Clara Puerta Has Chispa

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Clara Puerta: Director, Community Relations El Nuevo Georgia

Until I was 22 years of age I was small in size; I never had to worry about gaining weight. I was able to eat without any worries. However, after I passed my 23rd birthday and got married I started having issues with my health. I was getting big and big without any reason. At age 30 I started experiencing the same issues as the woman in Mark 5:25.

I visited many doctors and received different options but no doctor was able to find the reason for the bleeding. The only agreement between all the doctors that I visited was that I had an enormous hormone imbalance problem. They further stated that it would be difficult for me to lose weight, which I must do in order to control the bleeding and other accompanying medical issues.

I was put on homeopathic medicine as well regular medication and nothing worked for me. Many people prayed over me: my parents, my mother in law, and many church members from my congregation as well other congregations. I was feeling that God forgot about me. During my illness I was working on completing my MBA, I was a full time employee with my own business, and helping my husband with his business so I did not have time to be in bed.  In August of 2013 I weighed 210 pounds. While I was at my doctor’s appointment he was confused why nothing worked on me and he told me to just get used to the condition and wait until I was able to lose weight before trying other options.

When I left his office I went to my car cried. I told the Lord that I canceled the doctor’s words and that He was in control of my medical issues. I asked for strength to overcome this difficult time in my life. I told Him to show me how and tell me what I needed to do. When I got home I asked my husband to help me. I wanted to start walking and eat healthier. I put myself on a sugarless diet. I cut out all the sodas and sweets. I started walking 10 minutes because that all I was able to do then. Incrementally, little by little I was able to walk one hour. I changed my diet to eat fruits and vegetables, no fries, no eating after 7 pm. By December of 2013 I weighed 30 pounds less. On December 13, 2013 I had my second hysteroscopy to remove scar tissue. That day the doctor was more worried than before. He told me to be prepare for the worst. He wanted to see me as soon as he had the results of my endometrial biopsy. On December 31, 2013 I received a call for the doctor office informing me that the doctor wanted to see me on January 2, 2014.

The first thing the doctor told me was “I was almost sure you have cancer. But, I hope this test proves me wrong, so you don’t have cancer. The bad news is we don’t know what’s wrong with you.” I was given stronger medication to stop the bleeding. I weighed 30 pounds less I was determined to continue to work hard to lose the additional 35 ponds. By May 2014 I weighed150 pounds. After sharing an idea with friends, we started a walking program to motivate other people to lose weight in a heathy way. Every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. we met at the park to walk and share healthy ideas. We did this program from June 2014 to December 2014 with almost 30 people as part of the program.  In May 2015 I was taken off of the medication and, glory to God, I don’t have to take any medication and my weight has stabilized at 144 pounds. What the Lord did with me has motivated men and woman in my network to take action on their health too.

I have learned to be more God dependent and to understand Roman 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  I got more involved with my community and in my way I tell people about the GOD power not only with my testimony but with my actions.

For more of Clara Puerta, and the many faces of perseverance order your copy of the November | December, Overcoming Issue here.

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Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Editor-in-Chief at Chispa Magazine
Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.
Mavian Arocha-Rowe

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Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.