The Nashville Napkin Inauguration

We begin our first interview with C Square Ministries’ own star, Board of Directors member Diane Vazquez.  Our meeting was held at that trendy spot Starbucks.  As a gold card carrying customer, I was surprised to hear a hint of panic in Diane when we were in line to order.  Scanning the menu she said out loud, “What is it that I get?  What is it that I get?”  She is a rare lady indeed – only been to Starbucks maybe four times in her life. 

So what was in her cup?  The New Vanilla Spice Latte with Vanilla Almond Biscotti.  New to Starbucks maybe, but the coffee revolution has not missed her!  I think she may have some coffee secrets to tell.  Until then, here is what we know about this hometown girl of Donelson, Tennessee, and employee of American Blue Ribbon Holdings.

Q:  As a native of Nashville, what is the biggest change to the city you have seen in your lifetime?

A:  Name only one?  Upward growth.  Nashville had no skyscrapers when I was young.  Now, I know compared to New York they may not be that big, but to us they are big.  There is also the increase in the number of people and ethnic population.  Years ago there were just two ethnics – black and white.  Adding a NFL football team was also a plus.

Q:  What do you want to say about your hometown?

A:  I love Nashville.  I moved away twice and both times came back home.  There were other reasons involved, but both times I missed home.  I think the people of Nashville have a lot going for them. 

My hometown is called Music City, USA, and as a child I remember during the summer all the traffic that flowed into Nashville, especially around Opryland.  I use to complain about it.  My Dad said that these tourists are the bread and butter of Nashville.  I saw the truth in that as an adult.  I have lived off the bread and butter of the tourists in Nashville. 

I see Nashville as a welcoming city.  We have our own traditions and roots, but we are a very opening and welcoming city to others.

Q:  I know your father was “an accountant to the stars.”  Do you have a story you could tell?

A:  Two clients that I knew about were Loretta Lynn and Barbara Mandrell.  If there were others I didn’t hear about them.  He was very impressed with the business sense of Barbara Mandrell and her husband.  We saw her and her husband at Rivergate Mall once, and she was tiny.  My Dad was careful of what he said due to the private nature of finances.

Q:  What principle or lesson is the Holy Spirit teaching you right now in your life?

A:  I think, one, it is not all about me, and two, at the same time I matter to him.

Q:  How did your involvement with C Square Ministries begin?

A:  Well … in a church service in a school gym, someone that I did not really know came up to me.  We will not mention any names.  (She stared directly at me, Deborah.)  She came up to me and asked me to lay hands on her and pray for her reproductive organs, and I did with trembling knees.  A few weeks later you came up to me and said you felt something shift in your body when I prayed.  I was awed.  I had never heard of a response like that where God had used me in the process. 

Fast forward to spring … I asked you about helping me take over an existing bread ministry.  We had both served as substitutes picking up bread from Panera and distributing it to help families.  I was taking it over from a friend and knew I couldn’t do it alone.  In two years that ministry grew from one pick up to three per week.  That was the true coming together with C Square Ministries.

Q:  What is one of the greatest answers to prayer you have seen?

A:  My healing of epilepsy.

Q:  You speak Spanish as a second language.  What advice would you give to an adult on the journey of learning another language?

A:  Talk to people who speak the language.  Learn the phonetics and practice everything you learn.

Q:  Tell me about your adventure into the registered dog breeding business?

A:  I don’t know yet.  (Said with laughter.)  Know your dates for mating.  I missed the last one, therefore, no Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies.

Q:  As a working, homeschooling mother of five and a great cook, you have had some Holy Spirit insight for a cookbook.  Tell me about it.

A:  I felt very inspired by the Lord to help families return to the table.  I have learned over the years a method that works.  I thought putting it on paper and into Moms and Dads hands would be a tool to bring families back together at the supper table for family time.

Q:  What was the last thing you scribbled on a paper napkin?

A:  I just did the other day.  I scribbled some numbers and added them.  I don’t write on paper napkins very often.