Created by Almighty God

I’ve kept journals and have been writing since I was a niña. My parents encouraged me to hone my writing skills, and they delighted in celebrating even my earliest published articles in high school, college, and local newspapers.

My dear late dad, who was from Ecuador, and my precious mom, who is from Central America, both ran successful small businesses in New York. They modeled and instilled in my sister and me the value of working hard to achieve your goals.

As a native New Yorker, I grew up surrounded by vibrant Hispanic culture as well as a beautiful mosaic of other cultures. As diverse as my city was, I wasn’t usually surrounded by many other Latina or Latino writers.

I’m glad that didn’t stop me from putting pen to paper.

I went on to become a journalist. I experienced much success in the early days of my career. But as my career flourished, I grew further from God. And I thought He was mad at me for my rebellious ways.

It wasn’t until one amazing week in Sydney, Australia, that God got my attention and called me to follow Him.

Almighty God has a Plan for my life. And God has a Plan for your life too.

If you’ve ever felt invisible, inadequate, or insecure, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to feel valuable and significant.

Society, peers, and circumstances may make us think we’re not enough or we don’t have what it takes. We need to shatter those lies. Thoughts that you’ll never amount to anything, or you’re no good, or God could never love you are lies from the pit of hell. The enemy wants to fool us into thinking we’re unloved, unworthy, or unwanted. He wants to steal, kill, and destroy our lives and rob us of our identity.

But the enemy is a liar and defeated!

The first truth in the Six C's of Transformation is that God created us with Extravagant Love. Almighty God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth—the One who made the sun, moon, and stars and created the splendid array of gorgeous flowers, spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and the breathtaking sea—delighted in creating each one of us.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s Image. Let that truth sink in.

The woman who stares back at you in the mirror each morning is dearly loved by God and is His Masterpiece.

Empowered by God’s Love, we can dare to live our God-given Dreams and make a difference in our generation.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for creating me with Your Extravagant Love.

Reflection Questions

• Is your heart being stirred as you reflect on how much God loves you?
• What’s been hindering you from receiving and remaining in God’s Extravagant Love for you?