My World Vision Girls

In July of 2010 I went to "Women of Faith" at the Anaheim Convention Center.  It's a two-day event that goes on yearly designed specially for women.  My Christian friend invited me to go with her and  while I don't recall many details of the event, I do recall being set-up with, Wajifa, my first sponsor child from Bangladesh.  During one of the breaks the audience was advised to look underneath their seats, I thought we were getting a prize, and excitedly followed directions only to find a small, yellow folder with a picture of the cutest, little girl (who resembled my nephew) and all her information inside.  A fifteen minute video played on the score board  detailing the need and the benefits of sponsoring a child.  Two women told their World Vision testimonies and at the end of each testimony the sponsors met their children in the countries that their sponsor children were located.  While the video was rather moving, what got me was the folder with Wajifa's picture & bio.  I couldn't return it, God had placed her there for me, I had to sponsor her.

For the next two-and -a-half-years I got to get to know Wajifa.  When I sponsored her she was an only child, six-years-old, not in school and her dad was having difficult providing for the family...  

 Wajifa's Letter in Bengali

Translated Letter

For the next two-years I was present for her kindergarten graduation, beginning of elementary schooling, for the birth of her baby brother and I even was able to buy her a goat for Christmas!  The goat she loved because it was her pet and a way to get milk daily. With my 35 dollar monthly contribution World vision was able to provide, schooling, uniforms, medical care, job training for her parents and even some chickens!  I also paid a whole twenty dollars to provide a birthday party for Wajifa every year.

  

My Christmas Card on the corner from Wajifa, flowers drawn by her

The best part was corresponding.  I made it a goal to write to her monthly and sent her small little gifts that I could fit in a 4 X 8 manila envelope along with my letters.  With a food vacuum I got creative and even sent her dresses, shirts, undergarments, socks, school supplies... To every letter I sent I got one back in return. Though she was too young to write, she sent me colorful drawings she drew, while a World Vision helper would write the letters that were then translated to English. Twice a year  I would get a full report on her along  with a picture of my growing, beautiful child. 

Wearing pink & black dress I sent her

The reason I have spoken of Wajifa in past tense is because a few months ago she stopped being my sponsor child.  Her dad had to relocate for work and moved his entire family to a different location in Bangladesh (that is not serviced by World Vision).  I was very disappointed to end our relationship (I still pray for her nightly), but soon after, I got another little girl assigned, Saria.  I have yet to write to Saria, but am excited to start building our friendship, after all God placed her in my path too...

My new Baby Girl

My Weekend Finds

I love doing research, and this passion goes into the shopping area of my life.  That's part of the reason that I love rummage sales and thrift stores.  One has to look through a pile of stuff or search a million hangers in order to find small treasures. To the seller these items have insignificant value, but to you (the buyer) they are a happy find.  Most of the things that I own are secondhand items, I try not to buy new unless I can't find it used.  And if I do need to purchase brand new items I never pay full price. While some people boast at how much they paid for an item, I like to share how much I saved!  I must admit, saving money on purchases gives me a sense of accomplishment!  And buying used is a great way to go green. 

So here are my weekend finds:

View of Lot, Total Spent $7.50

 Smashbox Brush Set (Missing one brush) Retails for 84 dollars I spent 50 cents

  Tignanello Crossbody Bag New $5

  Liliana Chica-10 Pumps $1

PinUp Couture Red Maryjanes New $1

While the shoes are not high quality (I am after all a shoe snob) for a buck, it'd be a sin to pass them up!

DIY: Journaling

During the 6^th grade I came across a journal with a lock and key at Pic’N’Save. I was mesmerized by the sheer fact that it could be locked! I stamped: “PRIVATE! KEEP OUT!” And I wrote a forward (for those who made it passed the lock); "If you are reading this I must be long, gone and you should destroy this before reading any further or a wicked spell will be cast upon you and you shall turn into a flea!!!” I was very melodramatic back then (wink). However, that pink diary began my passion for documenting life.

Today I have quite a few journals (mostly gifts from friends) so many that I don’t think I will ever need to buy another!

You can see my Dog sleeping in the corner, he's always nearby

Some people take pictures, some draw others write - I create vignettes of my life in my journals. I never expected anyone to read them, nor would I ever want anyone to. It wasn't until 2005 that I started directing my scribbles to God, since then my journals are open conversations with my creator.

The inside cover of my art Journal

Art Journal 

I prefer an 8 ½ by 11 ¾, college ruled, with a sturdy cover notebook which I keep at home. The one I am currently using is a vintage journal that was given to me.

I use magazines, scrapbooking cut-outs, paint, sharpies, glue, color pencils—art supplies. When I am feeling artsy I create the artwork on the pages and then on days I feel inspired I write my entries.

Travel Journal 

When I travel or go on weekend retreats I use my travel journal. This is a compact, sturdy college ruled notebook. I usually take a couple of books, my journal, pens and a coloring set to doodle. I journal a lot when I travel because many times I am waiting in airports, car rides or hotel rooms. I noticed that a lot of the most interesting pieces have been created while on vacation. It also helps keep details of trips fresh and capture eureka moments right when they happen. 

Adoration Journal

I have weekly hour dates with Jesus. Every Monday for an hour I am present during adoration at my parish. Writing helps me focus on my conversation with God and my prayers. I usually come in say hello, read the Bible, write my prayers wait in silence for His voice, and then begin my week. I have noticed that putting ink to paper has improved my quality time with Jesus because I am able to focus my thoughts better.

Of course all of my entries are written as letters to God, which motivates me to get creative because He is reading.



About a Dog

I was born in a small farm in Michoacan, Mexico; surrounded by chickens, rabbits, sheep, goats… lots of animals. When I turned seven my parents sold the animals and we relocated to sunny California to start a new life. During the next 16 years I missed my animal companions, the open space.

Christmas Morning 2012 with his new toy

I always wanted a dog of my own; in fact, I always thought that the man that gave me a dog as an expression of his love would be the man I married! (smile)

The fairy & the dragon 2003

Mama loves her baby 2009

When I was of age, the pain of a break-up motivated me and in August 16^th of 2003 I adopted my one and only dog (thus far). Though I treat him more like a spoiled, medium-sized, fluffy child, he is my closest connection to nature. Thru him I have learned to stop and smell the bushes (I mean flowers) to crave the outdoors and NEED to be immersed in daily, to understand to some simplistic degree the unconditional love God has for me, to expect a party every time I enter the door to my house like the down-right God’s princess I am (wink), to experience firsthand that no matter how smelly, tired, angry, ill-tempered, I can get -- he will choose my side always, that wanting to be physically close to someone is love, and love doesn’t take no for answer when in need of affection! That friends’ are always best if you get to share your intimate self, that using your ears more than your mouth makes relationships stronger...

Celebrating Summer 2010

Tenth Birthday June 2013

I love the bumper sticker that reads: “Who rescued who?” Maybe only animal lovers will understand that phrase, but really my dog has saved me so many times (in the future I will share how).

For now let me just say that the day I took a leap and committed to care & love my furry companion was a day that would forever improve the quality of my life.

Halloween 2011

Girlfriends, My Chosen Family

When I first began my conversion, I had many fears.  A big one was that I would have to give up all my Non-Catholic friends or that my Non-Catholic friends wouldn’t like my new found faith and would reject me.  These were friends that I had since high school and even childhood - we had many years under our belts!  

Though at first I was really private about my faith (even ashamed to share it with them) fearing the worst, they showed me that love tolerates, welcomes and accepts change.  In the years since then, some of them have come to services with me, read books about my faith, and even attended Catholic Spiritual Retreats.  Their curiosity has heightened about God.  In addition, they look out for me. Recently everyone was talking about Fifty Shades of Grey and all my girls advised me not to read it because they knew I wouldn’t like it.

The female godly friendships that I have made since my conversion fuel my desire for holiness.  We have God in common and that has made the relationships grow at light speed.  They are instrumental in my daily spiritual transformation. I love them so!

God is good! He takes you were you are at and builds from there. Today I can boast about the many close girlfriends that I have (both believing and non-believing).  They are extremely dear to me as I know they are to God too!

Yard Sales

Every Saturday morning, my mom, sis, nephew and I go bargain hunting.  We get up early (at around 7AM) and pack ourselves into my car and we head out yard sale shopping.  Following neon signs all over our city (for the next two hours), we catch-up.  It’s a moment we treasure because in the intimacy of my car we are able to discuss anything and everything that is in our minds.  It’s an action of love coming together: we laugh, we cry, we pray and then we bargain!

My finds this past Saturday

Though it’s such a thrill to find items for twenty-five cents, we also love the fact that we are being good stewards of God’s creation by buying used. 

 

Three Movies for 1$ each

 

Mom grew up in an era where a pregnancy dress that was no longer needed could be altered into a dress for one of her girls. She made a lot of my dresses for picture day in elementary this way or my Halloween costumes.  I always had such original pieces and I still do at the fraction of the price by yard sale shopping.

Almost New Silver Glitter Toms for 2$

This past Saturday we all found some goodies!

 

The Complete Peanuts Boxed Set 1955-1958; 1963-1966 both for 5$

Small, thoughtful actions are what a Catholic life is about: so recycle, reduce, & REUSE!

In My Shoes

On Friday I headed out to The Ranch Saloon in Anaheim for a night of dancing with some friends. I bought a pair of Vintage Zodiac Western Boots at a Rummage Sale for two dollars and I couldn’t wait to wear them out! 

One of my Christian friends loves to line dance and classic two-step and she’s such a sweetheart; she has the patience to teach us.  This is my third time at The Ranch and I love it! On this particular night there were at least three different church groups of Young Adults there, so it’s wholesome entertainment.

 

Then on Saturday, I went to a Catholic, Mexican Wedding at Pacific Hills in Laguna Beach.  My close friend asked me to be her plus one and I love weddings so of course I said yes! 

The wedding reception had many highlights: I got to enjoy a live Mariachi, dance to live salsa & banda music and then some Jokers Stilt Walking performed transporting us to Carnival in Brazil.  But, the icing on the cake was dancing with Father Paul, you see, I never imagined priests danced!  

Paris Hilton "Senorita" Pumps- Burlington Coat Factory on sale 12 dollars

 So there you have it, who said following Jesus wasn’t fun?

Gone Shopping…

In December of 2004, I went shopping for a church.  I knew what I was looking for: One, I could still be me;  Two, I could still keep my brain (meaning no brain washing for me); Three, I could still keep the typical college party lifestyle  that up until then I had had.   I knew that I didn’t want to become an ignorant, delusional, close minded, superficial person with an “am holier than thou” mentality. I didn’t want to wear long skirts with shirts two sizes too big… I just didn’t want to be Voltaire’s usual subject of mockery.

For the next three years I went to different denominations (of Christian) churches as part of my journey.  I had one motive in mind; to make sure that all were selling the same moral compass to live one’s life by.  So, for the next three years I attended:

 

 Saint Judas Thaddeus Old Catholic Church

 

Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa,

 

Saddleback Church,

 

and the Crystal Cathedral,

finally finding my home (in 2007) in the good, old, Catholic Church.

I don’t like bad talking any one of my Christian brothers, I simply chose the Catholic Church as my one-and-only because the Eucharist called me home.  I learned a great deal in my quest(for example, Godly  churches aren't in the business of selling anything) and am thankful that I was able to experience the many ways people worship our Creator and gain respect and tolerance for all of my brothers & sisters. 

The thing I was most afraid of was change and change did occur, but slowly at a pace that I could (and can) keep up with.  So, I say take your faith seriously; but, one-day-at-a-time and God will lead you to the place He wants you at and to the place where He wants you to grow roots and mature into an authentic image of Jesus. Finally, you will still be you, and the type of follower you become will always be your choice after all God gave us free will.

 

 "If all Christians acted like Christ, the whole world would be Christian."

The Hour I First Believed…

The first time you lose someone you love, the world stops & instantaneously changes.  The truth you once believed  (that same truth that helped you confuse over-zealous Christians, and gave you the fire to convince people that Darwin had killed God & that Nietzsche famously informed the rest of the world that God was dead) suddenly gets personal  & challenged.  It’s as if the person you were before your loved one died - died along with him.  And left is the you without him and this new you is left behind trying to figure out why death doesn’t feel natural.   And you start to think that Nietzsche is right that religion is for the weak, because at this moment of terrible vulnerability you need God to be real, you need heaven to be real, you need life after death to be real because there is no way you will survive if these truths are false.

My best friend died, my beloved brother in 2004.  He was Schizophrenic and I slowly watched him die to the disease until eventually he was no longer himself, and as he took his last breaths in a sterile hospital room I bargained with God outside in an overcrowded parking lot, “Lord if you accept him in heaven, I will follow you…”   That was the first time that God spoke to me, His voice was the wind and the wind wrapped me an all-consuming embrace that brought celestial peace and I knew right then that God was real.   

My heart and my soul knew He was real; but, my mind needed a few years to catch-up.  As a last promise to my brother (who loved God) I threw myself into investigating God, His claims, His words, His followers to attain tangible evidence that He is indeed real. Today, I believe by faith that He is real (there’s plenty of scientific & historical evidence that point to a creator) and that His true followers aren’t brainless sheep (as Nietzsche described them ) but exceptional, intelligent  human beings. 

I live my life today as follows; "I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn't, Than to live my life as if there isn't, and die to find out there is."

A great read for inspiration. 

http://www.amazon.com/The-Case-Christ-Journalists-Investigation/dp/0310209307

A Little on Mexican Weddings

Mexican weddings are a community event. Generally the bride doesn’t have your traditional bridesmaids, but rather Madrinas & Padrinos which would translate to Godmothers & Godfathers. The Godparents usually get the honor of sponsoring something for the wedding. In doing so, they help alleviate some of the financial stress for the bride & the groom and begin their role as godparents who will look after & aide the sanctity of the marriage.

Why am I talking about this?

One of my dearest friends got engaged this past June (Yeahy!); soon after she asked me to be a Madrina in her wedding, what an honor! I along with a couple other girlfriends will be sponsoring the centerpieces for her wedding. While flowers can be really expensive, I have a plan!

Yesterday, I was walking down the isle at the Salvation Army near mi casa and came across this cute piggybank. It’s black and you can write on it with chalk, how fun!

When I got home I decorated my bank with hearts, engagement rings, flowers and the names of the Bride & Groom and decided to get started on saving the money I will need to provide the best center pieces a bride can ever dream of (and a groom for that matter). I need to save a few hundred dollars and I thought, maybe I can do this by getting rid of some books, shoes, and other items. So, this weekend I will begin my savings plan by having a yard sale! Also, I plan to sell my books to Book Off. Wohoo! I can’t wait to get a piggy bank started, I feel like such a little kid! Am I bringing piggybanks back like Justin Timberlake brought sexy back? Ah, a girl can dream.