Latest / HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN® / Chapter 5: From Overwhelmed to Empowered

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Chapter 5: From Overwhelmed to Empowered · HAVE FAITH LET IT BEGIN®

• 0:05
  Welcome to Have Faith, Let It Begin. This is Ariel Santana.
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  Can you believe I'm seven years old already? I'm old enough now to introduce my dad.
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  Ladies and gentlemen, your host, my dad, Angel Santana.
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  Two thousand came and the spark was lit. A testimony raw, it wouldn't quit.
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  It's mother's voice, a guiding thread.
• 0:55
  Welcome back everyone to Have Faith Let It Begin. It is chapter 5,
• 1:00
  From Overwhelmed to Empowered.
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  This is where we finish up our first series about autism awareness and talking
• 1:10
  about my side of experience.
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  So, how do we conclude that? With chapter 5. And today we're bringing it all together.
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  Not to close the story, but to open it up even more.
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  You know, when I think back to where this journey started, the questions,
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  the uncertainty, the quiet moments of not knowing what to do,
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  it feels like a different place.
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  Not because everything is figured out now, but because something changed along the way.
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  We went from noticing to understanding to learning, and now we're still growing.
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  There was a time where it felt like too much Too many questions Too many appointments
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  Too many unknowns And I remember thinking Where do I even start?
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  I mean, who do I call? And what's the right move?
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  And there were moments where it felt overwhelming But then, by the grace of
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  God Things just shifted And for me, it was this.
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  It was letting go of the idea that I did not have to do this alone.
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  It's letting go of pride.
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  Letting go of embarrassment, and realizing that there are people,
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  there are programs and resources out there that are meant to help families like ours, like yours.
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  And that's not weakness. That's love.
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  That's a community. And that's a family.
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  That's doing something and doing everything you can for your child.
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  Because this journey is not about something being wrong. It's about learning
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  a different way forward.
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  It's about seeing your child for who they are, not who the world expects them to be.
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  And then, of course, embracing that 100% fully.
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  And I can talk about this journey without talking about faith. How can I do that, right?
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  Because there are moments where I didn't have answers, but I had to trust.
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  Trust that God knew what he was doing, even when at times I felt like I didn't.
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  Trusting in God was something that I was so grateful I can do.
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  Trust that my son was created with a purpose and that I was chosen to be his father for a reason.
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  Not because I had it all together, but because I was willing to grow into it.
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  And I want to say this to anyone listening.
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  This conversation doesn't end here. If you're a parent walking through this,
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  if you're in the beginning stages or even years into the journey,
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  your story matters and I'd love to hear it.
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  We would love to hear it. This platform, this podcast is not just about my voice.
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  It's about creating a space where others can come on and share,
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  encourage, and remind each other, that we are not alone in this.
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  So let me close this out by saying.
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  As we close out the series, I want to say thank you. I want to say thank you for listening.
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  Thank you for your words of encouragement. Thank you for walking through this journey with me.
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  And most importantly, thank you for showing up for your children every single day.
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  Because that matters more than anything.
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  And here's my prayer. Heavenly Father, give us the gift of patience.
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  Allow us to understand that we are not alone, that we are doing this together.
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  And then when Jesus says, I will walk beside you no matter what,
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  he means it. And he's there right now with us.
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  So go about your day, smile, hug your kids a little tighter,
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  spend time with them, embrace each other.
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  And more importantly, put your faith and trust that God will always Be with
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  you And your family Thank you so much for being a part of our show Thank you
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  for being a part of this series,
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  As we honor Autism Awareness Month.
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  And we look forward to hearing your feedback Have a great weekend May God be
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  with you May he shine his light upon you And grant each and every single one
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  of you Peace on earth And never forget To have faith,
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  Let it begin Have faith.