Taking Risks

I have to confess this year has been anything but normal to me.  January marked my return to school ten years after graduating from high school.  It was a risky choice.  Life was already busy as a wife, mother, church leader, musician and radio host.  It sure was already challenging, but something inside screamed for more.  I needed growth before the inner fighter became too weak, and eventually died.  Things don’t affect every person the same way.  For me, being out of school and  staying around the environment and the people I already knew was beginning to make every unfamiliar situation or person a source for anxiety.  Going to the store for example, was fine.  It was fine mostly because I had already picked the two stores I knew best, but the moment I got in line I started to wonder if the cashier would ask anything, you know, those deep questions like “did you find everything you were looking for?”.  It scared me to think I was becoming too afraid to hold a brief friendly conversation with anyone new.  I mean, what went next???  So, with God’s help, I decided to fight against fear and take risks.  Enrolling in college was one of those risks.  Another one has to do with a video project that was out of the usual for me.  This is when the idea for the “Solo Contigo” video clip came along. It pushed me to come out of my comfort zone in order to share God’s plan of salvation, and well, here it is!

Finally

Get our new album Celestial

It’s been four months of waiting and praying that our songs of worship and praise can finally make their way to distribution and be of blessing to many.  As of Thursday November 23, 2017, Celestial is finally available worldwide through CD Baby...and within a week, it will be available through CD Baby’s partners.  That’s right, iTunes, Google Play Store, Amazon, YouTube and more are soon to have our music available.  I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the making of this album, and those who supported us with prayer, words of encouragement and even with just their friendship.  Along with that, there are a couple of video clips in the final stage of editing.  There are a couple of brothers in the faith that have also given their time to the production of these.  We will be very exited to share them very soon, but before that, I truly want to thank everyone involved in their making.  I feel happy and thankful that God has allowed us to serve Him doing the things that we love doing and impacting the lives of those touched by the message of our lyrics.  I look forward to more opportunities of producing  music, video and anything that God calls us to.  As for now, you are more than welcome to check out the link to Ministerio por Su Gracia’s latest album and leave a review right below the song previews.

People in my Life

I have met so many people in the course of my life, and do not regret having met each and every one. Those who have hurt me helped me to grow in love and to experience forgiveness.  Those who have failed me showed me that I can trust no one but God, because even when the best intentions are present, we’re still human and will eventually fail.  Those whom I’ve hurt and failed have showed me that I should never point fingers, because one day I might be the one needing forgiveness and mercy.  I have found myself in moments when others have looked up to me as a leader, and also experienced (often) how others help me up and cheer me on when I’m dragging.  I am thankful for those who mentored me and shared what they knew, for those who pray for me to stay strong, for those who have been there to share my burdens and those who have given me chance after chance even after realizing I’m no better human than they are.  I pray that at least one person will benefit from any knowledge I can share with them, from the lyrics of a song that will speak to their heart, from a message heard through radio, video, blog or pulpit, and even from my mistakes...that hopefully will help us learn what not do or how not to do it.  Every person that God has placed in my life has been a blessing in one way or another, and I only they knew what I know...that each have a place that no one else can fill.

Life

So many things have gone wrong-and so many things have gone right.  So many times I’ve encountered failure, rejection, loss, pain-yet, a few more, I’ve enjoyed success, love, gain and happiness.  I can only be thankful for it all.  Yes, it’s November, but no, ‘not only writing this because Thanksgiving is approaching.  Honestly, I’ve been reflecting on recent personal events that in past times would have destroyed any optimism and trust left within me.  Surprisingly enough, I still believe there is much to look forward to.  There are more than enough reasons to press on, and to face life with a smile.  Scars from the past have helped me learn and grow stronger.  Looking back at moments when I let hours, weeks, months, or perhaps years be filled with sorrow-times when hardships would take over my emotions...I now realize that life didn’t end there.  There was an “after” even for those moments when it seemed like there wouldn't be.  There was an end for even most difficult times.  Better yet, all of that prepared me for today.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  Life is long (God willing).  I’m not saying I’ll never again cry over negative circumstances, but as of today, I’m thankful.  I thank God for the good, for the bad, for what I have, for what hasn’t been granted to me.  I’m thankful He’s allowed me to make mistakes, and to cry, and to sob...and then to get up from the dust, let Him confort me, and simply go on.  What else can I ask for?!  Every tear and every smile have been part of this gift called “life”, and they have both played their part in the precious treasure called “experience”.

Solo Contigo (Only with You)

Solo Contigo listening link coming soon!


Probably one of the simplest concepts learned in my faith life is imprinted in the lyrics of this song, which will soon be available through online music platforms.  Unfortunately, learning this simple concept did not happen through one easy lesson.

Solo Contigo Lyrics

Le tuve miedo al fracaso y ahí fue donde llegué,

al darte la espalda todo me salió al revés.

Le tuve miedo a la soledad, y tanto me aferré

al amor de un humano, y aún así sola me quedé.

Es que sin ti no hay victorias.  Solo en ti está el poder.

Oh, Jesucristo amado, sin ti nada puedo hacer.

Solo contigo se mueven las montañas,

los mares se han abierto y el sol de mañana nunca deja de brillar.

Solo contigo se derrumban las murallas,

Se gana la batalla aún antes de luchar.

Solo contigo encontré la paz//

Solo Contigo lyrics (translated)

I was afraid of failure, and that’s where I ended up at.

When I turned my back on you everything turned upside down.

I have as afraid of loneliness and I clung so hard

to someone’s love, and still ended up alone.

It’s because without you there are no victories.  There’s only power in you.

Oh, beloved Jesus, I can’t do anything without you.

Only with you mountains move,

seas have opened up, and the morning sun never ceases to shine.

Only with you walls fall down,

battles are won before there is a fight.

Only with you I found peace.

Learning that, indeed, “...apart from me (Jesus) you can do nothing...” (John 15:5 NLT) happened after facing the toughest moments of my young adult life.  The future was bright, there were so many plans ahead of me.  Suddenly, doors became  shut, university funds were denied, car was totaled in a wreck, wedding plans collapsed (don’t worry, wedding did happen six months later) and no one understood why I was crying at the most random times, why I couldn’t even eat a meal without tears coming down my cheeks, why I couldn’t  even articulate an accurate description of the frustration and quite honestly-depression that I was struggling against.  It took an introspective look at my heart to realize that, while I wasn’t openly denying my faith or walking astray from it, I had come to trust my plans more than I trusted my God.  While planning and being prepared is never wrong, one who proclaims to live a life of faith must ultimately recognize that success, and overall, peace don’t come from one’s capabilities or resources.  It took failure to recognize that God was still in charge, and that I needed Him every step of the way.

Upcoming Album-Celestial-born in the middle of pain

For months we waited and were very excited about the recording of our second album, and on the 5th of June, the day finally arrived.  We were, at last, in the studio of ADSA Producciones in Tapachula, Chiapas, MX.  This is were the epicenter of a recent earthquake that left much destruction was.  We were very happy to be with family members that we don’t get to see very often, and  were the recipients of much hospitality and kindness.  At one point, as though things just could not be that easy, it all started to take a different turn.  Soon, finding the strength and courage to proceed with the recording became a spiritual, emotional and at times physical challenge.  During the five weeks we spent over there we experienced two mild earthquakes, the illness of our youngest child, and sadly, a much more painful tragedy:  the loss of a relative here in Kansas.  It was our third day recording when we received news of her abduction, and a day later, of her passing.  Being away suddenly became hard, as we wanted to be with our Kansas family and be of support during that difficult time.  In the midst of thinking we would not even be able to say our last goodbyes to our loved one, God allowed for us to be able to.  We struggled to find the fortitude needed, but found the strength of God to resume the recording, and every song became more real.  “Heavenly victory...”, says one of them... “...over all adversity.  In your arms, today, I can be at peace knowing that nothing will be if it is not your will...”.  We believe in victories, even painful ones.  Our loved one is physically gone, but embraced faith before parting.  Her victory is won, and nothing can take that away.  As for the album, with God’s blessing, it is soon to be released, and will always be a reminder of our Lord’s mercy and power holding us when our world breaks in pieces.

Enseñame (Teach Me)

Listen to Enseñame

 Enseñame (Teach Me) lyrics

Enseñame, enseñame hoy a comprender lo que es el amor.

Enseñame, oh mi Señor, a ser de ti fiel imitador.

Que no escatimaste a tu hijo Jesus, mas lo entregaste a morir en la cruz//

u-u-u//

 Enseñame a olvidar.  Ayudame a perdonar.

Quiero aprender de ti esa forma de amar.

De tal manera fue, me quisiste salvar.

Y no escatimaste a tu hijo Jesus, mas lo entregaste a morir en la cruz//

Cuando nos viste en nuestro pecado, cautivos por la maldad

tu decidiste enviar a tu hijo para darnos libertad, 

para darnos la luz u-u-u///

Enseñame (Teach Me) lyrics translated

Teach me, teach me today, to understand what love is.

Teach me, oh my Lord, to be a faithful imitator of you.

You did not spare your son Jesus, but gave Him up so he would die on the cross.//

oooh-oooh-ooooh//

Teach me how to forget.  Help me to forgive.

I want to learn from you the way you love.

You did it in such a way that you came to save me.

You did not spare your son Jesus, but gave Him up so he would die on the cross.//

When you saw in our sins, captivated my evil

you decided to send your child to give us freedom,

to give us light.  oooh-oooh-oooh-// 

I do not recall the exact moment  when I wrote this song, or the circumstance it came out of.  I do remember, however, that by the time we started recording it at the end of 2012 this song had become a prayer that I desperately sung from the bottom of my heart.  It was near the end of my second pregnancy, which was a very trying time for me.  Going through not only the physical effects of motherhood, but also some unexpected complications along with very emotional episodes, all I wanted was for God to give me strength to make it to the delivery room.  Honestly, I  could not see much more beyond that, but I figured if God allowed me to love long enough to give birth, He would also need to give me the strength to cope, to forgive and to love again.