Traveling Through the Valley: Short Stories from the Valley

By Maria Gallegos

The events that occur in this book are actual experiences that the author has encountered in her journey through life. The book addresses the pain and agony that some women face and the deliverance that God provides them. The experiences that Maria has endured has allowed her to minister to others that have gone through the same tragedies that she has. She is able to minister to others because she now has the knowledge that God is still with her in the midst of everything. With every good and bad experience God has become an even greater part of her life. He became her teacher, her Father, her best friend and her everything. In her own words she states, "He has become more to me than I could have ever imagined. He has been a father leading me from childhood to adulthood. He has taught me, through many tests and trials, all the things I know today. I thank Him that He is in control of every area of my life."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2008
• ISBN: 9781469103341

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Copyright © 2008 by Maria Gallegos.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

42572

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

"Now here is a book you won’t want to put down, truly an inspiration, you may even want to read it over and over! Maria can truly empathize with the women of today. Her experiences and challenges really come to life through this book. Despite her unfortunate past, it has made her into the awesome woman of God she is today."

Cynthia Roane

Financial Finders of America LLC

President

"To my dear friend of whom I am so very proud of.

To understand ones fears is to somehow find the strength to confront them.

To conquer ones fears is a courageous step to set yourself free.

Maria it has been such a pleasure to witness your growth both spiritually, emotionally and professionally.

It takes a tremendous amount of drive, determination and strength to persevere through the many types of adversity you have been confronted with in your life.

You are a very spacial person, a true ambassador for the Lord and have touched so many lives in such a positive way with love and inspiration.

Continue to grow, continue to inspire and positively influence the people around you as you have been called upon to do so."

Your friend and mentor for life.

Mark Szymanski

in this MUST READ, Maria Gallegos writes not as a theoretician but as a practitioner who has lived what she writes. Her practical insights are where the rubber meets the road Christianity, and will bless and challenge those who hunger for a fresh breath from heaven in their lives. I am thrilled to say that not only a close friend but a Christian woman who walks the walk."

Ron Moore, author, speaker, radio & television personality

Preface

If someone would of told me 20 years ago that I would write a Christian book. I would of laughed. So when I became a Christian God began teaching me from the core of it all—the study of the Word. It was all so awesome and inspiring the way He taught me. For years the teachings were similar always bringing out certain words from the Scriptures. Much research went into it all. Ever since I can remember I have always loved studying and writing as a teenager. I wrote poetry about life and love not knowing the true meaning of either one. When the vision came to me I struggled with it. How could I write an autobiography with so much tragedy, corruption and carelessness about my life? Yet the hunger remained and one piece at a time each story with Scripture was formed. God inspired it all right down to where a portion of the proceeds would go.

Working in environments where life is real and bad things happen God taught me that His Word could shine through it all. Anointed by His Word and inspired by His patience and love for me and everyone else, I can only say God helped me every step of the way to write this book. I allowed someone to discourage me and I pushed it aside ten years ago. I will not allow it to happen again. This is God’s book even though the majority of it is about my life it was He that called me to write. The beauty behind the trajedy is that God is still God and He always brings us through the valley. There are names, places, ages and characters that have been changed to protect the innocent. I pray that it will minister to those individuals who know pain and that it is all too real. My prayer to you is that regardless of the circumstances God is always there. Amazingly, He has given everyone a talent to be great beyond your imagination, a talent that cannot be taken away from any individual. It is what you do with it that counts. May you be encouraged to know that there are others who have gone down the same crossroad and have continued on. Stand with me as part of the greatest army to fight the good fight and to collect our reward in Heaven as we join Our Father and Savior.

Acknowledgments

First of all, I would like to thank God for being so awesome in so many ways. It is because of Him this all came to be. Throughout the years I grew to love reading and studying the Word. I never once thought this would ever happen to me. I was a bit clueless growing up about my future, but even then there was a passion for writing. I recall a time when I mentioned the book to a friend and she suggested that I blow it off due to the fact that I did not know the first thing about writing. I let the vision go but God did not, here ten years later He has once again put the vision in my path. This time He put the people in my life to help encourage me along the way. He also removed those that discouraged me in the first place. I thank God for His love, kindness, mercy and patience for this once prodigal child.

I would also like to thank my children, Joshua, Veronica, Jacqueline, and Junior (Jacque’s husband). God has shown me through them just how much we can act like children. God has not only blessed me with these children but also blessed and strengthen them. They each have one strong characteristic that I posses. This characteristic is dominant in their lives and for this I give thanks and am grateful to God for. A special thanks to God for my grandchildren. Brandy, the one who is in heaven. Through her He touched our lives in such a special way. To my other granddaughter, Trinity, who is a blessing and a delight to be around. I am so blessed that they are in my life and have brought so much joy into my life. I thank God that they have each been an encouragement to my life. I am grateful that in my loneliness they have been by my side to hold my hand.

I thank God my mother, Margaret Cisneros, who is a huge inspiration to my life as well as my second greatest hero. Jesus of course, is my greatest hero. Were it not for my mothers’ determination we would never have survived those hard times. She has stood by my side time and time again. I love you, mom! Many thanks to my four brothers, Ricky, Rudy, Robert and Victor and my only sister Diane. I love y’all very much! I also thank God for Catherine Brown, both my best friend and my Christian mom; she was the tool that God used to encourage me to write this book. I am so blessed by her friendship and inspired by her talent. I am so grateful to her for the patience she has had with me. Thank you, Cat! I also would like to thank Cynthia Roane for being a great friend and for all her kindness. Through her humbleness and love I have witnessed God in her life in a more gratifying way. With her armor attached she continues to be an influence to me as she fights with boldness. It is her boldness that I can say filled my life with courage to become a bold warrior such as she is. As a wife, mother and friend she stands at the forefront for all whom need her to be there. Way to go girl! To my sister in Christ, Jacqueline Rodriquez, I thank for her amazing love and kindness. It is with her love that she blesses and touches people’s lives and as a hospus nurse she touches peoples souls. Also a special thanks to my friend, Mark Szymanski who has been my mentor for so many years. It was his continual correction in life that helped me to strive to be better. He has challenged and questioned my life as only a true friend could and ever would. His ability to encourage and inspire people has touched so many lives. Thanks, Buddy for all your feedback and for all your help!

Special thanks to Will Eubanks, Scott Gonzales and Ronnie Saenz. It is through their lives that I have grown in patience. These guys are really great friends who are really close to my heart, true friends. They remain real in such a surreal world. To my dear friends, Janie Rivera, Adrian and Coleen Landeros, and Brenda Perez, the young adults God has so blessed me with whom I love like my children. And last but never least to those co-workers whom I can say are true friends, Loraine Tschirhart, Yolanda Cordero, Roxie Vincenty, and Anjelica Sanchez. These women are very special and I am proud to call them my friends. To my bosses whom I owe a huge gratitude to; Brian Philippi, Larry Gembler, Michael Strauss, Barry Craft, Linda Corpus and Matt Salazar, thank y’all for believing in me and helping me out. When I needed your strength it was there and when I needed the support it was also there. Thanks, partners! To my other boss and his wife, Bobby and Shelia Heart for the encouragement they have given me. Shelia Heart is one of the pieces that God added to help me with my book. She is the one whom corrected my manuscript. So it is to this amazing couple that I hope God blesses extra special. Every writer needs that special editor to help them correct all the errors made. Thank ya’ll! I have to add one more person who has recently come into my life that is very special to me, Ron Moore, my brother in Christ, a fellow author and writer of, How to keep swinging when you’ve taken more hits than a Louisville Slugger He has become a great encouragement and an inspiration to me, thank you, Ron!

May God bless everyone who is mentioned and those who are not that have crossed my path. May His Light shine upon your lives and the lives of your loved one. When God has placed men, women and children such as these in my life who wouldn’t be inspired, encouraged or motivated for that matter. May God bless those of you whom have read this and have been encouraged or reminded to pray for those in need. May you be inspired to be that which God has called you to be. God has such wonderful plans and dreams that one can only imagine. Hold on to that dream; speak it into existence everyday. I did not do this on my own but with the help of those that God so graciously put in my path. Through His awesomeness it was completed. Thank you, God! Thank you Jesus! Thank Holy Spirit! I give thanks to you Father because it is truly you whom I need in my life, my heart, my soul, my mind and my body. Thanks be to God for reminding me who I am and whom I belong to. I Love You, Daddy!!

Isaiah 54

1. Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.

2. Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

3. For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

4. Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded: for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

5. For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy one of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

6. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

7. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

8. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

9. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.

10. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

11. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.

12. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones.

13. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

14. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

15. Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me: whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake.

16. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.

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Chapter One

Baby Girl

. . . . break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst

not travail with child:

The day was cloudy and it was beginning to rain as the woman slumped down and began to cry. How could this have happened? She felt her heart ache unlike anything she ever felt before, no death had or ever would again affect her like this one. She lifted her head towards heaven and cried out loud. Father, she cried, why her, she did not ever know life? I don’t quite understand it? Please, please I beg of you help me to understand ’cause this makes no sense at all!"

She heard a car horn from a distance but paid it no mind, and then she heard it again and again. She glanced in the direction of the horn and saw that it was her daughter and son-in-law. Mother, come out of the rain before you catch a cold! she yelled. She could not understand how well they were holding up, but lately she was unable to understand much herself. She was glad though that they had each other to lean on. Still dazed she sat there not knowing what to do. Once again she heard the horn, Mother, please! As she glanced down to get up from the ground she had not realized the puddle of water that had formed around her and at this point did not care. Her mind continued to drift as she dragged her feet towards the parked car.

The news of the baby came six months before. Her daughter entered her bedroom to announce the joyous news. Normally, they would have both shared the same joy but it was something she was against because they were not married. As the woman began to explain just how important it was that marriage should come first, not only because it was morally wrong, but that it was wrong in the sight of God. They were brought up to serve the Lord not only with their hearts but with their bodies as well.

Months went by and the baby began to grow as well as the joy and the thought of becoming a grandmother. She knew she would love this child wholeheartedly. Her daughter was always so full of joy, and without a doubt, she knew the baby would be like her mother. Today, however, it seemed that her daughter was not the same. Her mother sat with her on the bed, Why are you so glum today? As the daughter began to explain that something just did not feel right, she asked her mom to go with her to her doctor’s appointment.

Hours later as they sat in front of the Doctor’s office they could not believe what they were hearing. The sac that held the life of the baby was not fully intact. A small hole was on the sac and was leaking out fluid. Her options were to abort the child or she could carry the child and have labor induced at 6 months. They both sat there in disbelief. The silence was so loud, the woman was certain that her heart beat could be heard in the room screaming out to God. As she looked at her daughter they both began to weep. She questioned her mother, why, Mom, why? but she could not reply for she had questions of her own.

The trip from the doctor’s office home brought many questions into her mind God help me understand something that my heart just cannot accept. A grandmother should not have to bury a grandchild but a grandchild should bury the grandmother. She would often dream of a girl with her at the park, playing, laughing and running all over the place. The small child always looked the same in every dream; about four years old with loose curls, dark hair and light complexion. At the end of each dream she would sit upon her lap and the grandmother would tell her stories about how Jesus saved her from the very pit of hell. There would be a bond between them so close. She would even tell her early on in life how God had taken her back when all her friends’ deserted her because she chose to walk away.

The day arrived to induce labor and months passed since they heard the tragic news. Many people offered up prayer, and were present to offer their support. Immediate family stood by as the doctors’ explained that they could not hear a heart beat. Now all they could do was wait. As the evening neared the family was asked to leave and allow the expectant mother time to rest. They were informed the chance of her having the baby tonight was slim. She was allowed one overnight guest and it was decided that her new husband would stay. He would watch over her and wait to inform the family of any immediate change.

As the woman walked towards the car it all seemed to return to her so clearly the doctor visits, the hospital room and most of all the conversations she had with her daughter. She recalled a vivid memory. The phone only rang once as she jumped out of bed. Mom, the voice was so low it was hard to hear, I tried keep her with me so that you could see her but the nurses’, the nurses’ they took her away. The woman felt both anxiety and fright as her daughters’ voice seemed frigid but she continued on. I had no idea that I was in labor and that my water bag bust. I am sorry I did not realize what was taking place! The young girl continued on as she described being all alone in the bathroom and the scene that took place. The woman rushed into the other room and woke her youngest daughter never missing a word but listening to the whole ordeal as they rushed to the hospital. She should never have left their side. They were young and needed her support and help as much as possible. She should have demanded to stay. It was all out of her control.

Yes, she thought everything is still so clear as if it all happened yesterday. Yet as she entered the back seat of their car the answer seemed to come to her. Brandy, will never know any of the things you knew. She shall never know what it will be like to be rejected, never know loneliness, pain or fear. Instead what she will know from the very moment and the beginning of her eternal life is pure love and someday she will be in your arms when it is your time to come home.

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So many questions go through our minds and our hearts when a loved one is taken from