About two years ago, I felt a burning passion to adopt a child out of foster care someday. Mostly due to my job at The Good News and our consistent relationship with 4KIDS of South Florida, I was deeply moved by stories of normal ordinary Christians making a diffence in a child's life. My step-mother was also adopted, and she recently (after a few years of badgering) reached out to her birth family. Her mother had just died, but her remaining sisters welcomed her with open arms.

It wasn't until last fall that I found out that I too have an adoption story of my own. My mom got pregnant at 14 and was sent to live at a home for unwed mothers in Miami. The whole ordeal was very hush, hush for my then-strictly Catholic family. Well, my brother was born on May 15, 1976 and my mom named him Daniel. He was born at 8:16 a.m. according to records, and he was adopted by a Cuban man and his wife in Miami through St. Vincent's Adoption Services. They mostly spoke Spanish, and when my brother's mom held him in her arms for the first time she immediately took him as her own, repeating "my own baby, my own baby," according to records. Her desire for a child breaks my heart, and I'm happy that my mom used something that was then seen as shameful to bless someone else. I just wanted to write all this information here just in case he might be looking for us. I don't really know how to search for my adopted brother, but I'm going to try. If you have any advice, feel free to leave me a note.

God bless you all, and I thank God that we can all be adopted into His family because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. I wonder if my brother is a Christian or what faith he is ... I wonder if he only speaks Spanish. I believe that one day God will bless me with the opportunity to find out.

Today, my testimony was featured on the girl's advice site www.WeUsed2bu.com. Check it out here if you'd like to learn how I became a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Today Pedro and I met with a financial advisor to make sure we get everything in order now that we're Mr. and Mrs., and he really encouraged me to "turn over every rock" I see. He meant that we should go after the things we're interested in instead of just waiting for good things to fall in our lap. This way, God can propel us forward in His plan because we're simply willing.

“A lot of people will tell me, ‘God will take care of me just like he takes cares of the birds.’ But every bird I know is up before you and I turning over every rock it sees to look for food. We don’t have because we don’t ask, we don’t seek,” he said.

How true. Jesus said that as well. It's so funny that we can be afraid that we're not good enough for the work God has called us to ... when God, who's God over ALL, is the One who has called us. We'll never be "good enough," but God chooses to work through imperfect people. But, when we don't have faith that He can do good things in our lives, we kind of refuse to be blessed or used by Him.

I'm going to try to overturn some rocks today. What are some rocks you've overturned in your life with God's help?

Here's my idea board for decorating our new place, our as I like to call it The Box Maze. I can't wait to see what comes out of all these bumbling little inspirations.

Since I got married a little over a month ago, I have been sicker than I’ve ever been. I’ve been hot, I’ve been cold, I’ve been shivering, I’ve been unable to swallow, I’ve been unable to walk … the list goes on and on. It’s incredible!
Before you think this is one long rant, I have to say that I am trying to follow today’s Streams in the Desert advice: “Try Thanksgiving.”
I am thankful for all these trials because they’re making me more like Jesus. And they’re making me more thankful for being healthy and “little things” like walking and eating solid food. :P But, most of all, these trials encourage me.
A little thought has been rumbling around the back of my mind: “I’m going through this because I’m going the right way.”
I’m not one of those everything-is-the-devil’s-fault kind of people. But I do think the enemy is attacking me, because Pedro and I want to glorify God together. And it pisses him off.
That makes me happy. Even if I have an ouchie.
So, to end off this blog, I’d love it if you’d pray for my health and me and my new hubby! And perhaps, “try thanksgiving” today, even for the trials your facing.