My Journey / My Destiny He Wrapped Me in His Light: The Secrets to Fulfilling Your Own Desires

By Maria R. Perez-Baranda

All of a sudden, it hit me: while I am waiting on the Lord to work in my life; the Lord is waiting on me. This was the moment in time for me to share His message of love for us, through my own personal journey. Ive stepped out in faith to share with others of his amazing grace. Thank you, Father God all glory, honor and praise, I give onto your precious holy name. Im getting it! Im sitting here with a great big smile.

I dont know how the story of my life is going to end, but I know the one that does. On that note, I send blessings to all the women of faith, along with those who are and will become pillars of strength for their families. God is ever so faithful, and he does have a sense of humor; see how he, our heavenly Father, works all things out for good for those who believe. Be still and know that God is still God; He is mighty in working miracles and wonders! He is still our healer, and He wants to show Himself strong on behalf of those who trust in Him. Keep believing and never give up.

While reading, you will be drawn into a life journey filled with lots of love and laughter, as well as tragic losses. You will find golden nuggets of wisdom, faith, courage, loss and victory sprinkled throughout. My Journey My Destiny, He wrapped Me in His Light is a source of encouragement, not only to single mothers, but to all women who have struggled with the loss of a loved one, have had health issues, been unemployedbut never lost hope, and how you can become an unshakeable women of faith!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449735111

Maria R. Perez-Baranda

Maria R. Perez-Baranda resides in West New York, New Jersey, with her two teenage boys. She has previously published poems and has written short stories and a play.

Book preview

My Journey / My Destiny

He wrapped Me in his light

The Secrets to fulfilling your own desires

MARIA R. PEREZ - BARANDA

SKU-000464094_TEXT.pdf

Copyright © 2012 by Maria R. Perez - Baranda

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any

information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scriptures noted NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES

VERSION. The Inspirational Study Bible—Max Lucado

Copyright ©1995, Word Publishing. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL

VERSION. Women’s Devotional Bible—Copyright ©1990, by

The Zondervan Corporation. All rights reserved.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

All photos submitted are originals taken by author and are sole property of the author.

All poems are originals written by the author and are sole property of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-3512-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-3513-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-3511-1 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011963165

WestBow Press rev. date: 05/25/2012

CONTENTS

For my children:

Preface

Introduction

When I was Weak,

You Made Me Strong Lord

La Familia / The Family

Dreams

Father

Survivor of the New Years Eve Disaster

My Safe Financial Haven (work)

Living Life by a Thread

PAPI Juan in a Million

Words of wisdom

to pass on from generation to generation

Fears and Anger brought on Strength

and Courage through Faith and Hope

(Surviving Endometriosis)

Three Celebrate First Christmas

I prayed about it

And

Gave it to thee

Precious Moments

and the quiet cries of

a broken heart

Walking with the Lord Blind Faith

Joins of hands, cries and

prayers throughout America

Light to Eternity

God is in Control

Every Failure is a Stepping-stone

Single Mothers

Single Mothers

Life felt like a

Downward Spiral but

I hung on tight

Friends United by Love,

Sisters United by Christ

We have reached a Milestone

When you feel like Your

Life is in Darkness

Living on the Edge

The Three P’s

God has a purpose for all

Who you are to me

Prayer page

T R U S T

What do you see?

God is in it

Letting God in

How do we interpret being Alone

Let’s talk about Love!

A Day without Drama

Just Another Day

Receiving Favor in your life

A Woman’s Conviction

Mary, Mary

I know you are my Savior

Y

Mirror

Peace

I believe

Dare to pray

What happen to our Friendship?

Faith, Fire and Focus

Challenge Me

Keep My Senses

Quiet Me

In the Thrust of Turmoil

A special message from Our Father

CANCER

You Trusted and Believed

Faith is the substance of

things we cannot see.

Faith

The Forever Promise

Whatever gifts you can use

References

Afterword

Author’s Autobiography

For my children:

Steven Israel and Juan Jesus

Boys, I think this will explain who your Mother is, I live my life so that when I cross over to meet Jesus, people will know that I loved you both unconditionally, I loved others clearly, and I loved God completely.

God has a plan for you both, but you won’t know those plans unless you know God.

I will always treasure the sound of the front door opening and closing with the return from my two boys even on days when I had a bad headache. Before long, you will be on their way to college and making families of their own. Maybe even playing professional sports and my front door will not be opening and closing like it does now, but remember my son’s, my blessings will always be upon you.

Some people may remember that our home may not been clutter-free, but it was a worry-free home. Amen. Those who visited felt peace surround them and at times didn’t want to leave, because home is where the heart is.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29v11 (NKJV)

I plan to keep on reminding you of these things, because I want you to remember them long after I am gone.

God bless you today and always.

I’ll love you forever, Mom.

Preface

In my quiet moments in the presence of the Lord, I reconfirm my desires and my needs. I recall the lesson I learned from Sarah (in the Bible) who received the blessing of her heart. I also had a burning desire that I brought before the Lord; it was to someday be a mother. Thank you, Father for blessing me twice as I never gave up on hope.

I continuously ask for forgiveness in all areas of my life, though I know He knows where I have failed him. Father God knows that we are His children and when we accept to have a personal relationship with Him, we will start to gain discernment. Life’s journeys can be difficult, and everyday trials can bring us to our knees, here’s where the power of prayer goes to work. It may be that you get an overnight answer or may it take years but only God holds the timetable of our lives.

There’s a great way to start to believe, if it’s truly hard for you to go directly to our Lord for your needs, start by praying for the needs of others. Pray for those you love, your children, and your friends; amazingly you will see changes by the results of the power of your words, and the power of prayer.

For if it were not by the grace of our Father, I would have lost it a long time ago. Never give up hope for total restoration in any or all areas of your life. Everyone has a cross to bear in life yet we can choose how heavy the cross becomes in our lives. Doubt, anxiety, and fear are not from the Lord, the devil is a liar so stay strong, forgive and say no when necessary.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94 v19 (NIV)

Be still and know that God is still God and He is mighty in working miracles and wonders. He is still our healer and He wants to show Himself strong on behalf of those who trust in Him!

Then it hit me, while I am waiting on the Lord to work in my life; the Lord has been waiting on me to have the courage to fulfill my desire of writing. I recognized this was the moment for me to share His message of love, through my own personal journey. He has answered my prayers! I’ve stepped out in faith to share with others of his amazing grace. All glory, honor and praise, I give onto his holy precious name, thank you Father God. I’m getting it!

My passion to assist others has helped me grow in all areas of my life. I am a native New Yorker, born and raised in New York City.

I have experienced hard times throughout life and have had many blessings, always welcoming the opportunity to share and give to others. I believe in the power of knowledge and success; every day is a new day of learning. Success is a part of a journey; desire is a part of a journey. I am ready for My Journey, My Destiny.

Our heavenly Father answers prayers all the time. Join me as you discover the meaning of the three Ps, and enjoy finding a beautiful gift that will delight you over and over again.

Life is full of up and downs; never be discouraged when things don’t go right. Have faith, be a mentor to your children or someone’s else child, leave a legacy, smile, and enjoy the ride of your life. Never