My Christmas Letter 2014

My Christmas Letter

Christmas Day, 2014

Dear Family & Beloved Friends,

This month flew by as it usually does. I was not able to purchase as many store bought gifts as I would have liked. I settled on some customized family photo cards for only a few of my nearest family members (nearest should not be interpreted to mean dearest because you are all dear to me). But here am I, still wanting to give more.

I have been thinking about the gift of life everlasting and the opportunity for eternal increase that the Lord Jesus Christ gave me. This is the greatest gift of all. I think the greatest gift I can give all of you is my personal witness that Jesus is real, that He is the Messiah foretold of in the Old Testament, and the Savior rejected of men in the New Testament, and that He is the same God who appeared to the Nephites in the Americas shortly after He departed Jerusalem following His resurrection as recorded in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ.

It is personal and very difficult for me to explain how I know this is true. It is a knowledge that blossomed over time through simple and consistent applications of the gospel in my life; even trial and error, repeated repentance, and never giving up. There have been a few awakening experiences that solidified my simple faith, most of which happened during my 12 years as a single mother, and some that occurred when I was a child after a traumatic boating accident that I was in. After all I've endured through, after the many prayers answered that helped me to endure, after the many priesthood blessings I received strength from, and after finally making it to the Lord’s temple to be sealed forever to a righteous man who I couldn’t love more, now I can’t deny what I know. It’s more than a feeling or belief.

I look back on the many trials and struggles throughout my life. I see how the Lord Jesus enabled me and cleansed me every time I've needed it. He continues to enable me daily and cleanse me weekly as I continue to renew my baptismal covenants by partaking of the sacrament every Sunday.  I know that any level of success or happiness in my life is owed to the Lord for keeping His promises.  My beautiful and righteous daughter is a blessing of the Lord. My loving husband and our eternal marriage is a blessing of the Lord. It took me a while to get some things right, but when I finally did the Lord immediately blessed me and the blessings grew, compounded, multiplied, and they keep multiplying even amid sorrow and struggle.

It can feel very difficult to keep the Lord’s commandments, to live the way He lived, and to follow His modern day prophet’s counsel. This world is harsh. People are harsh often times too. The Lord is never harsh. He always loves us. I think sometimes we perceive the Lord as being harsh, but if we dig deep we learn that we are the ones being harsh on ourselves. If we humble ourselves then we will see how the Lord loves us. He knows our names. He wants the very best for us. He’s given every one of us His most perfect life as a gift that keeps on giving, so shouldn’t we give Him ours in return?

I want to devote my life to the Lord. I try to. I haven’t always been very good at being my best self. I think I've always tried to quickly repent when I find myself on the wrong path.  I hope to continue to quickly repent when I make a wrong choice—and let’s face it—I will. Hopefully I won’t make as ginormous of mistakes as I made when I was really young. I think I learned my lesson a while ago: “Keep the commandments. In this there is safety. In this there is peace.” (LDS Hymns, 303, Text and Music: Barbara A. McConchie b. 1940).

For Christmas I want to give Jesus Christ the gift of my obedience. And to all of you I want to give my testimony that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the light.  I also want to add my witness that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ. I've read it countless times, and I promise that if you read it you will also come to know the Lord in the most awesome way. I know that Joseph Smith was literally a prophet of God. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Christ’s church restored to the earth. I know that after the hundreds of years of apostasy and the loss of the priesthood resulting from the deaths of the Apostles of Christ during the meridian of time that God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ later appeared to Joseph Smith one Spring day in 1820. Those same apostles of old eventually returned to confer upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry the Lord Jesus Christ’s true priesthood, and by so doing brought the power of God that had been taken away back to the earth again. 

That priesthood power has healed me and strengthened me more times than I can count. I have experienced my own personal miracles because of it. I know it’s real power. I KNOW it’s real. If my life was threatened I still could not deny that I know Jesus is the Christ and that His church, my church, is true. I would rather die than deny it.

I know the Lord will hold me accountable for these words. They are mine. He knows what I know. He’ll judge me based on what I know. I'm glad He will. Jesus is the righteous judge. He is my King. He is my Savior. He is my God.

In Jesus Christ’s name I leave you this testimony that we might all one day sit down in God’s greatest kingdom together forever. Amen.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

JNP

#LDS #LDSFAITH #MORMON #CHRISTMAS #SHARETHEGIFT

Single Mom Gets Ex Convicted for Felony Non-support

Recently my Nana was on my case about sharing a family history anecdote, one that I, being a longtime single mother, found quite amusing, and one that I'd been saying I'd write a blogpost on for over a year now. I guess it took a lecture by my Nana to get my butt in gear and get my fingers back to stroking keys.

While researching our ancestors my Nana uncovered many interesting facts about my great great grandfather, Richardo B. Norzagaray. The datum I find most amusing--he was a convicted felon--convicted for being a dead beat dad. (LOL! Those were the days.)

Richardo was born December 26, 1894 in Ures, Sonora, Mexico, and died on June 3, 1950. His remains are at the Holy Hope Cemetery in Tucson, AZ. Around the year 1911 in Altar, Sonora, Mexico, he married Nana's grandmother (my great great grandmother who I've previously posted about) Angelina Jaquez who was born March 14, 1896. They were very young when they got married, Angelina approximately 15 years old, and Richardo about 17 years old. (And I thought I was young when I entered into my first major mistake of a marriage...but 15...yikes!)

Richardo and Angelina had seven children together, six sons and one daughter. Their sons names are Richardo, David, Armando, Anibal, Adan, and Bernardo. The latter two boys died as infants from malnutrition. Because they were so poor Angelina and Richardo could not afford to have a funeral for the babies who died, so Richardo buried both baby boys in unmarked graves under a palo verde tree somewhere in Tucson. My Nana told me that her grandmother Angelina was very sad that she was never able to visit their graves because Richardo never shared with her the location of where he had buried their boys. It wasn't until many years later that Angelina learned from Richardo that the boys had been buried under a tree, but by then finding the unmarked tree was impossible as the city had filled in the previously open desert terrain that was once Tucson. 

Why Richardo withheld such information from Angelina, I can't imagine. It seems strange to me though, even a little bit mean. But then again, maybe he didn't realize it mattered so much to her.

Angelina and Richardo also had a daughter together, Sara, who is my great grandmother. Unfortunately her life was cut short by a tragic car accident that happened when my Nana was a young teenager, during a time when her family lived in Los Angeles. Not too long after her mother died my Nana ended up residing with her grandmother Angelina for a brief time back in Tucson.

Before Arizona was a state Richardo and Angelina moved their family to Tucson. Then, around 1927, Richardo up and left my great great grandmother Angelina. My Nana described her grandfather Richardo as "a womanizer", which may provide insight as to one possible explanation for his decision to abandon his wife. However, I'm of the opinion there is no excuse for leaving your wife alone to raise your five children, especially if it's to chase after your own whims, if that's why he left. Regardless of his reasons for leaving, he left Angelina in a predicament.

"What a jerk!" I thought, feeling a bit of resentment toward my great great grandfather. Especially considering all the wonderful stories I've heard about my great great grandmother.

The stories Nana told me of how hard her grandmother Angelina worked during her plight as a single parent, and also the faith she maintained through it all, were inspiring. I felt an immediate connection to my very beloved ancestor. Great great grandmother had it way more difficult than I could ever imagine. Nana explained how Angelina worked long hours to support her children and also her grandchildren. Nana said her grandmother often took care of her and her siblings when they were small children while they were still living in Tucson before they moved to Los Angeles, since both her parents also worked a lot. 

I think of how Angelina didn't know the English language when she first came to Tucson, and it amazes me that she found any work at all during the Great Depression Era that began shortly after her husband left her. Yet, according to my Nana, it was by the grace of God that Angelina found work, and I believe God did indeed bless her for her faith in Him.

Angelina was the quintessence of a good single-mother as far as I can tell. A woman full of wisdom who nurtured her children and grand children through both her words and deeds. 

Nana laughed, and I did too, when she told me the way her grandmother used to say that no matter how poor they were it was no excuse to be dirty. (I couldn't agree more, and I wonder if my neat-freakishness is something I inherited.) 

Angelina was very innovative too. Nana said that when her mother Sara was little she wore underwear that Angelina had fashioned out of flour sacks for her. (Waste not, want not.)

Angelina mostly worked as a maid. She washed clothes and cleaned for a prominent family from out of state--the Mayo family. They were relatives of the same Mayo family who opened the first Mayo Clinic expansion outside of Minnesota. The renowned clinic opened in Phoenix, AZ in 1984. The Mayo family was very wealthy, and apparently quite generous too, because Nana tells me they used to order clothes from Chicago and New York and give them to Angelina for my Nana and her sister to wear.

Angelina also worked as a maid during the 1930's for Franklin Delano and Eleanor Roosevelt who had a home in Catalina Foothill just outside of Tucson. So, despite the fact that her husband abandoned her in the middle of a depression era, Angelina stuck to her motto: You can do it. 

Angelina wasted no time pursuing charges against her sneaky husband, Richardo, who must have failed to consider the consequences of scorning a strong woman before deciding to disappear. 

I chuckled like crazy when I saw the Florence, AZ prison record Nana unearthed--mug shots included. The prison record documents Richardo's time served from 1928-29 for "failure to provide for minor children". Talk about swift revenge. This was only about a year after he left Angelina. 

"Serves him right," I thought. 

(By the way, when did our society cease to put deadbeat dads in prison for this type of robbery and crime against the family? This in turn is a crime against society...at least the way I see it.)

I'm sure you can understand why I admire my great great grandmother so much, and why I feel so inclined to be upset with my great great grandfather.

I'm happy that Angelina was able to obtain even a small portion of justice. I'm not sure how she managed to get Richardo imprisoned, but Angelina was clearly a force to be reckoned with. At a time when men ruled the world (I think they still do) Angelina didn't put up with Richardo's nonsense or anyone else's. Nor did she become a victim to her circumstances. She's a great example of a devout single mother who was also committed to the Lord, which is what my daughter tells me I have been to her, and I hope that's true.  

I hear that history tends to repeat itself. In my family it has. One broken home has led to another. I've learned from my mistakes, but sometimes I think that if I had made time to research my family history when I was younger I might have learned from my ancestors and gained an advantage, perhaps avoiding a few of my bad choices altogether. But, then again, I'm fairly certain the Lord knows how to make the most of my imperfections.

Hopefully, my great great grandfather Richardo learned his lesson after serving a prison sentence. I think he did, because Nana said that by the time she finally met Richardo years later he seemed to be a good man who had changed. 

The whole thing kind of makes me think that maybe "failure to support minor children" should still be a felony for which there is prison time. To hell with pointless lawsuits. If it was an option for me today I'd be itching to press charges! 



-- JNP

Photos of Richardo Borboa Norzagaray and images of his Florence Prison record noting "failure to provide for minor children".

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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