Lupe and Steve share their testimony of faith and marriage

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome. Very proud. Yeah, so anyway, I was going to say that we're all winners in this room. And the reason that we're all winners is because, I mean, people might say, why do you think you're winners? And it's probably because, you know, we can trust each other. We know that when we say something to one another, that our word is bond. And that's basically that. And that, I mean, that goes a long way in building a relationship or building relationships. I have to do something right now, and I don't want to do it, but I have to do it. Hey, Guitar Joe. I just wanted to say hello to you right now. Shout out to Joe. It's me, Andy Gator. Yeah, sure. Oh, okay. Well, I'll see you later. Joe. Anyway, I had to get that out of the way. There's a lot of people like, you know, people like now say, Willis Boyd, I know him. You know, he's not a winner. And they say that because they know me. But, you know, some people know me, and I try to keep my word. Okay. Okay. What we're going to do here is I'm going to talk to Lupe. And she's like, I say, the beginning foundation of Positive Light because of her efforts and our joint efforts to establish something that we really didn't have any idea about. I don't believe you remember how we met. Do you remember how we met, Lupe? I do. Briefly. In the catering business when I was catering out at Unifield. Unifield, right? Unified. Unified. Unified. Unified. Unified. Unified. Where you work. Right. So that's where we met. Uh-huh. And you don't remember, like, I mean, gosh, you're, I mean, you're still a magnificently beautiful woman. And I mean, more beautiful now than then. And the guys are, you know, coming out to the catering truck. You know, what is that song? My milkshakes. Milkshake. And now, well, we won't even go there. So what I'm trying to say is, like, she had magic. She still has that magic and personality. And that drew me to her. And we had a deal that we made. And you don't remember that deal, huh? Well, we were just talking about it. I do remember briefly that I wanted to work out, but I couldn't get motivated. And it just so happened that we lived in the same city. So a lot of things just came together and worked out to where that took place. And we were able to make that deal. So now that we're reminiscing about it and, you know, just talking about it, yes, I'm going back to it. And the deal was for you listeners is that if I showed her how to work out, be her workout partner, that she would volunteer in my ministry. And that's basically how, what our agreement was. Now, I didn't know. A lot of people just talk. So, I mean, she's a beautiful young lady and they talk. You know how beautiful young ladies are? You know how beautiful young ladies are. You know how beautiful young ladies are. You know how beautiful young ladies are. are i hope you guys know that right so anyway i just took it at that and um she was like true to her word um her and her family her children her three children yes um at that time very well they're pretty young then huh yeah we're talking about almost 15 years ago right and uh a lot has happened so she jumped on board with her children we did puppet shows we did performances um a matter of fact we're going to do a performance um right now the first two songs that we uh recorded uh luke we're not going to be singing them but these are the songs that she learned with positive light ministries you oh yeah okay if this gets a little funky for you guys forgive us all right up in the air and just praising we should just love and obey him he loves you jesus loves you up in the air We should just love and obey him. He loves you, Jesus loves you. Oh, ho, con el diablo. That means look out for the devil who's running around these streets. Doing evil when I'm teaching God's word, it helps to be bilingual. A positive light is what we want to shine. The light of Jesus, it won't make you blind. And you'll be a soldier once you make up your mind. Accept him in your heart. See, I was getting low up in the club and you always see my booty shaking. Frontin' a smile even though my heart was breaking. Didn't know just what it was, seemed like something missing. Got tired of the kind of life I was living. Late one night I finally made my decision. Accepted Christ, now I'm a soldier for his mission. Open your mind, hold your tongue, try to listen. Jesus is coming back soon, make sure that you're forgiven. Get your hands up in the air and just praise him. We should just love and obey him. He loves you. Jesus loves you. Get your hands up in the air and just praise him. We should just love and obey him. He loves you. Jesus loves you. Alright. Yay! Thank you, thank you. Next song, positive light. Yeah, positive light. You know I learned to shine a positive light. And shine it bright. It makes no difference if it's day or it's night. You see, God shines his light from the heavens above. And he gives it to us. So we can try to show you his love. His love is Jesus. Name of all names. Accept him in your heart and your life will never be the same. So now you know. Will you be positive? It's up to you. It's your prerogative. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. Listen, Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Listen Do you love Jesus? You know I love to shine a positive light. Jesus loves you. Jesus loves you. We know that Jesus loves you. Yeah! Those were the first two positive light hits. And Lupe. Yes. Lupe. Lupe had to step way out of her comfort zone. Totally out of it. To do this. She didn't sing. She didn't perform. She didn't do any of those things. But I guess my question is Lupe. How did you do that? And why did you do that? Because I committed. Because I committed. And my word was all I had. So even though it was difficult. And I believe that it comes to the obedience in the Lord. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You didn't know the Lord. I mean. I didn't. You knew of the Lord. And I believe with all my heart that the Lord was grabbing at you and wanted you because I knew you had that spirit in you. But you weren't doing the things that you were supposed to be doing in the Lord then. Correct. But I still had that instilled in me from my grandmother. So there was something in me that I did not identify then that it was the Holy Spirit, of course. Now in my walk with the Lord that I know. But it was that. It was the Holy Spirit. Okay. Do you remember Norris? The voice training. Yes. And that whole torturous thing that you had to go through and learning dance moves. And I didn't want to do it. I didn't want to do it. It was difficult. I had my moments where I cried. But I needed to be obedient because I had given you my word. Mm-hmm. And even though it wasn't just for the songs, I know that, you know, God had. He had a plan in all of it. So whether I knew or I was walking with Christ at the time, His plan was to get me where I was going to be used. And you were utilized for His glory as I was. And as positive light in my family and your family. I mean, it's just awesome how it has all over just unraveled through these years. Yeah, I know. I mean, you look back on it. It was scary. I know. It was scary. I mean, you know for a fact that, you know, I have my, what's the word I want to say? My limits, you know? And it's like you took me out of my comfort zone and you would push me and push me. And I, no, I'm not going to do that. And I'm not going to count. And I was just rebellious against it. And it was like fighting and kicking all the way, you know? But it was because I had given you my word. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. Right. remember we went we came down here to skid row we did performances sergeant striker we did puppet shows we did it for the church and all kinds of things so yeah i mean it's one thing practicing in a room by yourself but then it's another thing when you have to get in front of a lot of people and do performances well the one thing um that i remember was there was times i would come home from work and loopy would be in tears i can't do this i can't do this and the next day we had rehearsal loopy be there five minutes before the time you were always on time you'd be there and you'd be like let's try it again let's just try it again you never gave up yeah okay now i want to get into um an area that i mean really um funded positive light ministry and um i guess it talks about tithing and um i think i was the one that basically told you about tithing and well you we talked about it um i had always tithed in different ways um not really um going on god's word you know but like i explained in the beginning it was something that i was taught as a child you know with my grandmother and i knew i i saw him i saw my my my uncles and my mother always tithing to her you know so they always gave their first of whatever they brought home to to their mom you know the big family so i saw that i saw that and and as i grew as i um wait a second wait a second now tithing is giving your first to god not your mom you gave it to her and then she gave it to whatever it was that's how i knew that it was we were to give and and of course like um uh you know i grew up as uh as a catholic not practicing my my traditions or my religion um but that's what i grew up in giving and tithing and that's how i um compared it to giving to god now knowing better of course now i don't remember how it came about exactly but you were tithing to positive light ministries and i mean you've basically i mean i mean my pockets got pretty empty but you really basically were really helping positive light i mean when you started tithing did your business get better or did you see that because you were you're the the money you were giving to positive light was constantly increasing yes and we were able to uh purchase puppets and all kinds of of things and could you kind of talk about that a little because you were um a mother single mother of three and i i think pretty much you were struggling you were doing it gracefully but i think you were struggling and but you were also having faith that you were going to be able to do it and i think that i guess god was going to keep his word so could could you kind of talk about that a little sure um yes as a matter of fact my business was growing i was um i was blessed i was blessed and um um in more than one way um i had a i had um i think a lot had to do with with who i am um and the spirit my customer service you know and all of that so all all all of that came about when we as we started talking you and i um you encouraged me a lot and you spoke to me a lot about about god and even though i didn't know denise as as much as you know as you and i had you know our relationship was growing and even though others thought now you know they can't have a friendship you know there's no way that a married man and you know a single woman uh and carpooling and all of that you know all that that um we went through people people judged us you know remember the certified thing yeah yeah yeah there was a lot of of of animosity and jealousy were to the point where they were trying to destroy her reputation and her business with unified they went to the the president and made false accusations against her accusations against her to try to get her to lose that very appointed important account yes and all it was was just evil jealousy yeah and and you know and that just goes to show you that um we were doing the right thing you know and because of our obedience because of my obedience and your obedience of continuing to encourage and and and give me bible studies actually but of course you weren't telling me you know i remember when you would ask me you want to pray and i'd be no i don't want to pray you know i had you know and he would continue to lupe let's pray i don't want to pray i don't feel like praying right now with us you know uh but because of your um encouraging words and always um your stories about about about the bible you know that um even though i knew a little of you just you know you continue to encourage me with those words and motivate me so that's how um that came about to where i started giving to that cause because as when as we made the um the commitment you know okay you'll help me with positive light and i'll help you work your way forward and i'll help you work your way forward and i'll help you work your way forward and i'll help you work your way forward out because i know this is what you want to do i knew that it was a good cause you know so as i started giving to positive light my business did start getting better yeah it did that's what i i saw because the the the tithing grew increased so um all right then um i think that's enough on that matter okay help me shantae help me um yeah you were talking about i guess her earlier stages in life and marriage and those kind of decisions that okay yeah um trying to touch on that part next yeah but uh basically it's kind of maybe a soft spot um i remember um and i can say this right you moving in with steve actually him moving in this is this is what our um our testimony is you know this is god you know god turns things around for the best you know and even though there was a lot of pain and a lot of hurt people don't understand how can you talk there was a lot of tears i mean there was there there was a lot of hurt but you know it's a process like everything it's a process and for us not to share those those hurts those those scars those tears the testimony it wouldn't be a testimony of us being here today so absolutely steve um in those early days i didn't like you but but what i'm saying is um at a time we were working out and then you guys moved in together for whatever reason um and uh then you were working out less frequently um because we used to have like a little bible study on saturday mornings and then work out and then you said you just wanted to sleep in with your man and that whole thing and um um where were you at in all this steve and i didn't know did you know or were you aware i could kind of see the the headwinds coming where it was like oh there's god's coming into my life and what's going on here what's willis trying to do what's going to happen with my lady and i'm um i was a broken man who didn't know he was broken basically you know that's where i was and i was in the world and i was doing what i wanted you know at that time and you know quite frankly i didn't really care you know i was doing what i had to do i felt like i had um sacrificed my whole life for a lot of other people you know my family and and everything else and it all blew up so i was like i was no way i was going to do that again for anybody you know so i was hard and i was stubborn yeah yeah and i i remember if i don't i don't know if you want to talk about it or not um um a young lady you were with that you raised her son or something and then they turned on you or that's what i was doing and i was like i don't know if you want to talk about that whole i i mean i mean do you want to talk about that you want to keep that under wraps or well i mean that was part of my brokenness that was that you couldn't trust that you couldn't really trust um anyone or do you want to talk about that or basically in a nutshell marriage didn't work for me and i was like i'm either not good at it or this doesn't work or it's not for me or what have you so um that's basically where i was at and you didn't know anything about god's plan for marriage no not at all you were not well i remember loopy calling at midnight one night and um you know she was kind of at a crossroads and she's like niece i need a place to stay i said you need me to come get you now she says nope i'll be there at six o'clock in the morning willis comes home from work and i says loopy and the kids are moving in with us um her and steve have problems and i i didn't know what they were but i knew loopy wanted to get married that's what she talked about all the time. She wanted to marry Steve. But Steve was running away. No, that wasn't it at all. She loves Steve. She loves Steve. And Steve was high-telling the other way and Lupe just was like, I've got to go. So, six o'clock in the morning, she pulls up and we start unloading the car. And also, yeah, that was very turmoil time in our relationship. It was. Because I felt I knew Steve and I knew people like Steve. And you have your desires and your wants or you feel what your needs but God not being in that equation and us not having the power and I believe that the Spirit gives us power. I mean, we're like everybody else but that Spirit in us, it helps us. It does. It's not perfect. It's like we don't not ever make mistakes or give in to our temptations but at that time, you guys were in all that turmoil because you wanted one thing. You wanted something that was deeply inside of you and you just couldn't see it because you weren't feeling it like it. And it caused all that turmoil. You and I, when you went back to him, we didn't speak, I think, for a couple of years or something like that. And it was devastating. Do you remember what Willis used to tell you that God don't like lukewarm. You're either hot or you're cold. Oh yeah, that brings up... That was just... And Lupe knew exactly what you were talking about when you said that and she had to make a decision at that time and she, at that time, chose to be with Steve. That was her decision. It was many times that I felt that. And my spirit was grieving immensely. And he knows how deep it was. I mean, he didn't understand. But when moments of crying, you know, and he didn't like, what's going on? I mean, you know, you're passionately in love and then all of a sudden you start crying. It's like, you don't understand. You're in a tug of war. You had me on one side, I'm here. And in all honesty, at that time, Steve, was my God. Steve was my God. I made Steve my God. He was my everything. He was my everything. And that's why God had to remove me from him. I mean, this is down the road. But I know that. And I saw it. And, you know, there was people in my life that asked me, why? Why? I have no idea. I just knew that he was the man that was supposed to be in my life. And I had to give 110% to him regardless. Regardless. Because that's what a good woman does. So that was, you know, what I knew. And that was the only love that I knew how to receive. You know, without really knowing Christ. And it's interesting to see that her struggle with that tug of war with, you know, being with God or not, you know, when she made that decision, it was my turn. And I went through a tug of war with the Lord also. It's like, okay, you're either with me or you're against me. You know, what are you going to do? I think we all face that struggle at one time. I remember one time. And I'm like thinking, man, that dude, he's like, like Chantel, he thirsty. That's like what the kids say now when you just want a woman. You really want somebody. I remember when you guys were at a service at Harvest and you went down to get saved. And, Steve went down to get saved. And so I'm like, Steve got saved? I said, he didn't get saved. I said, he got saved so he can still control you. And so he talked you into moving back in with him. But you guys were not in the same room. But maybe what, two weeks? You were back in that bed? And I said, that dog! And that was like, and when you did that, I said, you know what, in my book, I go, that's, you know, but here we are, right? Okay, so where are we going to go from here? I think we're going to take a break, go to announcements, and then we'll get back to our discussion with Steven Lupe. Yeah. Alright, we want to thank you for tuning in to Positive Perspective. You can visit iTunes.com to download podcasts from our previous shows. And if you'd like to call in, our number is 800-893-9562. The best impressions start at home. Elite for affordable prices. Live in large furniture. For more information, contact Richard Boyd at 951-214-8555. Drama Stage Qumran has a weekly Veterans Theater workshop led by Melvin Ishmael Johnson and Earlene Anthony. The workshop is on Wednesday nights from 4 to 6 p.m., and it's a free course in stage managing, playwriting, and more. If you'd like more information about this, you can contact Melvin Johnson at 213-908-9567 or email dramastage1 at yahoo.com. October 11, 2014 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, there's a casting call for all acting, singing, and dancing positions for the non-profit organization Kingdom Warriors Foundation. Registration is free. You have to go to Eventbrite to register. And type in Convention Center Casting Call. It's all ages. Again, registration is free. And if you'd like more information, contact Melo Desire. Her number is 718-510-4803. I'd like to thank our professional engineers back there, Jenny and Andy. Doing a great job back there. Thank you, guys. And if you'd like to be a part of our show through sponsorship, please contact us at 951-789-1046. And if you'd like to learn more about Positive Life, and our positive light ministries, please visit our website, positivelight.org, and like us on Facebook at facebook.com slash wearepositivelight. Now back to our discussion. Hey. That was lovely, Shante. Lovely. Okay, so. We're talking about Steve being a man. He's being a man and he's turned around. And he's turned around. You want to talk about this one? Yeah. We're going to talk now about you being voted off of the Positive Light board and I guess how you felt about that, what led to it. It was devastating. I remember when Willis came to me and said, you know, Lupe, I've been praying about this. I've been talking about it to Uncle Elsie. Yeah, because he was the pastor and I know that you were talking to him and it hurt. It was painful. Because it was something that we began. And I knew that I wasn't right with the Lord. So I knew it. So that it didn't make it easier for me to walk away. I believe it made it to where I would respect the decision because it was God's way to do things. And God has order. And I knew that. And I knew that. So but it was painful. But we got through it. We got through it. We got through it. Okay. So how about the man that married you? Pastor Louie? The man that married us? Yeah. How did you meet him and get involved with God's end and that whole thing? Well, after being separated, again, maybe for a little over a year from where I totally made up my mind to go to church. I totally made the decision to follow Christ and no more being in in a relationship with Steve. Understanding that that he did not want to marry. That he wanted nothing to marry. I've loved him so much that I had to give him up. If I didn't love him, I wouldn't have been able to give him up. Is it that thing where they say, if you love them, set them free? Is that? Fante, help me. I don't know if that's the way it goes. I don't know if that's the way it goes. But in my heart, I loved him so much that I would be willing to respect that if he didn't want to marry and he wanted to be in sin for the rest of his life, he can be in sin without me. So at that time when I when I made that decision, still like Willis says, I'm not perfect. I made many mistakes. However, I made many mistakes. I made many mistakes. I made many mistakes. I made many mistakes. I made many mistakes. However, at that time that God was working on Steve is how it unraveled to where we met Pastor Louie. But I'll let you talk a little bit about that. Yes. Well, we had finally decided to get back together and I decided that I was going to honor my commitment to her and get married. And we still struggled even with that. We still struggled with we were just seem to be different people. We were in Christ and we were different people. And, you know, we weren't doing the things that we were before. And we had to give up some of our friends and activities. So it was kind of like, well, I don't know. I'm not sure because you're totally different now. And she said the same to me. It's like, I don't know if we're compatible. We're two different people now. So should we still get married? How crazy that sounds. But it was pretty crazy. It was. But I mean, if you know you're in Christ as opposed to the world, it is quite a bit different. And that was something we struggled with. We weren't sure if we should if we should continue a relationship or not. However, we have our neighbor in Riverside, Angelina Delgado. Angelina! Shout to her. Love you, Angelina. And they were having a DNA of relationships, relationship for couples. I guess workbook, that they were starting. So they were going to start that. And Pastor Louie and Gina Arrieta, they were, he wasn't our pastor yet, but that's when we met Louie and Gina. And that's how we met them there at that DNA relationship class for couples. And we, it was all God. It was all God. This was where it was going to determine because I hated him right then and there. When we were at that point, it's like, I love him. But I loved the man before. And I hated him at the same time because there was so much hurt. There was so much hurt in my heart. It was like hurt and pleasure, right? Yeah, it's difficult to understand. Oh gosh, agony with the ecstasy. Well, you have to get through the forgiveness stage. And that's where you were struggling. So that's where we met Pastor Louie. And as we continued going through those couples classes, is how we got to meet them. And then they were going to meet me. And I was like, I'm going to get married with them. And then they were going to start a Bible study, Pastor Louie and Gina. And that's how we came about of starting our relationship. And when we finally, I knew, I went up to Pastor Louie and I said, Pastor, will you marry us? Because I knew we were going to, I knew it was on me. If I said, okay, I'm moving forward with this relationship. He was going to, we were going to get married. So right then and there is when Pastor, well, he wasn't pastor then, he was so excited and he said, absolutely. And that's how we came about with our relationship with Gina and Louie. And I think praise God for Pastor Louie, because that was the first time I really heard the word of God, you know, and he wasn't somebody who was on TV or he wasn't up on a stage far away. He was real. He was right in front of me. And to be in a small room and in an intimate setting like that, where I could really see something, somebody's conviction and their love for the word of God. And to see that he wasn't perfect, of course, and that he had struggles also, but you know, he relied on the word and, and that kind of drew me to him. And he was, you know, he was very strong on us too. We were kind of drawn to him also. And he decided that once the Bible study was going on, he decided he was going to start a church. And I just, we just kind of just fell into just helping him. Yeah. You guys seem, we were just helping him. Lou loved him. And I'm like, who is this man that Lupe loves? And he must be pretty, you know, he must be a pretty decent person. But there was something I wanted to ask you guys. Oh, it's like most people when they see preachers, the first thing they think about is like the tithe thing that all they want is money. And I mean, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, did you ever, a lot of believers don't do that. That's why we have all this need outside of the churches, you know? So in my heart, in my spirit, I knew that we were going to continue to, to help the community. So that wasn't a factor. It wasn't anything that it's like, okay, this is what I must do. Never to me, because this is how I, I began with positive light, you know, and I saw the, I saw the fruit coming out of positive light, whether I was in it or not. I, my heart was always in there and it's still with positive light, you know, if there's anything that I, that I am asked to do that has to do with positive light and, and Denise and Willis and the family, I'm there. Yeah. And that's the trust thing that, that your word, and I know that you, that coming out of your mouth right now, that's your word. And I know that's, that's accurate because of, of our history and your reputation, your integrity. And you guys have been that example. Yes. Because we've, we've known that we could count on you guys anytime we needed help or food or a place, your home, entertainment. We knew you guys were going to be there no matter what. So we're just, we're just following in the same. And now that Shante's part of the family, I must say, I know it's not part of what you're asking me, but when I, when I saw Shante coming into the family, I was so blessed. I was so blessed and I was so, I felt so much joy. It was like, she was part, part of me as well, you know, because I knew she was in good hands that this is where she needed to be. And you were the perfect couple to guide this young lady. And I'm so proud of her. She's giving me the fits. Just like you gave me. No, just like you gave me. That's just the love. Yeah, just pass it on. I think also with, with what went on with what you were saying about God's in, you know, you, you came to us and asked, you know, you and Steve, and we met with Pastor Louie, would we be a part of this? Would we be a part of this? Would we be a part of this? Would we be a part of this? Would we be a part of this? Would we be a part of this? Would we be a part of this? Would we be a part of working with the children's ministry, working with the praise team? Once we got in there, exactly what you were saying that drew you into that church is what I think drew so many of the people in there. It became a, a very close knit church family. I mean, it was an intimate type of thing. It wasn't just, you came to church on Sunday, you know, and you went back home. I mean, it was anytime there was a birthday, anytime there was, you know, someone had a need, they were on the phone. And the church became... You know, someone that you could depend upon and very, very tight knit. Yeah. And, and, you know, through those years and through all the people that came in, I mean, we were talking about maybe a month ago, you know, how many people have walked in, have, have come in through, through God's end, through tithing, because we have to document that, you know, and because why? Because we need to make sure that they get their, their, their yearly correct for information for them for, for their taxes. So, so as, as we're going through all that and getting all that organized, it's more than 200 people that have gone through God's end, you know, and, and it is, yeah, and it is an honor to say that we have involved, we have been involved in touching those people in different ways, you know, and, and that's all because of God. It's all because of God. It's because Pastor Louie was obedient to what God placed in his heart because positive light. Um, God placed that in, in Willis's heart, you know, and it just unravels from there, you know, but how many people have you not touched? I mean, how many times did we come to Skid Row and you continue, you know, it's just amazing how, and that's what the church needs to be. That's, that's who we should be. Right. And you were saying that you met Pastor Louie through like a couples class and now you guys are teaching a marriage class and how does that feel knowing what you went through in marriage and being able to instruct other people and help them? You know, um, it's amazing. It's amazing because to me, that's what God had always placed in my heart to help others. You know, I never knew that it was going to be through our marriage and our testimony, you know, but I mean, when I have an opportunity to talk about God, I talk about God, you know, at work at, you know, any place I'm at and I share our testimony because if, if people like you, of course, that knew where we were, who we are, where we came from to where we are now. Mm-hmm. It's a restoration transformation and goes on. Amazing grace. It is. Yes. And it's amazing grace. Exactly what it is. It's God's grace on our relationship. So when I have an opportunity to talk to any couple who was struggling and anybody who is in sin, I don't hesitate to say, you know, you need to keep your eyes focused on the Lord. This is what he has done for us and now that we have the honor to, um, to be able to speak about our relationship. So let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's just say, let's wife, which is awesome. And now, even though we did that at our, at the church in Riverside, now we're initiating it actually on October 11th in our home out in Orange County. So we've been, you know, God moves you around for so many reasons. His plans are greater than ours. And, you know, that's why I think I'm just in awe about, you know, what he has done with our marriage. And even though it's painful, I love to talk about it because it encourages others that are seeking, seeking what we have without knowing what it took to get us here. I know your guy's example, I have used numerous times with young women and at my work, on my job, you know, because some of them struggled the same way I seen you struggle, you know, in and out of relationships. And, you know, I says, I, you know, I can only tell you what I've seen with my eyes on this couple here. And that's, that's God's miracle, niece. This is, us here together right now, we're uniquely equipped. Being, being, being with you is God's miracle, God's grace. You know, if it weren't for him, we would not be here. And it took our obedience. Not even knowing, but it was God's plan all the way because it was God's power to change us through the Holy Spirit to break us down and to surrender. And it was for us to get into the word and then to get into a church and get plugged in and then to serve. And, and to do all those things, we've come full circle to be where we're at right now. And, and all things pertaining to marriage. And, and he has a funny sense of humor with that. It's like, oh, you hate marriage? Guess what? You're going to teach it on it now. Marriage class. And it's such a huge need. Yes. It's huge. And I want to say Denise is my wife for a lot of years. And I mean, just an awesome woman. She is. I don't believe there's any light in her life. I don't believe that she's the only person that you would like her. No. She is uniquely made. The closest thing to Christ that I've met on this earth. But that's another story. Okay. You want to ask Steve about? Yeah. I want to ask how you came about becoming a pastor. Well, it was completely unexpected. Keep in mind, this was a very small church that we started and pastor just asked me, you know, he goes, you know what? I want you to show me that there's something in you that you have a servant's heart that I would like you to be a pastor with our church. And I'm just like, Right. Like Lupe coming out of your comfort zone. Exactly. Well, anybody that knows Steve, the first couple of things, he doesn't like standing in front of people. He doesn't like speaking in front of people. So now I didn't go to seminary school or I'm not a Bible scholar and all that. And basically it was like, you know, I don't know enough to be, you know, but he was like, you know, I just want you to do administration. I just want you to do administrative stuff, you know, the organization and the back, the behind the scenes stuff. And, and we'll build you up slowly to eventually get behind the pulpit. And that's what we did. Well, you had a little push. Lots of pushing. When pastor Louie had a stroke, you kind of had to step on it. Yeah, you guys had to step up. You had to step up. There was no, And there was a good woman behind that because without her encouragement and her kicking me in the butt also, and just believing in me and I couldn't have done it without her either. So I just want to thank you. Yeah. Thank you, babe. Thank you, babe. And would you like to pastor your own church someday? I think from listening to other pastors on TV and radio and just personally, I mean, you never really set out to say, well, I'm going to be a pastor. It kind of is God's will and it, he makes it happen. And if you're obedient, that's where you end up going. And that's pretty much where I've been. You know, it wasn't something I really wanted to do or even thought about. But just being obedient to God and saying, okay, this is what you want me to do. I'm going to do it. I'm not, you know, comfortable or confident about it, but I'm just going to take a step of faith. But you know what's awesome about his testimony that he rarely shares and I think that is so powerful and strong, but that's just the way my husband is. He's very humble about, about his, his testimony. His testimony is so powerful. I mean, I encourage him to share. Share it with other men, because if it were not for, for that wrestling moment that he had with the Lord, he would, he would not continue to be obedient to what God tells him to do. If it weren't for that fighting and, and because of our relationship and him not going after the woman that God was telling him to go for, because that's, that's how it all unraveled. You know, he knows the power of the Lord. He felt the power of the Lord. He felt his grace, you know, and that's so awesome when we feel that, but we need to express it more. We need to share it more. That's why, you know, I, I encourage him. You need, you know, you need to share that because other men need to, need to wrap that around, you know, they need to think about it. They need to process, you know, and if you don't share what God has blessed you with, how can they know? Without the Holy Spirit, it's just head knowledge. I mean, it's really, I mean, people can pick that apart if they want and look at it, oh, it's just positive thinking or, or it's just, you know, it's just, you know, it's just, you know, it's just wisdom and all, but until you experience the Holy Spirit, that ties it all together. That's what gives it the foundation. That's the power. Okay. Let me ask you this. And it's, it's a question here. And I heard Luke, she made a comment that all in God's timing, she said, and, and in my mind, it led me to believe that you thought. That you had to go through all the hell you went through. Oh no. Because of God's timing. No, God's timing was then. You know, I, I, I wasn't ready. Yeah. I was running the opposite way. Yeah. Oh no. I totally agree with you. God's timing is now. We just don't want to surrender to it. You know? In other words, that, and, and, and, and these days that we're living in people call them the last days. That. Yeah. They don't believe in God. They don't believe in the word of God. They don't believe it's accurate. And I mean the Bible says that there's so many different words out there and so many false prophets and so many other things and so many other books to read and so many other opinions and things. Always something. Yeah. But if we decide, I mean, if we just pick that book up, everybody says, well, it means that to you. It means this to me or whatever like that. But it's still so simple that a child can understand. Yeah. It's common sense. Yeah. And, and love thy neighbor as, as, as you do yourself. Love God first. I mean, things that are that easy, people just don't want to believe in that. And therefore we all go through these struggles. Every last single one of us. It's a choice. It's every day, every, every minute. It's a choice. The battle, you know, the battlefield that we have in our minds, it's our choice. We can control it. He gives us the power, you know, but we choose. Yeah. Not to, we choose to run the other way, you know, and that's what I did until he said, ah, you're done running. And I really believe that, um, in, in the beginning of our relationship, when we used to study is like, there's something in this girl. She knows that these words are accurate because you understood them and you have to have the, the Holy Spirit to understand them. The Bible says you can understand those words without the Holy Spirit. I was chosen. And now I know. Now I know that I was chosen. I know when he brought me back to where this is my child. You know, I can go, I can go back and identify it now. I can see his, his, his prints all through my childhood to where I am now, you know, but when I was running from him, I, I, you know, I still had that veil over my eyes, you know, even, I mean, even in miracles as, as in, um, as he showed himself through my children, you know, um, you know, right now you all know that, um, you know, we have, we have six, six, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, six, um, children, um, children. We have five girls and one and one boy. Yes, we're the Brady Bunch. Yes, we do. And you know, we all have struggles, even, even them seeing our testimony, they still have their own doubts, you know, they still have their own debt. And we go back to God's timing. His timing is now, even though they have seen the miracles, how many times has that happened to us and other things? And also, you know, we've seen the miracles. So we continue to run the other way, you know, because we want to choose to do our things. The Hebrews coming out of Egypt and all the miracles that God showed them. And then, I mean, a day after. The first struggle that they want to go back. Yeah. Yeah. They want to become slaves again. That's what we do. We constantly choose that. Now you're talking about slaves. What you're talking about slaves? Yeah. Isn't that where Moses, uh, took him out of Egypt? They were slaves? Yes. Yes, they were. That's where slavery comes from. Or slave to alcohol, slave to... Exactly. Bondage. Absolutely. New slaves. Yes. New slaves. The new Jack slave. It was Kanye. Oh, okay. Okay. Now, Lou, we have about four minutes, five minutes. Can you touch on your citizenship thing a little bit? Briefly. My citizenship. Okay. Well, I always thought I was a citizen. Honestly, you know, I did. Until I was a little girl. I was a little girl. I was asked to have, you know, when I went up for my first job and they asked me for a social security card and I didn't know what the heck that was. So then I realized that, you know, that I wasn't, but you know, I was illegal in this in California for many years. But when we were, when we were brought down to California, my mother was pregnant and we were taught to say we were American citizens. So I was about five years old. So I always believed that I was an American citizen. So briefly, you know, moving forward. Moving forward to recently, what, maybe two years ago. I mean, that's a huge step, but it's also an obedience. You know, it's God's order. We talked about God, God's order, you know, everything in our life is, is in order. And it was time. It was time for me to, you know, give. Was it hard? It was absolutely because see, I'm not, I'm not one to, and still even, you know, in my walk with the Lord, it's very difficult for me to retain. So that school, God's word. You know, I'm not, I'm not one to, you know, I'm not one to, you know, I'm not one to, you know, God's word, you know, so. Work, juggling. Work, everything, everything, you know, so I, I need more time to retain things and, and, and in different ways I have to learn. So for me, I didn't want to go through that struggle of having to learn something. It's very difficult. So I didn't want to go through that, you know, so I just kept, you know, pushing. Another battle you ran away from. Yeah. I'm like, you know, I really, I really don't need this. I really don't need this. But then what pushed me to it is that because my residency was going to expire, I was either going to have to pay. So much. And it was almost as becoming a citizen. So, so I said, you know what, I might as well just become a citizen. You know, I got to go through it. I need to do this. And then I had my husband, you need to do this. You need to do this. What was the studying process like for it? Like, was it a lot of questions? It was like a hundred and some questions that I, you know, that I had the CD and I was constantly, you know, I, at one point I knew more answers than he. He was born here. I was like, man, I didn't know that. You know, I was like, I'm going to go to college. I'm going to go to college. I'm going to go to college. I'm going to go to college. So I'd be like, that's not it. It's this, you know, but it was con it was being committed, you know, and and being obedient. Okay, I have to do this. There's no way around it. You got to do this right. You know, and there was you've got a hundred and some questions that they ask you, you know, and then you go you go in for your interview and you're thinking about all these 100 you know and some questions and then they only ask you three, you know, and it's like I had my moment where you know was very difficult but praise God, you know, after much after much effort and sacrifice, I passed. Okay, we're going to wind it down now. I really appreciate, you know, you guys coming in. It's an honor. Awesome, awesome. Awesome story. And I mean, we could go on for hours and hours. We want to thank Denise for the food outside. And she's really the backbone of everything I do. And she's, I mean, too awesome. Thank you, Denise. Just thank you for putting stuff together and supporting. Always supporting us. Yeah, so I'm like kind of at a loss of adjectives right now. We're like winding down and this is like kind of awkward for me. Shante, you want to take over? Yeah, do you guys have any closing comments or shout outs to your kids, family that may be listening? I just want to thank all of you. I want to thank Denise, Shante, and Paola. Positive light. You know, handy. And whatever little cookie monster eyeball creature there. But thank you for, and yes, absolutely our family. Because without our family, we would not be here. So we have great children. We love them. And thank you, all of you, all of you for having faith and trusting us. So just thank you for all of us. Shout out to the Godzin family. We love you guys. Where are they located now? We're in Riverside at the Yoruba Valley Community Center. Our services are at 7 o'clock on Sunday nights. Come on down. We'd love to have you. Yes. Awesome. And you are a brilliant preacher. I've heard your message. I've seen you in the beginning. It's a lot more comfortable. And a work in progress. You work it. And it's awesome to see. Last comments with me is that I believe Christians need to step up to the place. Right? Absolutely. They need to be obedient and keep their word. Trusting. Yeah. We need to keep our words. We're held more accountable than just the average Joe blowing the street. And that a lot of times we think we're doing so much that we don't have to keep our word. If you don't want to keep it, don't say it. You know, if you're too busy being brilliant or helping the world, saving the world, then don't promise or make a commitment that you know you can't keep. That's right. Right. Okay. Thank you for tuning in to Positive Perspective. Listen, we have four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, four sessions, Thank you.