What is your full name?
Naida I Alvarado
How old are you?
56
Are you married?
Yes
Do you have children and how many?
Yes, I have 4 children
What was your life before Christ?
Though I was brought up in Church, I felt there was a void in my life. There was a void in my heart.
How did you come to know Christ, what age and What made you decide to surrender your life to Him?
I came to know Christ in 1992 and I was about 31 years old. My life was a mess back then and I decided to surrender my life to Jesus when my youngest brother Orlando prayed with me and I excepted Jesus into my heart.
Share your Testimony
I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. I grew up in church, my parents were devoted Catholics and I was involved in the youth ministry and so I was always at church. I was part of a group for young women called, "Hijas de Maria," which translates to, Daughters of Mary, meaning Virgin Mary's daughters.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
I've had to put my trust in God every step of the way because He knows what is best for me and my family. I love the Lord and I finally found what my heart was voided of and it was Jesus. It wasn't the attention of men or anything else I was lacking. It was Jesus all the time and I knew there had to be more when I use to read the bible back then I wanted to understand it but I couldn't because I had no relationship with Jesus. It wasn't till I opened up my heart to Him that I began to understand that. I give God the glory that he rescued me out of the murky pit and He saved me.
We would wear a white dress to church on Sundays and the dress length had to be below the knees we wore a light blue sash around the waist and a light blue ribbon with a picture of Mary around our necks, and we'd pray the Hail Mary, Dios te Salve Maria, and The Our Father. Eventually, I joined the choir and I was always doing some kind of activity with the youth, such as vigils, retreats, and outings. Our youth leaders were seminarians and they were awesome. Being part of the youth group I learned a lot in regards to not doing drugs and keeping myself till marriage.
My friend and I back in the day! I’m the one on the right.
My father was always working and my mom worked part-time. I went to school in the afternoon and was done by 5 pm.
I grew up with two brothers, me being the middle child. I was never one to be in wild parties, neither was I ever involved in drugs or smoking, but I feel being the only girl my parents sheltered me too much. Growing up I didn't have a great relationship with my dad since he wasn't present all the time. I lacked that daddy's little girl relationship so I was always looking for that void from men. We moved to Chicago in 1981 when I was 13 years old. That was a culture shock for me because I was so use to being in church and I didn't know the catholic church we attended had a youth group till later on.
Moving forward years later after I graduated I got married to my high school sweetheart Joey. My marriage started very rocky and we had a lot of problems at the beginning of our marriage. I had two children at the time that my youngest brother Orlando came to visit me and talk to me about Jesus. My life was in shambles, I had no direction in life. I remember just like today, he asked me a simple question, "Naida, If you were to die today, where would you end up, in Heaven or hell?" And to be honest I didn't know how to answer that question. That day my brother invited me to accept Jesus in my life and that was when life began to change for the better. That was back in 1992. I'm not gonna tell you it has been easy. Following Christ will cost you to change a lot of things in your life, such as cutting out toxic things from your life. It's not easy, its a consent battle but God's word says we have to renew our minds.
Romans 12:2 says:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
I've had to put my trust in God every step of the way because He knows what is best for me and my family. I love the Lord and I finally found what my heart was voided of and it was Jesus. It wasn't the attention of men or anything else I was lacking. It was Jesus all the time and I knew there had to be more when I use to read the bible back then I wanted to understand it but I couldn't because I had no relationship with Jesus. It wasn't till I opened up my heart to Him that I began to understand that. I give God the glory that he rescued me out of the murky pit and He saved me.
How is your life now after becoming a daughter of the King?
My life is the best it's been. I've been through some trials but those trials have only made me strong and I trust in God in every process I go through. It is not easy while you wait and go through it but God makes it easier to withstand the process. I've learned throughout the years what my gifts and talents are and what the Lord has called me to do. I've always loved music as a child and I was always singing since I can remember. And now I sing for God. My desire is that God will use the gift He has given me to reach his people so that they can also come to the saving knowledge of His son Jesus.
What is your favorite verse that has impacted your life?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."Proverbs 3:5-6
Whenever the enemy tries to bring thoughts in my mind about my past issues or anything of that nature this is my verse.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.2 Corinthians 10:5
What would you like to say to others that have not yet surrendered to God?
I would say, put your life in the hands of God because He would never steer you wrong neither will he leave you nor forsake you.
Trust Him, with everything and turn away from the sinful life that you are living now and allow him to guide you. I was once a sinner and I was lost and I'm still a work in progress because I am not perfect. God is still molding me and shaping me. Allow God to rewrite your story, and allow God to transform you. God bless you all!
If you want to accept Jesus in your life repeat this out loud:
Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me and rose for me on the third day, please forgive my sins. I ask you to come into my heart, into my life and become the Lord of my life. Teach me how to walk in your ways and how to love and serve you. Thank you Jesus, Amen
If you said this prayer, Congrats and welcome to the Family!
Heres, a cool site to help you on your new Journey with the Lord.
Click http://bible.com/app
Also if you have a testimony you would like to share on the blog, send an email to colorwheelgallery@gmail.com.
