Himnos/Hymns
My mom (mami) and dad (papi) have always told me my birth story.  Well, I need to
back up a little.  My brother (Alex) woke up one morning and informed mami that he
was going to have an hermanita (little sister) and her name would be Sandra.  Mami
didn’t even know she was pregnant.  There was a great terremoto (earthquake) in
May of 1970, almost 5 months before I was born.  I think that says a lot, if you know
me.  Ha ha!  Mami’s birthday is 2 days before mine.  Mami was in labor for many
hours.  I smiled when I was born in Trujillo, Peru.  The doctor spanked my bottom
saying that he couldn’t believe that I was smiling while mami had suffered so much.  
They named me Sandra Teresa (papi’s mom) Soledad (mami’s mom).  However,
soon after, things were not right.  I couldn’t breathe without help.  My parents say I
needed little spoons to hold my mouth open so I could breathe.  Papi always says
that it was at that moment he wished he was not poor.  They were told that I had a 5%
chance of survival.  There was a procedure they could do but it did not guarantee I
would live, plus it was too expensive for our family.  They also told my parents they
could take me home and just wait for me to die.  James 5:14 says, “Is any one of you
sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil
in the name of the Lord.”  So papi did just that.  He called a friend and they put me in
my crib, took away the little spoons and left me in my room knowing that could be
the last time they saw me alive.  They all prayed.  Papi said ‘If You have a purpose for
Sandra’s life, please heal her completely.  If you know she will do Your will and will
be in Your service, please heal her.  However, if not, thank you for letting us meet her
and we give her to you.’  Of course, minutes later they went to my room and I was
sleeping soundly.  I love that part of my story.  I love to hear it and I love to share it.  I
always cry during the story.  It’s just such a great miracle.  How can I NOT praise
GOD?!
My life continued... my first 4 years were lived in different parts of Peru.  My dad
wanted to go to Guatemala for Seminary - I just realized right now that I don't know
why he chose Guatemala.  I'll ask him and update this.  We didn't have any money
and it is another wonderful story of prayer and faith and instant answers to prayer.  
OK... I asked Papi why we went to Guatemala.  He said it was just where the Lord
took him.  I asked him this not even a month ago, and I realize I really don't
remember.  LA MEMORIA!  MEMORY!  I have asked Papi and mami to write a book -
it would be amazing!  I'd buy it!!!  Hahaha!  I do remember leaving Guatemala,
though.  It was a really hard and sad time.