Latin Fusion TV BLOG

Hello to our wonderful readers and fans! Now that September is here, autumn is just around the corner. It has been a Hot summer.

August was a busy and exciting month for me and many others, especially with the start of another school year.  I want to share with you about embracing and celebrating community events and how easy it is to “Make a Difference!”

As I look forward into September and October and prepare for what God has in store for me, I look back at the blessings God presented me this past month.

I spent my time going to auditions, acting, and emceeing while helping within the community.  In doing this, I realize how important our community is and how easy it is to get involved.

I had the opportunity to be the Mistress of Ceremonies for UTSA’s Alumni Scholarship Gala.  It was an honor to be among so many of our leaders, including UTSA President Dr. Ricardo Romo and his beautiful wife, Dr. Harriett Romo.

It was a full house and as I gazed throughout the ballroom, I saw the commitment to education that each individual has given to be an inspiration for themselves, their loved ones, and for others.

The Mystic Knights held their annual School Supply Drive.  This year they included their commitment to the SouthTown Lions by adding an eyeglass drive.  The Mystic Knights have captivated my heart as they constantly reach out to help less fortunate children and families.

With the help of his family, local car clubs and community leaders, Carlos Martinez, Mystic Knights President (who also writes for Street Talk), collected supplies to ease the financial burden on families so the students can focus on education.

As he addressed the crowd, he mentioned that even a pencil can make a difference as it gives students something to write with. We were moved by his speech. The Knights are an inspiration.

The Ambassador Project SA, led by Professor Joe Michael Gonzales held their inaugural fundraiser to provide students with Scholarships.  They raised $1,300 in their first attempt. Great Job Guys!

Jaime Martinez celebrated his 66^th birthday at Pueblo Hall with about 150 of his closest friends.  Jaime let me emcee his party, which included Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Commissioner Tommy Atkinson and many others.  But the real gift was listening to Jaime play his trumpet with Little Henry and the Legends band.  What a great night!

We helped the Latinos in Action Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame Induction raise money for scholarships.  The inductees included SA Talon’s record-setting Quarterback Aaron Garcia; NFL Pro-Bowl Guard Max Montoya; High school Basketball Superstar Denise Forestier; and Dr. Henry Cisneros, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.  The LIA has presented more than $90K in scholarship monies in the last 18 years.

I am excited to say that I got an opportunity to play a part in an upcoming film.  Filmed here in San Antonio, it included me acting with legends in the film industry.  What an experience! I learned that if you just show up, great things can happen.  Will keep you posted on the film.

On October 13th, I will receive an Outstanding Women Role Model Award from the Image De San Antonio.  Proceeds will also go to scholarships. What an honor!

On October 6, from 3 to 8 pm, more than 25,000 Rubber Ducks will race down the San Antonio River to benefit Haven for Hope and Paseo del Rio Association! Adopt a duck for $5! Hope to see you there.

I want to wish all the students a great and successful year.  You are the future so do your best, ask God for guidance and open your mind to learning.

Do not Bully.  If you know of anyone being bullied, speak to your parents and your principal and stand up for the little guy.  You have the right to be you, get an education and be an example to others.

As always, Saludos to all of the men and women who serve and have served our country in the military, you are our heroes.

Giving back to your community is a way to “Make a Difference!” Giving of time is as important as giving money.  Big or small, fundraiser or community awareness events, these all give us an opportunity to build bridges and remove barriers.

God has blessed you with a gift – Please, let us give together, these gifts given so freely by Father God!

I thank you for your continued support, walking with me on my journey and ask you Make a Difference.  And remember to always “Walk by faith and not by Sight!” - Brandy

 

New Year Resolution – Follow Your Heart! By Brandy Lopez

Happy New Year everyone! May your dreams and endeavors come true in 2012 – may you be prosperous and may Father God find favor on you.  It is a time of New Beginnings!

But first, I want to thank you all for your prayers last year as my family and I went through a difficult time in our life.  We almost lost our daughter Diamond due to illness. (continue reading…)

Happy New Year to everyone!

My this year be a prosperous year for you and all your endeavors and your Dreams.

This year I have decided not to make a New Years resolution, but to actually move forward with what God has Blessed me with.

I want to thank each and everyone of you for all your prayers this last year as my family and I went through the most difficult time in our life, when we almost lost our Daughter Diamond during Thanksgiving.  If you do not know about this – she was on 100% life support and not expected to make it through Thanksgiving!

When asked who would make the final decision – if need be – I knew in my heart that it would not be me – it would be Jesus Christ.

As I stepped outside of the ER that evening to pray, I saw the the Twinkle in the Sky that brought back a beautiful sweet memory of my Princess Diamond when she was two years old.  She and I would sing” Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!”   Her favorite phrase was “Like a Diamond in The Sky” and she would say I am looking at you!

It was at that moment that God was saying: “I am looking over her as I am healing her back to life!”

Today, I am happy to say that after three weeks in the hospital and on Life support, our daughter is walking, talking and eating like you wouldn’t believe – and we love it!

But, we have to extend our Thanks to all of you for all your support and Love.

We should never take those that we love for Granted or say something that we may never be able to take back – especially if  God chooses to take them from us at any given moment!  When you invite someone into your own life treat them like they matter, like they are family!  That is one thing that I was raised and taught and I plan to have my children do the same. We may not always be perfect in each others eyes , but we definitely are in Gods eyes.

We have been Blessed with three beautiful children that are all grown up today, but to dad and myself they will always be our babies.

They each have a twinkle in the Sky that is as bright as a star and shines like a Diamond.

When you look at your loved ones Imagine that and give thanks to Jesus Christ for all the Blessings he has given you when it comes to Family and Friends.

This New Year I have no new years resolution as for many years everyone seems to make them yet there are those of us who never keep them, yes I am guilty!

The Blessings that God has given me this past year as he prepared me for the New Year!  I promise not to take for Granted  but to make it a priority, “my Priority!”.

I will reach for that Twinkle in The Sky, set my Goals and make them reality.  If you ask what is it that you want to do and how do you plan to do it, my answer is this: “I don’t have that answer, therefore I will not answer, but I can only trust in God and Walk with Faith! If you believe in me like you say you do then I pray for your patience, your faith and your support!”

This I can say: God has answered great prayers this  past year and one was healing my daughter and He has opened my vision to a New Beginning of real success!

I am sure 2011 was a tough year for a lot of us,  some of us had to deal with financial set backs, Health problems, and I am sure other personal issues.

This I will say why not join forces and make a real difference in our lives and set goals and make them happen.

We sometimes let the enemy take over and he will try and sneak up on those of us that are weak. I know because it has happen to me 2011 was not a  very year good for myself  The fears just got deeper and I became weak that I allowed it to happen.

God has let me know as the year almost ended that he has great plans for us by opening wonderful opportunities.

I am very happy and proud to say that Michael was blessed with an opportunity and he made it happen.

I received an email from a person out of state and is now a client and is blogging on our website  Blog, so with that said I have come to realize that no matter what I think or feel I should not Fear or be insecure I have to open my heart and soul and listen when I am being assured and  told the truth.

I have felt so lost and felt like I was going in different directions with me creating no direction for myself or my show.

My fear was that I would give it all I have and really make it happen and some where down the road  along with everything else that I love and care about would vanish.

I may have been my own enemy thinking these crazy thoughts, but today in time it is some times hard for me to trust, others may not understand but I have given in my time and shared with a kind heart and when not expecting it a bomb would hit, I know I have been told many times that life and we have to keep going. But  that alone would be enough to scare anyone as it has scared me.

Yet 2012 will be different I want to share with you that Latin Fusion TV will succeed and it may not just be just Latin Fusion TV but I will be looking at an even Greater picture I may not have all the answers or the logistics but I know that they are there where God has put them in my sight.

I support you with all your Goals and Endeavors for the New Year  and ask that you please continue to support me.

I may have created  Tejano Classic TV and gave it a new name LFTV but I did not make it happen on my own.

After going thru so many obstacles I have to  say thank You  to Independent Functions who is the strong power and mind behind  LFTV and it’s website are today.

That is the power of  “If” as it’s slogan says I can’t get what I want unless I help others get what they need.

This is proven to be very true and I am very grateful although I may not show it I know what my Heart feels.

Thank You Michael Arellano for your real believes in what a dream or  goal can really become reality.

You are that Twinkle in the Sky!

I am sorry for my actions and for saying I am just me.

I am not just me I am a person, who can make a difference if I just let thinks be..

I hope that those of you reading my article will learn by may mistakes and never give up  on what God has blessed you with.

2012 will bring out the the Eye of the Tiger that will add that twinkle in my eyes and if I plan to shine and work hard  for our business I hope you do the same.

Nothing or no one can ever take that away.

Happy New Year my dear friends and remember to hold on to each other and never let go that is just what the enemy wants as I have heard this many times.

Continue to smile like you have always done even if there was a time you felt it was gone, it has always been there, the enemy just tried to take control and today I found my smile again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

May God Bless You and continue to Walk by Faith and Not by Sight!

Brandy Lopez

 

Many people have heard the term cloud computing, but few seem to be aware of what it really is. This is unfortunate, because it is the future of how computers will operate. In its most basic form, this type of computing is the use of programs and information over a network, usually the internet, instead of having them physically in the same location.

Most people are already using a cloud company service without even realizing it every time they access pictures or music that they have saved on a remote server. There are many companies that are being started to provide this service, but there are also many well-known companies like Google, Amazon and Apple that are branching out to offer cloud services to businesses and individuals alike. There are many benefits of using cloud computing and a few drawbacks that must be considered.

The flexibility and cost savings are usually considered the largest advantages of utilizing the cloud. By storing applications and data remotely, people are able to access them from any location. Data storage and server costs can also be significantly reduced. Paying a monthly fee is a much smaller cost than purchasing and maintaining the storage drives that even a small business would need. Many business owners also use the cloud as part of their disaster recovery plan. By having all data and computer programs stored in the cloud, it is safe from any disasters like floods or fire at the physical business site.

The number one concern about using this type of computing is the safety of the data being stored. Many people are rightly concerned about making sure that their information is safe from any hackers or other computer criminals. Fortunately, most services have numerous data safeguards in place to prevent any unauthorized access. When looking for a cloud service, one should inquire and understand the precautions that are taken to protect their information.

Hello to all of our Readers! We hope you had a safe Halloween and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!  The Holidays are upon us so enjoy your time with your family and be thankful for what you have.

Last month we wrote about Running the Race, not giving up and understanding that things happen for a reason.  How people and circumstances, like the seasons of the year, come and go and it is all in God’s time!  Therefore, we must have faith and be committed to do what is right.

It means we must commit to Finish Well!

When we discuss finishing well, we are not talking about winning the race, but about finishing strong – doing the best you can and making sure that you commit to finish – and do what is right, good and helpful.

Finishing well is important because life is a journey! It can be a long and tough road.  People remember us more for what we do rather than for who we are.  This can be hard but you can finish well.  The chapter of your life is still being written.  Write it well!

It’s the same for us, it is the same with business, things might be tough – but do not give up. And if things are going well, then be generous, help out, give back.

It is the Holidays and there will be a lot of activities going on.  It should be a reminder of how grateful we should be, and how much we can help those less fortunate than us.  How we can make a difference.

It is easy to look at how little we may have or what we are missing in our life, but let’s not. Let’s finish the year well by helping others.  The best way is to volunteer and donate.  You can help us!

On Friday, December 9^th, I will host my 6th Annual Star Gala, or “Una Noche con Las Estrellas,” at the Fountain Bleu Banquet Hall.  The event will be from 7 to midnight.  But this is not an ordinary gala, we have partnered with our dear friend, Rocky “Shuffle” Hernandez, of the award winning OBG Band and we will have a dance and special guests.  We will collect toys to be delivered over the holidays and we will bring in local celebrities and stars to party with us.

We will collect toys for Rocky’s Kids and Brandy’s Toy Box.  Toys will be delivered to Bexar County Sheriff, Christus Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital, Santa’s Cruisers and other organizations.  Many will be volunteering their time and resources and we will be doing a good thing for Families in Need.   I invite you to join us.

We are working with Janie’s Records Shop, Del Bravo Records, and other locations to collect gifts for the children.  On Facebook, go to the Latin Fusion Tv group page and Una Noche con Las Estrellas Event page for the latest information and updates on the Gala and where to donate.

Check out the ad here in Street Talk magazine.  Hey, maybe we can talk Jaime to join us and you can meet our wonderful editor and publisher.

This month is Veteran’s Day – We salute all of our veterans and support our troops!

On Friday, November 11, the JW Marriott is hosting a big Veterans Day bash.  Also, they are honoring teachers, firefighters, police officers and government employees with a discounted room rate – check out our website for details.

On Saturday, November 12 is the United States Military Veterans Parade, it is one of the largest veteran’s day parades in the United States.  Remember, Freedom isn’t Free and this is just one way we can honor our veterans – We hope to see you there.

Finally, for information regarding the SouthTown Lions, the events we support and the work we do check out our website: www.SouthtownLions.org.  As for latin Fusion Tv, we have lots of upcoming events, so please visit our website: www.LatinFusionTv.com.

The end of the year is near, so let’s remember to walk by faith and not by sight, love each other and commit to Finish Well! Hope to see you at our Gala!  God Bless – Brandy

 

 

 

 

Dear Mom,

I write to you today, a letter, to tell you how much you mean to me and to say: I Love You!

I often sit in thankfulness and blessing realizing how special you really are.  You are kind and compassionate, caring and patient, prayerful and spiritual. You are thoughtful, mindful, playful, and even listen to me and my stories without commenting – until I am finished.  Then you encourage me, support my crazy ideas and always wish the best for m.

You pray for me, you have loved me even when I couldn’t and didn’t love myself.  For that I am grateful!

You have taught compassion and caring with your actions, not just your words.  More importantly, you have taught these attributes to many people, not just your family.

They say Latinos share a different type of love than many other cultures – I do not know if this is true, but the carinoso, cultura and familia that you have shared with us is a blessing.  And again, as a teacher, you taught many about our culture.

You have taught me how to live my life in a loving manner, how to be patient, and even saintly – whether I have done so has always been my choice.  But this letter is about you, not me.

As a mother, you have had to carry, feed, nurture, educate and protect us.  You have done this in a loving manner and without complaint.

You made us feel loved and special, each of us in our own special way.  You support us and our endeavors without question, but instead with love.

Mom, words cannot express what you mean to me and I cannot give you anything that equals the love you have given me.

So I say the following: You are beautiful, cool, hip loving, a great mom, a good sister and a loving daughter.  Our family holds you in high regard making you an excellent role model.

Your actions are worth emulating, your love is worth sharing and your accomplishments are worth noting.  I wish I spent more time with you, learning more about you sharing how much you mean to me.

So, I offer you my sobriety, my love and this letter for the world to see.

I love you Mom – Thanks for being you – I could not have been blessed with a better Mother.

Your Loving Son

P.S.

For all of the mothers out there – you deserve more than one day and love in more than one way – So I say this to you all:  May you find the peace and Blessings of God’s Love this and every day that you live.

For those that no longer have their mother – I sincerely hope and pray that you are peace, get to see Her again and have at least one more chance a the loving hugs only a mother can give.

And just so you know – OUR MOTHER MARY WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!

Take Care, God Bless and Cool Runnings Mon – Michael

A huge hello and Big Hug to all our readers who continue to support our LFTV Blog!  It really has been a while since my last blog, so I want to say I am sorry.. It has been pretty busy and I can’t believe March is almost gone.

I want to say” Happy Birthday” to all those who are celebrating a birthday in March. I recently celebrated mine with my beautiful family that I love so much.

The moments that we spend with our family can become and should always be very memorable. My siblings and I are very close and I am very Blessed with my beautiful children.  One thing I can say is: Dad and I did something right! And to have two sets of wonderful parents that are always smiling. Just to see the excitement on their face when we walk through the front door of their home you immediately feel the warming welcome.

I am not saying that we are perfect lets be  realistic who is?  Other than one man and his name is Jesus Christ.

We spoil and pamper each other in a loving and caring way,we laugh, we cry together, we pray for each other when we are facing tough times.  There are those who  think  my mom has the Red phone to reach God when we need answered prayers.

I share this  with you because, to me, everyday is a Birthday of celebration, especially when it comes to your family and those that you love; we always include and never exclude.

We recently had two family members that we had not seen in over twenty years come back into our lives.  To have them back in our lives was like they were never apart from us.  Even from a distance, the closeness that one has, and the love that we hold in our hearts, will always make up for the lost time.

As I celebrate this moment in time I ask  myself why am I  so Blessed to have a family as Beautiful as mine.

So when it comes to celebrating your birthday remember this, Everyday that you wake up you should give thanks and celebrate another day of life and another day to say how Blessed you are to have a Family that loves you so.

It’s not the gifts and the parties that you will cherish; but The Love of your Family that you will keep close to your heart till eternity.

This was the best gift God could have blessed me with and I wouldn’t have asked for anything else.

So if you are celebrating your birthday remember this, Family and Friends and the one that you Love is the best Gift of All that anyone could possibly have.

I do not know if this describes  you, but just know this, that no matter how small or big your family may be, or even if there is no family at all: Say Thank You to God for your special day and celebrate  today just like you would tomorrow.

Happy Birthday to you! may the Blessings Shower upon you and give you a life of Abundance.

Till next time keep smiling.      Brandy Lopez

“We walk by Faith and not by Sight”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That the Holidays are here and it is Christmas, I am reminded of the more important things in life – Love, Caring, Sharing, Giving, Family, Friends and Santa Clause.  And look, I don’t want to push my beliefs on you – but I celebrate a Christian Christmas with some commercialism thrown in.  I celebrate Christmas and I believe in Jesus and Santa Clause.  Many of you have different religious and spiritual upbringing, and I respect you nonetheless…  I ask you do the same with me and each other.  Because the idea of celebrating the Holidays is not foreign to any of us.  We all have some holiday we celebrate – don’t we?  We all celebrate something! And we all have some sort of belief when it comes to Christmas – we either believe or we don’t.  And with Christmas, comes giving and hoping giving with love!

But for now, let us celebrate our similarities rather than our differences.

Why?  Because it is easy to find fault and differences that separate – but true humanity and value as people falls in celebration and appreciation of the similarities we share as part of the human race.

Alright, what am I saying and what does it have to do with:  “It only takes one!”  What does that mean?

Allow me to explain:  Life is filled with joy, frustration, anger, happiness, loss, love, security and insecurity.  It also consists of finding the one moment or incident that will make you remember, for the rest of your days.  And recently I had that moment that leads me to say:  “It Only Takes One!”

1. one kind word – to lift a spirit;
2. one mean word -  to kill a spirit;
3. one random act of kindness – to bring joy to someone;
4. one smile – to brighten someones day;
5. one word of encouragement – to keep someone moving forward;
6. one word of discouragement – to make someone quit;
7. one kiss – to take your breath away;
8. one movie – to change your opinion;
9. one person – to change your life for the better or for the worse;
10. one gift – to make a Christmas for someone;
11. one teacher – to influence you forever;
12. one hug – to make you feel better;
13. one song – to change your attitude;
14. one tragic story – to reevaluate your life;
15. one tragedy – to change your life forever;
16. One drink – to take you over the edge;
17. one moment – to never forget;
18. ad infinitum and you get the picture….

But understand – it only takes one and you are THE ONE!

We lost a friend this week (as we all do) and it reminded me of what I saw last week.  Allow me to share:

My partner, the Beautiful Brandy Lopez was invited to participate in a gift giving excursion.  She was Mrs. Clause.  She, along with Bexar County Sheriff Amadeo Ortiz and  Santa Clause, rode on a horse drawn carriage down a major street, with a police escort to deliver toys to the  Clarity Mental Health Center for Children.  It was a neat experience.

In celebration of the Christmas spirit, they delivered toys to the 80 or 90 children that are part of this school.  The school helps children who are emotionally challenged and suffering from some sort of mental challenge (depression, ADHD, ADD, PTSD, etc.) Most of these children have suffered one tragedy after another, so much so that they are traumatized and need therapy.  Some go through The Clarity, which has some good people at the helm and what appeared to be a very caring staff.

As the children came and went , some spoke to Santa, some just picked up their gifts and moved along.  Some were shy, some didn’t care to engage but were happy nonetheless.

Then came The One.  This little guy walked up to the carriage with his hand held out.  He was walking with one of his teachers beside him.  He was not looking for permission as much as he needed someone to walk this journey with him.  It was unclear what he was doing at first until we noticed he was holding something in his hand as he approached the carriage and Santa.  The carriage was hand made of wrought iron and was being pulled by a Hummer.  It was big compared to this little guy.

I was standing behind the little guy and was just not sure what was happening  until I saw the cookie in his little hand.  He slowly approached, with his hand held out, his head down and meekly reached out and said, “Santa, this is for you!”   We were floored!

Not because he was the only one to do this, not because he did it and it made me think, but because you could almost sense the fear of rejection.  He reached out. His gift was accepted and he was accepted.

And it was Santa Clause that accepted his gift.  The One thing that every child wishes – that Santa would accept and take his cookie.  Imagine all the cookies left for Santa in this world. Imagine, as the children do, that Santa gathered them up and ate them with a smile.

But think about it, we were able to see this happen as it happened.  The little guy smiled and was still smiling when we left.  And it led me to think that it only takes one – one moment, one gift – given from the innocent of heart.

And it reminded me that “The most important gifts are from the heart!”  And Because – they are given with love!

And God so Loved the World that He gave his only begotten Son, so that we may have Salvation!  Happy Birthday Jesus!

God Bless You all and Merry Christmas!

Michael Arellano

Happy Holidays to you and your Family.

As the days get closer to Christmas, I stop and wonder:  What goes on in everyone’s  mind?

People rushing to get holiday shopping done on time and preparing for Christmas Dinner, perhaps holiday party’s with co-workers and exchanging gifts.

I have always enjoyed watching everyone feeling so merry and cheerful when the holidays come around.

It’s funny, because I used to be that person, always wanting to give to my family and even those I didn’t know.  I have always felt that if I was going to have a warm Christmas I wanted other families with children to have the same.

This year has been tough for a lot of us, and perhaps there are some of us that don’t know how to deal with it.

There was a time when I was always able to help others with financial relief and did so without hesitation.

Today it is different, I am unable to give as freely as I used to, yet my holidays will be okay.  I plan to spend this Holiday Season with Angels and Family.

I ask Jesus Christ to surround me  with all his beautiful Angels and with their strong wings to lift me up in spirit, and continue to bring that smile to my face, even when I know times are tough.

I must focus on what the Holidays are about :  It’s preparing me for the Birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

What I am trying to share with you is that no matter how hard things may seem, when it feels like everything is crumbling around you – you must remember that you are not alone.

You are surrounded by Angels  and they are lifting you up in Spirit.  You can find them all around you if you take the time to see them.

Be thankful for what you have and even for what you don’t have.

I am Thankful for my love for Christ and my Family, and friends that really care.  I love you just like Jesus Christ loves me and Jesus loves you too.

So I say to you: Thank You for all you have done for me, and not allowing me to give up my dreams.  This alone will make my Holiday brighter.

I hope you spend this Holiday Season with Angels and Family, and may it be merry and cheerful.

May your Holiday Season be warm and full of love, and the Greatest Gift you receive is knowing that God makes the impossible – Possible!

Happy Holidays to you and your Family,

Brandy Lopez

“We walk by Faith and not by Sight”

“Do this in memory of me!”  Those are some of the most famous words ever said – especially if you are a Christian. They are also the most famous words you will never hear.  Especially as said by our fallen heroes who fought for the freedoms and rights for us as Americans.

As Memorial Day came and went,  this is what I have to offer… I do not mean to offend and the following is my personal opinion:

We (US citizens) live in one of the greatest countries in the world.  We have the right to vote, free speech, assemble and gripe about whatever we want.  The government didn’t give us those rights, but men and soldiers paid the ultimate price for these rights and freedoms.

There were lots of bbq’s and river floaters and party revelers who enjoy the day off from work and have a good time.  I, personally, took the time to spend with family, and self, and reflected on these freedoms while at the river.  It was a beautiful Sunday. On Monday I reflected about what came to mind.

The following is what I embraced as things very important to me as a man, an American and a Christian.  They were:

1. Never take freedom for granted;
2. Respect our troops, they protect our freedoms;
3. Love one another, especially those that sacrifice their time for yours;
4. Learn to forgive, you never know how much time we have on earth;
5. Get outdoors and enjoy – I hadn’t been to the river in months and it was beautiful;
6. Enjoy your family while you still have them;
7. Don’t over drink and ruin a good time for others;
8. Be grateful for your freedoms;
9. God is bigger than me and my problems; and
10. As a Christian, the freedom that Jesus gives me in the form of peace and salvation really puts “Do this in Memory of Me!” in perspective.

This post may not make sense, but if you were standing there with me, as the river flowed strong and the riverbanks were lush with foliage – I was in awe of my freedoms, my family and my God.  I was overwhelmed.

I realized that my needs and wants were not as important to me as the needs and wants of others, especially children and the downtrodden.  Life is relevant. Life matters.  What we do matters, especially if we do for others.

But most important, I realized that I mattered – to my family, my daughter, some friends, my partner, but most of all to God! And if I matter to God, then you matter to God.  And maybe, just maybe, God should matter to you and I.

After all, He gave up His life for my salvation, and that is a freedom that I cannot live without because I have lived trapped and enslaved by the throes of addiction.  And to be free from these addictions is a freedom I am grateful for.

So again, God Bless all of those who have died in service to this great country (faults and all) and to the families who have had to mourn this loss.  God Bless all those who have served and who serve our country.  And God bless you all. And most of all, Thank you God for a beautiful day, a beautiful life and a wonderful country!

Take care, God Bless and Cool Runnings!