This has been one of the hardest episodes for me to record. I have a special guest joining me for support, my wonderful husband, Jake!

This is my story on where I came to know God and how despite it being place that caused me pain and how it didn't always teach God's truth. God still used that to save me.

This episode was improvised, and I tried to edit it as much as I could. But more importantly I included the verses that we mentioned since we didn't reference them fully.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Matthew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Romans 16:17-18

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites,[f]and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Matthew 7:15

15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves .

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Genesis 50:19-20

19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people[b] should be kept alive, as they are today.

Thank you for listening, and please share with a friend!

In today's episode, I share a part of my story I haven't shared before. It’s the first time I open up about my mom’s deportation and how it changed all of us forever. We were set to wait and hope that both my parents could come back one day. In a season of waiting, I came to know the Lord, I came to grow so much as a person and also I know I would not be here if my parents hadn’t decided to leave everything they knew behind and follow the American dream. I’m grateful for their sacrifice but that decision also came with tragedy and suffering. God’s love and faithfulness is the only thing that has kept us. I am still hopeful that things can change. I also share how to have peace during times of waiting which I learned as years went on. I did not always have peace but God is good and He’s given me peace after other life lessons.

A few years ago I identified myself as a timid and overly anxious person. I was also constantly filled with fear.

But I learned to overcome my fear of the unknown through faith, which enabled me to travel alone for the first time. During a stressful airport trip, Gods gentle reminder to "be still" helps me trust that things will work out. Now, I am new to motherhood, and the Lord still uses this moment to remind me of how to overcome new fears.

The podcast formerly known as "Living Life with a Seed of Faith" has been renamed to "Mama needs cafecito and Jesus" following the birth of the my first child; I am in a new season where I am encountering new challenges. My daughter has inspired me to be better every day and so this podcast's focus has shifted to sharing life lessons, scripture, faith, connecting with other mothers, and sharing personal experiences and testimonies. Still, planting a seed of faith and pointing others to Christ. I named the podcast this because after a long night of hardly any sleep, I need coffee and Jesus!

Something the Lord placed on my heart a few days ago.

Serving the Lord with our gifts and talents can be a beautiful thing. 

It can become dangerous though, when our motives or reasons behind serving no longer align with God’s will. Or when we are too focused on ourselves and being recognized instead of pointing others to Christ. 

If you find yourself stuck or feel like the Lord has closed a door, it may be a good time to re-evaluate the reason behind serving. Are you serving yourself , or are you serving others whole-heartedly? 

I will be sharing a bit about my personal experience with these questions in mind.

Today's episode we learn about the importance of planting a seed and how the Lord calls us to share the Good News.

I discuss three ways of planting a seed of faith and include a word of encouragement if you are sharing and don't see results right away (regarding others being saved).

Thanks for listening and please share with a friend!

Scriptures used today:

- Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

-Mark 16:15 Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone

- Matthew 28:19-20 - Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

- Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

- John 14: 6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

- Acts 16:30- 33 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

-Romans 10: 9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

- Titus 3:5 also states - He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 3:6-9  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.

Jeremiah 17: 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” 

Tune in to get to know more about Karen and her journey before turning her life to God and how her life has been impacted since she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

Scriptures mentioned today:

• Proverbs 3:5-6 -Trust in the Lord with all your heart
  and lean not on your own understanding;
  in all your ways submit to him,
  and he will make your paths straight
• John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ps. We apologize for the sound, we realized that Alyssa's voice was difficult to hear, but as much as we tried we could not fix it.