Tag Archives: imperfection

Why Did I Do That Again?

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Have you ever beaten yourself on the head for stuff you wish you had done differently or not at all? I bet you have if you’re a human. Whether it’s in your marriage, in parenting, as a son/daughter, you can rest in this Word: God is GOOD and FORGIVING, ABOUNDING in STEADFAST LOVE, to whom??????? TO ALL WHO CALL UPON HIM!

No, I’m not yelling at you. I’m just adding emphasis to the most critical parts of the verse, so your brain can grasp it more effectively.

God’s goodness is ABUNDANT, which He has STORED UP; for whom???????? For those who FEAR Him. His goodness He has worked, for whom????? For those who TAKE REFUGE in Him. (Psalm 31:19, ESV)

Do you love Him? Do you fear Him? Do you take refuge in Him? Is He the Lord of your life? Well, you’re 100% guaranteed that He will work everything for good. If you haven’t, bring the stuff you’ve done wrong BOLDLY upon His throne of grace so you may obtain mercy. And He, in His abundant, plentiful, enduring, and satisfying goodness, will restore everything you’ve lost. It doesn’t matter which type of relationship you have lost anything, but HE WILL RESTORE IT, for what????? For His glory!!! It’s not because of who we are, but because of WHO HE IS!! He’s GOOD!!! He’s KIND!!! And He wants us to live life, but to live it ABUNDANTLY!!!

No more beating yourself on the head. Go to Him; He’s GOT YOU!!! ❤️

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¿Alguna vez te has golpeado en la cabeza por cosas que desearías haber hecho diferente, o peor aún, que no debiste hacer? Apuesto a que sí, si en realidad eres un humano. Ya sea en tu matrimonio, en la crianza de los hijos, como hijo / hija. Pero puedes descansar en esta Palabra: Dios es BUENO y PERDONADOR, ABUNDANTE en MISERICORDIA, ¿Para quién ??????? ¡PARA CON TODOS LOS QUE LE INVOCAN!

No, no te estoy gritando. Solo estoy agregando énfasis a las partes más importantes del verso bíblico, para que tu cerebro pueda comprenderlo de manera más efectiva.

La bondad de Dios es ABUNDANTE, que ha GUARDADO, ¿Para quién???????? Para los que le TEMEN. Su bondad ha OBRADO, ¿Para quién????? Para los que en Él SE REFUGIAN. (Salmo 31:19, NVI)

¿Lo amas? ¿Eres temeroso? ¿Te refugias en Él? ¿Es Él el Señor de tu vida? Si has contestado afirmativamente, entonces estás 100% garantizado de que Él trabajará todo para bien, a tu favor.

Mas si no lo has hecho, simplemente trae las cosas que has hecho mal, audazmente, ante Su trono de gracia para que puedas obtener misericordia. Y Él, en Su bondad abundante, grande, infinita, duradera y satisfactoria, restaurará todo lo que has perdido. No importa en qué tipo de relación hayas perdido algo, pero EL RESTAURARÁ, ¿Para qué????? Para su gloria !!! ¡No es por lo que somos, sino por QUIÉN ES ÉL! ¡¡¡Él es bueno!!! Él es amable! ¡Y Él quiere que vivamos la vida, pero que la vivamos ABUNDANTEMENTE!

No más golpes en la cabeza. El enemigo quiere que estés ocupado en tus pensamientos de derrota. Pues no, no le des el gusto. Acércate a Dios, ÉL ESTÁ AHÍ PARA TI! ❤️

Growing Up in Church

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Have you ever heard the saying, “Everyone sees who you are but does not know the story?” Well, I have, especially in Spanish. “Todos ven quién eres, pero no conocen la historia.”

I take a lot of pride when someone asks me how long have I known Christ. Why? Because I grew up in church. My mom started taking my brother and me to church when I was around 4 years old. However, growing up in church was difficult, at least for me. Our walk in Christ was based on following rules; it was more about the things we couldn’t do than the things we could do. Things I could not do: Go to the movie theater, wear makeup or jewelry, wear pants, denim skirts, or sleeveless shirts; cut hair short, paint nails, and on, and on, and on. I remember one time, when I was like 15 years old, I wore bangs to my Bible Institute graduation and the pastor asked me to put my bangs back—I have the picture to prove it—. I begrudgingly submitted.

Psalm 1:1 was used to describe why Christians should not do those things, especially going to the movie theater. That Scripture reads, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.” It was the lack of use of hermeneutics that allowed whoever was in charge to set up those rules. Now I know, “context determines meaning.” Thank you, Hermeneutics professor and Manna U. In only 10 months, you have become such a pivotal part of my spiritual (theological understanding) healing.

I stayed in that church until I was 20 years old. I loved God with all my heart, soul, and mind. That means that I wanted to follow every single rule. I did not want to go to Hell and burn for eternity—yes, that was what would happen had I not followed all the rules to a t—. I wanted to be perfect. God wanted perfection—or so I was taught—. That put an enormous pressure on me as I was growing up. I wanted to do everything right regardless of the cost. I was quick to judge my friends who did not follow the rules; there was no gray shades for me; everything was black and white. No grace, only judgment.

Sometimes I would think to myself and rant about it to other people, “why is it that we can’t do this or that but other Christians in other churches can? They look so blessed, joyful, and you can see the love of Jesus flow through them.” They were liberal Christians who would get different rewards when they got to Heaven. Whatever!

When Gabriel was born, Orlando and I decided that we did not want to raise him in that environment. We had enough! We started attending another church and God started teaching new things to us, about His grace and love for us. It has taken 20 years and I still learn new things about God’s grace every day. But I am not where I was—thank you, Lord!—. God has shown me His amazing grace and continues to do. Every. Single. Day.

I no longer live trying to do and be in my own strength. I now ask God to give me the grace to do what He called me to do. I need His grace. His grace is sufficient. Through His grace I am transformed, changed, renewed. Into His likeness. I am “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18b

This is my story. This is the way I remember it. I do not hold resentment against anyone; my heart has no place for that. And this is the way I choose to share it. On my blog. Unapologetically.

This is the picture I was talking about where I had to put back my bangs

I Am Growing

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If what happened 2 days ago had actually happened 2 years ago, I would have given that person a piece of my mind on behalf of my child. Mama Bear (moi) can be intense! Imagine a bear attacking a human; yes, that would be Dee without Christ in her. Imagine a mama bear defending her cubs; yep, that would be me! But now I do it on my knees. In front of the throne of grace.

People can do some stuff to my 2 boys -some-. The enemy can try. But let me tell you something, and I hope you are the same way or would be the same way if you had children or when you have children. I do not fight the battles of my 2 sons arguing with people. I do not rescue them from their personal and emotional battles, although sometimes I wish I could rescue them, especially from heartbreak and stupid mistakes. I am not a helicopter mom only because I read a book about the consequences of being that type of mom when they were very little. So God protected me from being one.

Nonetheless, I fight my children’s battles. How? Thank you for asking. On my knees, in prayer! One –of many– prayer that I have taped on my bathroom shower door is the prayer Paul prayed for the Colossian Christians in Colossians 1:9-11. I pray:

  • That Gabriel and Japheth may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
  • That Gabriel and Japheth walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
  • That Gabriel and Japheth are strengthened with all power, according to God’s glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.

God’s got them! God’s mighty hand is on them! The Holy Spirit dwells in them! God is growing them through their mistakes -for an enneagram 1 to say that it is a big step, especially since I wanted them to be perfect-! But I learned that there’s beauty in imperfection. And going back to the One who matters, God is transforming them into His likeness.

Therefore, I do not have to worry about what people say about them or to them. Well, I do worry. About what? Again, thank you for asking. I worry about how I am praying and if they are the proper prayers. I stop myself and ask, “Am I praying strategically?”, “Did I lose focus in the prayers I am praying for them?”, “Mmmmm…, do I have to go back to what Scripture says in 1 Thes. 5:17–19?” I ask myself questions like that -and many more- and adjust my prayer sails if necessary.

When we pray to our Heavenly Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, He moves on our behalf! Never, ever, stop praying for your children! Never give up! And PLEASE, do not be one of those parents who say, “God knows what they need; therefore, I do not have to be praying for them without ceasing.” Gosh, what a DUMB comment or way of thinking. To those parents, I am screaming in their ears: 🔊PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN!!!! That gives me righteous anger, FOR REAL! The enemy does not sleep, people! The enemy needs to know that you WILL NOT back down when it comes to your children! Moms and dads, I am talking to you; put on the armor of God and PRAY and intercede for your children!

When you are 80-90 years old, sitting in a rocking chair on your front porch, looking at your great-grandchildren playing in your front yard, you will look back and be GLAD that you prayed for your children.

My Family

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“In the home where there is a brave father and a wise mother, there is an indestructible strength.” Anonymous

Hello! First of all, welcome to our blog! My name is Dee and I am the mother and the wife. I am very happy that you have visited us. Giving Freely began on September 12, 2020. Long before then, I had considered blogging. Well, I had one blog called Nuestra Familia, Nuestro Blog in 2014. Having a blog is a way to fulfill the desire I’ve always had to write. Thank you for taking from your valuable time to read us.

About Moi:

1. I was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, where I lived until I was 12 years old, and then from 18 to 20 years old. I have also lived in the following places:

  • Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
  • Huntsville, Alabama
  • Kitzingen, Germany
  • Wichita Falls, Texas
  • Fort Rucker, Alabama
  • Phenix City, Alabama
  • And now in South Carolina

2. At the age of 4, I suffered from nephrotic syndrome. It is a medical condition in which the kidneys allow protein to leak into the urine. Because of that, I was admitted to the hospital for about a month.

3. I have a master’s degree in Information Technology (IT), Information Assurance and Security.

4. I have worked in the areas of customer service, real estate, IT, and lately as a teacher (bilingual and substitute).

5. Since May 2018, my husband and I have been on the ketogenic diet, also known as Keto.

6. I’m not perfect and my grammar isn’t perfect either.

The Three Men of my Life:

Enough about me. Now I have to talk about the men who have the key to my heart: a king and two princes, the three loves of my life. I am in love and will be for the rest of my life!

My husband, the papa bear, is an exceptional man, who above all things loves God. He is meek, humble, loving, patient; a gift from God for my life and for the lives of our children. We met when I was in middle school and have been inseparable ever since. He is without a doubt the man that God separated for me, my best friend, my confidant. But he is not the only man in my life …

… Because he has to share me with two others: my princes. With the big freckled one and the one with green eyes. Gabriel Andrés (18 years old) and Japheth (14 years old) are the fruit of our love, our treasures. Since they were both born, they have filled us with great happiness. Gabe is outgoing, comical, and sociable. He enjoys learning about various subjects, reading, watching movies, and playing World of Warcraft, among others. Japheth, on the other hand, is kind, curious, and detailed. He enjoys watching YouTube videos, taking electronics apart (as his father did when he was that age) and putting them back together, and playing video games. They are both different, but with charming qualities. We never get bored with them because they always have something interesting or funny to say.

Anyway, that’s us, although maybe it’s more than you wanted to know about our family.

Mi Familia

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“En el hogar donde hay un padre valiente y una madre prudente, hay una fortaleza indestructible.” Anónimo

¡Hola! Primero que todo, ¡bienvenido(a) a nuestro blog! Mi nombre es Damaris y yo soy la mamá y la esposa. Estoy requetecontenta de que nos hayas visitado. Giving Freely comenzó el 12 de septiembre de 2020. Mucho antes de esa fecha, había considerado tener un blog. Es más, tuve uno que se llamaba Nuestra Familia, Nuestro Blog en el 2014. Tener un blog es una manera de cumplir el deseo que siempre he tenido de escribir. Gracias por sacar de tu valioso tiempo para leernos.

Acerca de Moi:

1. Nací en Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, donde viví hasta que tenía 12 años, y luego desde los 18 a los 20 años. También he vivido en los siguientes lugares:

  • Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico
  • Huntsville, Alabama
  • Kitzingen, Alemania
  • Wichita Falls, Texas
  • Fort Rucker, Alabama
  • Phenix City, Alabama
  • Y ahora en una ciudad de Carolina del Sur

2. A la edad de 4 años sufrí de síndrome nefrótico. Es una condición médica en la cual los riñones permiten la filtración de proteínas a la orina. Debido a eso, estuve ingresada alrededor de un mes en el hospital.

3. Poseo una maestría en Tecnología de la Información o Information Technology (IT, por sus siglas en inglés), específicamente Information Assurance and Security.

4. He trabajado en las áreas de servicio al cliente, bienes raíces, IT, y últimamente como maestra (bilingüe y sustituta).

5. Desde mayo de 2018, mi esposo y yo seguimos la dieta cetogénica, también conocida como Keto.

6. No soy perfecta y mi gramática tampoco lo es.

Los Tres Hombres de mi Vida:

Ya que sabes mucho de mí, ahora me toca hablar de los dueños de mi corazón: un rey y dos príncipes, los tres amores de mi vida. ¡Estoy enamorada y lo estaré por el resto de mi vida!

Mi esposo, el papá de los pollitos, es un hombre excepcional, que sobre todas las cosas, ama a Dios. Es manso, humilde, amoroso, paciente; un regalo de Dios para mi vida y para la vida de nuestros hijos. Nos conocimos cuando yo estaba en escuela intermedia y hemos sido inseparables desde entonces. Es sin duda alguna el hombre que Dios separó para mí, mi mejor amigo, mi confidente. Pero él no es el único hombre en mi vida…

…porque me tiene que compartir con otros dos: mis príncipes. Con el pecosito cachetón y con el de ojos verdes. Gabriel Andrés (18 años) y Japheth (14 años) son el fruto de nuestro amor, nuestros tesoros. Desde que ambos nacieron, nos han llenado de mucha felicidad. Gabe es extrovertido, cómico y sociable. Le gusta aprender sobre diversos temas, leer, ver películas y jugar World of Warcraft, entre otros. Japheth, por otro lado, es juicioso, curioso y detallista. Le gusta leer, ver vídeos en YouTube, desarmar electrónicos (como lo hacía su padre cuando tenía esa edad) y jugar videojuegos. Ambos son diferentes, pero con cualidades encantadoras. Nunca nos aburrimos con ellos porque siempre tienen algo interesante o cómico qué decir.
En fin, esos somos nosotros, aunque quizás es más de lo que querías saber sobre nuestra familia.

“En el hogar donde hay un padre valiente y una madre prudente, hay una fortaleza indestructible.” Anónimo

Get to Know Me / Conóceme

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Who am I? Well, my name is Damaris, but since my name is hard to pronounce in English for most people, I ask them to just call me Dee. Especially when I tell my name to the Starbucks baristas. I was born in Puerto Rico, but left the island in 2002 when my husband joined the Army. We’ve lived in Hunstville, Alabama; Kitzingen, Germany; Wichita Falls, Texas; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Phenix City, Alabama; and now we are living in the Midlands, South Carolina since August 2016.

I am a daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece; but the titles I am most proud of are wife and mother. I married my middle school sweetheart in the year 2000 after dating for 7 years. My firstborn son, Gabriel Andres, was born in November 2001. My secondborn, Japheth, was born in July 2006. They have taught me grace. As a perfectionist (One on the Enneagram), I want everything to be done right, no faults, no mistakes. But they have taught me that there’s beauty in imperfection. Grace is the most beautiful gift I have received through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. So if I want to live a life that honors Him and His sacrifice, I must extend grace to others, especially to those closest to me.

Why this blog?

  • I love learning. But I do not like to keep things to myself. I like to tell others about everything I am learning or have learned. Actually, Jesus tells the disciples in Matthew 10:8, “Freely you have received; freely give.” God has given me gifts, talents, and abilities; not to keep them to myself, but to share them with everyone around me.
  • I love when other people learn.

Español:

¿Quién soy? Bueno, mi nombre es Damaris, pero como mi nombre es difícil de pronunciar en inglés para la mayoría de las personas, les pido que simplemente que me llamen Dee. Especialmente cuando les doy mi nombre a los baristas de Starbucks. Nací en Puerto Rico, pero dejé la isla en 2002 cuando mi esposo se unió al Ejército de Estados Unidos (US Army). Hemos vivido en Hunstville, Alabama; Kitzingen, Alemania; Wichita Falls, Texas; Fort Rucker, Alabama; Phenix City, Alabama; y ahora vivimos en Midlands, Carolina del Sur desde agosto de 2016.

Soy hija, hermana, tía, prima, sobrina; pero los títulos de los que estoy más orgullosa son el de esposa y madre. Me casé con mi novio de la escuela secundaria en el año 2000 después de un noviazgo de 7 años. Mi primogénito, Gabriel Andrés, nació en noviembre de 2001. Mi segundo hijo, Jafet, nació en julio de 2006. Me han enseñado la gracia. Como perfeccionista (Uno en el Eneagrama), quiero que todo se haga bien, sin fallas, sin errores. Pero ellos me han enseñado que hay belleza en la imperfección. La gracia es el regalo más hermoso que he recibido a través del sacrificio de Jesús en la cruz. Entonces, si quiero vivir una vida que lo honre a Él y a Su sacrificio, debo extender la gracia a los demás, especialmente a los más cercanos a mí.

¿Por qué este blog?

  • Porque me encanta aprender. Pero no me gusta guardarme las cosas para mí solamente. Me gusta contarles a los demás todo lo que estoy aprendiendo o he aprendido. En realidad, Jesús les dijo a los discípulos en Mateo 10:8, “De gracia recibisteis, dad de gracia.” Dios me ha dado dones, talentos y habilidades; no para guardarlos para mí, sino para compartirlos con todos los que me rodean.
  • Porque me encanta cuando otras personas aprenden.