To You, This Post.

This post is dedicated to the people I could not live without. (Even if miles have or will separate us.)


To my Parents.

To my Grandparents.

To my little sister.
To my little-big brother.

To my pastors, youth pastor, worship leaders, mentors and leaders.

To the family gained through Christ.

To my close friends.
To a closer friend.

To teachers.
To community leaders.

Over time, I realized how vulnerable I am to being influenced. And as I make this special mention, names cross my mind with a lovely sense of gratitude. I've experienced the love of God so closely through these wonderful people. And I want to thank them for their lives and the impact they made in mine.

Carrying any kind of relationship is hard work, but love truly does make them grow. I admit I'm not the best at interacting with others and have great relational issues that a lot of these people have helped me see and deal with. I also will admit that some of the relationships brought disappointments and with them discouragement, but that does not change the fact that I love them. That it happens, and one must choose to help be part of the solution, make it worse by staying (or sometimes leaving is wrong), or stepping away.

I once was told that "Pain is inevitable", which I find it to be one the of truest of truths. But I also know that Healing, Comfort is ready to reach down every time. Relationships aren't perfect, but perfected. They aren't grown, but growing. Either way relationships, people, are the part of life you cannot control (that's if you're loving them). And whether you do all the right things or all the wrong things they may fail you. Choose to love them anyway. 

And well, I'm actually the worse at saying good-bye (I really am, I'm a mess). But I had to say a lot of them over time, and most likely continue to in life. It may be wishful thinking, but I hope to one day see them, talk to them, or connect somehow one day. And as for those who are still around, I couldn't be more glad to know you and be part of y'all's life. Truly grateful for you all! :) 


And with this I say Good-Bye. 

Estefania, Officially 21.

Side Note To The Previous Post

     At the end of a pretty relaxing day, my sister began to reflect on the type of husband she one day will marry by sharing with me that she had made a list. Which is more than exciting news! And I cannot wait to see it become reality. But to that I simply and quietly replied (mostly to myself) with a big smile on my face and a tear down my cheek, "I want to be surprised." Never ever had I become so overwhelmed with peace and joy (that relaxed my every muscle) making me feel rested by confessing that out loud. 

The truth is I know who's writing my love story, and I have no need to worry about the time or "the one". (Not that it doesn't cross my mind; it does time and time again. A LOT.)  I also know that He knows the desires of my heart, and well, He knows me all completely... That doesn't mean I won't make myself available, give time to be pursued or that I don't know what I want, or that I won't try. I just know who's hands I've left it up to. It's knowing that I (and everyone else, including you) play a part of a bigger picture! And knowing that we have a GOOD God. He's YOUR DADDY. And if you don't know anything about Him, you should know that He LOVES YOU so much that He gave His only son, Jesus, just to make a bridge between you and Him. He is good and there's not bad in Him. I recommend you get to know Him. He has written an entire love letter :) He is the Author of Life. Our Creator. To love Him is to KNOW Him. And as we are called to Love, because He is LOVE and to share Him to the world, we MUST LOVE.... 

(I took this from a great book called Crazy Love. Place your name where the word "Love" is, the best way to know how you're truly lovin' and reflecting God, who is LOVE.)

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and Love keeps no record of being wronged. Love does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. I Corinthians 13:4-7              

Encounter Love. Seek Love. Show Love. Be Love. Love Love. 


Estefania.

Pursued

           As women, we may define romance in a multitudes of ways (being aware that it is not always flowers and chocolates, or letters and love songs), but we can conclude that romance is the display of someone taking action in pursuing our very own heart. To be real with myself and you girls, being pursued and chased after is not a feeling or longing far from me. I constantly find myself day dreaming of a "movie-like" scenario. (You know: being surprised, the flowers, the white horse, the sunset at the beach, the love letters, the ball gowns, the prince and princess sort of things.) I doubt to be the only one in this world with such imagination and dreams. In all I concluded that like many, I was picturing the ways someone could make the atmosphere to get to know my heart through actions. Someone who would give up their time to pursue my heart. Does it sound familiar? If not, disregard...

But I would like to share with you Someone who gave their entire life to pursue our very heart, to captivate it and dwell in it forever.

In today's devotional I stumbled upon a love letter, a confirmation, a reassurance of this, with the sweet smell of romance. 

"Suppose there was a king who loved a humble maiden. The king was like no other king. Every statesman trembled before his power. No one dared breathe a word against him, for he had the strength to crush all opponents. 

And yet this mighty king was melted by love for a humble maiden who lived in a poor village in his kingdom. How could he declare his love for her? In an odd sort of way, his kingliness tied his hands. If he brought her to the palace and crowned her head with jewels and clothed her body in royal robes, she would surely not resist-no one dared resist him. But would she love him? 

She would say she loved him, of course, but would she truly? Or would she live with him in fear, nursing a private grief for the life she had left behind? Would she be happy at his side? How could he know for sure? If he rode to her forest cottage in his royal carriage, with an armed escort waving bright banners, that too would overwhelm her. He did not want a cringing subject. He wanted a lover, an equal. He wanted her to forget that he was a king and she a humble maiden and to let shared love cross the gulf between them. For it is only in love that the unequal can be made equal. 

The king, convinced he could not elevate the maiden without crushing her freedom, resolved to descend to her. Clothed as a beggar, he approached her cottage with a worn cloak fluttering loose about him. This was not just a disguise--the king took on a totally new identity--He had renounced his throne to declare his love and to win hers.

Likewise, the King, your King, lowered himself to a place of putting on human flesh in His pursuit of your heart. Paul described it this way:

[Jesus] who, being in very nature God,

Did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

But made himself nothing, 

Taking the very nature of a servant,

Being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

He humbled himself

And became obedient to death -- 

Even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

And gave him the name that is above every name,

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

In heaven and on earth and under the earth,

And every tongue confess that 

Jesus Christ is Lord,

To the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11)

Why would God do such a thing? Because He loves you and longs to have an intimate, personal relationship with you. It was a high price to pay, but Jesus knew you were worth it.

Oh friend, you are not only chosen, you are pursued to the utmost! Chosen. Pursued. Loved. And when you understand the great lengths God has gone through and continues to go through to win your love, it changes how you view all of life.

August 23, 2012

The King and His Maiden

 by:
Sharon Jaynes


Estefania 

Instagram Fun @luisa_estefania

Sharing with you some pictures... Cool fun for me!

Love Love

         As I was pondering the thought of what it meant to really and truly love our neighbor, the correlation between John 3:16 and I John 3:16 just blew my mind. (Yes, I admit to ponder on a lot of things, but this one changed me...)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. I John 3:16

Love. The reason we would or could ever give. As I mentioned the past few posts, many of these causes, charities, and movements represent more than just a subject. But rather these stand in representation of millions of faces. Although we have not seen them or have been in contact with them personally, giving our time, consideration, our talents, our prayers, and our money is definitely an expression of love to them. Letting people know what's going on in the world around them is one step and just as important as the rest. So, I encourage you to let people know about them. Be a representative of these lives no one has heard about. I also encourage to maintain informed about what it is you wish to help out. There's many ways we can be misled, information is vital, and in that way, you can weight the cost. How are you willing to love?

Love love.

Estefania

PS. PS.  Please join my campaign, as I give up my birthday to provide water to a community in Rwanda.  http://mycharitywater.org/estefania-21

2 for 1

A "Two Birds, One Stone" situation (horrible, don't go around killing birdies! Or I'll find you).

 I hope to shine some light towards this season of elections, and encourage you to make the wise choice of sticking to your gut and what you believe. 

    While we prepare to vote, the media seems to make it harder and harder time after time. Sometimes putting physical appearance, relational connections, stature and personal matters of each candidate as a priority, that honestly affect and blur our opinion whether we like it or not. I recommend that individually we look at their agendas, place our priorities as individual and as a country, and choose those who stand for what you believe. I don't believe in standing on a party alone, but rather looking at what the people around them (working for them) are doing. A lot of time it is not necessarily the candidate's words, but what his public relations committee would like him to say or appear to be. They want to please the people and say what you or majority of this country want to hear. Thus, if you know you disagree with the position each candidate takes on matters that are very important to you, make your case (explore, get informed, ask around you), but don't refuse to vote. I suggest you keep in mind the next generation coming behind you, and how they will be facing our decision today. Remember that we form our government, it is up to us to choose. (And not for them to tell us what to do.) 

So with that being said, what are some topics you should keep in mind? (And take a stance on!)

This is BOUND4LIFE (http://bound4life.com/), an organization that stands up for life (or against abortion). Life is a gift, not a curse. The future victims of this crime (killing innocent babies) could get a chance by the way you vote. Abortion has been a "touchy" subject since the day it became allowed. In my opinion, it is that way because of all the emotional chaos attached to the word. It is also rooted in selfishness and increasing in revenue every passing moment. I think that life is life, given by God and not allowed to be taken away by us. (In NO circumstance). Thus, abolishing abortion is not taking away a right or our choice. 
I encourage you to take up the responsibility to do what's right for the world. Do not be intimidated by the big words, the super-knowledgeable people or the constant oppressors that may stand against what you believe. For a long time, I really thought I was uninformed on subjects like this one to speak up. (And I still don't know a lot on it). I do know that I can't just know a little bit and still do nothing. And many, many organizations are not passive when it comes to letting everyone else know. 
Here are some links to movements/organizations standing up for millions of unborn babies:

http://backtolifemovement.com/

http://www.whyprolife.com/

http://www.operationrescue.org/

http://www.everylifeisbeautiful.com/

Do take consideration for the people that have been part of this or know women that have had an abortion, and choose to love them. A lot of times, in hopelessness and in desperate times, we long for someone to shine some light and bit of hope, and you could be it. There is help and options, but abortion is not one of them. 
  

I believe this is a battle for my generation and generations to come. Get informed! 

One more thing, I also recommend you watch the movies "180" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y2KsU_dhwI&feature=youtube_gdata_player)  and "October Baby" (http://octoberbabymovie.net/)  
(Do it!! :) Please!)

“Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:9)

The foundation of my values is Truth, and it is the base of my stance in this matter. 

Pray and stick to your gut as you vote, 
Estefania. 

Blogger's Re-Cap

Quick summary of what has been this like and what's to come:


     I definitely have written a few things, but have yet to post. So far, I have shared about some of my favorite charities, causes, movements and organizations, and I will continue to do so. I've also shared some of my favorite bible verses and encouraging words, and I've shared little bits of my life outside a computer screen. You've also got so see some of the blogs I get inspiration from, encouragement and just life advice. And well mostly derived from the anticipation on turning 21.

[I hope to make my goal of 21 posts on Monday, October 8th. (The day I turn 21!) ]

What is to come, you ask?

I have one or two more organizations to speak about.
Will be sharing some girl-to-girl encouragement.
I will tell you about a personal story, plan and/or dream.
I might even mention some things on makeup, hair, or fashion stuff.

If time permits, I will do this in about  less than 4 days. (It is me against time!)

 :) Wish me luck!
Estefania

Girl Talk?

I want to share with girls some of the encouraging websites I visit from time to time. They have been encouraging and have challenged me in my walk with God. These also have some good advice on topics I might not have been bold enough to ask about...

Captured. (http://www.iamcaptured.org/)

This is definitely a website with some great pointers on life for young women like me. Especially on areas that affect our every day life, such as relationships. They give multiple point of views, and just fantastic encouragement. I truly look up to the founder of it, Laura Allred. I could not have found a more inspiring, godly women directing to women and standing up for life. She is also the founder of Back To Life that has hit big all over the news this year. She's definitely a world changer I look up to.


Love&Respect Now. (http://loveandrespectnow.com/)

If you're looking for some spunk in your life, you need this. Although it reaches a wide spectrum of subjects, recently this has been my "relationships advice" go-to. I learned a lot on how to handle situations and it kind of broke many myths I had on relationships. It is easy to grasp and most importantly it is the truth. I have received answers to so many questions, and if you email them, they will respond to you! I just love how Joy (the funny girl in the videos!) is so honest, transparent, and has opened up this subject to our generation!


Crowned With Purpose. (http://crownedwithpurpose.com/)

I read this blog on and off, but it has been a great up lifter in the area of prayer for me. It really has been a helpful tool when it comes to making bold prayers and just increasingly standing in faith. I admire Dr. Iris Delgado as a writer, a mother, and a woman of God. I have heard her testimony, have seen her life pretty close and I have watched her as she shares the liberating love of God to many, many women. I definitely love her writing, her family and her very much.


Girlfriends in God. (http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/)

This is the website where I get my daily devotionals. I love the way they relate to women and our daily lives. God has definitely used these amazing women to speak to me through the devo's. When I need it the most, God has spoken. I recommend every lady I know to sign up for their daily devotionals. They are very encouraging, and they have also helped me meditate on God's word throughout the day.



Check them out! :)


Estefania

(Oh, I purposely used a picture of piano keys instead of keyboard keys! They're keys!)