I had to take a leave of absence from school because I herniated a disk in my back. I have taken that opportunity to enjoy playing with paint, collage and all kinds of other art mediums. I even got three of my pieces accepted in a local gallery exhibit called “Santa Through The Years”.

My photography started really taking off this July and I had two of my photos featured in an exhibit with many other amazing artists. Currently I have photographs in four exhibits throughout Indiana and also in a local gallery.

The best news of all is I was accepted for TWO solo exhibits at South Shore Arts in Hammond and Crown Point, Indiana in 2012! So exciting!

Here is a link to my website if you want to see some of the photos I have taken:
http://loramercadophotography.com

My beautiful son Alexander passed away in 2003 from a congenital heart defect. It was the hardest time of my life and I still have my moments where it can be unbearable. The ladies here at Two Peas rallied around me and helped ease the pain of the loss that I was going through.

One thing that has helped me through the loss of my son is receiving the many signs that he has given me thougout the years. I have finally decided to fulfill my dream and write a book that collaborates various stories from people who have had signs from beyond, including my own personal story and signs from my beautiful son.

Up until now, I think the grief and pain was too fresh to write this book, but now it has been over eight years and I feel that this book will be extremely cathartic for myself and for others in a state of sadness and grief.

After my son died, I read a lot of books on the “afterlife” and experiences that people had with their loved ones after they passed away. These books made me feel like my son was closer than I realized and that all of the “signs” I had been given were not mere coincidence, but pure love from the other side.

In this book I will reveal many of the signs that my son has given me and explain his entire story. Alex’s life was only 22 days long, but his memory will live on forever and hopefully through this book, he will touch even more lives.

Please feel free to email me with any questions, and if you want to be a part of my book, I would love to have you! I appreciate and cherish each and every story that is given to me and will hold it in the highest regard.

Please email me your stories to be considered for publication in my book.

EMAIL: ourangelsawait@gmail.com 

What a wonderful way to pay tribute to the ones we miss so dearly.
You can visit the website for my book here: 
Our Angels Await – Stories of Love From Beyond by Lora Mercado

* My beautiful daughter
* Memories of my son
* My hard working husband
* My mom for always helping me out with my daughter
* TRUE friends
* My warm house
* Food in my fridge
* No war in my backyard
* My kitties
* The ability to read, write, think, walk, love
* the feeling of ambition
* the information I have gathered on my ancestors online
* living in the United States
* a full house for my January Scrapbook Retreat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv4j9k28Ef4

My Italian side is harder to find out, but I am anxiously awaiting a packet of info from my grandfather’s brother. I did happen to find some photos of the ships that some of my Di Napoli relatives sailed from Naples to Ellis Island on.

I never was interested in history in school, but now I wish I would have paid more attention. I am really enjoying uncovering the hidden treasures of my family history. I purchased the Family Tree 2010 Platinum edition and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of it, so I can really dive in to this!

Here are the photos that were featured:

http://studiolprints.etsy.com

Helicopter of War

Guns of War

I have loved taking photographs for years and I finally took the plunge and put some of my photos on Etsy. Just click on the banner above to go to my new Etsy Store.

Please add me to your favorites, I will be adding more photos frequently.

I recently became a wedding officiant and have done several ceremonies thusfar. I am in NO WAY representing myself as a “Reverend” or anything of the sort and I won’t perform any ceremonies in a church setting. I just thought it would be a great way to unite people who love eachother and do not want all the “hoopla”.

My hubby has been very supportive and acts as my “assistant”. It is the greatest feeling to unite two people in love! Basically anyone can get ordained online for next to nothing, which amazes me, and it is all totally legal!

Here is a link to my website: