Thankful and Blessed

Near the end of 2018, my husband turned his back on me, my church failed me, my daughters failed to recognize me, but my son became the only survivor, and was living upstate for university. 

I managed to stay at Mujeres Unidas, the Salvation Army shelter, and got a little job at Stripes to help me complete my teaching degree from South Texas College. I even mustered up the courage to get myself accepted and transferred to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Things weren't perfect, but good people (people who understood the struggle) came along the way and made it happen for me as well. 

Time came and time gone, in 2023, I got evicted from my apartment during COVID-19, and after many years of enduring hardship on my own as a result of my marital status and divorce petition. 

God sent for me, and he sent me a loving angel to rescue me. RoseAnn Olson became the hands and feet of Christ. She reached out to me via email, concerned about my whereabouts, wanting to know my story. I had no intentions of entertaining her request. I thought it was unusual how, all of a sudden,n she and the Church needed me when they didn't care to prevent my family's tragedy.

Besides, I knew it was through my church records that she had access to contact me directly via email. I was hurt and angry and wanted nothing to do with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Today, it's thanks to Tim and Roseann that I've been given the opportunity to find nearby employment and keep my apartment with the intention of completing my bachelor's degree... But most importantly, to finalize my divorce from my spouse/husband/sole provider/father of my children. Which has been one of my major goals to become independent and financially sustained by my own good works, and I find myself to be worthy of.

I just laid it all here tonight, although it was unfair for me to have lost my loving apartment at the University Manor. Today, I can thank my friends Tim and Roseann Olson for caring to help me become the person I am today. I'm still the same Reyna from yesterday and today, just in a better place.