We all have different beliefs, whether or not they are similar. But we all have to respect one another because maybe some people don't believe in what other people do. My beliefs are very important to me. I would want others to respect them just as I respect theirs. I guess I want happiness and respect for all, but sadly that's not possible.

The reason why I want is respect is because my belief in God has led to many annoyances for other people. One of my former friends did not want me to talk about God around him, and that caused us to separate, and by separate to break up. Yes, we did date and it was a nice two years before he told me that I was wrong to believe in God because it went against the laws of science. Laws of science? Are you kidding me? You can tell me whatever you want, but I'm still going to believe in what I believe. That was the end of our friendship.

And when I told someone in my drama club about God, he literally said to my face that people who believe in God are trash. Wow…right to the heart! I can't believe he actually said that. Yeah, I never trusted him again. Don't judge a book by its cover right? I thought he was a nice guy because he seemed like one, but turns out he was an asshole. For sure.

Even though people may disrespect me for what I believe in, I won't let that get to me because I love my beliefs. They will always stick with me. And the reason why I'm Christian? Because I've seen Heaven. I have been to Heaven.

My belief in God started a few years before that night. When I was just a baby, my aunt passed away. And it made my father really upset. Her name was Maria Rivera, and she was so young. She was only fifteen, but she had this really life threatening condition. When Maria was born, she had a hole in her heart that caused her skin to be a more purple color than pink. Sadly, she was sick all the time, missed school, and stayed in the hospital more than her home. But, when she was home, my dad would tell me that she was just a funny girl and she would do great things.

It honestly hurts me and makes me sad to hear that my aunt who I never got to know personally was such a great person who loved my father and other sister, my aunt Julie. If she were healthy and alive today, I know we would be very close. But…sadly that's impossible.

My parents would tell me that when I was a baby, I would babble to the corner or the wall, and it made them wonder if my aunt was there. It does make sense now that I think about it that she was there. I mean, every family member who hears that one of them is pregnant would want to see the newborn. I know Maria would want that as well.

Not a day goes by that I don't think about her. I miss her even though I never knew her. And it makes me sad. As the stories of Maria came to me one by one, the more I began to feel as if I did know her. I feel her sometimes, close by me when I'm sad. I can feel her hand on my shoulder. I can feel the warmth of her spirit near me. It's a gift I have. I can feel spirits and sometimes see them. When I do see them, they are bright white figures that fly pass me. It's a cool gift. I'm glad I have it.

Many years after my aunt died, I began to believe that there was a god. I began to believe in Jesus Christ, and then he became my lord and my savior. I pray to him whenever I feel like I need to such as when there is a death somewhere or when someone I know or I don't know is in the hospital. I ask my friends who are Christian to read a passage from the bible whenever I'm sad, and it helps. It really does.

As my belief grew stronger, I began to believe in Heaven and wondered what it looked like. I remember one day when I was about ten I drew a picture of a neighborhood in Heaven with a bunch of fruit trees. It was my imagination and my creativity that helped me start to get a picture of what it might look like. And even though that's not what Heaven looks like exactly, I still had a good time drawing that picture.

In 2014, the movie Heaven is for Real released in theaters. It was a true story about a young boy named Colton Burpo who's appendix ruptured and had to get it removed. While in surgery, he had an out of the body experience and went to Heaven. When I first saw the trailer, I fell in love and wanted to see the movie. The night I saw it with the family, was the first time I saw Heaven.

I remember it like it was yesterday. I have the video of me talking about the experience on my YouTube channel, and it's one of my most viewed videos, surprisingly. During the night, I woke up to a bright light. My light was on in my room and I just remember this warm feeling in my room, and I get of bed to see my aunt standing by my window.

I was shocked at first, but her smile warmed me up and she led me to my window and opened up the blinds. But, instead of my cul-de-sac, all I could see were these clouds. These white and fluffy clouds surrounding the window and all around my house. It was incredible! And I looked forward and I could see this white arc and these bright stars surrounding it. I then realized that it was the gateway/entrance to Heaven.

It was only for a small while, but it felt so real! When I woke up, I told my mom and she believed me. My brother, not so much. But my parents did and that's all that matters.

That was just the first experience. I've had other experiences in the past as well. One of them being my most talked about one. I remember I was having a hard night and I was missing my aunt. I kept saying over and over "I want to die" and "No one loves me here". I just was having such a bad time. My mom eventually soothed me by singing me off to sleep, I think; however, what really helped me was that experience.

I was in the middle of a dream when this bright light interrupted it. From the light there stood a man in a white tunic and sandles. He had this shaggy brown beard and these brown glittering eyes. He was just amazing. And all I could feel was this warm feeling. I mean, this man was so warm I felt like it was summer! He held his hand out to me and smiled. I remember I took his hand because I knew I could trust him and I followed him into the light.

When the light cleared, I was standing in this forest. The sun was shining and the birds were singing and I was alone for a second. I was in my pajamas but I didn't mind because I didn't really notice. I mean, I left my dream to go to a forest. What was I supposed to think about?

Then the man appeared by my side and I took his hand again. It was then that I realized that the man I was with was Jesus. How did I know? I just knew. He never spoke to me as we walked out of the forest and down the street, but he didn't need to. I had a feeling he was going to show me something. As we walked along the street, we passed an empty playground and three women sitting in chairs knitting. They had kind faces and waved to me. I smiled but didn't wave back for some strange reason.

As we continued to walk, I remember hearing waves crashing along the shore. Jesus and I were headed towards a beach. Our feet came across the warm sand and as I looked up, Maria was standing there. I ran up to her and gave her a hug and I just remember crying in her warm arms saying "I miss you" and "I love you". Every time I think about it, I want to cry. I guess that's what happens when something good occurs.

It was only for a while, but I enjoyed seeing her again. Then Maria let go of me and looked at me with her glittering brown eyes. I knew I had to go because Jesus told me. He didn't tell me directly. It was more of a feeling really, like communication with the mind. There was this small little rowboat and I got into it. Maria and Jesus pushed the boat gently into the water and I waved goodbye as they did as well. The water soon disappeared, and I looked up ahead to see blinds. Through the blinds I saw my body lying down in my bed, eyes closed and asleep. Then everything went black and I woke up right where I was. That's how I know it wasn't a dream. I did actually see my body in my bed.

Even though my brother may have not believed me, I'm glad my parents did. I hadn't gone back to Heaven since, but I have had visits from Maria and my great-grandmother since that day. My great-grandmother has visited me in many dreams. There was one time where I was at a store and she was there. And there was also one other time where I was at a convention center where she appeared in and gave me a hug. I miss both my aunt and my great-grandmother but I do know that they really aren't gone because they will always be in my heart.

With more recent events, I wish I would have another experience like the ones in the past because I did lose a family member. One of my grandmothers actually died on January 2nd, 2018 and it was very sad because she had Alzheimer's for five years. My family and I knew she was going to die that week, but it still hurt my heart. My mom picked me up from school the next day to tell me and it broke my heart. I could not stop crying that day. I stayed home from school the next day and it helped me really. But, I still think about her and I wish she would visit me, you know? I told her to never stop visiting me after she left and she told me that she would absolutely come visit.

My nana was a Christian, so I knew she was telling me that she would visit, but I haven't had any chances to see her yet. I wonder when she will come?

Whatever happens, I will still believe in God and Jesus. Whatever you believe in, don't let others ruin that for you. Your beliefs are your beliefs. Believe in whatever you want to. Be brave to stand up for yourself. And God bless you.