Adventures, lessons, and musings about God's extravagant love for us!
Author: Nancy Gavilanes
I'm an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I'm also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith's books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
Please encourage others by sharing this link with them.
Thanks for your prayers and for sharing this link far and wide.
I’m also excited to share …
I’ve also written the entry for Day 3 of Our Daily Bread‘s new “Serving Together” online reading plan for Hispanic Heritage Month. You can find the 10-day reading plan on YouVersion and on Our Daily Bread‘s app.
It’s my first time being part of a YouVersion reading plan. I wrote about the late Luis Palau, who I had the pleasure of meeting twice in NYC (pic below).
Please also share the reading plan near and far.
This September marks eight years since I won Our Daily Bread‘s Online Writing Contest for Readers (pic below).
That was such a delight and honor and such confirmation that I was on the “write” track with my writing career after my journalism days.
I’m thrilled that I’m now a contributing writer for Our Daily Bread‘s VOICES Collection and have written entries for their Rhythms of Rest devotional book and their On the Shoulder of Giants devotional booklet.
I’ve even done some marketing writing for ODB.
Only God could do all that!
I appreciate you staying on this faith journey with me!
I look forward to having more writing news to share with you soon. Blessings!
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
It’s truly the end of an era (the second Elizabethan era to be exact) and a historic moment.
Regardless of your thoughts about the monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II was truly a living legend.
I’d like to take a moment to give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7 NIV).
She reigned for a staggering 70 years … She was the longest-serving British monarch. She met 13 U.S. Presidents and has been served by 15 British prime ministers.
All politics aside, I’ve been struck by so many of the images these last few days and by the tributes from those who knew and loved her.
At a petite 5’3” in height, she was a giant at heart and a formidable force on the world’s stage.
There are many thoughts I could share, but I’d like to share a list of some of the incredible words that I’ve heard people use to describe her during recent TV interviews and past documentaries.
I share these not to exalt the late Queen (of course, not even the late Queen was perfect), but as inspiration especially for those who are called to leadership and public ministry and service.
The words are in alphabetical order. I’ve bolded the words that were mentioned two or more times.
30 of theQualities/Attributesthat People Admired Queen Elizabeth II for are her:
Commitment
Confidence
Courage
Decency
Decorum
Dedication
Deep faith
Determination
Devotion to duty
Dignity
Diplomatic deft
Duty
Fortitude
Grace
Graceful service
Humor
Inner Strength
Intellect
Kindness
Leadership
Loyalty
Modesty
Sacrifice
Selflessness
Selfless public service
Soft Power
Stability
Strength
Stoicism
Wisdom
How People Described Queen Elizabeth II:
Prime Minster Winston Churchill said the Queen showed an “air of authority” when she was just 2 years old.
One of her granddaughters said her grandmother taught her to stand up and be strong.
Others Noted Queen Elizabeth II:
Had a deep faith, which was the anchor in her life
Had a lovely smile and a twinkle in her eye
Was steady
Was tiny in stature, but had an enormous impact around the world
These are all such lovely and noble qualities for any leader to be remembered by.
May it be said of us that we lived and lead with similar qualities.
SomeIndelible and Poignant Moments for Me so Far:
The Queen’s children standing vigil by their late mother’s casket, especially in Scotland, was touching
The proclamations announcing the new king was historic
The somber music in the processional from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey was haunting
Hearing that some people waited in line for four days to be some of the first to pay their respects to the Queen while she was lying in state at Westminster Hall was amazing
At her coronation, Queen Elizabeth II bowed before the Lord recognizing that He has ultimate power and authority. That was powerful to watch all these years later.
Yes, even Queen Elizabeth II acknowledged that Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16 NIV)
And yes, we are a royal priesthood (Romans 8:17 NIV) and the daughters and sons of the King and co-heirs with Christ (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).
Glory!
I leave you with this snapshot (below) of my visit to London during my Epic European Adventure.
I kinda got the royal treatment when I arrived in London lol … I share about that and much more in By Faith: Adventures and Reflections on Walking With God Here and Abroad (Available on Amazon).
I had a lovely time in London.
These pics were taken outside of Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Parliament and their Olympic stadium.
I’m not really a tea person, but I’ll be raising a cup of tea in honor of the Queen as I watch her funeral in a few hours.
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month (9/15 – 10/15) I’m kicking off this festive month by opening up my “Disney Vault” to share this Ode to Latino/a entertainers and elite athletes
LONG before I was writing books, I was a journalist who got to meet plenty of celebs, Olympians, politicians, etc.
Many of these pics have never been seen before I hope you enjoy this glimpse of my magazine and journalism days…
There’s obviously a story behind each pic .. maybe I’ll share that another time.
Wanna try to name all of mi gente in these pics? Take your best guesses and post them in the comments on Abounding Faith’s Instagram.
(Amigas, yes that’s them in the first two pics )
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
Watch this short Feisty Faith promo video RIGHT HERE
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 6:11 NIV)
With all that’s going on in the world and even in our individual lives, it’s nice to be able to stop and celebrate the National Day of Encouragement.
Every and any day can be a day to encourage and spur one another on in our faith as the Bible verse above exhorts us to do.
If you need a boost in your faith, why not grab a copy of the encouraging and empowering Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day365-day devotional? The daily Bible verse and inspirational message will uplift and edify you all throughout the year.
The Bible verses are some of the ones that have impacted and inspired me during my faith journey. The devotional entries are words I would share with you if we were sitting together.
P.S. – Yay, I’ve been part of CWEN’S Prayer and Devotional Team for a Year. What a blessing it is to encourage, inspire and pray for fellow Christian women entrepreneurs across the country and the globe with entries from Feisty Faith. The video above is a clip from my recent monthly message to my CWEN Sisters.
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
My late Senior Pastor used to love asking the congregation that question.
Pastor J knew and stressed the importance of growing and maturing in the Lord (and in different areas of our life). He emphasized that God wanted His children to grow and mature just like earthly parents expect their kids to grow and mature and develop.
How do we grow in our faith?
Some key ways are by consistently spending time reading the Bible and praying and worshipping and fellowshipping with other believers.
It’s that simple and yet that challenging …
If you’re one of my faithful Readers, you probably already know that God likes to show me things through nature.
I’m sharing the above pics of grapes because these pics speak volumes to me.
I took the pics on three separate occasions earlier this year to document the growth process.
The grapes show some truths about growth:
Growth takes time.
Growth happens in stages or seasons.
Growth happens as we stay connected to the vine.
Growth can be painful, but pruning is a necessary part of the process.
Growth happens on God’s timetable. We can’t rush the process.
The grapes didn’t grow overnight.
Neither do we.
Are you growing in your faith?
Or are you feeling stuck or stagnant?
Are you staying connected to the True Vine?
Consider what Jesus says about abiding in Him. These are some of my favorite Bible verses:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:1-8 NIV)
If you’re looking to grow in your faith, here are a few ways I can help:
Empowering Online Class for Ladies: Don’t miss the Abounding Faith: Choosing Faith over Fear course that starts next Tuesday evening on September 13. Learn more here.
Personalized Life Coaching: I’d be delighted to help you grow and go from feeling:
Inspiring Books Be encouraged and inspired as you walk by faith, prepare for your breakthrough and dare to live your God-given dreams. Abounding Faith FIVE Christian living books empower and equip you to stand firm in your faith.
Uplifting email: Sign up for Abounding Faith’s FREE email list and get a dose of inspiration delivered right to your inbox. When you sign up, you get immediate access to the FREE 5-day Feisty FaithDevotional Sampler PDF. The sampler gives you a taste of the inspiring and empowering 365-day devotional, Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day devotional (available on Amazon). Looking forward to sending you uplifting emails on Monday afternoons with info about my latest encouraging blog posts, upcoming books and other projects or events.
Encouraging Social Media: I’d love for you to be part of Abounding Faith’s online community. Abounding Faith is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Be encouraged as you scroll throughout the week.
Edifying Podcast: The uplifting Abounding Faith for Today podcast has 40 short and encouraging episodes that will help bolster your faith. You can listen to the Abounding Faith for Today podcast wherever you listen to podcasts including:
Inspirational YouTube Channel: There are 155 encouraging and uplifting videos on Abounding Faith’s YouTube channel that will inspire you and help spur on your faith. The short videos are shot near and far (including during past short-term missions trips, vacations, around NYC and trips to my bday castle…). Check them out and be sure to subscribe, like, comment and share the site with others.
Let’s grow and flourish together this year!
And may your faith be fueled, your hope ignited and your heart set ablaze with the love of God!
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
I’ve recently started sharing some Tuesday Thoughts on Abounding Faith’s social media. From time to time, I’ll share some of them here. If you’d like to see them as they’re released, be sure to connect with Abounding Faith on Instagram. Blessings!
Our lives have an impact on those around us… what kind of ripple effect would you like to have on others?
Christian Communicators & Creatives and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s remember to live lives worthy of our calls and leave a legacy of love as we dare to live our God-given dreams
Tuesday Thoughts
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV)
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
I’ve recently started sharing some Tuesday Thoughts on Abounding Faith’s social media. From time to time, I’ll share some of them here. If you’d like to see them as they’re released, be sure to connect with Abounding Faith on Instagram. Blessings!
Are you prayerfully choosing to collaborate with others or are you stuck competing, comparing or copying them?
Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s continue being the original masterpieces God has created each one of us to be while prayerfully continuing to make wise Kingdom-connections with our brothers and sisters in Christ as we dare to live our God-given dreams
Tuesday Thoughts
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)
Don’t shrink back … SHINE
Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s remember to be salt and light as we dare to live our God-given dreams
Tuesday Thoughts
“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. (Hebrews 10:36)
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)
God is more interested in building your character than building your platform
Christian Creatives & Communicators and Audacious Dreamers & Doers and Ministers & Leaders, let’s remember to remain humble before the Lord as we dare to live our God-given dreams
Tuesday Thoughts
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV)
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
I hope you’re soaking in all the last bits of sights and sounds of summer! (And keeping cool!)
I also hope you’re finding ways to GO FORTH and use your gifts, talents and abilities to continue to SHINE for Christ.
What do you feel God calling you to do in this season?
God knows what’s on the other side of our YES!
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about how to move forward in this season, I’d like to come alongside you as your Life Coach and help you experience that breakthrough you’ve been praying and preparing for.
I’d be delighted and honored to prayerfully help you gain the clarity, confidence and courage to say yes to God’s call on your life.
I can prayerfully help you:
Discover your God-given gifts
Develop your unique giftings and skill set
Dare to live your God-given dreams
You don’t have to go it alone. Let’s SOAR and GO FORTH together!
May the rest of the year be the best of your year!
Learn more about Christian Life Coaching right here.
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
Happy Early Book Lovers Day to all my Lovely Readers!
These pictures still make me smile because I still remember taking these pics or posing with my fabulous Readers. These pics were taken at at least seven different events and occasions pre-pandemic.
I LOVE how my diverse readers represent different backgrounds, cultures, races, ages and life stages.
It’s so sweet when I’ve gotten to see a Reader surprise their unsuspecting friend standing nearby by buying them a signed copy of my books. It’s also so lovely to hear the stories about who the books are being signed for.
Back when I was a journalist writing for The New York Times and Latina magazine and other publications, I had countless readers but I didn’t have much of an opportunity to interact with them.
What a difference it is to author Christian living books and devotionals and to get to connect with YOU on social media and at past in-person events.
My prayer is that you’re encouraged, inspired and empowered by my books and other work. If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Please feel free to leave a comment here or on Instagram.
If you want to help other book lovers discover Abounding Faith’s inspiring and empowering books, please leave a kind Amazon review and rating.
Your reviews are greatly appreciated and make such a difference in the book publishing world. Gracias!
Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
“Taking this course changed my life.” – Abounding Faith NYSB Student, 2019
“I love the class.” – Abounding Faith Online NYSB Student, 2020
“How I miss your class, last year was amazing.” – Abounding Faith NYSB Student, 2019
I’m still in awe of the beautiful feedback I’ve gotten from students who have taken my Abounding Faith course through the New York School of the Bible (NYSB).
What a blessing it is whenever I get to teach a class based on one of my books!
It’s a joy and honor to encourage my students to choose faith over fear and BELIEVE!
One of the students quoted above said reading the Abounding Faith: 30 Bible Heroes Who Will Inspire You to Believe God for the Impossible devotional helped to awaken barren places in her life and helped her be content in other areas of her life. Glory!
This empowering class will help you grow in your faith and will encourage and inspire you to choose faith over fear and believe God for the impossible!
Don’t miss this class that you can take from the comfort of your own home wherever you are in the world.
I hope you and your friends will join us.
P.S. Fellas, please tell the ladies in your life about this empowering online class.
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Did this post encourage you? Get access to the FREE Feisty Faith: Trusting God Day by Day 5-Day Sampler PDF as a gift when you sign up for Abounding Faith’s email list. Get updates on Abounding Faith’s books, blog, podcast, life coaching and more by clicking here or the image below.
I’m an author, speaker, life coach, Bible school instructor and evangelist who wants to encourage and inspire you as you walk by abounding faith, hope and love and dare to live your God-given dreams! I’m also an author for Our Daily Bread. My NEW book God-Given Dreams: 6 Ways to Live Your Divine Purpose (NavPress) is available wherever books are sold.
My books Feisty Faith, By Faith, Crossing Your Jordan River, Waiting on God Well and Abounding Faith are available on Amazon. To learn more about Abounding Faith’s books, coaching, online training, the Abounding Faith for Today podcast, online store, YouTube channel and more, visit AboundingFaith.com. Join my email community today right here. Blessings!
I’m kicking off this festive month by opening up my “Disney Vault” to share this Ode to Latino/a entertainers and elite athletes 
I hope you enjoy this glimpse of my magazine and journalism days…
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