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Aren't midyear check-ins wonderful? 2024 started with wonderful news, and it's just been getting better and better ˙ᵕ˙

The past few months have brought many feelings of peace and validation. I held some things close to my heart in previous years and decided not to speak on them. Unfortunately, it became a thorn in my side. Matthew 5:9 says blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. There is a huge difference between keeping the peace and making peace. A peacekeeper avoids conflict to maintain peace. A peacemaker confronts the conflict and resolves it. I look back and regret being silenced for so long. Especially now, I find out that my opinions were shared by others who voluntarily expressed their own feelings and experiences.


What I will never regret is going out of my comfort zone to extend an olive branch (even if I was berated the whole time lol)

Through many prayers, the thorn has been removed from my side. Good riddance.


Things are looking up.

I feel the wind of change blowing. At the end of the year, I might be in a completely different mindset and place -

but I'm always looking up.

I struggle to find the balance between capturing every moment and wanting to keep your laughter a secret between us.

For Mother's Day, my sister wrote me the sweetest poem:

Little hands and little feet A swift nine months, we finally meet Every day that passes, you grow into something a little new But no matter what age you'll be In my heart, you belong to me.

I am grateful for my family. Thankful for my village. We prayed for a healthy and happy baby boy. I believe our faith-filled prayers did not fall on deaf ears. They fertilized the soil in which God's promises were planted.


He is Tino; he is me; he is every answered prayer.



A lot more late nights and early mornings recently. Embracing the quiet moments and focusing more on the details - the changes come so quickly.

We also celebrated our 3rd year of marriage. What an adventure that past year has been. I pray he grows up just like you - selfless, kind, and too silly for me to handle.

© A. del Castillo
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