Karisa Rivera

My mother has spent almost three decades of her life, as part of her service to God, raising her  six children. Because of her love for us and in obedience to God, she chose to be a devoted, godly mother. 

She taught us that God is love, not only with instruction, but with her life. And that He is to be greatly feared.

She has shared with us  what she has learned from God and what He is still doing in her life.

She taught us how to walk like Jesus Christ.

She taught us to serve, respect and obey our father.

She insisted, (often) that we should live as brothers and sisters, together in harmony… because it pleases God.

She taught me to cook since long before I can remember. Not because I had to, but because she shared her time with me, always including me in everything she was doing.

She taught me to iron at age 5. No, it was not child abuse. She did it because she knew I was ready to learn. Which affirmed me, at such a young age; my life was very important to my family. To be able to contribute, in any way, to the family has always filled me with purpose.

She taught me how to sow a little skirt for a doll before I was 10. She did this to show that many difficult things can be achieved with patience, dedication and practice.

She sat with us to watch TV. She would take her time to explain whether or not the cartoons or shows we were watching taught Biblical values, or not.  She limit our TV time to 2 hours per day, max. (This is probably why I don’t have a TV set in my house!) She wanted us to use our creativity and energy either outside the house, in the kitchen cooking or baking, or immersed in books, or just playing with our brothers and sisters.

She taught us to pray for other children from church who were sick or were going through tough times.

She helped me share the gospel for the first time to a neighbor, Candy, when I was only about 6 years old.

She would have us pray for our dad when he had a major event at church or in the community, or when he was away traveling.

She did large drawings on white cardboard paper showing Biblical character traits. She would tape them to the wall of our bedroom and help us memorize Bible verses.

She, with great courage, took the responsibility to educate us at home. For the simple reason of instructing us in the ways of the Lord. For this I am eternally grateful.

She taught us that the value of people is not in what they own or in their physical appearance, but the value is in how God sees and loves them.

She encouraged us to extend a hand of friendship or service before judging or criticizing others.

She often reminded us of the great blessing we had to serve the living God.

She was the one who told me that the most valuable things in life are the hardest to attain. But it was always worth waiting for the best! Like – my husband.

She would tell me she would pray very hard for my future husband – specially I was being a diffcult young adult.

She has loved, supported, corrected, guided, and listened to me.

She continues to share her life with me. She is a great woman. And I thank God for her life!