Raquel Espinosa

A few days ago I awakened to find myself flooded with joy. It was, for me, a new and blessed experience of God's grace. Most of my life I have awakened to feelings of confusion, uncertainty, guilt, and fear. That morning, as Joy flooded my heart, I held it tightly to find out where it came from and to identify the packages that carried it to me.

The Lord reminded me of the jigsaw Puzzle he had given me. It seemed at first like just a box of random pieces. But as I studied God's framework and context, the pieces began to fall into place, giving me a new and clearer picture of the puzzle, my life.

Over and over the Lord had called my attention to the message He sent to Queen Esther of ancient Persia: "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this."(Esther 4: 14, the Bible) I had not understood what it had to do with me. Now, as I look back over my life, I do understand. God set appointments in my life "for such a time" as He had certain work for me to do for Him and for His Kingdom.

During my life the Lord has repeatedly placed me "for such a time as this" where He wanted to use me: In Cuba at the door of the child Marina to rescue her when she was hanging from the ceiling, her blood dripping down, an offering to a pagan god. Then to be holding my little sister Drusi tightly in my arms when our bus seat flew out of the emergency door and hung out over the river far below. When He gave us an escape route from Cuba one week before my five sisters and I were to be inducted into Castro's military system. When He made the appointment to meet me at a church in NYC to give me His assurance of love and salvation and to fill me with the strength of His Holy Spirit to help me live for Him. When He placed me, a Cuban refugee from Castro's terror, at Azusa Pacific University to prepare for my calli ng to teach children and to free me from Mami's traumatized domination. As He opened the door to use me for 16 years in a little Christian school in East Los Angeles to give young children a goodl solid education, to teach them how much Jesus loves them, and to show them how to resist racial animosity with Jesus' words, "Love your neiqhbor as yourself" As He miraculously placed three damaged, abused little children into my hands to adopt and to rear for Him. Then He gave me 20 senior years in service as dispatcher for an honest courier service and its precious hard-working family. And in the end He set aside time for me to learn to lean on Him and trust Him and to be filled with Joy because of His closeness and His love.

I have looked back over the jigsaw Puzzle that became a meaningful life. Today I am focusing on my future life. The time for my departure is near. "The glorious fight that Cod gave me I have fought, the course that I was set I have finished, and I have kept the faith. The future for me holds the crown of righteousness which Cod, the true judge, will give all those who have loved and served Him." (2 Timothy 4:7-8 The Bible)

Not An Orphan(by Rocky) Rejoice and Dance!(by Rocky)

The day you were born The specters of the past have been identified;

(I remember it well) No longer are they able to enslave.

Your Dad was ecstatic Yesterday's tears of regret and shame

As if under a spell- Have turned to laughter with the morning rain.

Your mom smiled at you Your rigid body brace has been removed;

(I know. I was there); Your undeveloped, wounded self

She counted your fingers, will heal and grow

(I counted your hair.) Arise and sing!

They wondered and planned Put on your dancing shoes

For what you would be, and celebrate!

But I knew all the time Rejoice and dance for your

You'd be working for me. REDEEMER-KING!

I know all the pain

You've had through the years; Your sorrows I feel,

I've saved all your tears.

I see all the evil

Done in my name; I'm the Lion of Judah--

They will know I'm not tame.

You are faithful, my child, My deSign, my creation; I love you beyond

Your imagination.

You aren't an orphan Left out in the cold,

You are my dear daughter; More precious than gold.

Be calm. Don it worry.

Stay faithful and true.

I will never leave you.

Watch what I can do.

To My Daughter Raquei Ruth jC

Because I AM ... You are.

You are my beautiful creation. You are my image.

You are my precious daughter, and You are my heir.

You are my conquering warrior. You are my overcoming saint. You reflect my glory, and

You will, through all eternity _

Because I AM.

Cinnamon Skin(by Rocky) My skin is like cinnamon-¬Beautiful, rich, and dark brown. An inanimate object I'm not,

And neither a fool nor a clown.

A freak in a show I won't be,

And though you may think I am odd, A person with feelings I am,

And made in the image of God.

If by chance your face doesn't match With what I expected to see,

I won't make you feel ill at ease, And you'll find a true friend in me.

Success(by Rocky)

Oh! To make a lovely flower To sing the stellar song To get inside a snowflake To know where I belong To pen a famous novel To win a Nobel prize

How wonderful if I could be Successful in the world's eyes;

But when t've done my best to be a point of light,

That's the true measure of success in our Creator's sight.

Raquel Ruth Durant Espinosa (Raquel R.D. Espinosa)

AKA - Rocky Espinosa

Children's Names:

Tabitha Joy Flores Matthew Ariel Espinosa Nathanael David Espinosa

Mother:

Perla Durant Espinosa

Father:

Octavia Espinosa

Espinosa Sisters:

Norma Parker

Eunice Waldcnberger Drusi la Wieting

Marta Grumble (deceased) Miriam Fe Schoengarth