Interview with Felicia Alvarez

Felicia Alvarez

Felicia, welcome to Homeschool Authors. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi Sarah! Thanks for letting me share on your blog!

I’m a girl who loves avocados, sunshine, and serving the Lord. I was born and raised in Southern California and enjoy sitting at the beach on a comfy beach chair with a good book. My family is amazing! My mom dedicated her life to raising and educating me and my two younger siblings. My dad is the most supportive and encouraging dad you could ask for. Although my siblings and I are all adults, we still live at home because, well, we can’t get enough of each other J. In all honesty, though, we truly enjoy spending time together and I’m so thankful for the loving family that I am privileged to come home to each day.

Currently, I’m employed as a dance instructor and teach over one hundred kids each week. It’s such a blessing to work with young people! I’m also a freelance writer and am thankful for the many doors of ministry writing has opened up—for instance getting to “meet” all of you!

If you had to describe your homeschooling years in five words what would they be?

Loving

Funny

Crazy

Creative

Focused

Who are some of your favorite writers? 

I absolutely love Elisabeth Elliot. My mom introduced me to her years ago and I find so much encouragement and wisdom in her writing. Passion and Purity is of course what she’s most known for, but I also like her books Discipline and Quest for Love.

I also admire the works of old dead people like Charles Spurgeon, Oswald Chambers, and Amy Carmichael. Their writing is a wealth of knowledge. I hope to one day know God to the depths that they did.

Other books that I’ve enjoyed include Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis, The Race by Della Loredo, Worldliness by C.J. Mahaney, and anything by John Piper or Eric and Leslie Ludy.

What caused you to start writing?

Haha. This question always makes me laugh. Just a few years ago, I was dancing, working part-time as a dance instructor, and attending college.  Once I graduated with a degree in business from Liberty University I asked the Lord, “What do you want me to do now?” I wasn’t sure if I should continue dancing or if I should enter the business field with my new degree.

Well, God answered my prayer, but He took me in a completely different direction! He placed on my heart a burden to write about my homeschool experience. At first I didn’t want to do it. Sure, I was great at journaling, but I had never considered writing my forte. But I listened and wrote Exposed: The Life and Thoughts of a Homeschool Graduate. God gave me all the words I needed and continues to do so. Each step in in my writing is because of His provision.  

Through that experience I learned that God doesn’t require perfection, just obedience and hard work!

What inspired you to write your upcoming book Disenchanted: Navigating Relationships in a Twisted World and what is it about?

Relationships today are hard and the more I experienced things and saw friends experience things, I came to understand that the real reason relationships are so complicated is because our worldview has changed drastically.

Typical relationship books put relationships into a box, addressing the symptoms and not the root cause of relationship problems—which is our disintegrating Christian worldview. Our worldview dictates how we live, and a Christ-honoring relationship can only begin with a Christ-honoring lifestyle. You cannot have one without the other. In my book I talk about the current relationship trends, evaluating the pros and cons of them in light of Scripture and, most importantly, evaluating if they are even biblical. Then, the book goes into practical application for relationships. My goal for Disenchanted is to encourage the young adults to abandon the current trend of lukewarm Christianity and pursue relationships for the glory of God.

Who will enjoy this book?

Anyone in their teens/twenties, I hope J Right now I’m praying to find the right publisher for Disenchanted.

Are you planning on writing more?

Yes, I actually just started on a book for girls. You can stay updated on new books by subscribing to my blog or through Facebook. I’ll be sure to keep you posted!

How does your faith affect your writing?

My faith is the foundation to my writing—He is the source of truth that I rely upon and my inspiration. If I didn’t know the Lord, I know I wouldn’t be writing. In my own strength, I would have neither the courage nor the ability. But “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) and so can you!

Do you have any final thoughts?

I’d like to encourage all of you to take that next step of faith. If you feel God leading you to write (or to another kind of ministry), don’t hesitate, just do it. Rely on the Lord and He will give you the strength. Remember: God does not require perfection, He requires obedience. Trust that He will give you the tools that you need, He will give you the opportunity to practice and improve, and He will open up the doors to share in His perfect timing.