Sayonara Single Status

Yes. I've been busy. Dating has led to a mutual love, something I thought after 11+ years of being a single mother I may never experience again. And you know what? I was okay with it. Yet, here I am with a ring on my finger, about to marry a guy who is so close to the version of Finn I dreamed up for Cena it's weird--downright freaky! Though Finn is a Brad Pitt-esque, Cougar alumnus, ex-football player turned graphic designer guy, and my guy doesn't have an artistic bone in his body and probably wouldn't remind you of Brad Pitt at all; he's still a green-eyed, sandy-haired, crooked-smiling, football-loving, BYU diehard fan almost to a fault, too much of a guy-guy type of guy. So, the similarities between my Finn fantasy and my fiancé reality, to me, are merely the differences between fact and fiction. 

Don't worry. Just because I'm tying the knot this weekend doesn't mean I'm finished sharing my stories with you. Believe me. I have plenty of sins, hims, and whims tales to tell. 11+ years worth! Oh, and I haven't forgotten about my family history story that I promised to share. Life is just busy. Once things get back to a normal pace I'll get to work on that again. It's almost finished. I've condensed it to what I think will be a short sweet post. I'm hoping I'll have time to get to it within the next few months.

Anyway, all this marriage stuff has me feeling gratitude for the many trials I've had as a single mother. I see how each and every struggle has led me here to this place and this time. It was a broken, thorny path, that sometimes felt like an uphill climb. Lately, I think a few of those little thorns are stuck in my toes because I feel the sting of them as I continue to travel down this path that is now merging onto someone else's. Still, I know that had these difficulties not been mine, the blessings I'm experiencing now could not be mine either. 

Tonight my thoughts and prayers for the single mothers out there are these: Know that the sacrifices and choices you make to serve your children and rear them in love will bring you the greatest blessings and will result in your happiness. And every night as you snuggle with your little ones, feeling exhausted and beaten down by the day, the Lord's arms are around you and your babies. I know this is true. I know it with all my heart. The tears welling in my eyes at this very moment testify to me yet again that I know this truth: The Lord is aware of your needs.

Sincerely,

JNP

Sneak Peek at Part 4.3 [Spoiler Alert]

Part 4.3 of Sins, Hims, and Whims of a Single Mother will be up on Monday, and this one's too cute to miss! 

Our heroine has lost her job, her pride, and nearly her hope. But things are looking up for Cena Flores, and so is she...literally...right into the eyes of a handsome stranger who jump starts Cena's barely beating heart and breathes life into her withered soul, which up until now has been devoid of pointless romantic notions that are a complete waste of time. Who is this mystery man with "celebrity appeal" who Cena says has "got this Brad Pitt charm working for [him]"? Find out on Monday.

Don't forget to subscribe, comment, and share. Thanks.



JNP

Insights on Part 4.1

Here's an insight for my readers... 

While this story is fictional, in last week's post, Part 4.1, the memory Cena recalls is an actual experience I had some time around 2002-03. The meeting with her church leader, the flat tire, the compassionate service Cena volunteered for, even the way she scrounged up the money to pay her bills, are all true events plucked from the pages of my own personal journal. Ironically, I'm going through a similarly trying time right now--does it ever end?--which is strange because I wrote this storyline months ago. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed Part 4.1. I appreciate your feedback. 


Also, don't forget--new post tomorrow! In Part 4.2 of Sins, Hims, and Whims of a Single Mother we will learn more about Cena's friend Kristy, who presents Cena with a hopeful opportunity.


Thanks for reading. Please subscribe.



JNP

Sneak Peek at Part 4 of Sins, Hims, and Whims of a Single Mother

It's official. The first of three segments in Part 4 of Sins, Hims, and Whims of a Single Mother starts tomorrow and will continue for the next two Mondays. 


Cena Flores faces a major trial, but draws on lessons learned and her well of faith to see her through her difficulty. Soon, things are looking up for Cena when Kristy calls with good news. Later, when a handsome stranger saves the day, Cena feels the stir of butterflies that she thought had died long ago. Who is this mysterious hero with the power to bring Cena's shriveled heart back to life?


Don't miss these next three inspirational and romantic posts, and don't forget to comment either here or on my Facebook Page. See you Monday. As for today...Happy Easter. Thank God for His Son.




JNP

Update on Part 4 and True Tale to Come

Quick announcement: I just wanted to keep you informed on the upcoming true tale of single motherhood that I previously promised, the one about my great, great grandmother. Today I was on the phone with my Nana, who is getting together with her sister this week specifically to research her grandmother, Angelina, and her family. My original ETA for this post was way off. I don't know how I thought I could ever tell such a rich story based only on the tidbits of information I currently have. I need more, which means I also need more time. Give me a couple months at least to prepare for this memoir. All you single mothers will enjoy it, especially those of you who, like me, aren't receiving child support or any help from your enforcement agency.

In the meantime, get ready to be excited. I just completed Part 4 of my fictional story, Sins, Hims, and Whims, of a Single Mother. I'm thinking of entering what I've written up to now in a contest or two, mainly for the experience. I would love to have your comments and feedback right away. I hope to have Part 4.1 up by Monday, April 1st. If not, well...April Fool's...it'll be the following Monday. My friend and editor, Suzy, has it now. Either way, swing by this Monday and the next because each piece of the fourth segment will post subsequently on Mondays after Part 4.1 is released. 

Thank you, Readers. I know you are few, but I appreciate your attention. I love to share with you. 





JNP

Upcoming True Tale of Single Motherhood

Happy Valentine’s Day to all the Single Moms out there!

I haven’t posted in over a month. Sorry. I've been working with my Nana on piecing together an interesting story of my great, great grandmother who I mentioned in a previous blog post, Angelina Jacquez-Norsagaray. I’m eager to tell this new tale, which I believe illustrates the particularly difficult challenges my single-mother ancestor endured during the Great Depression Era. However, I want to make sure we have all the facts as correct as possible before posting the story. We have a little more research to do, so it may take me a few weeks to complete. Also, my time is stretched pretty thin. (I’m sure other single mothers can sympathize with me there.) Anyway, I just wanted to give you a sneak peek at another real life single-mother tale to come. Can’t wait to share. Hope you’ll keep an eye out for this future blog post. Thanks for reading. 


JNP

My Single Mom Thank-you’s

Thanksgiving Day

November 22, 2012


My Single Mom Thank-you’s

This year was tough...was briefly out of work like three times...but you know what...Heavenly Father always blesses us with precisely what we need in the exact moment we need it. Though often what we think we need isn't what He blesses us with...yet what He blesses us with always turns out to be sufficient and sustaining. This year I was compelled to rely a lot on faith, trusting in a promise that Heavenly Father gave me a long time ago. I saw that promise fulfilled. So, while I'm thankful for my daughter, my friends and family, my home, and my car that still runs, and my bag of chocolate candy...As I move into the Christmas Season I'm mostly grateful for my Heavenly Father who sent His Son to atone for me and the people I love—all people—so that when the storms of life are tumultuous we can still have calm amid the raging tempests.

Mark 4:41
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Matthew 8:27
27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!


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The Storm Has to End

As a single mom I worry about what my daughter is eating for lunch, how her grades are, who she's hanging out with, what she's thinking when she looks in the mirror, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. This year, on top of all the usual, I've especially wondered, "How am I going to provide for her?"

Yesterday my daughter and I were driving along through a mad snow flurry. When we got within a couple blocks of our apartment there was a huge gap of sunshine ahead, hanging out in the skies directly above home. We were right on the tail end of the flurry, about to cruise into the sunshine, and I pointed out how weird it looked, noting the contrast between where we were and where we were headed. 

My daughter said, "Well, the storm has to end somewhere. It looks like we're right at the end of it," and then I got all teary-eyed as her phrase repeated in my mind, followed by a thought…

Like I mentioned before in an earlier post, for me it seems this year has been full of rampant, relentless storms. The kind of storms that are so loud in my mind that I can't rest easy at night. Seeing that sunshine, hearing those soft spoken words from my naively wise daughter, I recognized truth—my storm has to end somewhere. With that realization, came the sweet whisper that only a humble, pleading heart can hear. Words both prophetic and consoling to a single mother whose burden was approaching unbearable played through my mind like a hymn, “This is the end of the storm.”

It was a marvelous revelation, for today a huge burden has indeed been lifted. A persistent problem has finally been solved. Today, the storms in my mind are at ease. Though other storms are bound to arise, I know they too will have to end at some point.

I know that my daughter was speaking literally, but the parabolic wisdom of her words astounds me...

Truth is truth.

I love moments when we realize that we are being taken care of even when it seems like we’re weathering the storms alone. Our needs are met if we seek the light amid the darkness. While they do exist side by side, light and dark can’t occupy the same space at the same time. Sometimes we have to pass through a stretch of darkness before we reach the light.

Here I go, cruising into the sunshine—the light beyond the storm—after so many little dark moments. Thank God for small blessings. Thank God for kind people...particularly the ones who appreciate and respect single moms.

JNP

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Part 3 Status Update

I had momentum with the first two parts of this blog, but being a single mother limits my time and the current challenges in this single mom's life are taking priority. Gotta put food on the table...and in the lunchbox.

I have about half of Part 3 of Sins, Hims, and Whims of a Single Mother written. However, with every spare minute granted me I've been busy polishing a separate fiction manuscript that I've completed. I also started querying that, which requires a lot of time and research, so I haven't had the free time I would prefer to finish up Part 3 of this blog. Be patient with me and I'll have it up as soon as possible. Thanks to those who follow. I'll keep you posted. If you haven't started reading yet, get caught up now while I'm on hiatus.


JNP

It’s raining, it’s pouring...

…but I won’t be snoring. I’ll be lucky if I can sleep a wink. I’m somewhat of an insomniac, particularly when the sky is falling.

"When it rains it pours."

One of the most cliché sayings I've ever heard. One I’m tired of hearing. Yet, I believe truth is the crafty, cunning, illustrator of cliché.

Right now it's pouring. The second storm of the year has arrived in my life. I must look my child in the eyes and say, "Everything will be okay," even though I am less than certain. I must stare into the eye of this storm, throw my fists up, and shout, "I will not be moved!" While silently I’ll pray, hoping that my house is indeed built upon the rock.

A writer, even an artist, utilizes pain and fear—downright exploits those ne’er-do-wells. This is precisely what I plan to do with Part 3 of Sins, Hims, and Whims of a Single Mother. Pulling from life, my present challenges will be wrapped up in an imaginative and fanciful package. I'll do my best to keep my devout readers informed as to when they can expect Part 3. Meanwhile, I hope you'll stop by on Monday—I know it’s a holiday—for Part 2.4, the final segment of that chapter.

My saying, my song, and my scripture of the day: "Consider the lilies." (Google It)

JNP

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