Graceful Family Services LLC

Have you ever sat back and observe what has happened to get you where you are now? I have been thinking about this a lot. Three years ago I started a business. I did not expect it to be what it is now, but due to an amazing woman, her encouragement and her belief in me it has become a beautiful way to connect with families and their children. 

It started with one client whom I was told needed my help. I would commute from Perris to Covina which would take almost 2 hours once a week. It then turned into twice a week and before I knew it I was there five days out of the week. I decided to move to L.A. county and before I knew it my schedule was almost full. A lot has happened since my first client, but I did notice how things started to fall apart to trust that this company would work. I had to let go of many things that felt secure at the time. 

What is it that I do? I am a vendor that provides services such as tutoring, arts and crafts and independent living skills. I work with school aged kids and adults. These amazing individuals are clients of Regional Center and belong to a program called the Self Determination Program. 

I would like to share some of the things that have been created by my students. 

 

An Author?

 I know it has been a while since I have been on here and I wanted to share some amazing news; I will be writing a book. 

I have been on this beautiful path of excitement and rediscovery these past couple of months. I prayed for God to connect me with people who are like-minded in doing more for themselves. I wanted to be inspired to do more. Guess what? He has answered. 

When I came back from Guatemala I felt a little out of place and I kept asking Him, "What's next?" A few times I thought, "Write a book." I didn't know how to even do that so I put it in the back of my thoughts and moved on to something I did know which was to serve. God showed me doors, to be able to serve in Bolivia, just like I prayed for. That too was then placed in the back of my thoughts because I started to enjoy being back at my old job, Apple Tree, and surrounded by my family and friends.

The past couple of months I keep thinking the same thought, "Write a book." On my way to visit a longtime friend, Tiffany. I kept praying and asked God, "If I were to write a children's book, who would illustrate it?" He answered within 2 days because my friend had just finished writing a children's book and her HUSBAND was in the process of illustrating it (Click here to see her amazing blog regarding travel). 

Then, a few days ago I got a new revelation; What do I like to do? Serve and travel. I want to support those two things so I started to picture the money of the book supporting that desire. I wrote it all down. I asked again, "Please put the right people in my path to guide me." That SAME day at church I saw a friend I have not seen in over a year and a half and I shared with her my desires and my vision. Then she asked me the question: "What will your book be about?" I laughed. "I don't know." She then said "I would like to read about the adventures of Ana and the sales of that book can help support the next trip for the next book." At that moment I felt an intense rush of energy through my body and I knew without a doubt my prayer was being answered. 

I am now praying for someone to mentor me and guide me through it since I have never written a book. I KNOW without a doubt that I will soon have that mentor. This person is already here and shares with me the same excitement I have for those books. I can feel it in my veins.

I get so excited talking about it to people that every cell in my body vibrates and I feel as if I am floating. All of this is to bring glory to God because this book will prove that when you walk in faith and change the thought and expectation, He ALWAYS follows through. By the way I turned 40 and feeling amazing!

 

 

 

Here is the video I made from my trip to the east coast (It’s only visible on the desktop view not on your phone, sorry). 

 

 

 

New job!

Before coming back from Guatemala I made sure I had a job to feel a lot more secure. My previous employer, Apple Tree, didn’t have any openings but my ex boss was very grascious and led me to a job in the city where I would be living. 

At Zenith, I was able to meet many families and build new connections as well as get more training in oral motor techniques. After 7 months my ex boss from Apple Tree informed me that there was an opening for the position I previously had. After much prayer I made the decision to go back to where it all started. 

Apple Tree is a small private clinic in the city of Buena Park, Ca (They recently moved there from Cypress, Ca). They service children under three in a group base, mommy and me therapy program and there are different therapists on site. The majority of the children attending this program either have autism, developmental delays, down syndrome, or cerebral palsy (to name a few). I also see children for individual therapy and on Mondays we are offering a special program for children under 12 months old at no cost to the families.

It has been such an amazing experience being back these past two months. Here’s a picture of my room, with the garden and butterflies that the children made. 

I don’t consider myself an expert when it comes to development, but one thing that I have realized is that children learn through play. I try to make the activities fun and look at each child’s differences to better serve them. 

I decided to have stations in the classroom instead of sitting at the table for the full 20 minutes of their session. We start off at the table to sing hello, read a book or sing a song. A coworker gave me a great idea of doing an action corner. Last week it was balls and I had them throw, kick, roll, catch and throw it up towards the ceiling (this was fun!). The other station consists of either sensory play or some sort of cause and affect activity. 

At the end of the day whether or not the children met the specific goal that I was targeting, I feel peace knowing that I gave love that day. I don’t know if that makes sense, but that is what fills me up. I enjoy working with the children and their families and I hope that I am making an impact because their children are making an impact in my life by demonstrating to me a different perspective on life. 

I will admit that I do miss living in Guatemala, but I know that for right now this is where I’m supposed to be. It feels so nice to be surrounded by my family and my new little friends. 

New Chapter

After 4 years of living in Guatemala, I am back in Orange County and ready to begin this new chapter of my life. 

The night before my departure, I was feeling a little nervous and frustrated that I hadn’t been able to sell my car. I had to surrender that to God and leave it at the alter. The following morning my landlord came by to look at the house and gave me back the deposit. He shared how pleased he was having me rent his home. While we were talking, a neighbor stopped by and asked to speak to me. My landlord left and my neighbor introduced me to her father. He was interested in buying my car. After a good talk, a ride around the neighborhood, he gave me a check. It wasn’t what I was hoping to get for it, but this was a huge blessing. 

I miss my friends from Guatemala and the kids I was able to work with, but just like any good book, that chapter is over and a new one has started. 

It has been an adventure this past week getting back to what used to be my normal life 4 years ago. I got a car, started at a new Speech clinic and have been spending good quality time with my family. 

I have so many dreams and desires for the next year. I am ready to do what needs to get done and enjoy the ride! 

A new season

There aren’t many seasons in Guatemala like in USA. There are about 2 months of “cold” nights, 2 months of heat and then there’s rain. It rains close to 6 months out of the year, but not every day nor all day. The grass gets greener and the flowers blossom. This is my favorite season in Guatemala. 

As I get closer to a new season in my life, I am filled with many mixed emotions. There are days when I feel like I didn’t get to do all I was here to do and I have days when I feel  fulfilled. 

Did I fulfill my purpose? If I haven’t I hope that I at least made a difference and inspired at least one soul to live without fear and do something, not for themselves, but for a higher purpose. 

I went to a funeral last weekend and something tugged at me that left me thinking about something that usually comes up in my thoughts; am I good friend? I want to grow in this area of my life. I’m good at giving and leaving, but not good at maintaining. When people ask me who my best friend is, I don’t have an answer. This has to change. I need to invest and allow others to do the same with me. New goal: make a best friend. 

Here is Claudia, a woman gone too soon. 

Hope

Two months from now I will be finishing up with my job in Guatemala and getting ready to close my chapter living here. If you would have told me 4 years ago that I would be moving back to California, I would have not believed you. I honestly thought this was going to be my forever home. My plan was to get my residency, get married and be working in an orphanage or group home. I was able to get my temporary recency that will be expiring mid June.

All I can say is that through all of this upcoming transition I have something deeply rooted in my heart; I'm not done. There are so many things that I want to do and live through and I get so excited about it.

My family is waiting for me and I can't wait to eat my mom's home cooked meals and hear my dad cheer on his favorite soccer team (Las Chivas), having the niece and nephews visit and hang out with my siblings.

I have a job waiting for me and I will be doing what I enjoy; working with children with special needs. I prayed about this a lot and I didn't want to leave without having a job in place. I got a few dollars more than what I was hoping for, but I still need to figure out my hours (I really want to work full time).

I guess you can say that things are falling into place in regards to coming home.

Prayer request: for my car to sell in July so I can have a down payment for a new vehicle.

By the way a Friend here got married and here are some pictures of that special day.

Obedient even when I am afraid

I have been reading a devotional with three other women and it has been a breath of fresh air. "I will be obedient" These words have been an echo that has been following me since 2013. I kept asking God to show me where the center of His will for my life was and I promised to be obedient.

So here I am, three and a half years in Guatemala and I'm still praying the same thing. There's this fear that has come and gone throughout this journey.

This morning's devotional was on Matthew 8:23-27. It's the story of Jesus sleeping on the boat and his disciples start to freak out because of the horrible storm. They disrupt Jesus' deep sleep and He responds by making a statement then asking a question, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" As I sat there reading the verse I had to ask myself the same question.

I'm praying and asking my Lord to lead me towards His will and help me not to stray away, yet I lack faith and there's fear of what the answer will be. My spirit, my soul wants to do the right thing and please Him. "I want you to be proud of me." is what usually comes out of me. Deep within me I know that no matter what I do His love will not change.

Soon there's an answer that I will be given regarding a prayer that has been put forth. Whatever the answer may be, I will be ready to obey Him through the storm.