THE LORD TRULY WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS ♥

A telemarketer called my work trying to sell me off on a company that could help promote myself and my business (how she got this number I have no idea). her pitch was "wouldn't you like to know if someone googled your name, they would easily be able to access you to network with you and view your resume" I told her if someone googled my name right now, they could easily get in contact with me. She laughed, tried it and said "wow, a lot of listings come up..." then there was a pause... she asked, "were you really nominated to be a candidate for the LLS 2012 Woman of the Year?" I said yes and she said, "my mother has Lymphoma Cancer, she had it last year, it went into remission and came back, she will soon be getting a stem cell transplant." This woman over the phone, whom I've never met nor spoken to a day in my life, spent 20 minutes on the phone with me talking about her mother, and how they both know all about the LLS non-profit and how great & helpful the people there are. She applauded me for my willingness to raise money for cancer research and patients, she said it was a very noble thing and from speaking to me over the phone she knows I will do great things for this campaign =*)

Lately, I have seriously been stressing over how I will manage Full-Time Work, Full-time school as a graduate student, and this campaign. I have been getting turned down left and right from companies when I've asked for help or assistance with my campaign... and I started having second thoughts, wondering if maybe I bit off more than I could chew this time... I even spoke to my mom about it earlier today... Then this happened! ... Make no mistake, this is not some "coincidence" this is the Lord working his magic and letting me know yet again, that I am in right where I need to be, doing what I should be doing... and as always, reminding me, that I never face things a lone, he is always with me, and will always push me when I need to be pushed. Well I def felt this shove ;0) & I will continue to do what is in my heart, raise awareness, and touch people's heart in such a way that they can't help but be apart of this wonderful cause ♥ Our God is indeed an Awesome God! and to the Telemarketer Nicole, where ever you are, thank you so very much for the call, & btw we never did finish the "sales" part of the call haha we had the kind words and wished eachother well and then hung up lol I wonder what this company was... =) xoxo Stay fresh... stay blessedღ

MLK *WEEK*

One of my ultimate favorite quotes by MKL is "Faith is taking the first step, even if you don't see the whole staircase". I used that quote in my 2011 Chapman graduation speech, it speaks volumes to me, and its validity has proven itself time and time again. I know when u have dreams, goals, & aspirations, they can seem exciting yet frightening all at the same time b/c you don't know how they will turn out if you pursue them, but you can't worry about that... you just gotta try, b/c regardless of the outcome or the things u face ahead, u r still achieving something just by trying ;0) I'm sure MLK hoped for great things but didn't know the outcome. I'm sure he didn't think he'd be as widely respected as he is today, if that isn't motivation 2do something spectacular than i don't know what is hehe. so give it a try, i know u will go far! ;0) Honoring the gr8 MLK. xoxo Stay fresh... stay blessedღ

January Newsletter *Happy New Year*

      Hello all! First let me say Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!  Thank you to everyone that sent holiday cards, texts, emails, etc they were all so creative and so wonderful to receive. I can't wait to see what blessings 2012 has instore for us all! Can you believe it? 2012 already? Where did the time go? I know the next few months will be just the same and will fly us by. 

     That is why I wanted to touch basis with all of you at the beginning of the year, to ask for your help in advance. As many of you know, I was nominated to be a candidate for the 2012 OC/IE Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year. I will be raising money for this wonderful foundation. With the campaign less than two months away, we must begin planning, please email me if you would like to help during the campaign and let me know if there are particular areas you would like to help in.

    My campaign to be Woman of the Year will need as many volunteers as possible, to send out campaign letters to companies, to help organize events, to help during events, to help recruit other volunteers, to cook food for events, to set up equipment for events, and so much more, but mainly to spread the word & promote events

    Again, please let me know if you are interested, I'm sure if everyone were willing to help with at least one event we would have enough people for every event. It could be another thing to add to your list of wonderful deeds, and it really is for a great cause.

    I especially wanted to reach out to anyone with a new business or anyone that you might know that would like to promote his or her current or upcoming business. There are many opportunities to do so in this campaign, some things even require no work at all.  Please let me know if you would like more information on this.

    I would love to have you all be apart of our team "Leaders & Loving Supporters" it's going to be one amazing and fun experience.  We are also still in need of prizes and/or auction items, if you would be available to assist with this please contact me, I would love to hear from you.

    Mark your calendars: Online monetary donations will be an option starting March 8th at 12:01 am at this link so don't forget to bookmark it: http://ocie.mwoy.llsevent.org/FeliciaAlcaraz

You can also visit http://www.feliciaalcaraz.com/ for more information.

Again no words could express how much I appreciate all of your help & support throughout these past few months and these upcoming months, I truly am blessed to have you all in my life.

Wishing you all many blessings for 2012,

  felicia Alcaraz 

FeliciaAlcaraz@Live.com

December Newsletter *Video Announcement*

November Newsletter *Exciting News*

Dear Family and Friends,

     I am honored to share some exciting news with you, I have been nominated to be a candidate for the Orange County/Inland Empire Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Man & Woman of the Year (MWOY) campaign. This is a prestigious honor that only a select few get to participate in, and I have been blessed to be asked to be apart of it. I am hoping that you will show your support in my effort to help LLS find a cure for blood cancers.

My dear friend, Evelyn Erives, the 2010 LLS Woman of the Yr, nominated me. I helped with Evelyn's campaign in 2010, with the 2011 Woman of the Yr Nicole Orellana's campaign, and this year I participated in the LLS Light the Night walk and helped raise money for the cause. I love everything about LLS and what it represents so when I was informed of the nomination I knew I had to accept and participate in this meaningful campaign.   

An estimated 957,902 people in the US are living with, or are in remission from blood cancers like Leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, NHL, or myeloma. You may know someone who had or is currently battling these diseases. LLS raises funds to help find a cure for these blood cancers, as well as assists patients and their families as they battle these diseases.

My campaign to be Woman of the Year is about dollars raised. Every dollar I raise is a vote for me and is a step closer to curing cancer. The candidate with the most money raised wins. This is where you come in:

I will be executing different events to raise funds such as: a State line turn around trip, a Bingo event, a Treatment & benefit night at a Spa/Salon and more. There are also other ways of helping. For the next few weeks, I will be gathering items to raffle and/or auction off during my events such as: gift baskets, trips, vacation packages (hotel, cabin, and timeshares), gift certificates, etc. I will also be looking for people that will be able to donate their time for at least one event and be a part of my team "Leaders & Loving Supporters". Online monetary donations will be an option starting March 8th at 12:01 am; If you would like to donate prizes or auction items to help the campaign, please email me. I would love to hear from you!

All donations (monetary, goods/services) are tax deductible.

Thank you so much in advance for your help and support,

Felicia Alcaraz 

FeliciaAlcaraz@Live.com

**Be sure to "like" my Facebook Page also =)

 --> https://www.facebook.com/Felicia4OCIEWOY 

2011 Chapman Graduation Speech

Yay! Got my graduation speech up on facebook! So if you  missed it, here it is, hope you have your tissue ready. It still makes me get teary eyed every time I see it lol ;0)

Diagnosis

Got the news today that Lala has cancer.. =*( couldn't help but cry, she is my world. I have had her forever, since 2003.  I always knew there would be a time she left us, just didn't think it would be soo soon. She is like my little girl, my child, and this kills me... I am trying to gather research on the Cancer. Just paid $125 today for blood work. On wednesday, I paid $300 for them to take a sample of her bump to see what it is, as well as an exam, and two medications. They want me to take her in on Monday for an ultrasound... that would be $350... in total that would be about $900... Is it wrong to be discussing money in this matter? If it was your child, would money be a factor?? but then again, I know this isn't my real child, but I swear she seems just like one.. don't know what i"m gonna do without my Lala... so sad.. =*(

Recently

So on a sadder note... my mom was admitted to the hospital on Frida June 3rd. =( Her appendix bursted and they had to do emergency surgery on her. They are having her stay at the hospital to keep a close eye on her and to make sure that they get all of the bacteria out. She is suppose to get out tomorrow (Thursday) hopefully... but boy oh boy was it a big scare for all of us. Thank you to everyone for all of your wishes, prayers, and concern. We all appreciate it. She is doing better and better everyday. She has began walking, and was finally able to eat regular food. Thanking the Lord for taking care of my mom ;0)

Today woke up and saw that Lala had a big bump on her throat. Took her into the vet and they think it could be a tumor. They took blood and took stuff out of the ball on her kneck and will be sending it to the lab for results. They also sent her home with antibiotics... cost me $320 =( eekkk.. I had to make sure my lala was ok... still keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best. =/