All the times the Lord spoke to me:

2015, after reading all 5000 pages of Maria Valtorta, a great believer and mystic of the church, I had my first spiritual awakening. I began to metaphorically see my soul, as if it were looking at itself in the mirror. I realized at that moment that I was not living up the full potential that I could be. To say that I was shocked is an understatement. Shortly after this period I had a dream of Mary, dressed in a brown tunic and smiling at me. She was absolutely pure beauty, indescribable love in her face, simple and graceful all at once.

I interpreted this moment as Mary recognizing my spiritual awakening. The smile was proud, as if to approve of the journey I faced ahead.

2015 One morning I heard a deep and comforting voice of a man say: “From now on, your life will be easier”- I knew it to be Jesus without thinking (and I thought it was strange that i instantly knew, as if it were instinct).

I interpreted this as him saving me from a future hurtful event of some sort, perhaps through intervention from prayer and intercession of his faithful, including his clergy (priests, nuns).

After reading a Marital self-help book called the Love Dare (twice), I found solace and peace, in my life and relationship. However, it was temporary as I had not fully practiced its Christian principles. To refresh myself I opened the Bible app, and read a passage about Gods love for us, referring to us as “beloved”. I had not heard that word in such a long time. Minutes after, I reached for the Love dare book, asking the spirit to guide me, I opened it to a random chapter. The first sentence described how I am loved dearly by God, and that “I am my beloved’s and my beloveds is mine”. I began to tear up knowing that God was speaking to me.

I interpreted this as God assuring me of his love, at a time where I felt lost. It was the best gift, I was uplifted so much I even shared the story with my brother.

I was watching a religious movie about having faith, it was a drama and it was heart-wrenching at times. In the end, one of the main character dies, as she takes her last breathe and passes, I felt the beauty of her soul, her life, her great sacrifice and the pain of her husband and family all in the glimpse of that melodramatic moment, so much that I began to tear.

A nano second prior to the scene panning to the vast stars, I get an alert on my phone from the Bible app. The message was a meme, from the Bible that showed a picture of Jesus and a quote “ I am the truth, the way and the life”. I cannot begun to explain how this was timed to the millisecond, and perfectly spoken to align with both the meaning of a character’s life and the very moment of her death. The woman gave it all to Christ; I began to cry.

I interpret this as Jesus confirming to me that faith in him above all will bring fulfillment in life, as it did for this woman and her family.

Finally, after Biden was inaugurated I seeked comfort and happened to be in my church parish picking up items for my children’s CCD. A free book as offered entitled “God is laughing”. I open it looking for humor, only to read on the second page that “the best is yet to come”. Words spoken by Donald Trump and his final words at his farewell speech. This adage had been repeated by leaders and thousands of patriots all over, and I found it comforting at that time.

I interpret this as God telling me he is in control and that we must trust in his plan, despite not knowing or seeing it. This was a consolation and helped to strengthen my faith.