Daniella A.R.B.

Today, Daniella speaks to us about how God helped her through a recent difficult time of loss, how God has been speaking to her as she grows in faith, and some of her big dreams for the future.

Daniella

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: The verse that inspires me the most is the one that says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

This passage inspires me a lot because it’s about laying down your thoughts, the work and the things you want to accomplish in your life. This means we leave it all in our Lord’s hands, and the Lord resolves it and sorts it all out with the trust and faith we place in Him.

“This means we leave it all in our Lord’s hands, and the Lord resolves it and sorts it all out with the trust and faith we place in Him.”

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: My spiritual focus is to read the Bible more and to know my religion more deeply. I am focusing a lot more in preparation for my confirmation, God willing. I want to do my confirmation, honor my Catholic faith and do good things in my life.

A one sentence bio of yourself: I am so proud to be a Christian and to be Catholic.

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him?What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? When I was young, I would go to mass with my parents, and I received the Eucharist. I was very young, and I didn’t know very much. I would spend time playing Nintendo and hanging out with childhood friends. As I got older, and I entered adolescence, when I turned 15 and I became a quinceañera, I began to think about my confirmation. I did a lot of research to see what this was all about. I told my parents I wanted to do my confirmation and the reason why [I wanted to do it]. I was searching for a very long time, and I was searching within myself.

My father wrote a message to the church where I was baptized and received the Eucharist, and I joined a group of Catholic youth. I am there now, and they do lessons with us, and I have new friends who are my confirmation friends.

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): I am currently reading about the sacraments and the benefits (blessings) of each one. It has taught me several things, like the path to Jesus in each one and how Jesus is present throughout.

How did God speak to you recently? Well, we have had a lot of sadness, crying and joy– lots of emotions [experienced] with my family. My brother passed away in Chile, his country of origin. He was discriminated against in his own country for not speaking like a Chilean, and people would often tell him he wasn’t from there, or that his accent was so European. My family and I, we were really distraught after his passing, and I was having nightmares about my brother’s death, following all of this. I would pray and ask God to take away these nightmares that wouldn’t allow me to sleep like before. I couldn’t sleep alone because I would wake up, sweating and very afraid. I would pray and light candles.

“I would pray and ask God to take away these nightmares that wouldn’t allow me to sleep like before.”

Hobby: Singing, dancing and playing basketball.

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: We should always pray. God is always listening, even if you don’t believe it.

“God is always listening, even if you don’t believe it.”

Favorite person in scripture? Jesus is the person who brings the most joy in my life.

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? I want people to see the love of God, and I want to be a good example to that person who is seeking God.

How do you leave your mark on your community? I have noticed a lot of people tell me I am very positive and that I am always full of energy. I am positive, confident and I have a lot of faith, which is what strengthens me and makes me positive for everything.

Favorite holiday? Christmas because I celebrate with my whole family, and Jesus was born. I also love Easter because of Holy Week.

A dream you have? I have several dreams. One would be to work with my sister in her business in NYC, God willing. I also love singing, dancing and basketball. I would love to live with my parents in a beautiful house in the future and to be close to family.

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: We always open gifts at midnight (the morning of Dec. 25), and we avoid eating meat for several days.

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? What did God think of me? How God reacted when I was mad or upset or when I was happy and joyful.

What do you usually do before 9 a.m.? I usually wake up very early. I think is because I’m used to waking up for school, every day. The first thing is that I go to the bathroom and wash my face; the second is that I eat something, and then I pray. I always pray before I go to school. I pray with my rosary, which I bought in Rome.

What is on your nightstand? I don’t have a small table, but I have one where I have a picture of my first communion of me and Jesus. I have two scented candles. One which smells like vanilla, and the other smells like [a] flower.

Define Christianity in a sentence: Christianity is the religion that Jesus Christ founded; Jesus is our salvation.

For more Daniella:

IG: @danielaaa_rivera

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XOXO