Hi! I’m Elizabeth Christine.

So, I haven’t blogged in a little while and I was recently encouraged to do so. Here is my blog re-introduction of sorts since I’ve been MIA for a while on here and mostly on Instagram.

If you’ve only come across my blog and not my social media platforms- Hi! I’m Elizabeth Christine founder of Enduring By Grace Ministries which strives to bring hope to the hurting with emphasis on those who are grieving. My mom passed unexpectedly 10 years ago and my life got totally turned upside down and it is only by God’s grace that I have endured this far and only by His grace that I will thrive. I plan to be a good steward of both knowledge and finances of this ministry to make an impact. I’ve always had a passion for the Word of God and can’t help but dive into it and have this itch to share the goodness I’ve discovered in His words. Financially, as we grow I hope to be able to pay off burial services for this who are unable to afford these services. I was 20 years old when my mom passed a fresh adult only worrying about how I was going to continue my education after some setbacks and suddenly my mom passed in 2015. As an only child who didn’t want my dad to bury his wife nor my nana to bury her daughter I accepted that bereavement packet once I picked myself up off that hospital floor and began the planning. Well, at a young age I discovered how expensive it is to pay for these things and the only way myself and my family could do so was by God’s provision through generous donations and a kind burial home who walked me through it all. My church acted as the church and walked with me and helped me where it was possible, my in laws helped where they could, my fishing family came through, and by God’s grace I gave my momma a nice home going. That was only the beginning, my friends.

The turning point for me was when my dad asked me how I felt after giving mom a good send off and I honestly had no idea. I didn’t know what to do or where to go from there. I went through the motions. Honored her and cherished time with my family and we somehow came together during the holidays and still smiled somehow. (She passed in September so those holidays came quick.) My eyes are watering just thinking about Thanksgiving that year. I love my family so much. My husband, then boyfriend helped out so much to get our house ready for the holidays that year. He’s a real gem, y’all. His family was by my side as well that year. It took an army to get h through that season. Even though I very much like to be by myself and alone, I’ve recently learned how much I love being a part of God’s family and the power of discipleship. Because so many poured into me, I get to pour into others. I mean, that is the whole purpose of this nonprofit after all, right ?- a teaching and outreach ministry. Even though I see the beauty in the church now, I definitely battled it out with God for a year or 2 on my own. I mean the year (2017 to 2018) when Cage (my husband) broke up with me was the year of growth I needed with the Lord. Hearing the whisper of “welcome back” after finally deciding to surrender my hurt to him. I’m a bit hard headed. I like to blame my Hispanic and Italian roots, but the Lord needed to remove distractions in order to get my attention and that He did so nevertheless I grew so much that year in realizing trying to find pleasure doing things my way was ridiculous compared to doing things the Lord’s way and with Him.

Before Cage and I split though we picked up my precious Bella Jolene - an 8 week old Italian mastiff/ St. Bernard mix. This dog who is now 9 and a half has been on this journey with me. I’m a proud dog mom. I know some don’t like that title but it’s what I am until the Lord blesses me with a child of my own. But right now, it’s my babygirl, Bella Jolene. I cried the first full day with her- my first dog that was actually mine - my puppy who helped heal a little piece of my heart and make more noise in the too quiet house. The Lord is so gracious in how He has in fact used my puppy to teach me about His love. The unconditional love this dog displays to me is only a glimpse of the unconditional love of my Heavenly Father. I just had to talk about her for a section because I am that crazy dog mom - I even had an instagram profile for her but I let that dwindle. Anywho, Bella Jolene has been on this crazy journey with me since April of 2016 and she deserved an honorable mention.

So during this time I went back to school and then Cage and I got back together in 2018 and engaged in 2019. We got married in March 2020 a week before the world shut down for Covid and I got my B.S. Christian Leadership the following year. That May I was finishing my degree my grandpa passed away and I had to help my nana plan another funeral. Seriously don’t enjoy doing such things, people, but I do feel honored to be trusted with such an event. For my grandpa’s funeral we didn’t have a pastor for the services, WE HAD ME! Y’all I was so honored my family trusted me with that role. Again, my husband came in clutch and was my rock as I navigated this. Side note here: Women, don’t settle. Get a man who can see you at your worst and still love you. This man of mine, whew he has loved me through so much. Anyways, that happened in 2021 and my family and I pulled together for that.

Somewhere in the middle of that I began caring for my other Nana who deals with dementia. It was mild then and she was still capable but that journey began and it’s been ongoing ever since.

In 2022 I began my M. Div Leadership so that I could be the best steward of this ministry I could be and completed that in August of this year (2025). My hubby said we gotta wait until I’m 50 to go back for my doctorate but we’ll see. I’m a nerd, but I’m also so tired. That M. Div kicked my butt.

So more recently I resigned from a job I’ve been at since high school - a fishing tackle shop. (Daughter of a fisherman to go out be a fisher of men and women now). Work, school, caregiving, wife and home duties were just becoming a lot so one had to go. I’m blessed my husband was on board with what I needed in order to feel confident in finishing school strongly. I was also volunteering at church with the middle schoolers but I paused because my spirit was restless and I’m in a period of seeking God’s guidance and direction. I’ve been focusing on my home life. My house has become a disaster over the years of not maintaining it, so I’ve been slowly making it a home where I like to spend my time and cozy since I spend most of my time home in the front house (duplex property) with my grandma. Up next is “my” house where my “office” and “studio” are. I’m of course prayerfully seeking the Lord on my next steps for this ministry - the podcast, this blog, and outreach. I adore writing so I’m praying on and developing a devotional. The devotional stemmed from my role as caregiver but it’s going to be very versatile for all hurts. Not that, caregiving hurts per se, but my goodness, it takes an emotional toll on the caregiver. I’m honored to be my Nana Sonja’s person and I’m not sure I would trust anyone else with the role because of how accustomed I am to it, but your girl gets tired, drained, anxious, curious about her purpose, God’s purpose in this, and so on. So, lately I’ve been reliant upon God’s grace for forgiveness when I snap and I’m moody because the dementia got the best of Sonja and me that day or His grace because I still see the Nana that took me everywhere with her when I was a little girl and now she doesn’t remember. It’s so difficult and I don’t understand it, so I need His grace everyday- when I don’t seek Him my day is a train wreck. Dealing with doctor jargon, medication, appointments, and my goodness the fluctuating blood pressures - I desperately need His grace.

At home I’m a CNA, RN, LVN, granddaughter, daughter, wife, fur momma, so I’m just seeking the Lord on how to properly accommodate Founder and Minister of this ministry. Because I seriously need to step into this ministry, I’m just in a weird preparation stage right now trusting God with the process.

If you’ve stuck around this long to read most of my life story, I hope you can see the evidence of God’s grace through it all. Satan has tried so hard to bring me down, but I absolutely refuse to let him think he’s got a good scheme worked up. I’m clinging to my Savior for dear life in this chaotic, messy, crazy, but yes, very blessed life. I’m so grateful his grace and mercies are new each morning because I would probably have a negative grace balance due to me being a hot mess express. The Lord, His grace, my family and friends, and good coffee keep me keeping on.

God bless! Thanks for reading.