Here's a bit about my story!
1990
Although I didn't live there long, Mexico is deeply engraved in me. Born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, I am my father's first son.
Things can sometimes get a little confusing, and I try not to explain this to people when they ask,
"Where do you fall in line with your siblings?"
Well, Since you're reading it might be easier to explain 😁 Basically, I'm my mother's third born, and my dad's first born. See, now you know where I fall in line.
I never got the chance to meet my older brother, Gilberto. He passed away before I was born. I’ve never been open about this, but here I am. You’re getting a glimpse of the depths of my heart.
There’s times that I’ve wondered what it would have been like to have my older brother. Would he have picked on me? Would he have let me hang out with him? I probably would have been bugging him a lot.
Whatever the experience would have been, I know my brother would have stuck up for me no matter what. I didn’t have the privilege of experiencing him, but I can tell you about all the brothers I gained throughout my life. Not only brothers, but some men became father figures. These men have been instrumental in helping shape me into the person I am today.
I suggest you grab your seatbelt because it may be a little rocky 😋
1996
Ever wondered why people migrate? Yes? No? Well, There's an unsettlement in their hearts, and they desire something better. This is my mom and dad's story. At five years old, I found myself gawking at the sky, as if I'd never seen an airplane before – which, come to think of it, might have been my first time paying attention to one.
We, meaning my mom and both my sisters, had just crossed the border into El Paso, Texas, on our way to Dallas. A few months prior, my dad had gone ahead of us to meet up with my Uncle Gil.
I have vague memories about this whole experience, but I do vividly remember getting to Dallas. It was one cold February night and snowing, too. We arrived at a parking lot, and us kids get out of the car with excitement to see dad with expectancy!
Normal, but not really
1997 – 2003
If you'd asked me, we lived a pretty normal life. You know, parents go to Church, and dad works hard to provide for the family.
Me - calling and hanging up on the police as a prank while parents went to the store because I thought it would be so funny. Not my proudest moment.
At least I thought we were a normal family. There were a few things I caught on to, but I couldn't quite put my finger on them. Like the time my mom got stopped by the police, and she was super nervous. Since I knew English, I gave the policeman her name because he asked for it. Needless to say, she was not happy with me. Sorry, Mom! But who was I to investigate? I was just a kid trying to enjoy my toys.
Things became more evident the older I got. As I entered my teenage years, I was basically independent, out and about with my friends. I'd say we weren't troublemakers, but I may be biased a bit. As middle schoolers about to enter high school, we were on the verge of making negative decisions.
2004 - 2008
When entering freshman year at North Dallas High School, I was basically an echo. You couldn't tell me apart from other students. I wanted attention, especially in English Class. I joked around, threw paper airplanes, and even rolled dice in the back of the classroom with some classmates. Little did I know all of that would change in an instant.
Partying and alcohol, I knew that was a part of my family to blow off steam, but I was oblivious to the other stuff. If my dad was home or not, I didn't pay much mind. I was constantly out and about with the boys I always thought he'd be around sometime or another. Why was I to worry?
Jokes aren't always funny
Hitting your funny bone isn't all that funny. It's painful! So was the joke my family tried to play on me. Coming home from school one afternoon, the whole family was in the living room. Early November, as I walked in, my cousin's boyfriend told me, "You're dad is in jail." Brushing it off, "Yeah, right." I looked at my little sister, and her face betrayed her with laughter.
Little did I know that laughter would turn into sorrow a month later. It seems to have been Dejavu because I walked into the same scenario. My cousin's boyfriend said the same thing. I replied the same way, but as I looked at my little sister, where I expected a laugh, I saw tears streaming down her face. Shocked, I was in disbelif. Soon after, my dad was deported back to Mexico, and I found myself parentless.
Family isn't always family
A little less than a year after my father's deportation, I found myself asking my cousin's boyfriend, "Why, what have I done to you?" to which he replied, "Nothing, I just don't like you."
I was kicked out. I became homeless.
As I walked down the alley, all I could do was pray, "God, I'm 15 years old. I just got kicked out. What Am I supposed to do?"
Ever passed through any hardship and reflected on it? After reflecting on it, did you begin to see how the "dots" connected? First, let's be honest. We're not looking for the "connecting dots" during difficult times, but isn't it amazing to see how things actually work out when you come out on the other side?
I don't have time to get into all the meaty-gritty details, but I feel this is how my life turned out.
Unfortunately, I was left house-hopping all throughout high school, from friends, to the few family relations I had, to ministries like Dallas Metro.
In retrospect, I had no idea how I would make it out of my situation, but God answered my prayer and said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Me and the “boys” at Kids Across America (KAA) Summer Camp
2008 - 2011
Against All Hope
North Dallas High School Graduation
May 2008
"If I don't do something different, I'm gonna waste my life!" That's all I kept thinking about after my dad was deported. I had a choice to make. I chose to stay in school and work my hardest to graduate. Don't get me wrong. I wasn't perfect. I may have missed a couple of classes here and there, BUT, the point is that I came to the realization getting an education would be my key out of my situation.
I learned to hope. I learned to believe I was created for more. I became the first in my family to graduate high school. I credit ministries like Dallas Metro and Youth With a Mission (YWAM) that taught me to grow in my faith in the Lord. This became a springboard that launched me into other successes.
Before I go any further, please don't ask me about my chin hair. I have no idea what I was thinking 🤦🏽
I've had quite a journey through school. Before I could take regular college courses, I was placed in remedial classes.
Basically, I went to 13th Grade.
I was determined. I came this far, so there was no holding back. Within three years, I graduated from El Centro, and I stand proud of that. I have a surplus of moments from those days that I will forever treasure in my heart. My Rising Star Counselors empowered me to keep going. The friends I made and the memories we created are etched in my heart and mind.
I definitely couldn’t have made it through school without these guys. I’m a BIG proponent of “POSITIVE ASSOCIATIONS.“
Picture with Pastor Clay and Barbara
El Centro Community College Graduation
May 2011
2012 - 2015
We Should Write a Book!
One Sunday after Church, Ed Blair and his wife Debbie invited me to lunch. By this time I was living at Youth With a MIssion (YWAM) Dallas. I kind of knew them because they would drop off snacks. During lunch, I shared my story with them, and I didn't think much of it. A week later, they approach me and say, "We want to help you put your story in a book! We started working on it in 2012, and the book was published in summer 2015. I was excited about putting my story out for the world to read because I thought, "If someone can read my story and feel empowered in their life and faith, then I'm all for that!
By this time, I had completed a Discipleship Training School (DTS) with YWAM. The following year, my best friend, Richie, started a DTS, too, and I went to go visit him. After visiting him, I met this beautiful girl named Amy. Almost every weekend I would "visit Richie" (Wink, Wink). If you know what I mean 🙃 Amy and I have been married since June 2015 and have been parenting to precious little boys. In spite of all adversity I faced, I see my family as a gift and blessing from God. I couldn't get here on my own.
2015 - 2024
Beyond Imagination
I have a lot more I can talk about, but I'll keep this next section brief!
In November 2015, thanks to DACA, my sister Alma and I had the privilege of travelling to Juarez to see our parents for the first time in 11 years. Talk about an emotional gathering!
Since February 2018, I've been a member of the Path team, where we establish community centers in mobile home parks to mentor youth to become flourishing Adults. I am currently working here full time. Tap the image above to discover more!
When others said it couldn't be done, I persisted because I knew that one day I could achieve it. On January 6, 2020, I became a Citizen.
Once a Dream, Now a Reality.
My education journey is different. It took me three years to complete an Associate's degree. After, I took a long break until my Father-in-Law encouraged me to complete my Bachelor's degree, for whom I am forever grateful. In 2017, I started the journey again online at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Three years later in December 2020, I completed my final course to obtain my Bachelor's degree in Communication with a minor in Psychology. Within a span of ten plus year
Sure, there were many bumps on the road. I had to get several alignments through the years, but I kept that persistent spirit, and I accomplished something I set out to do since high school. Again, I am the first in my family to achieve this goal. By no means do I say this to brag on myself. I say this because there is someone out there who may need to hear this, and this may be the push they need. It's not about how you start. It's about how you finish, but to finish, you have to start.
What's Next?
Book Me to Speak
Let’s collaborate and create positive changes. Contact me, and let’s start the conversation.
