when we find God that having Him is enough and the desire to belong is satisfied when we realize that we are part of Kingdom of God. 

“You’ll be in my heart always.” Tarzan        

The Kingdom of God

My friend died last night- and I was left behind without telling him so many things that I waited too long to say and will forever remain unsaid.  As he left our young adult group last week I didn’t say good bye nor gave him a hug thinking he would be there at the next church function. Then last night as I sat at a brewery celebrating a birthday I got the news that he was at the hospital without a pulse.  I rushed to the emergency room hoping to say good bye to tell him that I loved him in Christ and that his life enriched mine.  That the note he gave me at the teen retreat motivated my conversion, that I enjoyed sharing a drink with him at Theology on Tap meetings- that I admired his kindness and close relationship to his mom and family.  I wanted to say those things that often go unsaid because I was afraid they would be taken the wrong way or maybe because I thought I had more time with him.  He was a good man, a good friend and a devoted Catholic…

Late last night, as I made my way into my bed I hugged (the only one awake at that time) my dog and held onto him enjoying his warmth and his reciprocating licks.  I begged God for more time with those I love, but I realize that I don’t need more time what I need is to make better use of my present.  My friend was in his mid-thirties and now he is no more in this world.  While knowing that he’s home- that he beat all of us there- it’s difficult to be left behind. 

He was a high school teacher - and teacher that he was, he continues to teach me that youth cannot be taken for granted.  That I need to live with passion.  That every day is a blessing and perhaps our last.  That the not knowing when we will be separated from our loved ones needs to motivate us to be better friends, brothers, sons, people of faith…  That life is a gift and we must never take it for granted.  I’m still in shock and have shed many tears- because as a person of faith I still hurt and follow the same grieving process – but I have hope in God and I know that my friend is happily and eternally home.     

Paz Y Bien

A Franciscan parish I found in Puerto Rico.

I was born in a home full of animals… My fondest memories include taking care of rabbits, chicks, goats, etc. in the small farm we found ourselves in Mexico.  My dad assigned me the duty of taking care of the offspring and many an hour were spent looking after my little friends.  To this day I am more natural, comfortable and truly me around animals, specifically dogs.  When I returned to the Catholic faith after spending a few years at an evangelical church (and many more as an agnostic) the whole notion of saints disturbed me- and maybe that’s why God gave me Saint Francis of Assisi as the saint that won my heart.  In a Jovenes para Cristo meeting, acoustic guitar was added to the “Prayer for Peace” and I remember hearing it for the first time and my whole soul rejoiced and I fell deeply in love with Saint Francis.  As I continued in my faithful path I learned some great stories about Saint Francis like the taming of the wolf and his ability to talk with animals and my admiration improved.  Though some stories are stuff of legend, the more I learned about him through Little Flowers of Saint Francis or Chesterton’s biography of my beloved saint my heart yearned to imitate his spirituality.  I yearned for simplicity, for the natural world and for humility.

Socializing at the dog park.

Future Lay Franciscan.

As years have passed since my introduction to Brother Francis, my connection to him has grown.  Every place that I have traveled I find a parish, monastery or just a happy statue or painting of him and I can’t help, but feel like he follows me (smile).  Through example, he has helped my relationship with God become more intimate and he's given me a look into the heart of our Creator that I love.  He’s taught me to enjoy a sunset, a cloudy day or my father’s flowers for I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these (smile). 

Though I don’t know much about the Catholic saints- only until recently have I started reading the lives of saints (because I am a Jesus nerd)- Saint Francis began my introduction into the exemplary lives of many who took the gospel and brought it to life without changing it simply making it completely their own.  And he’s a saint my heart favors (wink).  I admire the life change he made and his ability to give up everything for God.  A friend said that I shouldn't favor any of the saints, but I can't help to be drawn to this incredible man who left such a strong legacy in the name of Christ. Do you have a favorite saint?   

Taking a stroll.

He's Just Not Into You

Earlier in the year, Father and I had an extremely productive conversation on how to become more rational and practical in matters of the heart.  As a woman my role is to WAIT to be pursued and while men might find our part in the courting process as the easier of the two – it’s extremely difficult.  It requires patience, prayer and wisdom.  In the courting process initially the woman gives the man signs that she’s interested and waits to be pursued.  During the wait she prayerfully and reasonably decides whether this man is interested or not.  If he is interested then things will move forward for the two, but if he’s not then she needs to come to terms with it and move onward.  The process always requires progression, but many times women get stuck making excuses for men that don’t pursue them: “he must be busy that’s why he returned my text two days later, he needs help so I’ll start all of our conversations, he’s just shy…”  In addition, sometimes the council of well-meaning friends makes the whole process more difficult.  The thing is that if a man is into you he will pursue and you will know it and there won’t be a reason to provide excuses for his lack of interest.

I have a really full life- my family, friends and church community enrich my life and diminish any feeling of loneliness.  Yet, until recently, when a man that I was interested in didn’t pursue me I lost my peace.  The desire for that person to want me, made me miserable until I realized that the problem is in the want.  The Apostle Paul tells us that the secret of being content in any and every situation is Christ.  Thus, when our focus gets shifted away from Him we are opening ourselves to pain.  Father advised me to continue repeating he’s not into me until I am standing next to my spouse reciting our vows (smile).  His advice sounds rather silly, but it really works at helping maintain my peace. 

Courting is complicated and emotionally exhausting!  It requires a lot of humility and vulnerability – but am sure when we meet our one-and-only it’s worth the struggle (smile).  It’s also for the mighty in strength because it requires courage to get up and try again.  

We are in This Struggle Together

Exploring Nature with the King of my heart.

I am a doubting Thomas.  I identify with his skepticism and his refusal to believe without tangible evidence.  He waited to trust in the resurrection of Jesus until he could see and feel the wounds.  As a young teen I left the church specifically because I thought science and religion couldn’t coexist.  Believing that I had to make a choice- I chose science.  Recently I was reading Chesterton’s Orthodoxy.  In the book, Chesterton plays with the idea of fairy tales and how no human being has ever lost his sanity by believing in magic, but many great philosophers have gone mad trying to devoid the world of God.  I also, read The Case for Christ and listened to many lectures by Father Robert Spitzer where they both provide scientific evidence for Intelligent Design.  While God has provided a lot of information to help me reconcile science and religion in my life- I still have doubts.  I constantly ask Him to place my hands on His wounds because my suspicion is so great.

Happiness is a smiling dog!

I think the biggest battle in my spiritual life is prayer.  Is He listening?  Does He care? Will He hear my cries and provide help?  The answer through faith is yes.  According to scripture and Catholic Tradition God is involved in our daily struggles, He didn’t create the world and placed us in it to just leave and watch from afar never interceding.  He cares!  Yet, I doubt when I pray and I don’t hear an answer right away- or when the answer is no.  I doubt when I want something or am praying for someone and all I get is silence.  I been thinking lately of the man that asked Jesus to heal his son and cried out, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.”  Help my unbelief.  The Apostle Paul talks about a thorn that he pleaded for God to take from him, but God said no and Paul realized that through this thorn he depended on God for sustenance.  I need God (I know life without Him) and I choose God.  I pray even when I don’t feel like it, even when I doubt I pray because I believe in Jesus Christ.  Sometimes I pray that He helps my unbelief, other times I ask Him to let me feel His wounds.

Though I have had great confirmations of the power of prayer, I still struggle.  Yet, when I think of Exodus and how many times God provided tangible evidence to the prayers of His people and they still doubted- I realize that I am weak and it is in weakness that God loves most to create...  Whatever my struggles, I have made my choice to follow God all the way to heaven and there’s no amount of unbelief that will keep me from surrendering my life to Him who my heart adores (smile).    

He's MINE!

The State of My Heart…

I haven’t written about the progress towards my one-and-only in sometime and a friend asked me just yesterday for the state of my corazón.  My heart is full of love and the desire to release it at the given time that God tells me so.  It’s still dormant and following God’s will to not awaken until love so desires.  I think that has been what I have been working on lately- to not give my heart away too soon.  To not be clouded by my romantic spirit, but to follow my heart with caution and reason.  I don’t have a lot of experience in dating nor in the opposite sex.  Ninety-nine percent of my friends are women.  I mentioned before that I have only been in one relationship and have gone on two dates since my break-up almost a decade ago.  When I am around men I’m attracted to I stumble, my speech gets tangled and I have difficulty carrying on a conversation- sometimes it’s easier to resort to silence.  If my relationship with a man could be done through writing I might have a chance- since it’s in writing that I find most of my courage & clarity (smile).  Yet, I know that God wants me to grow and to take me out of my comfortable, intimate circle into an arena where I will be challenged to mature in love. 

I have a tendency to be the person that falls in love first in the relationship- I give my heart too easily and usually end up hurt.  My sister who knows me best, tells me that I need to fall for men that love me first- meaning I need to wait to give my heart until I know for sure that my love is reciprocated.  Father Morrow, too, told me that when my heart wants to move emotionally too fast I need to keep repeating "he’s not into me" and allow the man to do the pursuing.  For if a man is into me he will pursue.  As logical and simple as both the advice Father and my sister offered – I finally agree that in order to protect my heart I need to be more practical. 

Next month I am going to the National Singles Conference, that’s my next attempt at finding love.  I must confess that since the singles cruise and after my failed attempt with the Ave Maria Dating Website I haven’t put myself out there.  However, I am content knowing that I am actively doing my part and trust in God that when I am ready for my hubby God will place Him in my life. Until then I am guarding my heart in a more proactive manner and enjoy the blessings of single life (smile).       

Eres Mi Religion

Floating… I lay my head on the water and let go of my body trusting that the water will push me up and I will float. One with the water I open my eyes and see nothing but blue sky with sparse clouds.  My obsessive mind slowly shuts down as thoughts of God begin to emerge. A bible verse at first, then a prayer of thanksgiving- followed by whispers leaving my lips. True love forgives.  Am not sure how long I floated lost in prayer, but after entering the depths of the prayer room that throughout the years God & I have built together it's difficult to return to the world.  When I pray, especially when I do it while I am on vacation I always have a difficult time returning to my life- how I wish God would call me home at that very moment- am ready...  

Santa Barbara Mission

God is good all the time!

Over the weekend my friends and I went to the beautiful Santa Barbara for a short getaway. Among the fourth of July celebrations, touring some of the most popular sites, enjoying a glass of wine at one of the wineries and simply relaxing in the pool I return to my routine more rested, relaxed and so in love with God.  God knew that I needed to get away to return to Him (again).  To run into His arms and renew that passion that for the past few months I have been lacking.  I feel like God is calling me into a deeper relationship with Him - into a more grown up love.  After months of dryness the simple act of calling to Him while I floated on the hotel swimming pool renewed me inside.  I think that’s probably what most marriages and relationships require- constant renewal.

Mis amigas del alma.

On Sunday, as we made our way to the Santa Barbara Mission one of my favorite Maná songs came on the car radio, “Eres Mi Religion”…  The song debuted in the fall of 2002, when I was madly in love with my ex-boyfriend and this song was a song that represented who he was to me at the time.  The lyrics speak of a man who was so depleted in an utter state of devastation - and love came into his life in the form of a woman and she became his all- his religion.  That’s how I used to feel about my ex-boyfriend and when the relationship ended I was shattered.  I know I am not the only person who has placed all hopes on a human being only to then become utterly hurt.  As I listened to this AMAZING song before exiting the car to tour the grounds of the mission I realized that God is my religion now!  How fitting that this song would come on the radio at this specific moment to remind me of my spiritual growth and to woo me into a deeper love con mi Papi Dios.  Only God will never disappoint, heal and love unconditionally with such a strength that having Him alone is enough: “Eres Tu mi bendicion eres mi Luz eres mi Sol.. eres Tu mi religion…”

Enjoying the parade with my beautiful Goddaughter.