Hello, my name is Rick Vasquez, and I am the Author of "A Mountain Within." My Great-Grandfather, Leo Vasquez, passed down a saying to our family: "Show them your heart, and they will see your soul." I stand here in boldness, hoping each of you will be gentle with my soul. However, being a Faith-Based Christian, I'm here to understand the strength of the Lord and know that God has delivered me for His glory.

 

My story of the Lore family is a true story that is hard emotionally to read or listen to, almost impossible to embrace when you realize that a lot of the characters and what they experienced is similar to your personal life. I believe God can use our life situations to help each of us in our journey of life. Because of this story "A Mountain Within," I desperately needed Jesus in my life. I was 25 years old and was such a lost soul. Writing this novel was an ongoing learning process, making my last change in 2006. I thank God for His intervention and Love, guiding me to straight paths, green valleys, and warm, calm streams. But I am no different than you. It took God a good season to break down my stubbornness and all the pride, doubts, and sins in my life and exchange them with a beautiful wife, five wonderful children, now several grandchildren, and more to come. Yes, though He has blessed me so much, I am still in the making of perfection in the world's eye, but in my Father's eyes, He just loves me so much as I love my Lord my God.

 

I often think of King David in the Bible and all the battles God had seen him through. The Bible says that God anointed David as a man with the world's power and riches, but David was wise and knew where his strength came from. Psalm 18: 1-3, I will love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, fortress, and deliverer; My God, my strength in whom I will trust. My shield and horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised. So shall I be saved from my enemies.

 

His strength, not mine.