Hello, and welcome to my new blog! I’m Diana, the founder of Chain of Joy. This small business was born from my deep need to surround myself with God's words to overcome the anxieties and fears that came with an illness. Now, I feel at peace and blessed to share God’s love with others.
I’m a mother of three, a wife, and was born and raised in Colombia. In 2011, we moved to Boston, MA, and then to Tampa, FL, in 2022. I spent many years working in the nonprofit sector, and this is my first venture into business, all while staying true to my commitment to giving back.
Life isn’t perfect—it's a blend of ups and downs, joy and frustration. Yet, with God by our side, even the toughest challenges can bring us joy. Through every stage we go through, He builds our strength and asks us to surrender more deeply. This is the story:
Chain of Joy was born in April 2023, originally with a different purpose in mind. Faith-based gifts were not part of the vision, but God had other plans.
As Mother's Day approached, I was working hard to launch the business. The gift boxes were ready, the website was set up, and everything seemed to be in place. However, during this hectic time, I began experiencing headaches, vision changes, memory loss, and other alarming symptoms. I was so focused on the launch that I didn't pay much attention at first, but eventually, I couldn't ignore it any longer and went to the ER. A head scan revealed a deep bleeding in my brain, and I found myself in the ICU. My entire world came to a halt, filled with uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. For someone who likes to be in control, this was an overwhelming experience.
After four days in the hospital, I was sent home without a clear diagnosis, just a list of specialists to see and instructions to rest. The pressure in my head was immense, and I was hypersensitive to noise, light, and movement. My life changed in an instant. Thankfully, my family was there to support me and take care of the house and kids (who were 13, 11, and 5 at the time).
Mother's Day came and went, and my business came to a standstill. Despite my efforts to keep things going, it didn't work out as planned. After Mother's Day, I decided to put the business on hold and focus on my health.
That summer was unlike any other, filled with doctor visits, tests, multiple MRIs, another brain bleed, and another hospitalization. Finally, after many months, I was diagnosed with Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM), a rare brain disease characterized by the formation of leaky blood vessels in the brain or spinal cord, leading to bleeding and, consequently, migraines, seizures, strokes, and other debilitating symptoms. The only current treatment is brain or spine surgery, which carries its own risks. Cavernomas can grow and bleed at any time, but thank God, my most recent MRI in February showed they are stable and have not grown or bled again. Since symptoms are the only indication of a bleed, this condition naturally comes with a significant amount of anxiety.
During this challenging time, I felt a strong need to be closer to God. While in the hospital, I finally found the time to watch "The Chosen" series, something I had wanted to do but never had time for. I immersed myself in learning about Jesus' life, His promises, and the Bible. I attended an Emmaus retreat, joined the Prayer and Life Workshop by Fr. Ignacio Larrañaga, started going to daily Mass, participated in Bible study, and found comfort in Adoration and praying the Rosary. Surrounding myself with God's words and His promises was the only thing that helped to bring me peace and hope.
As I grew closer to God, and I surrendered to Him, it became clear to me that He was guiding me to change the purpose of Chain of Joy. He wanted me to offer faith-inspired gifts to help others draw closer to Him, to find peace and hope, and to overcome fears and anxieties—just as He had done for me.
Looking back, I now see my journey as a blessing from God. It has brought me closer to Him in ways I never imagined, and I'm sure it will do the same for anyone who receives one of my gift boxes, or at least, it will plant a seed of God's love. I'm grateful that my condition is stable, and I continue to pray daily for complete healing so that I can keep working on Chain of Joy and spreading His joy to others. I trust that God is always watching over me; He is my rock, my security, and my safety.
I'm incredibly thankful for my family's support during this time and for all the wonderful women of faith I've met along the way. I'm so grateful for the support of my friends and for every gift box I've been able to deliver. Seeing the joy on the recipients' faces has been especially rewarding. Faith-based gifts were never part of my original plan, but now they are all I think about. This past year has taught me so much, and I truly believe God wants me to share my story and help others get closer to Him.
My mission is to help people find God’s peace, strength, and comfort during tough times, and to bring joy to those in need of a faith boost, through uplifting and encouraging gifts of faith.
Everyone faces their own struggles, and it is only through God that we find the strength, peace, joy, and hope to overcome every challenge. Join me in this journey to share our faith and support others in their own paths.
Thank you for being here and reading this first article on my new blog. I truly appreciate your support in spreading the word about Chain of Joy, as this small business is just starting out, and I would love for it to reach those who need it most.
God Bless you,
Diana M.
Founder, Chain of Joy